The former President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, attended the Durban University of Technology (DUT) graduation ceremony to witness his daughter, Ms Bridget Zuma, obtain her second qualification, an Advanced Diploma in Taxation. She was among the adaptive graduates from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics who were honoured at the DUT 2025 Autumn Graduation ceremony, which was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Monday, 26 May 2025.
It was the second time that Zuma attended his daughter’s graduation ceremony. He made his first appearance at her first graduation when she was awarded her Diploma in Taxation in May 2023.
Zuma was greeted with loud cheers from the guests and graduates as he entered the graduation hall to be seated amongst the proud parents who had assembled to celebrate their children’s academic achievements.
The Programme Director, Mr Alan Khan, who is the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT, acknowledged former President Zuma’s presence at the event.
Zuma’s daughter, Bridget Zuma was excited when her name was called out on stage to receive her Advanced Diploma in Taxation. Dressed in a beautiful red dress, Bridget walked across the graduation stage with pride and excitement, waving to her father and family members who were cheering for her.
Sharing his excitement after the ceremony, Zuma, a proud father, said it was always an honour for him to witness his daughter graduating.
“I was happy when I heard her name being called out on the graduation stage. I am very proud of her. I am always very happy to see my children succeed. I wish her well and I want her to continue furthering her studies. I always tell her that education is not something you can finish, I wish for her to study further and to develop herself and live a better life,” said Zuma who wishes for his children to gain their independence and build a name for themselves.
His daughter, Bridget (28) said that the quest for a better job and a better life was her motivation to furthering her studies. She indicated that her father always motivated them to do better in life and continue the family’s legacy.
“My desire is to continue to live a good life, as I was blessed to live a good life. I am currently unemployed, looking for a job and I hope to get one before the year ends. I am looking to gain experience in my field; hence, I am willing to take any job, anywhere if it is within my field of study. I am not rushing to get a good job from the start, I will be grateful to get a job, gain experience and use the skills I acquired at DUT,” shared Bridget.
Bridget highlighted the DUT value of respect as one that stands out for her. She shared that her father had always taught her about respect.
“My father has respected people who have not respected him in the toughest situations. The most important value of DUT that I will take with me is respect. I think one can go very far with respect,” she said.
She plans to further her studies in the future when she is financially stable and will be able to pay for her tuition fees. In the future, she hopes to have her own firm, which she feels will come with more opportunities and not limiting her to one place.
Delivering the congratulatory message and the vote of thanks was Professor Oludayo Olugbara, Executive Dean: Faculty of Accounting and Informatics at DUT, who applauded the graduates for their hard work and dedication to their studies. He urged them to be adaptive graduates who will participate productively in the development of the region, country and the world. Professor Olugbara also shared his excitement on seeing Zuma amongst the parents who attended the session. He thanked him for gracing the DUT graduation.
Pictured: Former President Jacob Zuma and his daughter, Bridget Zuma celebrating her second graduation.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Simangele Zuma
