The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Bachelor’s Degree in Education: Natural Sciences student, Snethemba Ndlovu (23) who hails from KwaMnyandu near Elandskop in Pietermaritzburg graduated Cum Laude and obtained 21 distinctions on Monday, 15 May 2023 at Indumiso hall
Ndlovu completed her matric at Georgetown High School in Edendale and she was one of the top achievers as she obtained six distinctions out of eight subjects. She has always known that she wants to be a teacher by profession, as she has best memories about her high school life. Back in high school she met very loving and caring teachers who helped her with school uniform and other basic needs because she came from a disadvantaged background.
As a result, she was highly motivated and wanted to help other children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and to excel in her studies because she wants to change the situation back home.
“I want to instil pride in them so that they will excel in their studies and get good jobs and be able to take care of themselves as well as their families. Moreover, I want to teach them to believe that with their hard work and determination they can change their backgrounds, I want them to make education a priority,” she said.
Back in high school, Ndlovu used to gather her school mates after school and help them with their schoolwork. She believes that helping her school mates also helped her to grow as she wanted to become a teacher one day. In 2019 she enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education: Natural Sciences at DUT.
Ndlovu’s journey at DUT has been full of ups and downs but she had an amazing experience as she met people who had the same passion as her. The first day she came to DUT, she told herself that she is going to keep her eyes on the price, she always remembered why she came to DUT. On her long university journey, she met amazing and approachable lecturers who made her academic life enjoyable.
Coming from a disadvantaged background, Ndlovu used her National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowance to take care of her grandmother and siblings back home. Helping her family with the NSFAS allowance was never a burden to her because she met other students who also took care of their families with the little that they had.
Ndlovu cannot thank herself enough for choosing wisely when it comes to friendships.
“My future plan is to have a job so that I will be able to take care of my family and siblings. I also wish to further my studies because I believe that education is the key to success.”
Ndlovu advised university students to keep their eyes on the price, never forget who they are and why they came to the university in the first place. She also advised them to choose their friends wisely because she believes that friends can build or break you.
Pictured: Snethemba Ndlovu
Nomvelo Zulu
