UKZN’s autumn grad season gets underway with over 8000 graduands
Known for their loud celebrations and colourful outfits, UKZN’s graduation ceremonies will again have the nation talking from May 6 to 16. From the eldest graduand, 83-year-old Father (Fr) Pheko Matthews Thinane, to their youngest graduate, 20-year-old Lusanda Thandolwenkosi Madondo, 14 ceremonies will honour the achievements of their students in style and with the UKZN flair.
A TOTAL of 8116 graduates will walk across the stage at the UKZN Westville Campus to collect their undergrad and postgrad degrees when graduations season kicks off for the institution from May 6-16.
Out of 8116 graduands in 14 ceremonies, a total 5161 students will receive undergraduate degrees, while 2955 will be awarded postgraduate qualifications. These include 247 PhD graduates and 629 Master’s graduates. Among the PhD recipients will be 83-year-old Catholic priest, Father (Fr) Pheko Matthews Thinane, who is the oldest graduand at this year’s autumn graduation.
UKZN spokesperson Normah Zondo said the semi-retired priest from Gauteng earned his PhD from the School of Religion and Social Transformation — marking a significant achievement in a life dedicated to faith, service, and scholarship. She said, “Thinane embarked on his doctoral journey after completing his memoirs. His thesis presents a comparative study of healing practices and experiences found in the Gospel of Mark and the testimony of Meshack Hadebe, offering a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature in African Theology.”
Also Read: UKZN to honour almost 8 000 graduands
Joining the cohort of PhD recipients will be 27-year-old Shavani Naicker who is the youngest PhD graduand in this round of ceremonies. The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science graduand completed her doctorate in Applied Mathematics with her thesis based on the Dynamics of Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes in Lovelock Gravity.
Naicker is among a group of women that make up 65.91% of the total number of graduates this year at UKZN — an increase of 4% from last year. “The University also celebrates an elite group of approximately 500 top achievers who will graduate Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, with women again leading the way, comprising 65.47% of this distinguished group. In addition, UKZN will honour the achievements of 103 graduands with disabilities,” said Zondo.
The 2025 ceremonies also sees the College of Humanities take the honour of having produced the youngest undergraduate at the tender age of 20, Lusanda Thandolwenkosi Madondo.
“The university wishes all students every success in all their endeavours. The graduation ceremonies present an excellent opportunity for the graduands to celebrate their achievements and share this moment with their families and friends,” said Zondo.
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