A 25-year-old Rivantha Govender graduated Cum Laude and received the esteemed Dean’s Merit Award for her Advanced Diploma in Marketing at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation ceremony held at the Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Friday evening (26 May 2023). The dedicated and career driven lass hails from a small town located on the northern suburbs of KwaZulu – Natal, Verulam.

The Cum Laude graduate and a Dean’s Merit Award recipient shared that she had always found a strong interest for the Marketing field as from a young age, she always been creative and found the need to be impactful and influential in any prospective career choice. After briefly spending some time working in the world of marketing, she quickly found herself taking a strong liking to the creative and fast paced environment that presented.

Govender detailed her journey at DUT and she further shed some light on how she overcame the obstacles that came in her way.“Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic meant transitioning from remote to physical learning. The transition was done halfway through my qualification which was difficult to adjust to whilst also working a full time job.  One of the greatest challenges I faced during this period was balancing a job and ensuring I was up to date with my academic work. Being faced with adversities, the constant motivation and support from my family and crucial time management skills which I developed throughout my qualification, assisted me in persevering through and achieving my academic milestones,” she said.

The career driven lass shared that she has always felt the need to remain driven in order to secure a better future and she see her academic achievements as an important milestone in this regard. Furthermore, she added how astounded she was when she learn that she has completed her qualifications and she has attained the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for her academic excellence.

“I believe that graduating Cum Laude with the Deans Merit award adds more merit to my name as it shows good work ethic and dedication to prospective employers. The effort that I’ve put in and the sacrifices that I’ve made throughout the duration of my qualification presents itself in my achievements. After achieving these academic milestones, I am certain that consistency and hard work is key to success,” she said euphorically.

Advising first year students, Govender believes that the key to a successful academic career is resilience, dedication and time management. “I am aware of how difficult this may be especially during periods of adjustment however, you must always remain committed to the process and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Emotional care and setting aside time for yourself is imperative in ensuring that your mind remains clear, and your goals are set out. You can also use this time to ensure that you are on the right track to achieving these goals,” she advised.

Pictured: Rivantha Govender

Lethukuthula Ngubane