“The support I got from my family is what made me to pass with excellent results,” said Lihle Dlamini.
The 23 – year – old Dlamini, who hails from Kokstad, describes herself as a diligent person that always pays attention and puts a lot of effort in whatever she does. She is currently working at LTE Consulting Pty Ltd as a Construction and Programme manager intern.

Lihle was conferred with her Bachelor of Technology in Construction Management and Deans Merit Award today (Monday, 6 May 2019) at the Fred Crookes Indoor Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus.

It has been an emotional roller coaster for her to be a DUT student because at first it was not easy. It was her first time leaving home when she came to DUT for her National Diploma. Therefore, she struggled to live on her own, being responsible and taking care of herself. But as time went by she got on track. For her to be at DUT has made her to be an open – minded person as she had to interact with different and diverse individuals, with that her confidence has grew since she grew up in a township and never went to multi – racial schools.

Furthering her studies at DUT has been a great experience towards her career development. She met amazing and interesting people and she learnt about different cultures through her journey. Doing Construction Management was her personal interest. She always wanted to see, witness and know how to start and finish a construction project and how it comes to life from nothing to something. “Seeing plain land transform to a building or any construction, knowing that you had played part in construction brings satisfaction into my life,” she said.

Dlamini intends to register at SACPCMP so that one day she can be a qualified as a professional Construction Manager. Also, she had no background and experience about this course. She had to go an extra mile to understand the basics of it as it is a very practical and male – dominated course. “I had to work twice as hard to prove myself and to show that women can also work in the construction industry,” she added.

The people who inspired her to study tirelessly are her parents. Her father is still studying, taking care of the family and handling work even though he is close to retirement. “Education has always been a number one priority in my family. Once I get a permanent job, I want to do my Masters Degree to expand my knowledge through studying,” she said.

She thanks God and emphasised that if one wants to pass with good marks one needs to put in the effort in whatever they  do.

Pictured: Lihle Dlamini

Nomkhuleko Thutshini