Choosing friends carefully as a student is critical for academic success. This is according to Wiseman Malambule, 25, who graduated with a Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology on 20 May 2024, which he had obtained Cum Laude.

The Richards Bay-born graduate says being mindful of his associations as a student is partly what led to his excellent academic achievement. He regards friends as a critical support system necessary for the possibilities of success.

“Having supportive friends at school was beneficial, especially when I wanted to let things out or was upset about anything. I chose a friend who supported me academically and had a positive social impact in my life,” said Malambule.

Malambule had a few challenges which he had to put up with while he was studying. He said that all the weeks he had spent burning the midnight oil was worth it.

“After a lot of late-night studying, I firmly feel that I deserved to graduate Cum Laude. I am also delighted that I have achieved my objective of graduating Cum Laude, which inspired me to keep working hard for the remainder of my academic career,” said Malambule.

He described his DUT journey as a mixed bag of fun, stress, and challenges, yet beautifully memorable. He recalls the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic where he had struggled with implementing online learning, technical issues, environmental distractions, and a downward spiral of motivation to excel.

Sharing some nuggets of wisdom, Malambule says students should prioritise their studies and take into account the time they have because it goes by quickly.

“Students should complete more work than what they are assigned, stay updated with their schoolwork, ask for assistance, and be sure to revise for each tutorial and test no matter how minor. All in all, my journey at DUT has been one of personal growth, exploration, and self-discovery. I can’t wait to see what the future brings and to continue developing and learning,” he says.

Obtaining a diploma is not the end of Malambule’s academic journey; his long-term goal is to obtain a PhD, attend industry conferences, and work part-time to learn from industry professionals.

Pictured: Wiseman Malambule

Photography: Mnqobi Ngobese

Noluthando Asanda Dlamini