A 23-year-old student entrepreneur, Violet Madonsela attended her second graduation to obtain her Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Logistics at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony. The dynamic event took place at the Olive Convention Centre, Durban on Monday, 19 May 2025.
Apart from her academic success, Madonsela is a businesswomen who advocates for positive change in society especially in health, after seeing that many individuals with chronic diseases struggle to take their medications on time, often due to hectic schedules or forgetfulness while traveling. As the result, this can lead to lapses in medication intake and potential health complications. She further claimed that research has shown that medication noncompliance can result in worsening health conditions and increased healthcare costs.
To address this issue, Madonsela created an innovative wearable device called Patchlet. This accessory attaches to existing health monitoring devices, such as a watch strap, and features medication storage, customizable reminders, data analytics, and seamless communication with healthcare providers.
“My mission is to create a positive impact on people’s lives through my business and products. I believe Patchlet is a necessary and useful solution for many individuals. My vision is to make Patchlet a leading brand in the healthcare industry,’’ she added.
Her Patchlet business offers a holistic approach to medication management, improving patient-doctor interactions.
On her second graduation Madonsela said that obtaining a second qualification was so special. As she was the first one to graduate in her family. She revealed that upon receiving graduation news her parents were happy and very proud.
“Well, this was my second graduation, and I am honestly prouder this time. 2024 was not an easy year for me, I had lots of challenges and lots to do, and they all required me to put 100%, but guess what ‘I did it!’ I proved to myself that nothing is out of my reach. If I want anything, I can get it,’’ she explained.
Growing up, Madonsela was always fascinated by entrepreneurship, often helping her mother at her shop after school and on weekends. This experience taught her the importance of interacting with diverse people, speaking different languages, and being open to conversations.
In 2018, she won a school competition hosted by NKa’Thuto EduPropeller that encouraged students to develop solutions to community problems. This achievement empowered her to realise her potential and the impact she could make through entrepreneurship.
Her business dreams came into realisations in her third year in an Entrepreneurial Edge module. This course refined her entrepreneurial skills, teaching her how to transform business ideas into reality, create business plans, pitch decks, and deliver persuasive pitches.
“As part of the module, I was grouped with fellow students for a project, which ultimately led to the birth of my business and nothing could have prepared me of what is to come, juggling school, work and business,’’ she added.
Since then, she has participated in various business webinars and programs. These experiences have equipped her with valuable skills and knowledge. She also praised DUT Innobiz Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for playing vial part in her entrepreneurship journey.
Despite coming from underprivileged background, born in an informal settlement in Thembisa, Gauteng she never let her background define her.
Her employment journey started at a shipping line company called MOL in Umhlanga as an intern. She is currently working at a logistics company at Umbilo called Connect Logistics as an External Loads Controller, where she liaises with transporters and clients with moving their goods all around South Africa.
Pictured: Student entrepreneur, Violent Madonsela obtains her second qualification.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Vukani Langa
