A Celebration of Dreams Realised at UKZN’s 2025 Spring Graduation

A Zulu queen, a former street child turned economist, and a trailblazing municipal speaker are among the 1 521 graduands being capped at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Spring Graduation ceremonies on 17 and 18 September 2025.

The celebrations, held at the University’s Westville campus, honour stories of royalty, resilience and ground-breaking research.

Queen Thandekile (MaNdlovu) Zulu, the fourth wife of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, will be awarded a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree for her study on the commercialisation of stevia (plant-based sweetener) in Kenya.

Her findings advocate for strategic interventions to strengthen the stevia supply chain, which could catalyse economic progress and food security in the region. His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and some members of the Royal Household attended her graduation ceremony.

Meanwhile, eThekwini municipality speaker, Councillor Thabani Nyawose, will come full circle when he graduates with a Master’s in Public Administration. He previously served as the very first Student Representative Council President (Westville) in the University’s founding year (2004), following a merger between the then University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal.

Nyawose was also the last SRC President of the former University of Durban-Westville and participated in the negotiations leading to the merger.

Another remarkable story to be celebrated at the Graduation is that of Mr Declek Khwazi Magubane, whose early life was marked by hardship, including time in orphanages and living on the streets of Pietermaritzburg’s CBD after the death of his legal guardians.

Born in KwaMpumuza and raised in Hanniville in the Mgungundlovu District, Magubane’s life turned for the better when at the age of 16, he was taken in by a family who cared for him as one of their own.

He will receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics. His thesis, titled: ‘Cross-Country Macroprudential Coordination and Financial Stability in Advanced and Systemic Middle-Income Economies’, explored global policy dynamics in financial regulation.

As a leading research institution, the University is especially proud of the 184 doctoral graduands whose original research has far-reaching societal impact.

Ground-breaking research by Dr Abba Aji Mallum, who is UKZN’s first PhD graduate in Radiotherapy and Oncology, offers renewed hope for improving cancer care across the continent. A leading oncologist and researcher, Mallum is committed to addressing health inequalities across Africa. His study examined whether shorter courses of radiotherapy (hypofractionation), commonly used in high-income countries, could be safely and effectively implemented in sub-Saharan Africa.

UKZN Executive Director: Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo, says the 2025 Spring Graduation is filled with inspiring stories that showcase the resilience, diversity and excellence of UKZN’s student body.

“Among the graduates are 184 scholars receiving doctoral degrees, affirming the University’s growing reputation for world-class research. The global character of UKZN is reflected in the 74 international students crossing the stage, while the spirit of inclusivity shines through in the success of 19 graduates living with disabilities, each of whom has overcome unique challenges on their journey.”

Words: Sejal Desai

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini