UKZN Autumn Graduation Highlights Grit, Talent and Transformative Success
A doctor with a gift for poetry, a former taxi driver turned harbour master, a 76-year-old PhD graduand, a summa cum laude graduate who has excelled despite living with dwarfism and scoliosis, and a top-performing statistician bound for Oxford are among the 9 586 graduands the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will honour at its Autumn Graduation ceremonies from 4 to 15 May 2026 at the Westville campus in Durban.
Of the 9 586 graduands, 6 578 are undergraduates and 3 008 are postgraduates. Women make up 66% of the cohort and dominate the top distinctions, accounting for 72% of cum laude and 73% of summa cum laude achievers.
Beyond the statistics lies a collection of stories that reflect resilience, ambition and achievement.
In the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, which accounts for 1 535 graduands, there are 87 PhD candidates, reflecting a strong pipeline of advanced scholarship. Top-performing graduand, Mr Jaedon Naidu will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Statistics and is set to pursue a Master’s degree at Oxford University later this year. He is among the 136 summa cum laude graduates across the University.
The University will also celebrate 153 students with disabilities graduating this Autumn. This figure represents a significant increase from 103 recorded last May and reflects deliberate institutional efforts to widen access, strengthen support and ensure that talent can flourish without barriers.
Among them is Mr Siyabonga Khumalo, who has excelled academically despite living with dwarfism and scoliosis, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Anthropology and Psychology. A former Dux Scholar, Khumalo who is also known for actively championing inclusivity on campus, has now set his sights on PhD studies and a future as a clinical psychologist. His achievement stands a powerful source of inspiration, demonstrating that determination and excellence can transcend physical challenges.
The College of Health Sciences will see 1 056 graduands, contributing to the University’s role in strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Among them is medical graduate Mr Ndumiso Majola from rural Nkandla in KZN, who has captivated audiences with his poetry reflecting on medical conditions. His solo piece, Genetics Genius – We Are Not Different, advocates for the human rights of people with albinism. A doctor and a poet, Majola brings both science and storytelling to the service of humanity.
Among the College of Law and Management Studies’ 1 637 graduands is Captain Rufus Lekala, Chief Harbour Master at Transnet National Ports Authority, who graduates with a Master of Commerce in Maritime Studies. His journey from taxi driver to senior shipping official reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and steady determination.
The College of Humanities’, 5 358 graduands include this season’s oldest graduand, 76-year-old Denise Ingrid Adams, who receives a PhD in Fine Arts. Her achievement reflects a sustained commitment to learning and underscores that the pursuit of knowledge has no age limit.
The graduation also brings into focus, the diverse character of UKZN as reflected in its international student cohort, with 118 graduands from various part of the globe set to graduate.
UKZN’s Executive Director: Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo says the UKZN Autumn Graduation 2026 is a powerful reflection of resilience and excellence,
“From inspiring personal stories to strong academic performance across disciplines, these ceremonies highlight the value of higher education in shaping capable and engaged graduates. This cohort reflects both intellectual achievement and a commitment to contributing to society. For us as UKZN, graduation is also a reaffirmation of our role in developing graduates who are prepared to serve, lead and respond to the needs of a changing world.”
In addition to student achievements, UKZN will honour recipients of its Distinguished Teachers Awards, recognising academics who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in teaching.
This year’s recipients, Dr Patricia Achieng Opondo, Dr Nadine Rapiti, and Professor Andile Khathi, exemplify outstanding contributions to teaching and learning across disciplines.
Their work spans curriculum innovation in African music and dance, transformative approaches to medical education and haematology, and socially responsive teaching in the health sciences, collectively advancing student-centred learning, critical inquiry, and academic excellence at the University.
Author: Sejal Desai
Photographer: Sethu Dlamini
