Joy was written all over the eyes of Xolisile Mchunu when she graduated Cum Laude for her Diploma in Management Sciences: Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Autumn graduation, on Friday, 26 May 2023, at the Olive Convention Centre.

Hailing from Clermont in KwaZulu-Natal, Mchunu (30) explained that she was thrilled upon receiving the wonderful news that she had achieved Cum Laude. She further thanked her family for being there for her from the beginning till the end.

“My biggest supporter was my fiancé and my siblings. They have been there for me even in tough times. I passed my matric in 2011 and I have been doing odd jobs from time to time with the purpose of making a living. Life has not been easy, I decided to go back to school and pursue my dreams. I now believe that I can do anything and probably everything that I put my mind to,” said Mchunu.

These three years of Mchunu’s studies has been a long journey as she claims  It was more than eight years since she had finished matric. The enthusiastic Mchunu added that consistency and hard work led her to achieving the best results that is Cum Laude.

According to Mchunu, this came unexpected. She said that all she did was put in the work and invest most of her time to her studies. The goal was to change her home situation through education; obtaining a Cum Laude was like a cherry on top for Mchunu. She revealed that her story is different and she is now certain that someone out there will read about it and get inspired.

“I come from humble beginnings, a home without parents and no one is working. The rest of my family and I have the responsibility to take care of one another. The qualification that I obtained today serves as a tool of hope that my home situation would get better. My winning recipe is that I make sure that I spend at least two hours a day with my books,” said Mchunu.

Mchunu concluded by advising students to not be afraid to ask questions and assistance, and that they should make use of the DUT libraries and their resources. She relayed that consistency and dedication gives birth to winners.

Pictured: Xolisile Mchunu

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Nikiwe Sukazi