DURBAN - IT IS THAT time of the year again where we celebrate and congratulate graduates for their relentless hard work for completing their studies, especially during the adversity of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week the University of KwaZulu-Natal began with its virtual graduation ceremonies, which were expected to wrap up on Friday.
UKZN spokesperson Normah Zondo said the university had 10 313 degree and diploma graduates for their Autumn virtual graduation ceremonies and of those, 382 students graduated cum laude while 149 students graduated summa cum laude.
She said that top achievers were predominantly women as they made up 68% in the category.
Zaakirah Moola was one of the top achievers from UKZN who obtained her Bachelor of Optometry degree summa cum laude.
“The results that I have achieved are a dream come true and I believe that it is only due to hard work, dedication and the mercy of the Almighty (Allah).
“With the knowledge that I gained, I hope and pray that my aspirations of helping those that are less-privileged come to fruition in the near future,” said Moola.
The Durban University of Technology virtual graduation ceremonies began on Wednesday and end on Friday.
Shanzell Ntanzi completed her Public Management diploma cum laude and earned the Dean’s Merit Award.
“This is a great achievement by Ntanzi, who had previously struggled for years to study at a tertiary institution.
“She will be graduating at DUT’s 2021 Autumn Graduation ceremony online this Friday,” said Alan Khan, DUT’s senior director of corporate affairs.
Meanwhile, another UKZN graduate, Minenhle Goge, was planning a KZN Street Graduation in Durban with the aim of celebrating the hard work of graduates all over the city.
The graduation will be in the form of a march intended to console graduates who did not get the chance to walk on stage to be honoured by the academic community.
“The march, on June 12, will start at King Dinuzulu Park and go to Durban City Hall at 10am. The dress code is a graduation gown and comfortable shoes, preferable takkies,” said Goge.
Daily News