Mbaliyethu Mpanza beamed with pride and joy as she walked across the stage to receive her Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management, graduating Cum Laude and earning the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence. Her remarkable achievement was celebrated on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at the Olive Convention Centre during the Faculty of Management Sciences graduation ceremony.

Currently employed as a Process Control Technician in the Operations Department, Mbaliyethu said obtaining her qualification was not only a personal goal but also an important step toward advancing her career. She hopes that her academic success will open doors for promotion opportunities within her workplace and inspire her to continue striving for excellence in her profession.

Mbaliyethu also shared that one of her greatest motivations for pursuing further studies was her children. She wanted to lead by example and teach them that education has no limits, regardless of age or circumstances. Her determination to balance work, studies, and family responsibilities demonstrates her resilience, discipline, and commitment to building a better future for herself and her loved ones.

“As a mother, I want to lead my children by example and show them that education can open many doors in life. It is easier to encourage your children when you have walked that path yourself,” she explained.

Growing up, she always had a passion for operations management and dreamed of one day making a meaningful contribution in the field. Graduating Cum Laude and receiving the Dean’s Merit Award marks a significant milestone in her academic journey and serves as a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and dedication to achieving her dreams.

Pictured: Mbaliyethu Mpanza 

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Thubelihle Dumakude