Leah Mokgabudi and Ndumiso Mhlanga rise above adversity to graduate

Leah Mokgabudi and Ndumiso Mhlanga, Humanities graduates, overcame personal hardship, academic disruption and setbacks to achieve success, proving that resilience and determination can change futures.

Leah Mokgabudi Leah Mokgabudi overcame many challenges, including pandemic disruptions and visual impairment, to earn her Advanced Diploma in Public Affairs, demonstrating that determination and support can drive success.

Having grown up in Tembisa, she began her academic journey at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Humanities in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her studies and delayed her progress, making it impossible to complete her qualification within the expected timeframe. Despite this, Mokgabudi remained focused and adapted to online and face-to-face learning to complete her diploma in 2024.

She advanced her studies in 2025 by enrolling in an Advanced Diploma in Public Affairs, which she is now completing. Mokgabudi describes the experience as akin to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a very demanding journey that culminated in fulfilment.

Throughout her studies, Mokgabudi faced uncertainty and emotional strain, but credits her success to perseverance and support from family, friends and fellow students. As a visually impaired student, she had to work harder to meet academic expectations and remained committed to her goals.

She also recognised the role of Public Management lecturers in ensuring that her study material, assignments and examination papers reached the Disability Unit on time. Their support made her academic journey much easier and more accessible.

Dr Caiphus Maleka, HoD of Public Management, said her achievement reflects independence, personal growth and perseverance. He added that despite the challenges of visual impairment, Mokgabudi met academic expectations through hard work and determination. The department also highlighted collaboration between lecturers and the Disability Unit as key to her success and described her journey as an example of inclusive education.

Ndumiso Mhlanga Ndumiso Mhlanga, a postgraduate in Policing from the Department of Law, Safety and Security Management, completed his studies after a long and difficult journey marked by personal loss, financial challenges and academic setbacks.

He grew up in the Newcastle Osizweni township, with his mother’s family after losing his mother at a young age and without support from his father. He enrolled for a National Diploma in Policing at TUT in 2010 and initially received NSFAS funding but struggled to continue due to missing documents.

His academic journey included involvement in student politics and multiple suspensions, culminating in a disciplinary process and expulsion. He served part of the sentence and then returned to complete his outstanding modules and finish his diploma.

He continued his studies, enrolling for an Advanced Diploma, followed by a postgraduate qualification, which he recently completed. He is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Policing.

According to Mhlanga, his journey taught him that challenges are part of life and require strength and determination. He encouraged other students to remain focused and approach difficulties with a winning mindset.

Mokgabudi and Mhlanga’s stories reflect the resilience of students who overcame adversity to achieve academic success. Their journeys show that determination, support and persistence can transform even the most difficult circumstances into achievement.