Staff member Mr Sizwe Hadebe graduates with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree.UKZN Staffer Graduates with BA Honours Degree in African Languages
Born in the small village of Mafakatini in Pietermaritzburg, College of Humanities staff member Mr Sizwe Hadebe rose up above all the challenges and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree.
Raised by his mother after his father died when he was five-years-old, Hadebe matriculated at Ngcedomhlophe High School and enrolled at UKZN going on to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Science degree.
Having a keen interest in languages and linguistics, he then chose postgraduate studies in African languages in order to become a linguist.
‘After UKZN started promoting previously disadvantaged languages such as isiZulu followed by the introduction of the bilingual policy of teaching and learning in isiZulu and English, I decided to do my research on the topic.
‘I saw it as an opportunity to do postgraduate studies thereby increasing the number of academics producing knowledge about African languages, contributing to their defence and promotion,’ he said.
Plagued by constant financial difficulties, Hadebe was grateful last year when he managed to get a job working in the College of Humanities Student Funding Department. ‘I now support my family. My mother is not working anymore and receives a meagre pension but I am able to assist her financially.
‘I thank my line manager Miss Constance Dube for giving me the opportunity to work at Student Funding and to showcase my work ethic and communication skills. Also thanks to my mother for her never-ending support and love,’ said Hadebe.
He believes that education is important. ‘Young people need to know that education is the key to unlock the door of success and to enrich your mind. It does not matter where you come from; when you are educated anything is possible.’