Former Midlands Campus SRC Deputy President, Nkosinathi Phungula will graduate on Tuesday morning (25 April 2017) during the Faculty of Arts & Design’s graduation ceremony.

Phungula will obtain his Bachelor of Education Degree at Indumiso Hall, in Imbali. He was the first student from DUT to be offered an opportunity to study for a semester programme at the King Juan Carlos University in Spain.

“Graduating was my end goal; it’s an achievement not only for me but for my family and community. I am proud of all that I have achieved so far especially coming from such humble beginnings,” said Phungula.

Born in Ixopo but raised in Mpophomeni in Howick, he is the last born with three siblings.

When speaking about his chosen career, all Phungula ever does is smile with excitement. “Teaching is a calling; it is not something you do because you need a job. It requires your soul in order to manufacture kids that will become indispensable in society,” he said.

A staunch church goer and activist at heart, Phungula had also worked on campaigns such as collecting sanitary pads for young girls, as well as collecting school shoes for pupils attending rural schools.

He further adds that being part of the SRC was his biggest motivation into working harder and leading by example. “I worked hard to remove the stigma that suggests students involved in student politics never succeed in school. I also worked hard because I knew there were students who looked up to me and I wanted every achievement to motivate them not to dwell on their background or challenges but more on getting an education”.

The Pietermaritzburg graduation ceremonies will commence on Tuesday, 25 April and end on Wednesday, 26 April 2017. The full graduation schedule can be obtained at:https://www.dut.ac.za/autumn-graduation-2017/

Pictured: Nkosinathi Phungula.

Sthabile Gwala