“In 2014 I began to pursue my dream in the Aviation Industry to become a Commercial Pilot, however, due to the high costs associated towards training for this profession, I could only obtain my Student Pilots Licence and sadly, I had to drop out,” said an emotional Shanice Mooninthan.

But this did not deter Mooninthan, who will be conferred with a National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning Cum Laude, at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban today.

She says her journey was not an easy one, as she had to change her career path, she also tragically lost her father and she had to work part-time jobs in order to finance her studies. “In 2016, I sadly lost my dad to cancer. In 2015, I had to work several jobs, so I could go back to studying in 2016 and that year, I decided to change my career choice to a National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning, in which I have since excelled, and now passed Cum Laude,” she said.

“Finance was a major challenge and I had to work part-time in my second year and half way through my third year to pay for my academic fees. However, thankfully I was funded with a bursary from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in my third year, and currently now for my BTech degree,” she added.

The courageous Mooninthan said she is very proud and elated to obtain her qualification with Cum Laude. “It is a feeling that is unexplainable, reaching this day did not come easy, it took a lot of hard work, sacrifices, sweat and tears for me to see this day. To know that I have passed with Cum Laude is by far one of my greatest achievements and an exhilarating feeling which only motivates me to want to strive for greater and better things for my future,” she said.

For Mooninthan, choosing a career in Town and Regional Planning was a natural choice because she excelled in drawing and design while in high school. She was also inspired by the desire to contribute towards transforming human settlements particularly for the poor.

“This was based on the fact that whilst growing up, it was always a heart sore moment seeing poverty and the conditions to which some human settlements were experiencing and existed under. This did not only instil a drive in me to help make a difference, but it also encouraged me to do the best I could to make a positive change. All of which led me to the field of Town and Regional Planning,” she said.

She attributed her academic success to being principled and the support she received from her family. “Through my perseverance, I hope to be a successful and independent woman. However, I also owe a lot of credit to my family and friends that have played a significant role in my life and achievements,” she said.

She also had a few words of encouragement for other students. “Life is not an easy journey, it is the route you take and the people you take it with. Surround yourself with people that believe in you and your dreams and achieving them will prove easier than expected,” she advised.

Pictured: Shanice Mooninthan.

Nduduzo Ndlovu