UKZN's top inspiring graduation stories
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has conferred with degrees just under 2,000 graduates during the institution's Spring Graduation Ceremony. Some 57 percent of the degrees were given to women.
UKZN's graduation season has drawn to an end, but many future fundis have been left inspired by those that have defied the odds to be capped with their degrees.
Graduates varied from the College of Humanities' oldest graduate earning a doctorate in Theology to South African veteran musician being conferred with an honorary PhD in music.
79-year-old, Dr. Ossie Kretzmann was conferred with his PhD in Theology at this year's ceremony.
He's the oldest graduate from the College of Humanities.
Recognised as being among UKZN’s top 40 most inspiring students in 2016 and 2017, Khethani Njoko graduated with his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from the university.
Njoko was one of the participating authors in the 20th Time of the Writer Festival, following the publication of a self-help book The Man in Me.
He plans on pursuing an honours degree and release two publications in 2019.
Seasoned musician, Vusi Mahlasela was recognised by the university for his contributions to a better South Africa during the country's transition to a democratic state and to the global music industry.
He is now the holder of an honorary doctorate in Music. In his acceptance speech last week, Mahlasela said music brings hope and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lungile Zondi's research explores life and experiences of young women (aged between 19 and 35 years) living on the streets of the Pietermaritzburg CBD and surroundings. Zondi graduated with her PhD in Anthropology.
