Mzamo Msani graduated at 47-years-old
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AT THE age of 47, Mzamo Msani defies the odds by graduating with a Diploma in Operations Management from Durban University of Technology (DUT), showcasing that dreams can be pursued at any age.
The DUT driver graduated nearly three decades after completing matric.
For Mzamo, who is from Mthwalume on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, the moment carried years of sacrifice, perseverance and hope.
“It has always been my dream to earn a university qualification,” said Mzamo.
But life after matric did not allow him to immediately pursue higher education.
“After matric, I had to work to support my family,” he shared.
Before joining DUT in 2019 as a temporary driver, Mzamo spent years in the security industry, eventually working his way up to becoming a security manager. When he later secured a permanent position at the university, he decided it was finally time to pursue the dream he had delayed for so long.
“The skills I developed in my career sparked an interest in studying Operations Management,” he explained.
Balancing full-time work and studies came with its challenges. Between “early mornings, long hours on the road, and demanding coursework”, Mzamo often had to push himself beyond exhaustion to stay on track academically.
He studied part-time in the evenings and admitted that he sometimes missed classes because of work responsibilities, but he remained determined to finish what he had started.
“Seeing students graduate and achieve their dreams motivated me to persevere,” he said.
To cope with the pressure, Mzamo said he had to “adjust his schedule, sacrifice sleep and social time, and develop coping mechanisms to keep moving forward.”
His journey has since become an inspiring example to colleagues, students and many others who may feel discouraged about pursuing education later in life.
“Don’t give up on your dreams. No matter how long it takes, keep going,” advised Mzamo.
Now proudly holding his first qualification, Mzamo is already looking ahead. He is currently pursuing his Advanced Diploma in Operations Management and hopes to continue towards a postgraduate diploma and eventually a master’s degree.
As he reflected on his achievement, he also expressed gratitude to the people who stood beside him throughout the journey.
He thanked his family, especially his children, his manager and colleagues for their support and encouragement.