By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Imbali resident Thobeka Dumakude has graduated from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing at the age of 54.
“I wanted to prove to myself and to others that dreams do not expire. Education has no age limit. It took me six years instead of four years to complete my qualification,” she said.
“It was hard adapting to the academic environment. I found myself studying alongside students younger than my own children, but I never gave up. I was determined to finish what I had started,” she said.
The university praised Dumakude’s determination, resilience and perseverance, saying these qualities had enabled her to realise her lifelong ambition of serving communities through healthcare.
Dumakude’s childhood dream of becoming a nurse was put on hold after she became pregnant at the age of 19. She later had to find employment and care for her child.
“Prior to studying at DUT, Thobeka worked as an administrator for a non-governmental organisation that assisted patients living with HIV and AIDS,” the university said.
“This was where her love for nursing resurfaced after her five-year work contract ended and her internet café business was not making enough profit.”
Dumakude enrolled at DUT in 2020, more than 30 years after completing matric. The university said she had to balance family responsibilities, academic pressure and the challenge of adapting to student life alongside much younger classmates.
Her four-year qualification eventually took six years to complete as she worked through difficulties in her studies.
Dumakude is currently completing her community service in a psychiatric ward at Jubilee District Hospital in Hammanskraal.
Her duties include caring for mental healthcare patients, participating in multidisciplinary teamwork, administering treatment, monitoring patients, and supporting patients and families through mental health challenges.
“She plans to study further, specialising in Mental Health Nursing after realising there is a great need for mental health support in society,” the university said.
Dumakude said her future goal is to work alongside other healthcare professionals to address mental health issues in communities and contribute positively to people’s wellbeing.
“Graduating was one of the proudest moments of my life,” she said.
“Walking across the graduation stage made me feel confident, empowered, and fulfilled, knowing that I had achieved something no one can ever take away from me.”
Dumakude encouraged people who believe it is too late to pursue their academic dreams not to give up on education.
She said her graduation showed that perseverance, prayer, courage and lifelong learning could open doors at any stage of life.
