05 May 2026
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Ms Azraa Ebrahim graduates summa cum laude, advancing disability studies in Islam.

Vision Without Sight: Blind Student’s Triumph from SA Top Achiever to Summa Cum Laude

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For Ms Azraa Ebrahim, academic excellence is not simply measured in distinctions, but defined by resilience, a commitment to representation, and a determination to reshape the academic conversations that have long excluded voices like hers.

UKZN African Music Project Director, Dr Patricia Opondo honoured for over 30 years of service.

Distinguished Teachers Award for UKZN Academic

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University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) academic, Dr Patricia Opondo was recently conferred the Distinguished Teachers Award (DTA): Lifetime Achiever Award and recognised during the University’s Autumn Graduation 2026 ceremonies. 

Hats off to Dr Lipuo Motene who credits her family, husband, cohort and supervisor for sustaining her through her doctoral research.

Lipuo Motene’s Journey of Resilience Towards Her PhD in Linguistics

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Dr Lipuo Motene graduating with a PhD in Linguistics is not only an academic milestone but a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of voice.

All smiles for culture and heritage enthusiast, Ms Sindiswa Zulu.

IsiZulu Study Zooms in on Zulu Classical Music Themes

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Culture and heritage enthusiast, Ms Sindiswa Zulu, recently graduated with her BA Honours degree cum laude after refining themes found in the lyrics of Princess Magogo ka Dinuzulu’s songs.

Dr Sizwesamajobe Sithole’s PhD is a personal journey of trans identity and ancestral spirituality.

Ancestral Voices and Trans Identity

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For Dr Sizwesamajobe Sithole, a 42-year-old trans man from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, gender identity was never something that arrived neatly named. It was first lived in silence, then in confusion, and eventually reclaimed through both scholarship and spirituality.

Professor Beatrice Okyere-Manu (top left) with her cohort of one PhD and nine master’s graduates at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Autumn Graduation ceremony.

Celebrating a Cohort of 10 Postgraduate Scholars

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Supervising a single postgraduate student to completion is demanding work. Guiding nine master’s and one PhD students across complex ethical questions shaping South Africa’s future is something far rarer.

Dr Nisha Ramlutchman’s doctoral study examines female representation in Bollywood.

The Saturday Night Movies That Became a Doctoral Thesis

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On Saturday nights, a VHS tape would click into place and a young girl would settle in with her family, waiting for the story to begin.

Ms Lorna Norolela and Ms Sonalia Naidoo.

The Inspiring Journey to Merit

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Apart from navigating both personal and academic challenges, Ms Sonalia Naidoo and Ms Lorna Norolela have excelled in their studies, graduating with academic distinction in Media and Cultural Studies.

A delighted Ms Busiswa Khumalo celebrates her cum laude honours degree.

Honours Study Interrogates Veto Power in Global Security Decision-Making

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Ms Busiswa Khumalo has obtained her honours degree cum laude with research titled ‘Dismantling the Veto: Towards Ethical Reform: The Case for Abolishing Veto Power in International Security’, which critically examines the role of veto power within the United Nations Security Council.

A beaming master’s graduate and UKZN staffer, Ms Sqedile Mbambo.

Examining Student Experiences of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Completing a Master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies represents both a personal milestone for Ms Sqedile Mbambo while also contributing to ongoing conversations about digital equity in Higher Education.

Ms Taeena Pillay is promoting storytelling through animation.

Honours Research Brings Together Theory, Creativity and Lived Experience

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Ms Taeena Pillay has showcased a deep passion for storytelling through animation story during her honours studies, developing a strong appreciation for 2D animation as a medium capable of expressing complex emotional and psychological experiences in ways that other forms of media often cannot.

Master’s graduate, Ms Thembeka Mpanza, highlights rural student voices through applied theatre for expression, healing and hope.

When Words Fail, Theatre Speaks: A Study on Rural Students and Mental Wellness

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In her master’s research, Ms Thembeka Mpanza explored the often-unspoken emotional terrain of Higher Education through her dissertation, ‘University of Nyisists: A Theatrical Investigation of Rural Black Students’ Experiences of Mental Wellness at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2022/24)’.
Dr Denise Ingrid Adams, aged 76 and the oldest graduate across all Colleges this Autumn.

Oldest Autumn Graduate at UKZN Earns PhD at 76!

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At 76, Dr Denise Ingrid Adams graduated with her PhD as the oldest graduate across all Colleges this Autumn, marking a remarkable academic milestone shaped by persistence, creativity, and a lifelong connection to Durban’s natural environment.

Ms Courtney Louter graduates summa cum laude.

Graduate Credits Faith, Focus and Love of Literature for Academic Excellence

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For Ms Courtney Louter, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Media and Cultural Studies is a moment grounded not only in academic excellence but in faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of those around her.

Ms Meghna Moodley graduated summa cum laude for her research exploring media influence on political perception.

Honours Graduate Explores Media Influence on Political Perception

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For Ms Meghna Moodley, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science is the continuation of a rigorous and intellectually rewarding academic journey, one defined by curiosity, discipline, and a passion for understanding how people think, decide and engage with politics.

Ms Sonia Budhram celebrates her Bachelor of Arts degree with top distinction.

Summa Cum Laude Graduate Reflects on Her Journey of Growth, Language and Purpose

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For Ms Sonia Budhram, achieving a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in French and Media and Cultural Studies represents a significant milestone in her journey of perseverance, growth and discovery.

Mr Callum Peters bagged his BA Honours degree cum laude.

Honours Research Shines Spotlight on South African Indian Theatre

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Mr Callum Peters, celebrated completing his Bachelor of Arts Honours degree cum laude, with a research focus centred on South African Indian theatre.

Ms Thandi Sibisi’s master’s focused on understanding resilient cultural practices of the Zulu nation.

Master’s Graduate Explores Cultural Identity through Naming Practices

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Staffer and Master of Social Science graduate Ms Thandi Sibisi (62) has demonstrated a strong commitment to documenting and understanding the resilient cultural practices of the Zulu nation through her research.

Staffer Dr Siobhan Banwari, celebrates her PhD in Classics.

Exploring Boundaries Between Worlds: Siobhan Banwari Earns PhD in Classics at UKZN

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For UKZN’s lecturer Dr Siobhan Banwari, completing a Doctorate in Classics marks the culmination of a research journey shaped by curiosity about how ancient societies understood uncertainty, change, and the unseen. 

Master’s graduate, Mr Kwanele Nyathikazi is advancing the field of tourism.

UKZN Graduate Explores Sustainable Tourism as a Pathway to Community Empowerment

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Master’s graduate, Mr Kwanele Nyathikazi, has produced impactful research examining the benefits of sustainable tourism development for stakeholders through a focused case study of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ms Asithandile Nomvete celebrates beating the odds and achieving her Master’s in French.

Master’s Graduate from Glebelands Takes on the Francophone World

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Ms Asithandile ‘Clémence’ Nomvete’s graduation with a Master’s degree in French from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is more than an academic milestone, it is a powerful story of her resilience, identity and transformation.

It’s a wrap! Ms Lusanda Mngadi’s master’s study examined the ethical dilemmas surrounding state capture saga.

The Cost of Corruption: A Scholar’s Ethical Inquiry into State Capture

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Understanding how state capture reshaped South Africa’s institutions requires more than political analysis - it demands ethical reflection.

From left: Mr Sbonelo Masoka, Mr Aphiwe Masengemu, and Ms Kirby Pillay, supervised by Dr Mabuyi Gumede, celebrate their Honours in Tourism.

Tourism Graduates Step Forward as Emerging Scholars in Sustainable Tourism Development

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Three Cultural Heritage Tourism graduates celebrated their honours achievements at the 2026 Autumn Graduation as they prepare to continue their academic journeys at master’s level - building on research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s tourism sector.