The Academic Officer of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Slindile “Thingolwenkosazane” Ximba has set a good example for fellow students after successfully completing her Diploma in Business and Information Management. She obtained her first qualification at the DUT 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
Ximba (22) does not only focus on encouraging students to focus on their studies and strive for excellence but also promotes “purity” amongst young women. She is a Zulu maiden, who is a member of the Izimbali Ze-DUT Virgins Club Society.
She attended her graduation ceremony dressed in her Zulu maiden traditional attire, which she said was her way of honouring her beauty and virginity. She joined the group during her first-year of her studies in 2022 to help her to stay focused on her studies and to not forget her family’s teachings.
“Siyafunda siyaphasa (we study, we pass). Siyafunda siyahlola (we study, we go for virginity testing). My graduation shows that I practise what I preach, which is striving for academic excellence. As an SRC Academic Officer, I work at the intersection of student issues, faculty engagement, and institutional accountability, bridging the divide between what students need and what the university provides. Every initiative I undertake is rooted in creating a collaborative, student-centred academic environment where excellence isn’t a privilege, but a right,” shared Ximba in excitement.
She is currently pursuing her Advanced Diploma in Business and Information Management. She described her journey at DUT as transformative, a path carved through resilience, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to serving students.
“I started as a house committee member, mentoring first-year students as a tutor, and eventually took on one of the most critical portfolios in student governance. The desire to be a voice for others, to challenge the status quo, and to spark meaningful academic reform is what drew me to student leadership. I saw the gaps and felt compelled to be part of the solution,” added Ximba.
As she approaches the end of her SRC term, Ximba feels inspired by the journey she has walked and the future that awaits her. She feels her lessons learnt about advocacy, resilience, and leadership will carry her far beyond the gates of DUT. After completing her studies, she plans to pursue her postgraduate qualifications, possibly in Information Systems or Education Leadership, and eventually take up roles that will allow her to shape inclusive, forward-thinking education systems or lead in the space of digital transformation.
Among the DUT values, she resonated mostly with is integrity, transparency, and respect. For her, integrity meant doing what was right, even when no one was watching and it had guided her every decision she made as a leader.
“Transparency is about being open, honest, and accountable in everything I do, especially when making decisions that affect others. Respect means recognising the dignity of every person, listening, and treating every student’s concern with the seriousness it deserves. These values are not just words on paper for me, they are lived principles. They influence how I lead, how I communicate, and how I serve,” reiterated Ximba.
Pictured: DUT SRC Academic Officer, Slindile Ximba during her graduation.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Simangele Zuma
