For Nolwazi Qwabe losing her parents in 2002 (father) and 2011 (mother) was a huge setback but she is grateful for the continuous support that she had received from her aunt Nomusa. Nolwazi graduated Cum laude and she received a Deans Merit Award for her BTech: Public Management on Thursday evening, 09 May 2019 at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

“My aunt assisted me with financial resources to pursue my studies from the day my parents passed on. She has been there ever since catering for my personal welfare. She gave me her best to ensure that I fulfil what I desire,” said an emotional Qwabe.

The Eshowe – born Qwabe said that she aspires to become a lecturer one day, which is something that was triggered by her engagement with other students who had constantly consulted with her for guidance and advice.

“Enhancing the students understanding certainly assisted me to awaken the desire of becoming a lecturer in the near future. Being appreciated by one of my own lecturers, telling me that I can do more and I should consider becoming a lecturer based on what he had observed when I was assisting my fellow students with tricky tasks,” she added.

Her passion for service delivery was the biggest motivating factor for Qwabe to pursue Public Management as a career. “I want to shed the light to the public that they are entitled to effective and sound service delivery. This triggered the desire of undertaking a research that will benefit the public in understanding what they are entitled to and I may write journals juggling it with being a lecturer,” she said.

The current Intern within Business Licensing at eThekwini Municipality, said she intends to further her studies in the future once she is able to secure sufficient financial support to enrol for an Honours degree in Public Administration. “I will study till I become Doctor or Professor Qwabe, I know the chance will prevail where I would secure funding and further my studies which will enable me to pursue my dream of becoming a lecturer,” she added.

She also encouraged students to persevere in pursuit of their dreams regardless of the obstacles that they may come across.

Pictured: Nolwazi Qwabe.

Nduduzo Ndlovu