Phindile Gcabashe’s success is more than a personal achievement, it is a message to learners from townships like Inanda particularly Amaoti where she grew up, that your background does not define your potential. She graduated Cum Laude for her Bachelor of Education in Senior and FET Phase at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony at Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
Gcabashe’s academic success exemplifies perseverance and hard work. It reflects late night study sessions at the library and lecture halls. She commended her family for being supportive throughout her journey.
“I always stayed focused and made sure that I attended all classes. My family was happy that I got Cum Laude, they even went to an extent of counting my distinctions. My mother is super proud of me, and she always believed in my hard work. My siblings have been my rock, and this achievement is for them as they supported me throughout the years of my career,’’ she described.
Her interest in teaching was motivated through the experience she gained at his mother’s creche and preschool, where she assisted during school holidays. That is where she developed the passion for teaching and grooming learners.
The 23-year-old feels that somehow the teaching qualification is really underestimated particularly language majors. However, this served as a driving force in her determination to excel in her studies.
Apart from academics, she also served as the first chairperson of the school of education Newsletter (Getting in Touch with DUT) where she led content creation and managed a diverse team of students. She was also a member of the Residence House Committee in 2022 and 2023 where she dealt with students’ issues and created an inclusive environment for them.
Among DUT’s living values and principles, she associates with respect. She believes that teaching is built on mutual respect for diverse languages, cultures, and learners voices.
Currently she is studying her Bachelor of Honours in Language and Media (majoring in isiZulu) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She aims to further her studies by doing her Master’s and PhD in Education.
Her dream is to become an indigenous language specialist that will advocate for curriculum policy changes that support African languages. Moreover, she would love to lecture at any university to train the next generation of educators, language, and media specialists.
To first-year students who wants to embark on the same career, Gcabashe said academic discipline forms the foundation. Therefore, they must make sure they attend every lecture with purposeful engagement and approach each module as equally important to their professional development.
She also expressed her appreciation to her mentors at DUT and the Student Housing and Residence Life unit for guidance. Also, she sent a special thanks to Dr Zempilo Gumede for always believing, supporting, and opening new opportunities for all students.
Pictured: Phindile Gcabashe.
Photographer: Sibonelo Dlamini.
Vukani Langa
