BTech Civil Engineering graduate, Rashika Bholanath is amongst the Durban University of Technology (DUT) students who graduated at the DUT’s Spring Virtual Graduation on Monday, 30 November 2020. 

It was a proud moment for her and her family since she graduated with Cum Laude for BTech in Civil Engineering (Water).  

The ecstatic, Bholanath from KwaDukuza said this achievement came as a huge surprise. 

“After an unpleasant first semester, I challenged myself, through the support by my family and my current employer SMEC South Africa, to push against boundaries and overcome obstacles.  I was ecstatic on discovering that I was graduating with Cum Laude, but the best feeling was looking towards the people who supported me and knowing I did them proud,” she said. 

Being the third child out of four children also served as her motivation to work hard. She said having two older sisters means that she has high standards to live up to and being an older sister to her brother means she has a responsibility to set a good example. 

Speaking about her journey at DUT, Bholanath said it started in 2013 when she was fresh out of high school. 

“Walking into campus on my first day, was walking down a significant road in my life, and I knew that despite the frisson of excitement, this was a crucial period requiring my very best. Amidst the new faces, I scurried through my backpack for my timetable, having lost my way to my first lecture venue. Soon enough, the once intimidating corridors and unforgiving fleet of stairs became a part of my normal. I met different people with varying perspectives, and in some of them, found a lifetime of friendship,” recalled Bholanath. 

At the moment, she is privileged to work at SMEC South Africa as part of the Urban Development function group. She said she joined SMEC in 2017 after graduating with her National Diploma in Civil Engineering and have been shaping her career ever since.  

As an individual, she said she always strive towards being the best version of herself and plans to study further so she can expand her knowledge within her career, adding greater value to her work. 

She is grateful to her family for the continuous support and motivation, stating that this achievement is not hers alone. 

Furthermore, Bholanath said she is grateful for the Spring Virtual Graduation and DUT’s efforts towards ensuring a successful ceremony, amongst the global pandemic and challenges at hand. 

Lastly she encouraged current students to remember that the sky has no limit, just like them. She advised that students should never underestimate themselves as they can achieve anything they put their mind into. 

Pictured: Rashika Bholanath during her first graduation at DUT (Picture taken pre-Covid) 

Simangele Zuma