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Durban University of Technology 38It was an immensely moving and heartbreaking moment as Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo walked the graduation stage at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) to accept a posthumous Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Applications Development on behalf of her late daughter, Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo. The ceremony, held in May 2025 at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, became a moment of both sorrow and pride, as DUT honoured Sinenhlanhla%u2019s academic journey and the dreams she worked so hard to achieve. Mrs Hlatshwayo (45) from Mtubatuba in the northern KwaZulu-Natal, powerfully expressed her love and loss in silence, which was a tribute to a life taken too soon.DUT extended its heartfelt condolences to the late student%u2019s family, friends, the Information and Communications Technology Department and the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. A moment of silence was observed during the ceremony in memory of Hlatshwayo%u2019s life.Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Mrs Hlatshwayo revealed that her daughter had sadly passed away on 14 November 2024.%u201cShe left DUT on 7 November 2024 after she had finished her final exams. She stayed at home for seven days and passed away on 14 November 2024. She was not sic; she slept and passed away. In the last seven days she spent with us, she seemed fine and did not complain of any illness or anything troubling her,%u201d said Mrs Hlatshwayo.MOTHER ATTENDS DUT GRADUATION ON BEHALF OF HER LATE DAUGHTERPictured: DUT Registrar Dr Maditsane Nkonoane conveying his condolences to Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo.Pictured: Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo at her late daughter%u2019s graduation. Photographer: Smile Vilakazi.On the day of her daughter%u2019s passing, Mrs Hlatshwayo said she had left her with her siblings to attend an all-night church service. Upon her return in the morning, she found her daughter sleeping with her one leg hanging over the side of the bed. Troubled by this, she went to check on her, only to find her ice cold.%u201cI tried to move her but realised she was gone. It is a day I will never forget. My only child in university was gone. She was my only hope and we were excited when she finished her studies. We were hoping she would get a job and our lives would change for the better. Her younger brother, who finished matric two years ago, is sitting at home. He was meant to study this year but he was scared to go to university as he feared he might also come back to die. Sinenhlanhla%u2019s death is still a mystery to us; we were not told what her cause of death was. We are finding it hard to heal,%u201d shared Mrs Hlatshwayo.As painful as it was for her to attend the graduation ceremony and see her daughter%u2019s friends and peers, Mrs Hlatshwayo said it was something she needed to do. She said that it was the least she could do to honour her hardworking daughter, who was committed to her studies.For Mrs Hlatshwayo, it was vital to have her daughter%u2019s qualification back home and she hopes it will serve as a motivation to her younger siblings to further their studies and improve their lives.Simangele Zuma