Former Student Representative Council (SRC) Project Officer Snethemba Shozi graduates for her Advanced Diploma in Business Administration. The 22-year-old hails from the small town of Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal. Ms Shozi graduated at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Autumn graduation ceremony, held on Saturday evening, 27 May 2023, at the Olive Convention Centre.
Ms Shozi believes that God will put one where he wants one to be as she never intended to enrol for the Business Administration course. She only applied because she wants to own a business one day and be financially stable as a female, so therefore she enrolled for the course.
“When I was in matric, I wanted to do Law and got a firm offer at the University of Johannesburg but I was not ready to be far from home, in such a big city so I did not take the offer. I got accepted at the University of Zululand to study Law as well, but my mother did not approve and I did not prefer it for some odd reason. I also received an offer to study at the Mangosuthu University of Technology and DUT and I chose DUT,” she explained.
Shozi is currently serving as a Youth Employment Service (YES) intern at the Marketing, Public Relations and Event ambit and she is enrolled for her Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.
The tenacious graduate grew up in a household of females where her mother was the breadwinner. “As a teacher who worked in a rural school she would take learners who were dedicated to their school work and offer to stay with them at home and offer them support till matric,” added Shozi.
Her mother taught her independency as she said they must never depend on anyone and most of the times females are only respected because of their knowledge and resources. That encouraged her to study and be an independent woman.
Shozi expressed her excitement upon scooping her second qualification.
“I am very happy that I made it. Lecturers used to be worried that my attendance is poor and my chances of making it are very slim. I wanted to do well under my SRC term because I wanted to make sure I accomplish all my duties and students were my first priority,” she said.
Furthermore, Shozi urges the undergraduates to follow their dreams and pay much more attention to their academics “They must not limit themselves to knowledge in class but they must do research on the side. Take interests in having their own business and engage with people who are ahead in life within their field and outside. Be willing to gain experience at a young age as most people with qualifications and no experience face challenges in securing a job,” she stressed.
Pictured: Snethemba Shozi
Lethukuthula Ngubane
