The 2022/23 Student Representative Council (SRC) Secretary-General at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Joyful Gcabashe obtained his National Diploma in Accounting at the DUT 2023 Autumn Graduation ceremony, yesterday evening (Monday,15 May 2023).
Gcabashe (26) from Umlazi, Durban is pleased with himself for managing to juggle his demanding role of attending to student issues and successfully completing his second qualification.
Speaking about his journey at DUT, Gcabashe said it has been filled with trials and tribulations, with a lot of lessons learnt. However, despite all the challenges he faced, he would not change a thing.
“My achievement feels like its God given as I never imagined myself in this position at a graduation. I remember winning everything from student parliament to all positions in student politics and to losing elections at the first try. God has remembered me. My ancestors have remembered me,” shared Gcabashe.
He expressed his gratitude to Dr Zogli and Ms Kitty from the Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT for their support throughout his academic journey. He also shared a special thanks to the Student Governance unit for hosting workshops that provides emotional support to the student leaders.
He shared that he hopes that his late father, who was a teacher by profession is looking down on him and smiling. He expressed that his father was his inspiration and he hopes that one day he can make him proud by obtaining a PhD.
Accounting was not Gcabashe’s first choice but he feels that God had other plans for him. He is happy that he chose the Accounting path as he feels the people he met along the way, have contributed immensely to who he has become.
His future plans include furthering his studies and also working for a higher education institution as a student governance practitioner and possible a Vice-Chancellor and Principal at a later stage. He advised students wishing to pursue a career in Accounting to always prioritise their goals and never lose sight of their dreams.
Pictured: SRC Secretary-General, Joyful Gcabashe.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
