Mtubatuba mother’s heartbreak: Accepting late daughter’s diploma at DUT graduation

Amid the happiness on graduation day at Durban University of Technology (DUT) was one heart-breaking moment when a mother went on stage to accept a diploma for her daughter who died in November.

Mtubatuba’s Thembisile Hlatshwayo (45) had to fight back the tears as her daughter, Sinenhlanhla’s (26) name was called.

She accepted the certificate for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Applications Development on Saturday at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.

Speaking after the ceremony, Hlatshwayo revealed that her daughter had sadly passed away shortly after finishing her final exams.

“She left DUT on 7 November, stayed home for seven days and passed away. She was not sick; she slept and never woke up from her sleep. In the last seven days she spent with us, she seemed fine and did not complain of any illness or anything troubling her,” said Hlatshwayo.

Recalling the fateful day, Hlatshwayo said she left her with her siblings to attend an all-night church service.

Upon returning the following morning, she went to check on her sleeping daughter, only to discover she was ice cold.

“I tried to move her but realised she was gone. It is a day I will never forget. My only child to attend university was gone. She was my only hope, and we were so excited about her finishing her studies. We were hoping she would get a job and that our lives would change for the better.”

Hlatshwayo said her son, who matriculated two years ago, said he is scared to attend university following his sister’s mysterious passing.

However, she said attending the graduation ceremony was something she needed to do to honour Sinenhlanhla’s hard work and commitment to her studies.

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