Having gone through the worst period of his life in 2018, losing loved ones and having no income, did not deter Sibongiseni Nzuza from his path to achieve his academic goal.

The determined Nzuza will graduate for his Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Surveying, where will graduate Cum Laude and with the Deans Merit Award, at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Durban University of Technology (DUT) Steve Biko Campus at this afternoon (Monday 6 May 2019).

“It is a great feeling, especially since I did it in style. Right from the onset the goal was to graduate Cum Laude, and I did it,” he said excitedly.

In February 2018 he had lost his mom, so he was left with three of his siblings and still without a job, and in April 2018 his half – brother was shot and burnt beyond recognition. There was a certain point when Nzuzo felt like in one way or the other he would have to quit studying. “I could not pay my rent, and my car was going for auction. Nothing seemed to work out. But I kept the faith. Fortunately, late in April I got a job and things started falling back into place,” he said.

Nzuza added that studying and working at the same time is never easy, especially when one is in construction where one’s work demands one to be on site every day. For Nzuza, who likes being hands – on, surveying was the right choice for him, also growing up with the desire of working with big structures. So after making all the necessary research he felt surveying is the career he wanted and did pursue.

He also emphasized that DUT was the best place to study for him, adding that he regarded it as the leading University of Technology in Africa, making him fully – equipped for the world of work.

“I am specialising in engineering surveying which involves positioning and levelling of structures such as bridges, dams, roads, railways, buildings, etc. I am also currently working for Stefcon Projects and working on the construction of a high rise building (15 floors) in Umhlanga, Durban. Surveying is a very good career but requires a certain level of discipline,” he said.

The goal – orientated Nzuza hopes to open his own business but also wants to continue his journey in the same field and pursue his greatest goal which is to register for his Masters degree, in time to come.

His advice to future DUT students is to have self – belief. “I just told myself that I will prevail even though the odds were not in my favour. Sometimes when there is no way, you must make one,” he stressed.

Pictured: Sibongiseni Nzuza

Waheeda Peters