“Graduating with Cum Laude I believe is a great accomplishment that acquires dedication, hard work and perseverance, shared 22-year-old graduand, Zimhle Buthelezi.
Buthelezi, who hails from a rural area called Emvunyane (Oqweqwe) in Vryheid, graduated with Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (B. Ed SP and FET) Teaching, majoring with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Natural Sciences. She received her academic qualification at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Indumiso Campus on Monday, 13 May 2024.
“It was a nice journey being at DUT, seeing new faces, new surroundings made me feel like I’m in a very different place. I got to discover many skills that I have and they are helping me currently. I did not know I have so much passion with children but here I am,” she expressed joyfully.
At first Buthelezi said the field of study was not what she had initially set out to do. “In the middle of the course I felt like this was my calling because I have so much passion with teaching learners. I just love teaching with my whole heart,” she expressed.
Buthelezi is currently working at the Siyabonga Secondary School where she teaches Physical Science to Grades 10 to12.
Buthelezi is planning to begin her honours in 2025 and further sees herself having a PhD in physics.
“My advice to students in the same field is to focus on good academic habits and balancing priorities. Make your parents proud,” she said.
Pictured: Zimhle Buthelezi
Photography: Mnqobi Mgobese
Waheeda Peters
