Maritime Studies Transforms Lives of Young Women

BY: .

Two young Black women who graduated with Postgraduate Diplomas in Maritime Studies from UKZN were unanimous in their praise of the field of study.

Ms Mbalenhle Mbhele (23) said choosing to do Maritime Studies was the best decision she had ever made.  Mbhele said had been unemployed despite having a BCom Economics & Applied Economics degree but now opportunities in the maritime sector had opened up for her.

‘Whilst I was studying part-time, I applied for an internship at the eThekwini Maritime Cluster and secured the position.  The qualification was a great fit as it had already taught me a lot about the how the industry works from a legal/regulatory perspective and as well as commercial perspective, the important stakeholders, and amongst other great things, the “distinct terms” used by industry people.’

Mbhele is currently participating in a graduate programme as a Young-Professional-in-Training at Transnet National Ports Authority (Port of Durban) within their Business Strategy Department where she works with economic indicator analysis, and research and reporting for decision making and strategy development purpose as well as business performance monitoring and reporting.

BCom Economics and Finance graduate Ms Zesuliwe Zondo found herself working in the retail industry which exposed her to the fascinating world of supply chain management and she felt the need to gain an in-depth knowledge of the sector and began studying toward a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.

‘Maritime studies gave me a wider view of how the international supply chain works as well as the inner workings of international business transactions,’ said Zondo.

‘It had been one of my regrets not having a postgraduate qualification so I was overjoyed when I completed this course,’ she added.

Zondo is an Assistant Supply Planner at Vector Logistics. ‘This qualification really grooms you to have a broader prospective of the logistics environment which I feel will give me an added advantage.’  

Mbhele and Zondo said it was a pity that so many young people were not aware of the interesting career opportunities offered by the maritime industry, both locally and abroad.

Hazel Langa