Thousands of newly minted graduates walk the stage in East London

Unisa Eastern Cape Region held its graduation ceremonies on 21 and 22 May 2024 at Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London. During the six ceremonies, held over two days, more than 2 700 qualifications were conferred, and the achievements of many students who made enormous sacrifices to be Unisa graduates were celebrated.

Unisa academics seated on the stage

Nomsa Mukwevho, a visually impaired single mother of two, graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science. She explained that because of the challenges she faced there were times when she regretted registering, but that having graduated, she feels ready to pursue a master’s degree.

Acting Registrar, Prof Moloko Sepota

Unisa staff member Vuyolwethu Hulu, a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences graduate, encouraged others with the words “A dream delayed is not a dream denied,” and touched hearts by dedicating her qualification to her son and her late parents.

Unisa Eastern Cape Regional Director, Motale Nkgoang

Another Unisa staff member, Zingisile Mantewu, shared that his colleagues, wife, and children inspired him to keep on studying when he considered dropping out, and that he now feels enormous gratitude on having obtained his Bachelor of Information Sciences Honours degree.

Zingisile Mantewu

Former Unisa East London Regional Hub Student Mentor, Esona Maya, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and said, “I’m excited, I’m happy, and I’m grateful to be here. It has not been easy, but I made it, and I thank God for this moment”.  

Unisa Eastern Cape Region former Regional Students Representative Council Secretary and now Unisa Funding Administrator, Avela Mpatane, obtained an Undergraduate Diploma in Information Technology.

Avela Mpatane

The Unisa Eastern Cape Region autumn graduations were a wonderful success: everything went smoothly, and the graduates’ family members came in numbers.

The graduation ceremonies not only highlighted the resilience of Unisa over the past 150 years, but were also a tribute to the hard work and dedication of every graduate.

* By Lukhetho Mbanjwa, Intern: Department of Communication and Marketing, Unisa Eastern Cape Region