For Faculty Assistant at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Business School, Nangamso Gumede, the 2026 Spring Graduation was extra special as her employer awarded her with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Raised by her mother, a widowed seamstress in Adams Mission, South of Durban, commitment, is a DUT principle that the 38-year-old developed from her formative years. This achievement has soaked her into the fabric of the DUT Business School as this postgraduate experience afforded her the opportunity to understand and appreciate the university’s operations, whilst simultaneously enabling her to fulfil her academic obligations.
As a full-time employee pursuing postgraduate studies, having to come home from a full day of work to 6 months old twin children, being a wife, and having to attend online classes presented challenges with time management and resilience.
“The biggest challenge was balancing my postgraduate studies with my daily operational responsibilities. There were times I genuinely struggled to mentally switch from ‘staff mode’ to ‘student mode.’ One moment I would be on the floor helping students with queries or handling exam logistics, and the next hour I would be studying for my own tests,” said Gumede.
Despite these challenges, as part of the DUT family, she leaned on the value of respect, which she claimed helped navigate her through the challenges.
“I deeply associate with treating every person with dignity, care, and empathy which is Ubuntu/Respect, as well as a dedication to student success and the university’s mission. My daily goal at work is to ensure students have a smooth journey, which aligns perfectly with these values,” added Gumede.
For Gumede, this academic milestone extends beyond personal gain, but is a goal to contribute to the wellness of the DUT student populous.
“As an administrator dealing with working-class students, I felt a gap in my own understanding. I realised I needed this qualification to broaden my understanding of Business Administration so I could better engage with, understand, and support the students and professionals I interact with daily,” added Gumede.
This latest win in Gumede’s academic journey has given birth to a goal of furthering her studies to Master’s level with the goal of contributing to educational psychology.
“My ultimate career aim is to pave my way into educational psychology so that I can actively change lives and provide the necessary support and guidance to those who need it,” stated Gumede.
Her message to first year students who wish to embark on the same career path as her is that they should prioritise their wellbeing and remain resilient. She expressed gratitude towards the DUT Business School for enabling to fulfill her academic goal.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to DUT and my wonderful colleagues. Your continuous support, patience, and guidance made this journey possible. I am incredibly proud to be part of the DUT Business School family, and I look forward to contributing to this vibrant community for years to come,” concluded Gumede.
With an increased desire to further her studies and contribute directly to the advancement of her career, Gumede’s journey demonstrates that focus, resilience, and self-care can contribute to academic success.
Pictured: Nangamso Gumede.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Sompisi Ntuli
