THE late Princess Nkabane, former senior communications officer at the eThekwini Municipality, was awarded a posthumous Master’s in Journalism Degree at the closing ceremony of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation, which was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Tuesday (May 28).

Her family, consisting of her fiancé, Nhlahla Makhanya, her mother, Thandeka Nkabane, and her younger sister, Zinhle Nkabane, attended the graduation ceremony to accept the master’s degree on her behalf. When Nkabane’s name was called on the podium, her younger sister, Zinhle, bravely walked the graduation stage, holding her tears. Sitting among the guests, her fiancé and mother were in tears as they watched Zinhle walk the stage on behalf of her late sister.

Nkabane sadly passed on after a short illness on May 14 and was laid to rest at her home in Plainhill, Ixopo, on Saturday, May 25.

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During the graduation ceremony, DUT extended its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, the Journalism Department, the Faculty of Arts and Design and the eThekwini Municipality. A moment of silence was observed during the ceremony in honour of Nkabane’s life.

Nkabane’s graduation was held during the same session as the legendary Dr Gcina Mhlophe, who was conferred with an Honorary Doctoral Award in recognition of her exceptional contribution and accomplishment in the world of Arts, particularly in literature and the entertainment industry.

Speaking after the graduation, Nkabane’s fiancé, Nhlanhla Mhlongo, shared his heartfelt message to her. He revealed that she was the oldest of four siblings, leaving behind two younger sisters and a younger brother. He also shared that Nkabane was a mother of three children, namely Wandile Nzuzo (four years), Phiwokuhle Wakhiwe (17 months), and Khanyisile Bukhosi (five months). Makhanya described Nkabane as a devoted mother, sister and daughter who loved her family.

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“She was driven and determined, which was evident in her holding a nine-to-five job while being a master’s degree student and a mother of three small children. She was the light to our home and brought boundless joy to us. We never lacked because of her warmth and love. My fiancée was a heroine, a resilient one-of-a-kind woman who enjoyed laughter as much as she did her food. We will miss her,’’ he said.

He shared that seeing other graduates celebrating their achievements and seeing her picture being displayed on screen during the awarding of her master’s degree brought him sadness. He wished she was still alive to celebrate her hard work.

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