Durban University of Technology student Avukile Fundama is the first ever to graduate in his family. Fundama is all smiles as he will be graduating with Cum laude for his Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre on Thursday, 14 July 2022.
The 23-year-old who grew up in a small town called Mount Ayliff (Emaxesbeni) in the region of Eastern Cape, began studying for his National Diploma in Internal Auditing in 2018. He completed his qualification and enrolled for his Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing, despite facing financial constraints and not being funded by NSFAS.
He then applied for the Phakimpilo programme, a DUT programme to address the students’ inadequate access to food due to financial constraints, an interim food security programme aimed at assisting students who are experiencing financial difficulties, further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He relayed that this specific programme played a big part in terms of him being able to eat every night.
“It is a great pleasure that under all circumstances I was able to achieve this, and coming from a poor background and not being funded by NSFAS or any platform and being able to obtain Cum Laude, it means a lot to me,” he said happily.
His achievements are being celebrated by his siblings and having no parents and being the first to graduate have given his siblings belief in him in obtaining Cum Laude but also belief that he will change the situation at home.
His forthcoming goal is to be registered under the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa and also become a professional forensic Auditor.
Pictured: Avukile Fundama
Nonkululeko Ngcobo