Confidence Ndlovu is the first masters graduate of UMP
She said young women have a role to rewrite history that will speak to women inclusive leadership.
The name of 25-year-old Mkhuhlu-born lass, Confidence Ndlovu, will go down in history books of the University of Mpumalanga for being the first student of the university to graduate with a master’s degree. The calm, optimistic and rational alumnus of Makhosana Manzini High School is one of the young women of the province celebrate this Women’s Month. She was one of the 647 graduates of the sixth graduation ceremony of the institution on July 15.
Mpumalanga News (MPN) exclusively interviewed Confidence Ndlovu (CN) on her remarkable a strides.
MPN : Tell us about yourself, a brief background?
CN: I am the older sister of by five siblings, a role model to them, hence I strive to become the best so they can believe in their wildest dreams. I registered for undergraduate studies with the UMP in 2016. Four years later I graduated with an honours degree from the first class of postgraduate studies in development studies. Now I am the first master’s graduate to complete this degree in one year. I am a former president of Enactus UMP, where I was responsible for promoting entrepreneurial action to improve the quality and standard of living in rural communities of the province. I also worked as a resident student assistant (RSA) at UMP student housing between 2019 and 2021. I was responsible for promoting living and learning programmes in the residences.
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MPN: When was your breakthrough in life – elaborate?
CN: When I was selected to represent the UMP for the 2018 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary after the successful outcome of my application. This was a lifechanging, three-week educational tour from Cape town to Addis Ababa to visit the African Union, then to England and Scotland. That was where I gained greater understanding and cooperation from other university students there, on fostering enterprise, commitment, effective participation in a common future and promoting South African Unity. I was also among three UMP representatives sent to observer the 2017 Enactus World Cup Competitions in London .
MPN: How it feels being the first masters degree graduate of UMP? How you achieve that and what one needs to do to achieve their dreams?
CN: I am extremely proud and overwhelmed. To graduate my masters cum laude (distinction) was anticipated, but making it to the history books of UMP is unbelievable. I am so humbled by this achievement because I had not entirely envisioned the plans that the Lord had for me. Discipline, consistency, commitment and the support I had from my parents were my pillars of success. I also prioritised my studies and focused less on distractions.
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MPN : What can you say to inspire girls and young women of the province and beyond in achieving their dreams.
CN: As young women we have a role to rewrite history that will speak to women inclusive leadership to ensure that the next generation does not dwell on any injustices that will omit their positive contribution to the society. Women need to believe in their wildest dreams, work extremely hard to achieve them, although some can be a little bit lucky in life. They must know that God has great plans for each one of us.
MPN: Tell us about your current position at the university and how will your skills and intellect benefit the university and the province?
CN: I was appointed on May 1 to be part of the first cohort of the academic talent stewardship programme and an associate lecturer in the school of development studies. I will also use this opportunity to motivate and inspire students to change any dissatisfying narrative about education in South Africa.
MPN: Is there anything that the public don’t know about you, and you will love them to know?
CN: Yes, I have currently published a peer-reviewed article with the Technium Social Sciences Accredited Journal from my masters dissertation titled: The effectiveness of agricultural cooperatives towards enhancing food security in rural areas of KaNyamazane, Nyongane and Clau-Clau. It is available on Google Scholar.
