Sifiso Mvubu, a Finance Officer in the Housing and Residence Life Unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), is proving that education has no expiry date.

The 43-year-old from Umlazi Township will graduate Cum Laude with a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration at DUT’s 2026 Spring Graduation ceremony at the Olive Convention Centre on Thursday, 17 September 2026.

Mvubu’s academic journey at DUT began more than two decades ago when he enrolled for the National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting in 2001, graduating in 2003. He then took a lengthy break from formal studies to focus on his career and family, building a career in accounting, finance and financial administration across the private and public sectors.

More than 20 years later, Mvubu returned to the classroom, registering for the Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration in 2024. In 2025, he continued with the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences: Business Administration through the DUT Business School, which he completed Cum Laude.

“When I learnt that I would be graduating Cum Laude, I was extremely excited and proud. For me, graduating Cum Laude is more than an academic achievement. It is reassurance that when you want something strongly enough and are prepared to put in the work, sacrifice and discipline required, it is possible to achieve it,” shared Mvubu.

Returning to university while working full-time and raising a family presented its own challenges. As a husband and father of five, Mvubu had to balance his work responsibilities and family commitments with assignments, group projects, tests and examinations.

He also found himself studying alongside students considerably younger than him, with some around the age of his eldest child.

“Initially, that felt intimidating, but it eventually worked in my favour. I realised that I could learn from the younger generation, particularly from the way they approached technology, research and learning. At the same time, I could contribute my years of workplace and life experience,” he said.

The experience reinforced his belief in the value of lifelong learning and intergenerational knowledge sharing.

Mvubu chose Business Administration as a natural progression from his background in Cost and Management Accounting and his extensive experience in finance.

“I wanted to broaden my knowledge beyond purely financial functions and gain a stronger understanding of areas such as management, leadership, strategy, organisational behaviour, research and decision-making,” he explained.

His professional experience has also strengthened his appreciation for DUT’s values and principles, particularly integrity and accountability, as well as professionalism, commitment and excellence.

“Working in finance has taught me that integrity and accountability are non-negotiable. You are entrusted with institutional resources, financial information and processes, and therefore your decisions and actions must always be transparent, ethical and accountable,” said Mvubu.

He credits his family for playing an important role in his achievement, describing the qualification as something they can celebrate together.

“Studying while raising a family requires understanding and sacrifice from everyone around you. There were many occasions when study commitments meant giving up family or personal time. Their support and understanding made the journey easier,” he said.

Mvubu has no plans to stop learning. He has already applied for a Master’s degree and hopes to continue developing academically and professionally, with longer-term aspirations of pursuing an MBA and progressing into senior management and leadership roles.

He encourages students not to compare their academic journeys with those of others.

“Some people will qualify at 21, others at 30, 40 or even later. What matters is that you continue moving forward,” advised Mvubu.

If his journey inspires even one person to return to education and pursue a new goal, Mvubu believes that would be another achievement in itself.

Pictured: DUT Finance Officer, Sifiso Mvubu.

Picture: Supplied.

Simangele Zuma