Two UKZN Graduates Driven by Numbers Earn their Degrees Summa Cum Laude

Amid a sea of academic gowns and proud smiles, two Finance students from KwaZulu-Natal stood out – not only for their academic excellence but for their unyielding discipline, graduating summa cum laude with degrees in Business Science: Investment Science from the College of Law and Management Studies at UKZN.

Mr Kiash Baldeo from La Mercy reflected on his academic journey and the inspiration behind his degree.

‘I’ve always been inspired by the idea of applying logical thinking and quantitative skills to real-world problems – especially in finance. That’s why I enjoy investing and programming – they help me develop discipline and apply strategy,’ he said.

His journey was anything but easy. Academic demands were high, especially during a particularly challenging third year when he juggled full-time coursework, preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) Level 1 exam, and private tutoring for first-year students in Mathematics and Statistics.

Currently pursuing a Master of Financial Engineering at the University of Cape Town, Baldeo is focused on entering the world of quantitative finance, having always been drawn to the analytical nature of numbers and financial systems.

‘For me the decision to pursue Investment Science was not a whim, but a strategic move based on my deep love for analysis and a desire to see tangible results from my academic work. My long-term plan involves gaining significant industry experience and ultimately earning the CFA charter, further solidifying my expertise in the field,’ he said.

Mr Nhlanhla Mkhize, from the township of Embo in Hillcrest, has a story just as compelling. His journey to academic excellence began with uncertainty – until high school mathematics sparked a passion that shaped his path.

‘I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, but when I discovered how mathematics could solve real-world problems, everything fell into place. From there, my goal was to pursue a degree that taught me how to apply maths to practical issues. Business Science was the perfect fit – combining mathematics, statistics and finance, which I thoroughly enjoyed,’ said Mkhize.

However, his academic journey was not without challenges. One of the most significant was transitioning from online learning to in-person classes in his third year.

‘Having adjusted to online learning, the shift to face-to-face was difficult. Studying from home gave me flexibility to plan my schedule, whereas classroom learning required a different approach to time management and study habits,’ he said.

‘Despite all the challenges, I never imagined I’d graduate summa cum laude. But through God’s grace and relentless hard work, I made it!’

Now working as a Quantitative Analyst Trainee at one of South Africa’s Big Four banks, Mkhize is eager to apply his academic knowledge in the real world.

‘I’m looking forward to learning from professionals in the industry, sharpening my skills, and growing in a corporate environment.’

Both the graduates credit their families for their unwavering support and express deep gratitude to those who walked the academic journey with them.

Words: Ayanda Radebe

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini