Mduduzi Dawud Phungula is ecstatic after successfully completing his National Diploma in Journalism despite having to wait three years to study at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) after completing his matric.
Phungula from Inchanga is among DUT’s students who will be honoured for their academic excellence at the university’s Virtual Graduation ceremony to be held today, Wednesday 10 June 2020 at 12pm.
“My journey at DUT started in 2017, three years after I matriculated at Siphesihle High School.
After matric I had to work as a full time cashier and radio presenter at my local radio station Inchanga FM, in order to save money to study Journalism at DUT. I saved enough money to cover my registration fees,” said Phungula.
During his first year at DUT, Phungula obtained the Best Youth Radio Initiator award at the KwaZulu-Natal Young Achiever’s awards ceremony.
The criteria of the award looked at the challenges the nominees had faced whilst in the radio industry and how they rose above them.
After Inchanga FM he moved to Inanda FM then Ligwalagwala FM as an entertainment contributor. Phungula has also worked at Radio Al Ansaar and Radio DUT as a presenter.
He said obtaining his qualification means “light and success” for him and his family as he sees their lives changing for the better.
When asked about the plans to further his studies, Phungula said he will definitely do so in the future but at the moment his priority is building a house for his mother.
He said his journey at DUT was never easy as he had to balance his studies with putting food on the table for his family.
“It was really hard. As a bread winner at home, I had to stress about ensuring that I pass and also stress about making enough income to help me buy groceries and also send money home. It was too much but because I’m a believer, I would pray and ask God to keep me strong and make sure that I make my mother proud. The situation was already bad at home so I really couldn’t make it worse by dropping out. I had to be strong and continue pushing,” said Phungula.
He said he was disappointed when he heard that this year the actual graduation ceremony was virtual due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
“I was looking forward to walking on that graduation stage. I was going to take my mother to the ceremony. She has always been there for me, I’m grateful for all the sacrifices she made for me. I wanted to see her tears of joy as he obtains his qualification,” said Phungula.
He said he chose journalism because of his passion for the media industry, from behind the scenes to the front of the screen.
He is currently running his own vernacular entertainment YouTube channel, Dawud TV ZA, focusing on entertainment news in South Africa.
Pictured: Mduduzi Dawud Phungula
Simangele Zuma
