Growing up, most boys my age were obsessed with sports, gadgets and girls – I was obsessed with changing my family’s fortunes.
Growing up in a neighbourhood like Daveyton in Johannesburg’s East Rand, survival was a constant battle and dreams of graduating seemed like a far-fetched fantasy.
The sounds of gunshots, reverberating Kwaito and house beats were often my offbeat lullaby. The constant buzz of township life mirrored my internal thoughts, often filled with doubt, anxiety and hope.
Sharing the joy of graduation with the one who has been with me every step of the way. Photo: Simphiwe Mkheloe
I normally refer to myself as the son of a street vendor. My mother is an unemployed single woman who worked tirelessly to pave the way for my success.
The money she made from selling fruits, vegetables and snacks on the side of the road, was the first investment in my education. Education was a scarce commodity in our neighbourhood, yet she ingrained in me the belief that education holds the key to a better future.
I grew up in a small household and most of my weekdays were spent at Lekamoso Secondary School, while my weekends occasionally consisted of helping my mom with her vending business.
The corner at which my mother’s vending business is located showcases different role-plays of individuals: some are the product of the system, and others demonstrate how a life of bad choices can turn out. To me, all these scenarios served as life lessons that taught me which paths I do and do not wish to follow.
Despite learning about running a business from a young age, I ironically still grapple with impulsive spending habits. But, from dealing with difficult customers I learnt patience and humility.
My mother dreams of a day without having to wake up to endure the harsh weather conditions to provide for her family. I often look at her and remember all the promises I made to fulfill her dreams. It is inspiring that despite being in her fifties, she still believes success is possible, especially through me. Her words encourage me to pursue success relentlessly and with every fibre of my being.
One thing she has always advised me was to never compare myself with my peers. I have never felt like she was not enough as a parent just because she could not provide everything that I desired or everything that those around me had, she taught me to work for what I want.
My family and surroundings never laid the blueprint for success. For most, success and survival were synonymous, anything beyond that was seemingly impossible for someone like me.
On May 16, 2024, I walked across the North-West University stage to receive my first qualification, a BA in Communications degree. Looking into the hall from the stage, I could see her standing and waving at me and overcome with emotion. I will never forget how making her proud made me feel – it was an accomplishment weightier than the scroll in my hand.
Her tears during the ceremony and mine on the drive to university, reminded me of all the struggles we both went through for me to get where I am today.
I am proud to say that I am the first-generation graduate in my family, I am currently studying towards an honours degree and all of that is because of the strong and steadfast woman behind me.
FEATURED IMAGE: From corner stalls to university halls, my mom’s unwavering support has been the driving force behind my academic journey. Photo: Salim Nkosi
“There are few defining moments in life. And it is without a doubt, that graduation is one of them,” said Dr Eunice Cross, Acting President of the Convocation Executive
These words echoed around the room as the newly awarded graduates sat restlessly in their seats awaiting the chance to leave the Great Hall, at Wits University, to celebrate with their loved ones. While they may cross the stage alone to be conferred, graduates say the help of family, friends and their academic mentors was their propellent during their studies.
Widaad Mahamed with her family prior to her graduation ceremony on April 2, 2024. Photo: Thato Gololo
Wits Vuvuzela’s own, Ruby Delahunt (left) and Victoria Hill (right) after their graduation ceremony on April 2, 2024. Photo: Thato Gololo
There is no time more exciting on a university campus than graduation season. This year, from March 26 to April 05, 2024, throngs of supportive families flooded onto campus with multicolored flowers whose beauty came second only to the graduates themselves. The energy was exciting and infectious, and it is easily my favourite time of the year because beyond the struggle, all you can see is the hope.
Though the journey to reach graduation is always fraught with difficulties, Maureen Masedi advised that “You just think of the bigger picture and the end goal”. Sometimes the bigger picture is lost in the inevitable struggles in the pursuit of a qualification.
From academic and financial exclusion to something as simple as missing a bus, the help we need can come in so many different forms. It didn’t take me long to realise how difficult my undergraduate years would be. I had left my entire support structure across the country, and it left my family feeling powerless to help me on my worst days.
Ambesikhaya Ngobo and his wife Zusiphe Ngobo celebrating his graduation. Photo: Thato Gololo
After my father passed away in my second year, my mother arranged for his gown to be delivered to me so that I could wear it when I finally finished my degree. It took a year longer than it should have, but having a little piece of him with me made me know that if he could do it in the 1980s, I could do it now.
Though he had previously graduated twice at other institutions, Ambesikhaya Ngobo, from the Wits School of Business shared that “Being an alumni here is a long lived dream.” The excitement he shared with his girlfriend who saw him through his postgraduate diploma expressed untold stories of late nights and unwavering support through them.
Nazleen Plaaitjies stressed that each person she brought to graduation, had been individually called during exam season to pray for her. I still classify my undergraduate graduation as perfect. For the same reason as Nazleen, my family and best friends being present was more than icing, it was the cake itself.
All I know is that if I keep promising to write the name of every person who brought me to graduation on the back of my degree, I will run out of space. My community supported my dreams and for that I will forever be grateful.
FEATURED IMAGE: Ali Masedi, who graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, taking a photo with his wife, Maureen Masedi, and Kudos Kudus
Wits University’s Winter Graduations are taking place between July 10 and 14, 2023.
Hundreds of postgraduate students will be conferred with their PhDs, Master of Arts and Honours degrees during the ceremonies. Wits Vuvuzela’s Seth Thorne and Nonhlanhla Mathebula caught the Humanities ceremony on July 11, to document and congratulate the students from the Wits Centre for Journalism, as they had their fifteen seconds of fame with Wits chancellor, Judy Dlamini on stage.
Journalism and Media Studies graduate Malaika Ditabo eagerly awaiting being capped at the winter graduation ceremony. Photo: Seth ThorneScott Money receiving his honours degree in English at the humanities graduation ceremony on July 11, 2023. Photo: Seth ThorneColin Hugo and Elishevah Bome say the late nights and early mornings were all worth it. Journalist Velile Mnyandu proudly receiving his honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies on July 11, 2023. Photo: Seth ThorneRufaro Chiswo, the 2022 In-depth Student of The Year with her hard earned scroll. Wits Vuvuzela alumnus Keamogetswe Matlala posing proudly in front of the Great Hall following her graduation. Photo: Seth ThorneBroadcaster and journalist Azania Mosaka proudly receiving her honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies with distinction. Photo: Seth ThorneBusisiwe Mdluli is all smiles as she gets her Journalism and Media Studies honours degree. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula Malaika Ditabo, now a News24 journalist, takes a break from the politics desk to savour her achievement. Photo: Seth ThorneThe 2022 Student of the Year, Tannur Anders celebrates this long awaited moment. Six of the career-entry Journalism and Media Studies honours class of 2022 posing proudly with Wits Centre for Journalism director Dr Dinesh Balliah and career-entry lecturer Pheladi Sethusa. Photo: Seth Thorne
FEATURED IMAGE: Malaika Ditabo, now a News24 journalist, takes a break from the politics desk to savour her achievement. Photo: Seth Thorne
Wits student with a motor disability successfully completes her degree despite odds being stacked against her
At 18-month-old, Holly Heinzelmann was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after her parents realised that she was not achieving the milestones that most children her age were reaching.
The diagnosis made it difficult for her to navigate life in a world that still has barriers that inhibit disabled people to thrive. However, Heinzelmann was determined to obtain a university degree, despite the challenges she faced.
In April, she achieved her goal by obtaining her degree, majoring in genetics and developmental biology as well as ecology and conservation. “In general, graduating is a huge achievement for anyone, but specifically for disabled people,” she explained to Wits Vuvuzela.
Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term which refers to a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Heinzelmann’s affected areas are her muscle tone in her legs, and maintaining balance, as a result, she is unable to walk without aid or a walking frame. To get around — because campus is big — she used a mobility scooter.
Heinzelmann’s troubles would however not end there. After battling covid-19 in 2020, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2021. This added to the list of things she had to take into consideration when coming into campus daily, as she would have to ensure that she takes her insulin and has snacks on her to keep her blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.
Although she is soft-spoken and meek in her demeanour, when it came to taking on the extra challenge she was faced with, Heinzelmann did it fiercely and relentlessly by continuing to show up and do the work that was required of her.
Her mother, Meredith Heinzelmann told Wits Vuvuzela that Disability Rights Unit (DRU) helped her daughter navigate the university environment. “DRU is fantastic, and they do a fantastic job, they’ve certainly contributed to a very positive university experience for her [Holly], but there are still issues that are beyond their control like lifts not working”.
Holly Heinzelmann and her parents, Carl and Meredith Heinzelmann the day of her graduation at the Disability Rights Unit office. Photo: Supplied/Holly Heinzelmann
The DRU is a support unit at Wits that helps students with various disabilities. They do this by creating awareness around disabilities, making campus more accessible to these students and helping them receive reasonable accommodation.
Heinzelmann said that the unit allowed her to keep her mobile scooter in their offices overnight to charge. This greatly helped her as it would have been too difficult for her to transport her scooter to and from campus daily.
“If a lift stopped working and I couldn’t get to a lecture and needed to change my lecture venue I would just go to the DRU. They would assist in the engagement with the lecturers and course administration,” Heinzelmann added.
She said the unit also assisted her to get extra time when writing exams, as the muscle tone in the lower half of her body would cause her to slouch if she sat for too long. This would affect her writing speed.
Iman Cakirerk, a fellow Witsie and friend of Heinzelmann said that she would express her frustration about the lack of accessibility in certain labs on campus, but she always found a way to get around them.
Heinzelmann will continue her postgraduate degree in law at Wits, and she encouraged people living with disabilities to also consider studying despite how hard it might be.
FEATURED IMAGE:Graduate and cerebral palsy warrior Holly Heinzelmann (21) standing in front of the DRU’s offices on the day of her graduation. Photo: Supplied/Holly Heinzelmann
A full-time office administrator and mother successfully earns her degree after five long years.
After registering for a Bachelor of Arts degree in law in 2018, Ethel Thale did not anticipate that her life will drastically change, making it difficult for her to pursue her studies.
While studying, Thale became a wife and a mother — thereafter, she had to deal with the realities of juggling parenthood and being a wife while studying part-time.
However, her new titles did not diminish her hunger to pursue her dream of “fighting for the vulnerable”, which she believes her law degree will allow her to do.
She said time management was the greatest challenge for her, and also her greatest lesson.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela after being conferred, she said: “finally”, after graduating on record time despite all the challenges she faced. She added that: “As a part time student, it is easy to give up because you are already employed, so to someone else, it would be like what is the point?”
Ethel Thale (centre) with her mother Nomsa Sebopha and her husband Kagiso Thale outside the Wits University great hall. Ethel graduated BA with a law major, after 5 years as a part-time student. Photo: Ayanda Mgwenya.
Thale told Wits Vuvuzela that she constantly had to remind herself to finish what she started and remember what her goal was — which helped her when she was full of self-doubt, and she was beginning to lose momentum.
She explained that she is proud of herself for not giving up and thanked her husband and mother for being patient and assisting her when she could not do certain things. She also thanked her employer, Nedbank, who funded her studies – and created a working environment that allowed her to study.
She said now she will focus on ushering in her second baby, then after, she will register for her postgraduate degree in law. Her plan is to work in legal compliance.
Thale graduated in early April, and she said after completing her first degree, she feels empowered to pursue her second degree because she knows better now, especially when it comes to managing time.
FEATURED IMAGE: Ethel Thale is awarded her bachelor of arts with law degree at Wits University in April 2023. Photo: Ayanda Mgwenya.
Graduates are accompanied by family and friends to celebrate their academic achievements.
Wits University awarded hundreds of qualifications to students from various fields of study during its annual Autumn graduation, between April 17 and April 26, at the Wits Great Hall. Wits Vuvuzela journalists, Ayanda Mgwenya and Rethabile Mafisa were there to capture some of the special moments.
Wits Vuvuzela reporter, Ndumiso Nkosi before the April 2023 autumn graduation ceremony. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
BA graduate Tlhologelo Makaleng with his parents Mrs and Mr Makaleng
BA General Andile Mukari with his friend Bradley Mathonsi
Wits BA graduate Tiny Mapodile
BA General graduate Simnikiwe Kelembe is alongside her family on the Great Hall steps
Tlou Cleopas Monyepao receives his graduation belt April, 24 2023. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
Wits choir performing at the April 2023 autumn graduation. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
Limani Bantu Phalo Mangaliso graduated with a double major in Politics and Law; along side her are her iconic fashion designer parents Thando and Vanya Mangaliso of Sun Goddess SA
BA General graduate Simnikiwe Kelembe feeling proud of her achievement as a Wits graduate
BA General graduate Kushal Sithul with his dad and mom
Majored in Politics and Media Studies is Ramela Modise is standing between
BA double major graduate in Psychology and History Damola Adenigba stands alongside her father Abbey Adenigba
FEATURED IMAGE:Wits graduates leaving the Great Hall after the graduation ceremony Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
Thato Senoamadi (21) posing on the stairs below the Great Hall Piazza after getting his degree in BSc Computer Science before a CPS officer arrived to cut the shoot short. Photo: Otsile Swaratlhe
Graduating students given strict orders to use Wits University’s official photographic service provider – or else.
A longstanding agreement between Wits University and their official service provider for graduation photos, Gordon Harris Photographic is being called out for its monopolistic nature by students and practitioners.
Graduation season is in full swing at Wits, with in-person ceremonies taking place in the Great Hall between Monday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 26.
In an email sent to students on Wednesday, April 12, the university announced that no other photography service providers will be allowed onto campus, and those spotted will be removed from the campus by Campus Security Services (CPS).
Put the camera down!
Wits Vuvuzela learnt just how serious the threat was on Tuesday, April 18, when this reporter was swiftly removed from the Great Hall Piazza after taking two photos. An unnamed CPS officer said, “Please stop what you are doing…You know you are not allowed to be using your camera here!” The officer said permits are needed for anyone using photographic equipment.
Another photographer was pulled aside at the time but was let go when he could prove the camera, belonged to the student he was taking photos of and not his personal property.
Then a lengthy pillar to post search ensued in pursuit of this permit or accreditation, something which this publication has never had to secure to cover graduations. In the past the Great Hall steps were considered free dominion for all, with the inside of the hall reserved for the service provider.
Head of communication at Wits, Shirona Patel said this is a security measure. “[CPS] are strict because we have had many photographers (and people pretending to be photographers) wanting to scam Wits’ students and their families.”
Gripe with Gordon Harris
Gordon Harris Photographic, the university’s service provider offers the service of studio photographs two hours before and after the graduation ceremony, together with three on stage photographs. A service provided across 100 institutions nationwide, with almost blanket exclusivity.
The cheapest packages range from R400 to R550 for high-resolution images shared via email or prints, the latter incurs an additional delivery fee. All non-refundable.
An affected graduate, Thato Senoamadi (21) told Wits Vuvuzela, “It is very unfair. Not everyone can afford what Gordon Harris charges…Imagine having to capture your graduation memories with a phone because the photographer you can afford is not allowed on campus,” he said.
These are the same sentiments shared in a tweet by Twitter user @DanielNgobeni6 at a graduation ceremony held at Unisa on April 4, 2023, where a photographer can be seen being dragged away from the ZK Matthews Great Hall.
A student creative and photographer, Thando Radebe (21) has resorted to bending the truth to carry on with his side hustle. “I find it weird that I have to lie [to CPS] every time a different security guard catches me taking pictures,’ he said. “I tell [CPS] I either didn’t know or that I never got the email, some of them are very understanding,” he added.
“[Gordon Harris Photography] wants all the money to themselves, some of us cannot even compete,” a disgruntled Radebe said. “For example, I charge R900 per hour with room for negotiations and more photos than them…but because I do not have a contract with Wits, students will never know,” he said.
An official complaint was lodged with The Competition Commission in July 2022. Spokesperson, Siyabulela Makunga said, “The commission is currently engaging all affected respondents to gather requisite information as part of our screening process,” which can take up to 12 months from when the complaint was received.
FEATURED IMAGE: Graduates exiting the Great Hall and coming down the stairs to the Piazza after the end of their ceremony. Photo: Nokuthula Zwane/File
A non-profit initiative wants to help humanities students graduate regardless of historic debt.
Each year as graduations roll around, some students watch on despondently, knowing they will miss theirs because of fees owed to the university. A group of professionals is looking to put an end to that for some.
The Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary promotes access to higher education and has been assisting students with debt to cover the shortfall needed to get them their academic records.
Graduates patiently waiting for the end of the ceremony. Photo: Colin Hugo/File
One of the founding members of the initiative, Grace Musila told Wits Vuvuzela that the bursary only covers R10 000 of student debt and that humanities students are the focus as funding options remain minimal for these students.
Musila said this year, they are covering students in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Northwest who have completed their studies. Selection criteria includes academic performance, community participation and financial need.
“Our aim is to support such students to release their academic certificates so they can proceed with other plans, whether that is [to] further[their] studies or pursue employment opportunities,” Musila said.
Wits University senior manager of financial accounting Amanda Kort told Wits Vuvuzela that the number of students who are eligible to graduate this year but will not be able to due to outstanding debt was estimated to be at 2800 with a total debt of R138m.
Kort said that students with a gross household income of less than R600 000 per annum are assisted by the university. “These students may sign an acknowledgement of debt if they owe less than R15 000 and may enter into a payment arrangement to make payment after they have started working.”
Wits has a Discretionary Fund which students are advised to apply for. Kort said although funding is not guaranteed, the university can match students with the financial need to donor’s requirements.
For this year, applications for the bursary will close on April 26, and can be submitted here.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini commences the ceremony. Photo: Colin Hugo/file
The family of engineers has witnessed changes, from wearing blazers and carrying heavy drawing boards around campus, to (barely) wearing t-shirts and using computer-aided design.
The pandemic years have been anything but ‘normal’, but graduands have hope that the April 2022 graduations will provide them with the university experience they have missed.
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