Former Abe Bailey winner at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Marizel van Rensburg (24) from Amanzimtoti has reached another significant milestone in her academic journey at the institution. Besides being the prestigious 2023 Abe Bailey bursary winner, she has successfully completed her bachelor’s degree with honours from 2018 to 2022 and graduated in 2023. She graduated at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Spring Graduation ceremony with her Master’s degree in Health Sciences, specialising in Homeopathy. The prestigious ceremony was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday, 19 September 2024.
She once again took to the graduation stage to receive this well-deserved recognition, marking this as her second appearance at a graduation ceremony, underscoring her commitment to academic excellence and her dedication to advancing in her field of study. Her achievement reflects both her hard work and her passion, and she is poised to make a meaningful impact in the world of homeopathy.
Van Rensburg identifies with DUT’s values of integrity and respect. She believes that for humanity to thrive, individuals must have integrity and treat others with respect. She also wishes to see more people who genuinely strive to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. She credited her Abe Bailey bursary for providing her with the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom (UK). She also visited many cities such as London, Cambridge, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, St Andrew’s and Edinburgh.
She believes the Abe Bailey bursary had opened her eyes to the world. She reported that sharing the extraordinary experience with a diverse group of ambitious, young people was incredibly rewarding. She indicated that despite coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, they quickly bonded over their shared passion for adventure and learning on the trip. “Through these newfound friendships, I developed valuable skills like critical thinking, constructive debate, problem- solving, and open-mindedness,” she added proudly.
She stated that the biggest lesson she learnt on the tour was the importance of trust and delegation, emphasising that knowing when to let go and rely on the team is crucial for success. She also mentioned that she was inspired by her fellow bursars’ resilience and determination, describing them as the best of South Africa, a generation that has overcome adversity and is now poised to shape a brighter future for the country.
“One of the most unique aspects of this tour was the opportunity to interact with influential figures like Lords, the Mayor of Camden, a Labour Party MP, and renowned criminal judges. These experiences were invaluable and helped me realise that people are just intimidating in our perceptions of them. We are all humans with a common human experience. This realisation helped me to carve my future by speaking to important people with greater confidence,” van Rensburg added.
She expressed her love for homeopathy from the day she enrolled on the programme. She described it as her dream occupation, expressing her deep enjoyment in working with patients. She emphasised her passion for helping patients made her recognise the healing power within nature and themselves.
“My family was thrilled to hear about my master’s graduation ceremony. They are eager to see where this new degree will take me and share in my hope and dreams for the future,” she said.
She holds two positions, one as a receptionist at Dr H Reader’s Homoeopathic practice, and another as a part- time team member at the Khula Natural Health Centre. With her latest degree in hand, she is eager to launch her own practice, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career. Although she considers this her final degree for now, she is not ruling out future studies that will enhance her homoeopathic expertise, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and professional development.
Pictured: Master of Health Sciences specialising in Homeopathy, Marizel van Rensburg.
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.
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