THERE were tears of joy when disabled students, who had overcome all the odds to obtain tertiary education, attended their graduation at Hlanganani Community Hall in eSikhaleni on Tuesday.

After a year of studying under the Interactive Training Network (Athena), these determined students were finally granted their Business Administration NQF 2 qualifications.

During the special ceremony, the institution’s director Davon Palanee applauded graduates for not giving up along what he called ‘a long road’.

‘Getting a tertiary qualification has its challenges even for able people.

This means these graduates had to work twice as hard to be here today,’ he said.

Students underwent a 12-month training course and will soon enter another year of work experience at various government institutions.

‘These qualifications are recognised anywhere in the world and it means they are now not just disabled, but employable.

‘The work experience they will receive means wherever they go they will be recognised, not just as graduates but also as people who know and understand the working environment,’ said Palanee.

At the ceremony were the King Cetshwayo District Municipality Deputy Mayor, Alice Mthembu and Speaker, Khulani Hadebe.

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