Turning Challenges into Triumphs!

At just 26 years old, Ms Nonkazimulo Lembede has already proven that perseverance, resilience and determination to succeed can turn even the most difficult circumstances into stepping stones to great things.

In a double achievement, Lembede graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Criminology and History and became the first Deaf student to graduate from UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus.

Meningitis caused Lembede to lose her hearing at the age of eight. “It was a confusing time,” she said, “but my mother was very supportive and placed me in a special school where I could learn alongside other Deaf children. My family’s love and support have carried and guided me.”

Now she reflects on her academic journey with both pride and gratitude. Studying at UKZN was more than just an academic decision – it was a deeply personal one. “I choose to study there because the Institution is accommodating to disabled individuals. That inspired me to want to study there,” said Lembede.

From the outset, she found UKZN to be a supportive and inclusive environment. Thanks to a dedicated interpreter and the unwavering assistance of the Disability Unit, she was able to handle her lectures and academic responsibilities with confidence. “The Disability Unit was dependable, reliable and supportive – not only in academics but also in housing and financial aid,” she says.

Still, her journey was not without its challenges. Entering university in her first year, she recalls feeling lonely and isolated as a Deaf person. Later, academic difficulties tested her self-belief, making her question whether she was suited for academic life.

She refused to let these obstacles define her. Instead, they became the fuel that kept her going. “My journey was not an easy one but it became easier when I embraced shortcomings and worked on them over and over again,” she reflects. “At the end, the outcome was rewarding.”

Apart from her degree, she says education has given her discipline, purpose and a clearer sense of self. Now, with her degree in hand, Lembede is determined to continue her academic journey, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.

Her story stands as a powerful reminder that resilience and self-belief can transform challenges into triumphs. “Despite how demanding it is to obtain a degree,” she says, “I plan to further my academic ventures because education has shaped me into a better version of myself.”

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini