Nongoma graduate honours late mother

After being raised by his grandmother following the passing of his mother when he was just 11 years old, Xolani Methula (24) honoured his mother during the graduation ceremony at the University of KZN.

This young Nongoma graduate held up a placard saying ‘Cum laude for my late mom’ when he entered the prestigious ceremony for his Bachelor of Educational Psychology Honours cum laude.

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This unconventional entrance to the graduation stage not only pulled on the heart strings of the large crowd, but saw the Zululand ‘boy’ rise to the top.

Xolani’s mother passed away in 2011 when he was just a boy, and he had to be raised by his grandmother and aunt in the rural heart of Nongoma.

During the ceremony, Xolani fondly recalled his mother and how she used to bring him home groceries and clothes in December.
“That’s what I miss the most about her – her support,” he said.

With Xolani the second-born of four siblings and the first in his family to attain an honours degree, he said he hopes to inspire his siblings to follow in his footsteps.

“I hope this inspires other learners from rural areas to reach for their dreams and know that anything is possible,” he said.

Xolani pursued his honours degree with the help of a Postgraduate Scholarship from UKZN, and is now working towards his master’s in Educational Psychology, supported by a bursary from the university.

Graduating with cum laude made him part of the 414 students who received distinctions at this year’s autumn graduation.
He hopes to one day wear a red graduation gown and become a lecturer.

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