KNOWN as the #FeesMustFall Durban University of Technology (DUT) leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile added another feather in his cap, after he graduated cum laude for his National Diploma in Public Management and Economics at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus this week.
Khanyile aced all his subjects despite spending six months in jail and subsequently writing his final exams there.
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Although his rise to fame occurred after he was detained for actively being in the forefront of the #FeesMustFall marches in 2016, he is not new to controversial activism for education and student well-being.
Khanyile says his drive to actively participate in student politics and need to be in the forefront of addressing issues that affected students was motivated by his background.
“I was suspended at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) because I took part in challenging university management when students were faced with challenges. That is how I was named ‘Education’.”
“I grew up very poor. Growing up I had to move from different households to the other which were plagued by family conflict. I had minimal parental guidance and grew up without a father figure.”
“I think that is why, from when I was in Primary School, I decided that I would focus on nothing but excelling in my education,” said Khanyile.
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“Fortunately my hard work in academics always paid off, from the time I completed Matric I have been studying on scholarships and bursaries.”
“I read a lot and I am one of those people who would rather miss hanging out with friends, just to go and read and to make sure my schoolwork is done,” he said.
EFF National Chairperson, Dali Mpofu, who represented Khanyile in his bail bid at the Constitutional Court also attended the graduation to acknowledge the the leadership of the student movement.
Mpofu took to Twitter to congratulate Khanyile, by posting “It’s in the bag! Forward to Free Education. #FeesMustFall. #ZumaMustFall. #BladeMustFall.”
The father of three is the first to attend University and graduate in his family.
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Khanyile has not only been a father to his children, although younger than his other siblings, he had to be the father figure and provide for his family by taking piece jobs and working as a taxi-conductor for Umlazi taxis on a part-time basis and still make sure he excelled in his studies.
Khanyile is currently doing his Bachelor of Technology degree in Public Management and Economics; however, he is also planning to branch out into studying either Political Science or Law after his post-graduate in Public Management and Economics.
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