Nontobeko Mchunu, a 28-year-old from Mooi River, overcame numerous challenges to excel academically in her Bachelor of Education in Senior & FET, majoring in Accounting, Business Studies, and Economic Management Sciences. She graduated with Cum Laude at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, which was held at Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
Losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic became a powerful motivation to further her studies at DUT. Sharing her journey, she mentioned that it was not easy, she had faced many hurdles. After previously dropping out from another university, she told herself she would not leave DUT empty-handed, she had to finish her degree.
When she was asked about the DUT living values she resonated with, she said that the value she strongly associated with was excellence, closely tied to integrity and compassion. She explained that despite facing personal and academic challenges, she had remained committed to her education and refused to give up.
She had held herself accountable, worked hard, and maintained a strong ethical foundation even when the journey was tough. She also saw compassion in her story, not only in caring for her children, but in understanding the importance of uplifting herself so she could support and inspire others. She added that these values had guided her throughout her journey and would continue to do so in her career and life.
“Graduating Cum Laude was more than just an academic achievement for me, it was a symbol of everything I overcame. From dropping out of university, to losing my job during the COVID-19 pandemic, to returning to school as a mother. There were many moments when giving up would have been easier, but I refused to let my circumstances define my future. Achieving Cum Laude felt like a validation for all the late nights, sacrifices, and emotional struggles I faced along the way. This honour was not just a personal victory, it was a message to my children and others in similar situations that it was possible to rise above challenges and succeed. I am incredibly proud and grateful,” she explained.
According to Mchunu, becoming a teacher was her own choice, driven by a passion she had since high school. She also wanted to further her studies, perhaps by pursuing her Honour’s degree in 2026.
As a teacher, her aim is to make a meaningful impact in the lives of learners by creating a supportive, inclusive, and empowering learning environment. She wants to inspire students to believe in themselves, regardless of their background or personal challenges, just as she had to believe in herself during difficult times. She aims to be more than just an educator, she wants to be a role model, a motivator, and a source of guidance for learners who might feel overlooked or discouraged. Her goal is to help shape responsible, confident, and capable individuals who could contribute positively to their communities.
Mchunu said she is working at Zizamele Junior Secondary School in Cato Ridge as an Accounting teacher. She mentioned that she had been fortunate enough to land a permanent position before even graduating, and she had started on 14 April 2025.
In advising first-year students who want to pursue a teaching career, Mchunu emphasised the importance of staying focused, being patient, and never losing sight of their purpose. She said teaching was more than just a job, it was a calling that required heart, resilience, and a genuine love for helping others grow. She encouraged learners to ask for help when needed.
Pictured: Accounting teacher, Nontobeko Mchunu during her graduation.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
