The dynamic, 24-year-old Nontsaso Mbele who was born and bred in Estcourt at Ephaphakhulu, is excited to have graduated Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit award for the Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing for the class of 2021. Mbele graduated during the second session at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 26 July 2022.

“I started to make research on how to obtain Cum Laude and the Dean’s Merit award after I was encouraged by my tutor when he saw the results I obtained for my test during my first year of study. I then made it my goal to always obtain more than 75% in all my modules” she said.

Obtaining this qualification means a lot for Mbele because she is now going to be part of the Golden Key Society.

Mbele also mentioned that there is a moment where she was admitted in hospital for two weeks but through the support from her study group and family she managed to pull through, stay focused and reached her goal of passing Cum Laude.

“Special thanks goes to my family, partner and friends that I met during first year who gave me all the support needed. I was mostly excelling in theory and lacked when it comes to practicals but the exchange of information with my classmates helped me alot. Most importantly, I would like to thank my God and my ancestors because without them I would have not made it” she added.

She never took advantage of being born in a family with parents that can maintain her in all aspects and stages of her life.

“I am very open with my parents which made it easy for me to communicate my obstacles with them. I even shared my timetable with my mom who always made sure that we prayed before I wrote all my tests and exams” she said.

The emotional Mbele also mentioned that she is very thrilled to follow on the footsteps of her sister who also Cum Laude in Nursing at the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN).

Pictured: Nontsaso Mbele

Photography: Vusi Dlamini

Zanele Mashaba