By Annisa Essack

28:05:2021

It is graduation season, and with the pandemic, the pomp and ceremony have moved from the hallowed precincts of the university and other tertiary institutions to the portals of the internet.

This week saw thousands log into the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s virtual platforms to witness graduates receive their awarded degrees and diplomas. The 2021 UKZN Autumn virtual Graduation ceremonies saw 10 313 graduates fulfil their achievements. 

Women have emerged top of the class at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with 68% of the top achievers being female.

The virtual graduations, which began on Tuesday, have seen degrees been conferred to students from the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Humanities and the College of Law and Management Studies.

Normah Zondo, Acting Executive Director of UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division, says the university, due to the unprecedented challenges brought about by Covid-19, had to change how it conferred qualifications and distributes its degree and diploma certificates. “As one of the largest universities in the country, this is an enormous undertaking,” she said.

Zondo says the university was incredibly proud of the achievements of 90 students with disabilities, 26 of whom completed postgraduate studies as well as three exceptional achievers who will graduate with PhDs and six with master’s qualifications.”

UKZN student Theshaya Naidoo graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at Virtual graduation on Thursday, bagging 16 distinctions. Naidoo says, “Completing my first degree at the age of 20, with a cum laude pass and 16 distinctions after very average marks in matric, was confirmation that I could achieve anything with a goal and plan.”

Among her many accolades, Naidoo is a prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society member and is the media director for the UKZN Criminology Association. She maintains open communication with senior management. She is also a social media influencer and runs three businesses while studying for a law degree at UKZN.

Her interest in the optometry field was sparked first-hand by the many challenges her family members endured due to extremely weak eyesight. 

Pietermaritzburg’s optometry graduate obtained her Bachelor of Optometry, summa cum laude, at the UKZN. She wants to help the less fortunate receive the best eye care possible and further plans to expand her knowledge in the field of low vision and eye care for the elderly.

Her final year was a challenge due to the pandemic affecting classes, but she remained positive and focused on researching the more complex concepts.

Zaakirah says that she prayed and constantly reminded herself that Allah would help her get through during the trying times. Her motto: “Always let your faith be stronger than your fear. . .”

And the thorn among the roses is 69-year-old Bonginkosi Mshengu, a human resources management executive who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

From Pietermaritzburg, Mshengu joined the ranks of those who live by the adage,’ You’re never too old to learn or go back to school’ was the oldest graduate at this autumn’s graduation ceremonies. Having re-entered campus life 39 years later, he was worried at first but adjusted quickly. Over and above the changes in the syllabus, he says the Covid-19 pandemic also presented its challenges.

Mshengu, who completed his undergraduate degree in Politics and Criminology in 1981, says he always felt his studies were incomplete, so he registered for an Honours degree at UKZN to fulfil his dream. His research focused on understanding the rising level of corruption and its impact on service delivery.

He believes no one is ever too old to study and encourages people of all ages to pursue their dreams while they can.