TRAILBLAZERS TAKE THE STAGE AS OVER 8,000 STUDENTS GRADUATE AT UKZN’S 2025 AUTUMN GRADUATION
An 83-year-old priest, an award-winning pianist, and a 27-year-old student are among the 247 doctoral graduates who will receive their PhD degrees at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) graduation ceremonies, starting on Tuesday, 6 May 2025, at the Westville Campus in Durban.
Fr. Pheko Matthews Thinane, the oldest graduand at this year’s autumn graduation, has earned his PhD from the School of Religion and Social Transformation—marking a significant achievement in a life dedicated to faith, service, and scholarship. A semi-retired Catholic priest from Gauteng who remains active in the Church, Thinane embarked on his doctoral journey after completing his memoirs. His thesis presents a comparative study of healing practices and experiences found in the Gospel of Mark and the testimony of Meshack Hadebe, offering a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature in African Theology.
Acclaimed jazz pianist and UKZN lecturer, Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane, who is known for his award-winning contributions to South African music, completed his doctoral research on the South African jazz identity. His research raises awareness about the richness of South Africa’s distinctive musical traditions, which reflect the country’s diverse cultures. Mashiloane’s recitals were more than explorative performances; they became musical awakenings where musicians internalised and practised jazz as a language spoken through their own accents, languages, and meanings.
At the other end of the age spectrum, is 27-year-old Shavani Naicker who is the youngest PhD graduand in this round of ceremonies, having completed her doctorate in Applied Mathematics. Her thesis is on the Dynamics of Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes in Lovelock Gravity. She is from the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science.
These exceptional graduands are part of a cohort of 8,116 students who will take to the stage to receive their hard-earned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across 14 ceremonies which will run until 16 May.
Of the total, 5,161 students will receive undergraduate degrees, while 2,955 will be awarded postgraduate qualifications. These include 247 PhD graduates and 629 Master’s graduates.
UKZN is proud to note that women make up 65.91% of the total number of graduates this year—an increase of 4% from last year. The University also celebrates an elite group of approximately 500 top achievers who will graduate Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude (see definitions below), with women once again leading the way, comprising 65.47% of this distinguished group. In addition, UKZN will honour the achievements of 103 graduands with disabilities.
Parents and graduands dressed in their finery are expected to descend on the University’s Sports Centre at the Westville Campus to celebrate this momentous occasion in the lives of our students.
Normah Zondo, Executive Director Corporate Relations said: “Graduation ceremonies are longstanding rituals of passage that acknowledge the past, celebrate the present, and propel graduates towards a future filled with purpose and possibility. The University wishes all students every success in all their endeavours. The graduation ceremonies present an excellent opportunity for the graduands to celebrate their achievements and share this moment with their families and friends.”
The 2025 ceremonies, also sees the College of Humanities take the honour of having produced the youngest undergraduate at the tender age of 20, Lusanda Thandolwenkosi Madondo.
