The Durban University of Technology (DUT) former Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Sanele Khumalo was filled with excitement as his name was called on the podium to be awarded his Diploma in Information Communications Technology (ICT): Applications Development at the DUT 2024 Spring Graduation ceremony. He was among the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics graduands who were honoured during the opening ceremony at the Durban Exhibition Centre, earlier today (Thursday, 19 September 2024).

Khumalo’s academic journey embodies the spirit of not giving up as he overcame all the hurdles to obtain his qualification.

He believes his qualification personifies hope and dedicated it to his grandmother who has always supported him.

“Completing my qualification means a lot to me and the journey that I have travelled thus far. Hence, I dedicate it to my grandmother who has been with me throughout my whole academic journey, supporting me in my lowest when I was suspended at UKZN. Everyone had lost hope in me, she never lost hope and never gave up on me,’’ said Khumalo.

Hailing from Mtubatuba, his journey was overshadowed by various challenges. Having resumed his journey at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2015, Khumalo enrolled for Genetics, However, due to unforeseen circumstances his duration was cut short just after three years of studying.

“My challenges as a student were quite complex for me as I was not just an ordinary student but a student leader, being the SRC President came with lots of challenges. Balancing the leadership life with being a student was mostly contrary to each other. One would get more attention than the other and obviously that affected my academics,’’ added Khumalo.

Nevertheless, Khumalo never gave up, he propelled and later joined DUT in 2020 where he registered for his Diploma in ICT: Applications Development. His family was ecstatic but a bit surprised to learn that he was graduating as they have been waiting since 2015.

“To them I embody the true meaning of resilience as I had never given up on school. They were very happy and looking forward to my big day,’’ he added.

Among the ENVISION2030 Living values and Principles, Khumalo resonate deeply with the act of respect, honesty, integrity and accountability, as its inspired him to his academic success.

“These are the key values that are essential for any leader. As a young man who grew up in the rural areas, we were always taught respect and honesty, growing up we were then told of how a man must behave, that a man must never be a coward and run away from responsibility and that a man must always be accountable to his family, friends and the society at large,’’ said Khumalo.

The persistent Khumalo aspires to further his studies to equip himself with more knowledge to start his own company one day. He also shared his advice to students to never lose focus and align whatever they are doing with their end goals.

Pictured: Former DUT SRC President, Sanele Khumalo with Professor Oludayo Olugbara, Executive Dean: Faculty of Accounting and Informatics at DUT.

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese

Vukani Langa