“Before my mother passed on, she made me promised that I would make my grandmother proud. I hope she is looking down and is proud”.

These were the words of Mukelwa Majola, a Bachelor of Library and Information Science graduand who was honoured as one of the top academic achievers within Arts Faculty during the Faculty’s graduation ceremony yesterday (Wednesday, 8 May 2018) after an achievement of a 78% mark.

Raised by her grandmother, Majola who hails from Claremont in Durban and was raised by her grandmother attributed her success to hard work and being a bookworm.

“Being a bookworm was the reason behind me choosing to study towards a Bachelor of Library and Information Science degree. Whilst I was in matric looking at options of possible career streams, I came across the Library and Information Science degree and went to our local library to make enquiries about the course. The Librarian in Charge advised me that it is a good course to study and that is how my journey began. I have never looked back ever since and have no regrets with regards to my career choice”, she said.

Because no journey is ever without obstacles, Majola remembers a time when she almost dropped out of university. This was the year she lost her mother whilst in her second year of study. “The year that I lost my mother was the most difficult for me. My mother was the bread winner at home. So many things went through my mind when she passed on. I asked myself how I would make it, how my granny would manage to support me financially? She (my grandmother) has always been my source of strength and she told me she would do her best and she did,” said Majola, adding that her grandmother is extremely excited about her academic record.

“To me it (academic performance) came as a shock. I was not expecting it even though I knew I am a very hard working person. Today (graduation) has just taught me to look at life in a positive way; that you can achieve anything you set your mind to as long as you work hard. I started weeping when my name was called out as a Top Achiever. I truly believe that this day was ordained by God. It was not my doing but it was God’s work. God showed up and showed off. I am in awe. I have no words to express how I feel,” said Majola.

– Precious Shamase

Pictured: Mukelwa Majola, Bachelor of Library and Information Science graduand who was honoured as one of the top achievers within Arts Faculty during the Faculty’s graduation ceremony yesterday (Wednesday, 8 May 2018). Handing over a laptop as a prize for her achievement is Professor Gregory Kamwendo, Arts Faculty Dean (left) and Professor Xoliswa Mtose, UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor (right).