UKZN Visually Impaired Graduate Overcomes Lifelong Adversities to Earn BCom

Mr Zibusiso Mthembu graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree at this season’s Graduation Ceremonies.

Refusing to let his disability define his future, Mr Zibusiso Mthembu of rural eMkhomazi on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Mthembu turned his life - which had been impacted by sudden blindness, struggles at school and constant doubt - into one of courage, support, and success. He lost his sight when he was just 12 years old. One day he could see, the next, everything changed! A doctor explained the condition simply to his grandmother, who has since passed on. “The doctor told her there was blood behind my eyes which was affecting my vision,” said Mthembu.

At the time, Mthembu was in Grade 7, doing well, having never failed a grade. But his life changed suddenly with the impairment. The following year, he had to move to a special school and repeat Grade 5 so he could learn Braille. It was a painful experience.

“My friends were in Grade 8 while I was now in Grade 5. I felt very upset because I had never failed before, but suddenly I was three years behind,” he said. “I became a difficult learner because I was confused and did not understand why I was going to school anymore.”

Raised by his grandmother from when he was a toddler until his late teens, Mthembu says her care kept him grounded through the most difficult times.

Everything changed when he heard a story on Ukhozi FM featuring a woman speaking about becoming a chartered accountant despite hardships.

That moment shifted his thinking. “That was the turning point for me,” said Mthembu. “I started to change my mindset. I wanted to study something in finance, and I started working harder.”

From there, his results slowly began to improve.

When he later arrived at UKZN, one of his biggest fears was whether he would be supported as a visually impaired student.

But those fears disappeared quickly. Within a week of registering, UKZN’s Disability Support Unit contacted him and explained the support available.

“They told me how they would be there for me throughout my studies. Every semester, they informed my lecturers and staff about how to accommodate me.”

That support made a huge difference in his academic life, helping him study on the same level as other students.

Still, challenges remained. One of the hardest was not being able to see what lecturers wrote on the board.

“I cannot always see what is on the board,” he said. “So, I work hard on my own, and when I don’t understand, I ask classmates or my lecturers and tutors.”

He credits UKZN’s Foundation Programme for helping him adjust after years of disruption in his schooling. “It prepared me mentally and emotionally for university,” he said.

Outside academics, Mthembu also worked on himself, improving his confidence and communication skills despite struggling with a stutter.

“I have improved my speech a lot,” he said. “I try to stay calm when I talk.”

Through it all, his motivation never faded; he wanted to build a better life for his family and future generations.

Now studying for an Honours degree in Finance, he hopes to work in the finance field or the supply chain sector.

His message to other young people living with disabilities is simple, yet powerful: “Do not give up. Your future is waiting for you. Universities have support systems that can help you succeed,” he said.

Looking back, Mthembu says his journey is proof that disability is not the end of a dream.

Words: Oliver Meth

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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Emerging Legal Scholar Graduates with LLB Qualification

Emerging legal scholar, Mr Ndabezinhle Masinga, was awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates the achievement of Mr Ndabezinhle Masinga - an emerging legal scholar and grandson of the late education pioneer and broadcasting legend Mr KE Masinga, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

Masinga’s academic journey has been marked by leadership, resilience and a passion for legal research and scholarship. While pursuing his LLB at UKZN’s Law School, he actively participated in research initiatives and academic projects that helped shape his development as an emerging scholar.

Reflecting on his decision to study Law, Masinga said his passion stemmed from a desire to contribute meaningfully to legal jurisprudence and academic writing.

“During high school, I always wanted to become an authoritative writer and academic while also pursuing the legal profession. I decided to combine both interests by entering the legal field, particularly focusing on research and scholarship,” he said.

Masinga’s commitment to research earned him an appointment as a research intern within the School of Law’s Navi Pillay Research Interest Group, where he provided research and project support on social justice and international law initiatives. He also contributed to the School’s collaboration with the kwaMpungose Royal Authority.

Among his notable achievements was championing the revival of the UKZN Student Law Review and advocating for the establishment of a student research interest group within the School of Law.

Masinga also represented both the School of Law and UKZN at two international conferences: the Colloquium on Corruption and Human Rights hosted by the University of the Free State’s Centre for Human Rights, and the Albinism Beyond 2030: Legal and Healthcare Pathways to Inclusion International Conference hosted by the University of the Free State’s Disability Unit.

“What stood out for me was that I was the youngest presenter at both conferences. These opportunities transformed me from being an ordinary student into an emerging scholar and an early researcher in the field of Law,” he said.

Despite his success, Masinga’s academic journey was not without challenges. During his first year of study, he lost his grandmother, who he described as his greatest supporter.

“Her passing affected both my personal life and my academic life. To overcome the challenge, I had to remind myself of the promises I made and what would have made my grandmother proud.”

He credited long hours in the library and regular consultations with lecturers for helping him regain focus and persevere through difficult times.

Masinga said he was proud of his achievements and thankful for the opportunities he received during his studies.

“The research opportunities elevated my level in the field and motivated me to continue striving for excellence,” he said.

The late Mr KE Masinga, widely regarded as the father of Radio Bantu and Radio Zulu, now known as Ukhozi FM, remains an enduring source of inspiration for the family.

Now enrolled for a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law at UKZN, Masinga plans to pursue a PhD and eventually enter academia as a lecturer while continuing to publish scholarly work and present at conferences.

He encouraged fellow Law students to embrace every opportunity available to them, engage actively with lecturers and participate in research initiatives early in their academic journeys.

Words: Hazel Langa

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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Young Women in Commerce, Powered by Purpose

Bachelor of Commerce cum laude graduates (clockwise from left): Ms Aaliyah Rambaran, Ms Caitlin Naidoo, Ms Ohi Johnson, Ms Peyton Govender, and Ms Mishka Singh.

There is a quiet strength that runs through the stories of these young women highlighted below - a shared determination to rise above self-doubt, silence the noise of imposter syndrome and choose discipline over distraction.

For this group of Bachelor of Commerce graduates from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), graduating cum laude was not just about academic excellence. It was about mindset, about showing up, especially on the days when it feels hardest.

Across lecture halls, late-night study sessions and moments of uncertainty, candidates each learned the same lesson in different ways: that growth begins where comfort ends.

For Ms Aaliyah Rambaran, who specialises in Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, her journey was as much internal as it was academic.

“In my first year, graduating, let alone cum laude, felt so distant,” Rambaran reflects. “My biggest challenge was getting past the self-sabotage I placed on myself.”

University life introduced her not only to complex economic theories, but to the reality of navigating her own mindset. Over time, what once felt like limitation became strength.

“My mind was both my biggest enemy and my greatest strength. Getting through that imposter syndrome took work, but it was worth it.”

That same quiet discipline and belief is echoed in Information Systems Technology and Marketing student Ms Caitlin Naidoo’s journey, one defined by consistency, structure, and learning to trust the process.

“Graduating cum laude reflects discipline, resilience and consistency,” she says. “It’s a reminder that the effort you invest over time truly matters.”

Like many students, Naidoo had to learn how to balance competing demands, like academic pressure, personal responsibilities and the constant pull of deadlines. What carried her through was not perfection, but structure.

“I focused on setting clear goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps and staying proactive,” Naidoo explains. “A growth mindset helped me see challenges as opportunities to improve.”

That mindset - steady, grounded, and forward - is what allowed her to not only succeed academically, but grow into a more confident version of herself.

“I’m proud of my ability to stay committed to my goals despite the challenges,” she reflects. “And of the personal growth that came with it.”

For Information Systems Technology and Supply Chain Management graduate Ms Ohi Johnson, the journey was more emotional, shaped by self-doubt and the quiet work of learning to believe in herself.

“I never thought my intelligence was anything special,” Johnson admits. “But now I have it here in front of me, it tells me that I deserve to be celebrated.”

Her story is one of resilience built over time, through pressure, perseverance, and moments that tested her mental strength.

“Through all the tears, exam stress, laughter and, of course, two-minute noodles - I became much stronger than I thought I was capable of.”

For Ms Peyton Govender, who chose Information Systems Technology and Computing, success meant confronting something less visible but just as powerful - her anxiety.

“There were moments of pressure, self-doubt and emotional fatigue,” she shares. “Learning to manage my mental well-being became just as important as my academic work.”

By developing healthier coping strategies and allowing herself to lean on others, she found a way to keep moving forward.

“This journey has been one of resilience, growth, and perseverance,” said Govender.

And then there is Accounting Management graduate Ms Mishka Singh, whose story centres on discipline - the kind that shows up quietly, day after day.

“Consistency, even on the hardest days, is what turns long-term goals into real outcomes,” she says. “Choosing discipline when it was uncomfortable is what shaped my journey.”

Across their different fields, from finance and economics to information systems marketing, and supply chain management - these graduates found purpose not only in what they studied, but in how they approached it.

Naidoo, for example, found her passion at the intersection of technology and human behaviour, combining Information Systems and Marketing to better understand not just data, but people.

“I was intrigued by how technology and marketing are becoming intertwined,” she explains. “It allows me to blend creativity with data-driven thinking to create meaningful strategies.”

She sees a future where businesses connect with people in more human, responsive ways, powered by data, but grounded in trust.

“It’s about using technology to build genuine connections, not just transactions.”

That same sense of purpose runs through all their stories - a desire to not just succeed, but to contribute.

At UKZN, they found more than academic training. They found an environment that pushed them to think critically, adapt constantly and grow both personally and professionally.

They also found support in families who believed in them, in lecturers who challenged them and in peers who made the journey lighter.

Behind every cum laude result, they remind us, is a reality often unseen.

“The late nights, the pressure, the sacrifices,” Naidoo reflects. “Success often looks effortless from the outside, but it requires consistency and resilience.”

Rambaran echoes the same sentiments. “People see the outcome, not the work - the early mornings, the doubt, the sacrifices.”

And yet, despite the pressure, what stands out most is not struggle but growth.

As they look ahead, their ambitions stretch across industries - finance, technology, marketing, data and beyond. But what unites them is a shared vision to use what they have learned to make a meaningful impact.

Govender hopes to contribute to more innovative, customer-focused solutions in the digital space. She is driven to build systems that solve real-world problems.

Rambaran is pursuing a future in finance, focused on transparency and resilience.

Johnson is passionate about improving how businesses operate through technology.

Singh is committed to ethical, forward-looking financial decision-making.

Their message to those still on the journey is simple, but powerful. “Stay consistent. Trust the process.”

As these young women step into the next chapter, they do so as more than graduates. They are proof of what is possible when belief meets effort, when doubt is challenged, and when discipline becomes a daily choice.

The School of Commerce at UKZN sees a generation of women in commerce rising - they are grounded, resilient and ready to lead.

Words: Oliver Meth

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini

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Summa Cum Laude Pass for BCom in Accounting Graduate

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting summa cum laude graduate, Ms Aqila Sayed.

“I plan to do my articles next year, and this qualification will help me on my journey towards becoming a successful Chartered Accountant,” said Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting summa cum laude graduate Ms Aqila Sayed.

With a passion for working with numbers and problem-solving, Sayed says she decided to pursue a BCom in Accounting to equip her with practical skills and open her up to a wide range of career opportunities.

“I’ve naturally been inclined towards careers involving analysing financial information and understanding how businesses operate from a financial perspective,” said Sayed. “This qualification gives me the opportunity to further develop these skills while building a strong foundation for a career in Accounting. It also offers flexibility to explore different areas within the business world as well as opportunities overseas.”

She said the experience of obtaining the qualification was challenging and rewarding, requiring a high level of discipline and consistency.

“This degree revealed qualities in me I didn’t know I had! I now realise I am stronger than I think, and hard work definitely brings success. I had to adapt to a new way of working, which required a lot of self-studying beyond lectures on campus. It pushed me to move beyond simply memorising content to truly understanding and applying concepts in practical, scenario-based situations,” said Sayed.

She said having a supportive family and a strong faith also helped her get through.

“My family has supported me throughout my degree, and it has been a journey for them as much as one for me. My younger sister is currently studying Pharmacy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and my youngest sister in high school also intends studying Accounting. 

“My family are my biggest cheerleaders in life. I wouldn’t have made it without their love and support.”

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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Doctorate for UKZN Academic Development Officer

PhD in Human Resource Management graduate, Dr Fulufhelo Mulidzwi.

Dr Fulufhelo Mulidzwi aims to use his PhD in Human Resource Management to engage more effectively in student mentorship and to enhance his research output.

Mulidzwi is an Academic Development Officer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Law and Management Studies Teaching and Learning Office.

“My decision to pursue a PhD was strongly influenced by the encouragement and mentorship of Professor Msizi Mkhize after I shared the news that I completed my master’s degree,” said Mulidzwi.

Although he was uncertain about pursuing a PhD instead of focusing on securing employment, Mulidzwi says having mentorship and support from Professor Mkhize gave him confidence to pursue the PhD journey, and he has plans to pay it forward.

Said Mulidzwi: “These interactions between Professor Mkhize and I had a profound impact on me. Knowing that someone believed in my abilities and was willing to support me gave me the confidence to register for my PhD at the beginning of 2023. The qualification will enable me to better support and guide students in their academic journeys.”

‘Employee Performance Post-Coronavirus Pandemic in the Public Institutions of Higher Learning in KwaZulu-Natal’ is the title of Mulidzwi’s study, supervised by Dr Njabulo Khumalo and Dr Benson Plaatjies.

The study examined employee performance in public institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal in the post-COVID-19 era. The study revealed that employee performance in the post-COVID-19 context has been significantly influenced by factors such as adaptation to remote work, technological readiness, psychological resilience, and institutional support systems.

“While some employees demonstrated increased flexibility and productivity within hybrid working models, others experienced burnout, isolation, and reduced motivation. Employee wellness initiatives emerged as critical enablers of improved performance in the post-pandemic environment,” said Mulidzwi.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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Resilience and Determination Lead Graduates to Cum Laude Success

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting cum laude graduates (from left): Ms Mpilwenhle Tenza, Mr Tanay Somaru, and Ms Bhavna Ramdhin.

Ms Mpilwenhle Tenza’s journey to graduating with a cum laude Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Accounting result was not just about academic excellence; it was about overcoming herself.

Having battled anxiety for much of her life, the transition from a small town to Durban brought new pressures that threatened to derail her studies.

“I was quick to seek help early in my academic journey,” she reflects. With the support of Student Support Services at UKZN’s Westville campus, she gradually found her footing. Today, she is not only a top-performing graduate but a confident young woman, passionate about helping others overcome their own fears.

It is this quiet resilience that defines the Class of BCom Accounting graduates who achieved distinction this year. A cohort marked not just by sharp intellect, but by discipline, sacrifice and deeply personal journeys.

For Tenza, graduating with distinction felt like a realisation of a long-held dream and a testament to years of sacrifice. Her academic record speaks volumes about consistently ranking in the top three across multiple modules and securing first place in two of them in her final year. Yet, beyond the accolades, she credits consistency as her greatest strength. “We are capable of more than we think we are,” she says.

Meanwhile, Mr Tanay Somaru’s path echoes a similar rhythm of steady discipline. Also graduating cum laude, Somaru describes the achievement as “incredibly rewarding” and a continuation of a mindset he has cultivated since high school. “Consistency really does pay off,” he says, referring to years of sustained effort rather than last-minute sprints.

His journey, however, was not without its challenges. Periods of stress and burnout tested his limits, but he found stability in routine, focusing on manageable daily goals and showing up even on difficult days. Beyond his own academic success, Somaru made his mark as a tutor, helping fellow students navigate the demands of accounting. “It felt like a meaningful way to give back,” he says.

Ms Bhavna Ramdhin’s story adds another layer to this narrative of balance and determination. A three-time recipient of SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) awards at UKZN, she managed to excel academically while representing the University in competitive squash. For her, sport became more than an extracurricular; it was a crucial outlet that helped maintain balance and prevent burnout.

“Graduating with distinction shows the strength it took to keep going,” she reflects. “The late nights, the tough moments, the sacrifices, all of it was worth it.”

Ramdhin’s academic journey also extended beyond the classroom, with practical experiences that bridged theory and real-world application, reinforcing her understanding of accounting as not just numbers, but the story behind them.

Across all three graduates, there is a common thread of consistency, discipline and a strong support system.

Now, as they start postgraduate studies and working towards the CA(SA) designation, they carry with them more than academic success. They carry resilience, purpose, and a commitment to ethical leadership in a profession that demands trust and accountability.

Words: Oliver Meth

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini

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