Two students living with hearing impairments proudly celebrated achieving their academic milestone at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn Graduation ceremonies held at the Indumiso Campus Hall in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

Ayanda Ngubo (25) from Sinathing in Pietermaritzburg attained his Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences in Business Administration. Meanwhile, Sphiwe Mthimkhulu from Grouville in KwaDukuza graduated for his Advanced Diploma in Public Administration in Supply Chain Management.

Despite facing communication barriers and the challenges often experienced by students living with disabilities, the adaptive graduates persevered through determination, hard work and the support provided by the Disability Rights Unit at DUT.

Ayanda’s journey at DUT began in 2022 when he first enrolled for his Diploma in Management Sciences in Business Administration, later graduating in May 2025. Soon after completing his diploma he enrolled for his advanced diploma qualification.

“I have always aimed for the highest results. During my diploma, I was consistently one of the top performers, earning academic awards in my class. For me, the most important thing is the dedication and excellence I put into my work throughout the year of my studies,” shared Ayanda

Resilience and commitment is what he believes helped him to overcome daily obstacles as a student living with hearing impairment.

“I live with a hearing impairment and wearing hearing aids in both ears, sometimes make communication a challenge. Attending lectures and engaging in group discussions required me to work twice as hard as my peers just to keep up with the curriculum. Socially, the journey remained difficult as I rely on looking directly at a person’s face and lip-reading to follow a conversation. Some people found my way of communicating unusual, I also faced a very difficult time in early 2025 when I lost my mother just before my first graduation. Financially, things were tough as well; while an SRC grant helped me to register for my advanced diploma, I still carrying the weight of student debt,” shared Ayanda.

Ayanda whose hearing loss began when he was 10 years old further indicated that transitioning to university was a challenge, but joining the Disability Rights Unit at DUT helped him to adapt. During his studies he was elected the Chairperson of the Students With Disabilities Association (SWDA) which gave him a way to lead and help other students living with disabilities. He shared that this role made him feel more at home on campus.

“One of the most important parts of my journey was being selected for an international exchange programme in Germany at Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Ravensburg. Studying in another country and passing all my modules proved that I can succeed anywhere. I also spent a year as a tutor helping other students with disabilities, which was very rewarding. Being the only graduate at home makes me even more determined to keep succeeding and inspiring my community,” added Ayanda.

He aims to continue breaking new ground for his family as next year he plans to enrol for his postgraduate diploma. Ayanda wishes to keep building his knowledge so he can reach the highest level in his career. He is currently part of the Graduate Work Experience Programme at the eThekwini Municipality, working in the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, where he  assists in tracking the progress of various municipal projects.

Also first to graduate in his family, Sphiwe credits some of his success to the late KwaDukuza Municipality Mayor, Mr Ricardo Mthembu for encouraging him to further his studies after taking a gap year in 2018. He said Mthembu’s guidance and support played a significant role in shaping his educational journey, motivating him to never give up on his dreams.

“In 2022, I enrolled at DUT to pursue a Diploma in Supply Chain Management. Through hard work and dedication, I successfully completed my qualification within the prescribed time in 2025 and graduated Cum Laude. My academic performance reflects my commitment to excellence and continuous self-development. Following the completion of my diploma, I furthered my studies by enrolling for an Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Management in 2025. I am currently enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management, and I aspire to continue my academic journey up to PhD level in the future,” shared Sphiwe.

He believes his studies at DUT have shaped him academically, professionally, and personally. During his academic journey, he also completed his in-service training at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development under the Acquisition Directorate, where he gained practical experience in procurement and supply chain management processes.

Coming from a rural community has motivated him to work harder and inspire other young people to pursue higher education regardless of their background or disability.

“My career goal is to become a highly skilled and respected Supply Chain Management professional who contributes positively to improving procurement systems, operational efficiency, and service delivery in both the public and private sectors. I remain grateful to my family, lecturers, mentors, and everyone who has supported me throughout my academic journey,” concluded Sphiwe.

Both students expressed gratitude to the Disability Rights Unit at DUT for creating an enabling learning environment that allowed them to participate fully in university life and pursue their studies with confidence.

Pictured: Ayanda Ngubo and Sphiwe Mthimkhulu with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at DUT, Professor Vusi Gumede.

Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.

Simangele Zuma