UKZN Graduate’s Emotional Moment Sparks an Outpouring of Support

Even though she couldn’t afford a new dress for her graduation, Nokuthula Dlamini refused to let that take away from her hard-earned achievement. She showed up anyway, and her uncontainable... The post UKZN Graduate’s Emotional Moment Sparks an Outpouring of Support appeared first on Good Things Guy.

May 8, 2026 - 11:12

UKZN Graduate’s Emotional Moment Sparks an Outpouring of Support

Even though she couldn’t afford a new dress for her graduation, Nokuthula Dlamini refused to let that take away from her hard-earned achievement. She showed up anyway, and her uncontainable emotion as she received her degree on stage has sparked a wave of heartwarming support from all of Mzansi!

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (08 May 2026) – Life may not always have been kind or easy for Nokuthula Dlamini, but she always knew to keep her focus on what truly mattered. This meant making the most of the opportunities provided by her mother’s sacrifices and staying in school to secure an education that would change her circumstances.

The only child of a single mother who works as an informal trader, Nokuthula was overcome with emotion this week as she reaped the fruits of her labour, graduating from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology.

She had attended graduation without a new dress as she could not afford one.

“I did not want to trouble my mother because I knew the dire situation at home, so I decided to go with the clothes I had. What was important for me was just to be present at graduation because I thought this might be the last one for me,” Nokuthula said.

The 24-year-old, who is from Pietermaritzburg, said she was filled with mixed emotions during the ceremony as she recalled the struggles she faced during her studies and in the lead-up to her graduation.

She told UKZN that her tears were for how grateful she is to finally make it, the support she received, and the happiness of making her mother proud.

Her financial struggles made the journey to success a lot more challenging. Nokuthula thanked her lecturer, Dr Siphamandla Sithelo, who secured accommodation for her for the year, and opened up about how her roommate, Khethukuthula Khoza, assisted with food and anything else she needed. She also thanked her supervisor for encouraging her to attend counselling.

Video and images of an emotional Nokuthula embracing her mother, Lindiwe Dlamini, during the graduation ceremony soon went viral on social media, setting in motion the most heartwarming response from the public.

South Africans did what they do best, offering various gestures of support, including clothes and photoshoots.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has reached out. I wish I could shout to the world to thank each and every one of them. I feel God has answered all my prayers and worries. Thank you to everyone,” the emotional graduate said.

Nokuthula is resilience personified. Having earned her degree despite immense strain and struggle, she now encourages fellow students facing similar financial hardships to never let their circumstances deter them from pursuing their dreams.