It was a proud moment for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) maidens as their leader and founder of the Izimbali Ze-DUT Virgins Club Society, Wandile Khumalo, was conferred with the Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing at the DUT Celebratory Autumn Graduation ceremony. Members of the club gathered outside the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg to celebrate with Khumalo, after her graduation on Tuesday, 26 July 2022.

Speaking after the ceremony, Khumalo (27), from Mhlabuyalingana Northern KwaZulu-Natal, expressed her gratitude to the maidens in her club for their support on her big day.

“I am the founder of Izimbali Ze-DUT and we have an aunt from Ashdown who tests our virginity on a monthly basis. I established the club in 2017 when I started at DUT, to encourage other maidens to preserve their virginity when studying at the university. It was to ensure that they continue with the teachings they received from their homes and continue going for virginity testing. I want to encourage maidens to be independent and to take pride of their virginity until God blesses them with marriage or to when they are independent enough to take care of themselves,” explained Khumalo.

Establishing the club was not easy as they often get criticised and accused of lying about their virginity. Khumalo indicated that most students do not believe that there are maidens at a University level. However, Khumalo ignores such comments and also advises the members of her club to not allow people to derail them from their vision.

Her proud mother, Thembelihle Ncambalala (45) thanked her daughter for making her a proud mother. She stated that it is rare to find a maiden at a University level.

“I am very proud of her. I give thanks to God; it is all his mercy. May she continue being a good example to the other young girls. I thank her for not forgetting my teachings even when she was far from home,” she said.

Pictured: Wandile Khumalo.

Photographer: Vusi Dlamini

Simangele Zuma