Zaheer Moola believes that hard work is the only secret in order to succeed academically. He was speaking after his graduation for his BTech in Information Technology (IT) obtained with Cum Laude and the Deans Merit Award this morning at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

“I got through high school without putting much of an effort into studying and discovered that it didn’t really get me anywhere. During my time at University, I realised that if I wanted to succeed I would have to really start working. Countless hours were spent studying and working but, in the end, seeing the fruits of your work makes it all worth it,” he said.

This is Moola’s second graduation as he obtained his National Diploma back in 2017, and he said he is proud of his achievement. “This graduation ceremony signifies the long end of my academic lifestyle, starting all those years back in primary school and spanning a decade and a half. It’s refreshing to no longer have academic woes but at the same time, campus gave you a structure and certainty that work life just doesn’t have,” said the jubilant Moola.

He said IT was an obvious career choice for him, since he started doing it as a subject in Grade 10. “I was constantly exposed to computers and developed an interest in it, eventually choosing IT on a whim as one of my subjects for Grade 10. To my surprise, I did not only excel at the subject but found myself enjoying it immensely and looking forward to lessons. I particularly enjoyed the programming aspect of IT and found myself loving the sense of accomplishment that comes with solving a problem. By matric, I had no doubt in mind that Software Development was the career path for me,” said Moola.

Moola said he is grateful for the support that he received from his family, as they valued academic excellence and constantly motivated him to strive to perform to the best of his abilities.

He currently works for a Johannesburg based company as a Graduate Mobile Developer. “I’m very satisfied with where I am right now and I’d like to consider moving overseas in a few years,” he added.

Moola also encouraged students to maximise the opportunity to acquire education. “The University provides you with the tools to pave the path to your future but it’s entirely up to you to choose whether to do so. At the same time, remember that it’s not just all work and no play. Your campus memories should be the ones that you look back on fondly,” he said.

Pictured: Zaheer Moola.

Nduduzo Ndlovu