I dream big about being an entrepreneur, says TUT graduate

27 March 2019

An entrepreneur in the making, Vutivi Trinity Khoza, has just graduated cum laude a National Diploma in Accounting at TUT’s first graduation ceremony for this year, at the Mbombela Campus. A National Diploma in Accounting at TUT’s first graduation ceremony for this year, at the Mbombela Campus. ‘The curriculum has prepared me well for this and, most importantly, taught me not to rely on only one source of income,” the enthusiastic 20-year old graduate babbled shortly after walking across the stage.

Vutivi Khoza - ND Accounting Cum Laude graduate.

According to Vutivi, whose name means knowledge in Xitsonga, she spent most of her time burning the midnight oil instead of socialising. “I would fall asleep on my bed while studying and only wake up with my books around me the next morning. The strong culture of learning among students on the campus certainly helped me to stay focused on my studies.” 

Although she grew up in Westonaria, west of Johannesburg, her family moved to Mkhuhlu in Mpumalanga, where she completed her high school. She said the transition was not easy, as she had to give up her favourite sports, netball, athletic and chess.  “I now live about two hours’ drive from the Mbombela CBD and the environment is not necessarily conducive for sport,” she added.

She explained that her grade 12 teacher noticed her potential in commercial subjects and mentored her skill. Her journey at TUT started in 2016, when she first registered for the National Higher Certificate in Accounting and proceeded to enrol for a National Diploma in 2018. 

Vutivi is one of eight Mbombela students who graduated cum laude. The other achievers are Matshidiso Chiloane (National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting); Lesedi Manyike (National Diploma: Legal Assistance), Thandeka Kgoedi (National Diploma: Public Management); Thembelihle Maphanga (National Diploma: Public Management); Simangele Thobela (National Diploma: Public Management); Bongani Mdlovu (B Tech Degree: Public Management) and Patricia Simelani (B Tech Degree: Public Management). 

The eMalahleni Campus also stepped up to TUT’s legacy of excellence, with graduates from four faculties achieving six cum laude passes. The high-fliers are Quintin Botha (National Diploma: Information Technology – Software Development), Thandeka Magagula (National Diploma: Human resources Management), Nompumelelo Zulu (National Diploma: Human Resources Management), Mbongeni Magagula (B Tech Degree: Electrical Engineering), Duduzile Dlamini (B Tech Degree: Human Resources Management) and Sibongile Mtiyane (B Tech Degree: Human Resources Management). 

A total of 520 students graduated at Mbombela and 306 at eMalahleni on 13 and 15 March respectively. This year a total of 10 667 graduates will receive their qualification during the Spring graduation ceremonies at different TUT campuses.


For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Willa de Ruyter, Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
Tel: +27 12 382 5352   Email: deruyterw@tut.ac.za