Growing up in a rural area called Nqutu in KwaZulu-Natal where healthcare services are limited inspired Samukeliswe Dubazane to be part of the solution. She is now officially qualified to bring that change in her community as she graduated Cum Laude and obtained the Dean’s Merit Award for her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony on Monday, 12 May 2025 at Indumiso Campus Hall, Pietermaritzburg.
Dubazane’s journey serves as testament that nursing is more than just a profession, it is a calling. Driven by love, care for people and passion to make difference in their lives saw her enrolling for Nursing after completing her Diploma in Information Technology at DUT.
She expressed that she feels honoured to graduate Cum Laude and it is an incredibly fulfilling moment.
“Graduating with such an honour is incredibly humbling and fulfilling. It reflects the hard work, dedication, sleepless nights and sacrifices I made throughout my academic journey, especially during times of grief and personal struggle,’’ she added.
Her journey was filled with both challenges and growth. One of the hardest moments was losing her mother just after registering in January 2020. She had just left her newborn daughter at home to pursue her studies, and that period tested her emotionally and mentally. However, through support from her family, lecturers, and tutorial classes, she was able to push through and complete her studies successfully.
“My biggest challenge was the passing my mother at the beginning of my first year. I was also adjusting to being away from my daughter, which was emotionally draining. Balancing academic demands and personal responsibilities was not easy, but I stayed committed,’’ she explained.
The third year-old said that respect and integrity which are amongst the ENVISION2030 living values and principles, has guided her action as a student nurse and shaped her professional conduct.
One of her dreams is to specialise in a particular area of nursing, possibly midwifery or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and eventually take on a leadership or teaching role in the future. Including growing as a healthcare professional, to contribute meaningfully to public health, and eventually work in a leadership or academic role where she can mentor and guide future nurses. Currently Dubazane is doing her community service at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Gauteng, where she works as a comserve professional nurse.
She encouraged first-year students to stay focused and be prepared for challenges but never lose sight of their goal. “Use the support systems around them, whether it is your family, lecturers, or peers,” she said.
Pictured: Samukeliswe Dubazane.
Photographer: Sibonelo Dlamini.
Vukani Langa.
