Being diligent and working hard in his studies continuously is what drove the determined 27-year-old Biermann du Plessis to achieve Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit Award in his Civil Engineering Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree, Transportation. 

The Pietermaritzburg born lad graduated at the DUT Spring Virtual Graduation ceremony, online on the DUT website: www.dut.ac.za, and DUT YouTube channel: DutCampusTv, on Monday, 30 November 2020 at 12pm. 

Speaking on his elation upon hearing of his accolades, Du Plessis said that his parents were equally excited with his results as they knew how hard he had worked to achieve these great awards. He stressed that his biggest motivation factor was always his family and the fact that he knew that if he is going to put the time and effort in, the results will come. 

“I am very pleased to obtain a Cum Laude and Dean’s Merit in my BTech degree, this means so much to me as hard work pays off. I feel that our country has great potential for development but requires sufficient infrastructure and therefore I had decided to study Civil Engineering and did my BTech in Transportation to assist me with the designing of the road networks between all developments,” he said. 

Du Plessis indicated that the life of a student is tough at times as one has to learn new methods and principles every day. However, he did indicate that each day would be fun if Civil Engineering is one’s passion. 

He is currently employed, and aims to study further, as he believes that one can simply not get enough knowledge. 

“I will probably take a three-year break before I start to study again, I am currently employed as a Design candidate technologist. I design all civil infrastructure services for both residential developments and housing projects. I also write the relevant reports being Stormwater management plans and Engineering reports,” he said. 

Besides studying and working, Du Plessis puts lots of his energy into his sports. “I am a mountain biking and golf enthusiast therefore I work hard during the weeks so that I can exercise my hobbies over weekends if time allows me too,” he said. 

For him, this has been a challenging year and circumstances have changed where one has to adapt accordingly. 

“I would have liked to receive my qualification in person as I was looking forward to the day. I have not been to my Diploma graduation either, as I could not make it on that day. However, this does not stop me from working hard. I am still motivated and a team player,” he said.   

Du Plessis has some words of wisdom for future Engineering students which is to work hard and keep one’s head up and never give up. 

“Hard work pays off as I have just experienced it,” he said. 

Going forward, he would still like to do his Project Management Professional course (PMP) as this would also be very beneficial in the Civil Engineering industry.  

Pictured: Biermann du Plessis

Waheeda Peters