At just 24 years old, Matilu Maria Morerwa proudly graduated Cum Laude and receive the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award, from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) with an Honours Degree in Journalism. The Graduation Ceremony was held at Olive Convention Centre (OCC) on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
Hailing from Polokwane in Limpopo, Morerwa’s journey from first-year student to high-achieving graduate is one that inspires and empowers.
Her journey at DUT began in 2021 when she enrolled for a Bachelor of Journalism, which she completed in 2023. In 2024, driven by a lifelong passion for storytelling and media, she pursued her Bachelor of Journalism Honours.
“My time at DUT was both exciting and overwhelming at times, adapting to a new environment, facing the language barrier, and navigating a different cultural space wasn’t easy. But I found my place, and it ended up being an incredibly fulfilling four-year experience,’’ said Morerwa. Beyond her academic commitments, Morerwa joined the DUT boxing team embracing campus life in every sense.
Graduating Cum Laude and earning a Dean’s Merit award was an achievement Morerwa described as surreal and deeply humbling.
“Graduating alone is something to be proud of, but graduating Cum Laude and receiving Dean’s Merit made it even more special. It reflected all the sacrifices, discipline, and commitment I poured into my studies, this will remain one of the proudest moments of my life,” she elaborated.
Throughout her academic journey, Morerwa upheld values that became the foundation of her success which are Respect, Accountability, Commitment, and Excellence. “I respected the opportunity to study, respected my lecturers and classmates, and held myself accountable by always showing up and doing my best,’’ she explained.
Just like one of her lecturer who once said ‘It is not about how you start but how you finish’ and that quote motivated her until the very end.
Time management and social integration were among her toughest challenges. “Procrastination really set me back in the beginning until I realised I had to change. I created a schedule and stuck to it. The language barrier also made it difficult to connect socially not everyone was open to communicating in English, so I had to learn how to navigate that space,” said Morerwa.
For Morerwa, family support was central to her success. “My dad was especially proud. He knows how much education means to me, and he had always been my biggest supporter. This achievement is as much his as it is mine,” she added.
Her love for journalism was sparked by her grandmother, who would bring home stacks of newspapers. “I would get lost in reading up to ten newspapers a day. That is when I knew I wanted to write and share real stories that matter,” she explained.
Although she once considered studying law, her heart ultimately led her to journalism, and she never looked back.
Now, having completed her Honours, Morerwa plans to pursue a Master’s in Communication. Her current career focus is on storytelling and digital media, particularly highlighting stories of hope stories of ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things in their communities. “I want to use digital platforms to amplify those voices and make a difference through storytelling,” said Morerwa.
Professionally, she works as a freelancer in marketing and communications. She provides online streaming services for live events, offers marketing support for a local funeral cover business, and tutors part-time. These roles allow her to apply her academic training while building a meaningful career.
To students who want to take the same path as her she share advice with them: “There is no perfect time to start building your career start now. Take every opportunity that adds value to your path. Volunteer, attend media briefings, build your portfolio while you’re still studying. It will set you apart once you graduate.”
Pictured: Matilu Maria Morerwa
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Sinamile Sithole
