Alumnus, Thembelihle Isaac Hlongwane is flying the Durban University of Technology (DUT) flag high after he was successfully awarded the Kader Asmal scholarship to study for his master’s in Public Relations with New Media at the Munster Technological University for the academic year 2023-2024. The euphoric Hlongwane is expected to start from September 2023 to August 2024.

The Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme is a fully funded scholarship opportunity offered to South African students to study at master’s level in Ireland’s world-renowned Higher Education Institutions.

It is also a flagship programme of the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa. The Kader Asmal Fellowships covers university application, tuition, and examination fees. Economy travel to and from one’s country of residence to Ireland; and a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover other living expenses. In addition, the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme aims to support students who would not otherwise pursue master’s level education in Ireland, and graduates.

Hlongwane (29) was born and bred in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. Having been raised by a single parent who worked as a farm worker to put food on the table; he believes being raised by a single mother shaped him and forced him to have a direction in life.

“I am coming from a family of six children, and I am the only child at home to go to university and graduate Cum Laude in two consecutive years. I hold a Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management (Cum Laude), Advanced Diploma Public Relations Management (Cum Laude), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management. All qualifications were obtained a DUT. I have worked as a journalist at Nqubeko FM, and a Public Relations Officer at KZN Namuhla Newspaper. I recently resigned at Capitec Bank where I worked as a Service Consultant to undertake a Master’s degree in Ireland,” he said.

When Hlongwane received the exhilarating news, he could not believe his ears. “I am still shocked, but excited at the same time. I always wanted to study a master’s qualification abroad. I am looking forward to starting the fellowship programme. I am so grateful, and I would like to thank God for this opportunity of a lifetime,” he expressed excitedly.

When asked how he heard of the scholarship he confirmed that it was recommended by alumnus Rodney Rikhotso who had shared a post on Facebook. He relayed that he did not think twice and applied and having winning, academic reference letters from his lecturers in the Public Relations department also played a huge role.

The application process for this scholarship is long as it takes approximately one year, and there are many application stages. For Hlongwane, this is the first time he will be travelling overseas and is looking forward to the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’.

Hlongwane is no stranger to accolades having received a few scholarships which afforded him an opportunity to pay for both his Advanced Diplomas, and Postgraduate Diploma.

“I received the Pacinamix Higher Education bursary for the Advanced Diploma, and PPS Foundation Bursary for the Postgraduate Diploma,” he added.

In choosing to do his Master’s in Public Relations with New Media, Hlongwane aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of public relations as a form of communication and pays particular attention to the growing importance of digital and interactive media on the practice of public relations and professional communications.

“The course content focuses strongly on PR tools and techniques, particularly within the growing new media environment, and on the increasing globalisation and convergence of the media industries. It will help me tremendously as I want to become a lecturer which is my childhood dream,” he added.

Hlongwane highlighted that DUT had shaped him as a student and has prepared him to be a critical thinker, become adaptive in any situation-whether academically, career wise and even personally. His advice to students who wish to also study via a scholarship is to excel in their studies and obtain good grades.

Going forward, Hlongwane would like to start two non-profit organisations in his community.

“The first organisation would be an after-school computer programme. This computer programme will explore a variety of STEM subjects including robotics, engineering, coding, video game design, and Minecraft. The second organisation I would like to launch is an online community newspaper which will be targeted at isiZulu-speaking people,” he stressed.

DUT Public Relations lecturer, Zakia Jeewa expressed how happy she was to hear of Hlongwane’s amazing achievement.

“Hlongwane has always been an incredibly resourceful, diligent and proactive learner from his undergrad years, working hard and finding solutions to his challenges which made him stand out. In the five years I have taught him from diploma to postgraduate level, his hard work has paid off and the lovely news of his scholarship is well deserved. His lecturers and the Public Relations Department are all exceptionally proud, and we support him on every step of his exciting journey ahead with the Irish. May the DUT flag fly high while he is with them,” she said.

Pictured: Alumnus, Thembelihle Isaac Hlongwane.

Waheeda Peters