The 22-year-old lass, Philisiwe Mayeza, from Jolivet on the South Coast received her Diploma in Public Administration, specialising in Supply Chain Management, graduated at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2026 Autumn Graduation Ceremony at the  Indumiso Campus Hall in Pietermaritzburg.

From her  first year at Riverside campus in 2023, her involvement in student leadership started as a floor representative, then moved to the house committee. Currently, she is serving as the SRC Social and Welfare officer, and is enrolled for an Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

“To me, my graduation is not just a paper. It’s proof of how much I’ve grown and something that can help me become better. I see it as a tool I can use to open doors, apply what I’ve learned, and contribute meaningfully in public administration and supply chain management,” she said euphorically.

Keeping the DUT values and principles close to her heart, and with value of accountability, she says accountability means taking ownership of decisions and actions, and being able to explain the reasons behind them. “In student leadership and academic work, this value helps build trust and ensures responsibilities are handled consistently,” she shared.

One major challenge for Philisiwe has been balancing academic studies with personal life and leadership responsibilities. “Managing coursework deadlines, attending SRC duties, and handling personal commitments required careful time management and prioritisation,” she said.

Besides her jubilation, Philisiwe says family were very excited, especially her mom and siblings. They have been supportive throughout her studies and were proud to hear of her achieving such an academic achievement.

For Philisiwe, she is currently enrolled for an Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Management to deepen her knowledge and improve career opportunities in the field.

Her advice to a first year who wants to embark on the same career is to focus on studies but also take time to enjoy university life.

“Coursework can be demanding and draining, so it’s important to balance it by socialising like getting involved in the clubs and societies offered by the institution. These experiences build networks and personal growth alongside academics,” she said.

Pictured: Philisiwe Mayeza

Waheeda Peters