The Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2026 Spring Graduation ceremony marked a turning point in Lucky Maurice Hlavangani’s life. The first-time DUT graduate was conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology on 16 September 2026.
For Dr Hlavangani, this achievement never came without any challenges, as he had to overcome health issues that threatened to derail his academic pursuit. These challenges begun in 2025, four years into his PhD journey where he suffered from eyesight issues which were an impediment to his academic progress.
“I remember very well in 2024, I was admitted in hospital for three weeks, and of which was stressful. I started having a vision problem, of which I had to undergo several surgical procedures for. On the other side, academically, my stress level was very high, of which I had lots of stuff that I had to attend to at the same time. I remember when my supervisor requested me to complete a form for dropping out because of my health condition, but then I said to myself, I’m not going to do that. When I look back where I was coming from, to where I was, I said to myself, no, I rather become a tortoise in this journey, because I can see the way, I can see the path, and I’m nearly finishing this degree,” he said.
He is no stranger to the Information and Communication Technology sector, as he holds a Bachelor of Technology in Information and Communication Technology and a Master of Technology in Knowledge Management from the Tshwane University of Technology.
His PhD thesis is titled, “A Framework for Knowledge Sharing in the South African Police Service: A Maximum Variation Sample,” which is about police officers making rapid, informed choices because split-second decisions directly determine public safety, protect human life, and shape societal trust in the justice system.
“The research aimed to develop a knowledge-sharing guide for police officers by examining how law enforcement utilizes technology for crime prevention and investigation in South Africa. The study also investigated the enablers and barriers influencing knowledge-sharing practices among police personnel to address the knowledge-sharing problem at police stations,” he explained.
However, despite his academic competence, the DUT adaptive graduate’s tenacity and focus originated from his time serving the country through his work at SAPS.
“I come from a background of the military and SAPS, of which, when you are in a war, you don’t look back, you look forward. I looked forward and proceeded up until I reached the stage where I am today. I am very excited, and my family is very excited because they know everything that I went through,” emphasised Hlavangani.
Looking ahead, he spoke of the importance of focus and resilience in order for anyone looking to emulate his achievement.
His commitment, perseverance and intellectual growth have brought him to this proud moment of becoming a doctor in his field of study.
Photography: Sifundo Thwala
Pictured: Lucky Maurice Hlavangani
Sompisi Ntuli
