Cum Laude Graduates Galore in UKZN’s Discipline of Pharmacy!

BY: .

A total of 15 students in UKZN’s Discipline of Pharmacy graduated with cum laude BPharm degrees.

Pharmacy is a four-year programme, followed by a compulsory year of community service before registration with the SA Pharmacy Council as a pharmacist.

Here is a selection of comments from and background on some of the top graduates:

Mr Nduduzo Ntombela: ‘I’m very excited about this achievement following all the effort I invested in my school work. I wouldn’t say my success was unexpected.’

Ntombela, who grew up in KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal, is currently pursuing his dream and studying Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand.  

Efficient time management was one of Ntombela’s biggest challenges during his studies.  He says he managed by getting his priorities right.

He thanked his parents for their support as well as for instilling the importance of prayer.

Mrs Zuhairaa Essay, a newly-wed, was thrilled with her achievement. The top achiever matriculated with six distinctions from Orient Islamic School in 2017 and while at UKZN was awarded consecutive Deans’ Commendations.

Essay thanked her family and her four “darling cats” for their support throughout her academic journey.

Ms Nomvelo Ngcamu: ‘I am honoured, it was a long and challenging journey. It feels like an acknowledgement from UKZN for my hard work and dedication. It’s humbling.’

Matriculating at the age of 16 and obtaining her degree at 20, Ngcamu is currently doing her internship at GJ Crookes Hospital in Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast.

She described her UKZN experience as ‘amazing, very educational, but also challenging.’

The eldest of three siblings, she thanked her family for all their support.

Ms Nompilo Dlamini was humbled and honoured to be among the top achievers in the Pharmacy programme.

Dlamini says getting started on her academic journey was not easy. She thanked her church congregation and peers for the emotional and mental support they gave her.

She hopes to continue on to a master’s degree.

Words: Mandisa Shozi

Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan