Latest news with #AzraaEbrahim
Daily Maverick
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Blind student bags 14 distinctions, graduating cum laude at UKZN
Azraa Ebrahim, a blind student from University of KwaZulu-Natal, has graduated cum laude after achieving 14 distinctions – showcasing her resilience, dedication and academic excellence. A blind student from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Azraa Ebrahim, has clinched a Bachelor of Social Science degree – majoring in religious studies and industrial psychology, earning 14 distinctions. Born with a condition called congenital bilateral optic nerve atrophy, which means her optic nerves are damaged, Ebrahim told Daily Maverick that she can only see shapes, shadows and colours. Her academic journey at UKZN kicked off in 2020 during Covid-19, and she struggled to navigate the online system. 'We were online, and getting used to the platforms the university was using was difficult because I had to learn how to navigate them so that I don't get behind on my school work. […] Now I prefer in-person lectures as opposed to online,' she said. Ebrahim praised UKZN's disability unit for helping her on her journey to become a cum laude graduate. The unit acted as the middle man between her and her faculty. 'I am grateful, because not every university has a proactive disability unit. Sometimes [people] go to university and end up not doing well because they do not have the support,' Ebrahim said. Academic journey Ebrahim said she had dreamt of becoming a veterinary nurse and had pursued the relevant subjects at school, but she discovered in Grade 11 that her condition would prevent her from studying further in that field. 'When I entered into university, I started with legal studies and industrial psychology, and in my first year I chose religion as an elective because I did it in high school. I chose it because I wanted something that I was comfortable with, and I enjoyed it. This led to studying religion studies and industrial psychology after leaving the law, which was an interest not a passion,' Ebrahim said. She had to start preparing a month before exams to ensure that she grasped all the information in her different modules, something that exhausted her. 'I had about four modules a semester and I would dedicate different times for them during the day. This helped in ensuring that I had everything I needed before the week of the exams. The difficulty was when my exams were in the same week. […] It came with a lot of loss of sleep and a lot of dedication to achieve what I have,' she said. Achievements As part of her journey, Ebrahim not only picked up a number of accolades but also became a motivational speaker for people with disabilities. She made her first public speech in June 2024, when her lecturer invited her to an organisation called Taking Islam to the People. 'I spoke about my experiences with discrimination within the community as I grew up with a disability,' Ebrahim said. She then participated in an Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa conference, after encouragement from her lecturers, who had loved one of her assignments. 'I was the only undergraduate student among 40 PhD and master's student participants. 'I was unanimously chosen as the best student presentation, which is quite a shock for me, I was just a little undergraduate among all of the experts,' Ebrahim said. She also co-presented a paper with her lecturers at the university's Academic Monitoring and Support Colloquium 2024, which won Best Paper in their session. Ebrahim said it is still surreal to think that she achieved 14 distinctions. 'It's still a bit surreal for me to believe like all of the stuff has happened. […] It's quite an enchanting feeling. It's really wonderful seeing all of the different expressions from all the people around me being so happy and excited that somebody like me with a disability was able to do all of this,' she said. Where to from here? Ebrahim's end goal is to achieve a PhD, and she is pursuing her honours degree focusing on women-led khutbahs in Islam, rooted in activism and disability inclusion. She hopes to become more involved in researching disability within religion. She said people with disabilities can achieve what they want; it is just a matter of the mindset. 'You have to change your mindset and you have to view your disability, not as a challenge, but use your disability as a weapon against all of the different societal challenges. I'm trying to really make a difference and bring more light and more positivity so that people look at people with disabilities, not with sadness or sympathy, but rather with a sense of admiration,' Ebrahim said. DM
News24
09-05-2025
- General
- News24
Lawyer, 102, honoured at Fort Hare University and priest, 83, gets PhD at UKZN
In the latest round of inspiring graduation season stories, a 102-year-old lawyer and activist, Mda Mda, was honoured by the University of Fort Hare. An 83-year-old priest was the oldest student at UKZN to receive his PhD as part of 247 doctoral graduates. We also meet Azraa Ebrahim, a blind student at UKZN who graduated cum laude with 14 distinctions. It's graduation season again and News24 has met several people who have proven, once again, that age and disability are not barriers to achievement and learning. Among them are a 102-year-old lawyer, an 83-year-old priest, an award-winning pianist, and a blind student. In the Eastern Cape, at the University of Fort Hare, Mda Mda was awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at the ripe age of 102 on Wednesday - an impressive achievement. Mda is a respected lawyer, educator, and lifelong activist who was born in 1923 in Ncambedlana, Eastern Cape. His journey began at Lovedale College, where he honed a passion for history. According to the university, he studied toward a BA degree at the University of Fort Hare and went on to pursue law at the University of Cape Town, but was unable to complete his LLB due to financial constraints. Nonetheless, his determination saw him become a successful attorney and a key figure in the legal community. His memoir, Struggle and Hope: Reflections on the Recent History of the Transkian People, published six years ago, highlights his lifelong commitment to social justice. Another recipient of an honorary doctorate at Fort Hare was Omar Badsha, 79, for his renowned work as a photographer, social activist, and cultural historian. According to the university, his powerful photographs and writings, such as Letter to Farzanaha and Imijondolo, provide an enduring record of South Africa's struggle against apartheid and the resilience of its people. Badsha was also instrumental in establishing the website South African History Online (SAHO) in 2000. PhD at 83 In KwaZulu-Natal, semi-retired Catholic priest Father Pheko Matthews Thinane received his cap at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Westville campus on Wednesday at the age of 83. Thinane was awarded a PhD in Theology from the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics and was the oldest student in the cohort. 'I feel very proud about that,' he said. 'Many people have come to me and said I am an inspiration to them. I was also greatly encouraged and inspired when I saw so many young people graduating today.' He said he had been studying for many years and that his love for continuous learning should not come as a surprise. Looking to the future, he said he would continue writing about the spirituality of the church and what's happening to priesthood, in particular, affirming that it's never too late to learn if it is coupled with hard work. A jazz pianist, a maths whizz and blind inspiration An award-winning pianist, and a 27-year-old student were among the 247 doctoral graduates. Acclaimed jazz pianist and UKZN lecturer, Sibusiso 'Mash' Mashiloane completed his doctoral research on the South African jazz identity. Shavani Naicker, 27, was the youngest PhD graduand, having completed her doctorate in Applied Mathematics. Her thesis was on the Dynamics of Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes in Lovelock Gravity. In total, 8 116 students took to the stage at UKZN to receive their hard-earned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 14 ceremonies. ALSO READ | 'Me, in Johannesburg? Wow': Matriculant thanks readers for helping her fulfil UJ dream Among them was blind student Azraa Ebrahim who earned her Bachelor of Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal with academic excellence, majoring in Religion Studies and Industrial Psychology. She beat the odds to graduate cum laude with 14 distinctions. Among her achievements were presenting the Best Student Paper at the 2024 ASRSA Conference and being invited to publish in the Journal of Islamic Studies.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
UKZN's Azraa Ebrahim graduates cum laude, overcoming challenges as a blind student
In a remarkable tale of perseverance and excellence, Azraa Ebrahim, a blind student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Religion Studies and Industrial Psychology, earning 14 distinctions. Her academic journey began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, an already daunting time for many, which was further complicated by her visual impairment. 'Navigating this path online, coupled with being blind, made familiarising myself with virtual platforms significantly more challenging,' she shared. Ebrahim credits her success to the steadfast support of her parents, lecturers, peers, and UKZN's Disability Support Unit. She transitioned from online to in-person learning with the aid of a white cane and screen-reading technologies. 'Despite my initial challenges, I am immensely grateful for the relationships I've built, the knowledge I've gained and the friends I've made along the way.'
IOL News
06-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Blind student triumphs: Azraa Ebrahim graduates cum laude amid challenges
Azraa Ebrahim and Professor Matshepo Matoane – Dean in the School of Social Sciences Image: UKZN In a remarkable testament to resilience and determination, Azraa Ebrahim has successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Religion Studies and Industrial Psychology, cum laude, while achieving an impressive 14 distinctions. This achievement comes after a university journey that began during the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, an experience that was further complicated by her blindness. Ebrahim faced significant challenges in adapting to online learning environments. However, with the unwavering support of her parents, peers, lecturers, and the University's Disability Support Unit, she embraced her academic pursuits. Transitioning from online classes to in-person learning, she adeptly utilised a white cane and various assistive technologies, including screen readers, to navigate her educational landscape. Her academic accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. Ebrahim presented a paper at the ASRSA Conference 2024, where she not only won the Best Student Paper award but was also invited to publish her paper in the esteemed Journal of Islamic Studies. Furthermore, she delivered a sermon at the TIP Eid-ul-Adha Eidgah, candidly sharing her experiences of discrimination throughout her life due to her disability. Alongside her collaborators, Dr Cherry Muslim and Chukwudera Nwodo, Ebrahim presented at the AMS Colloquium 2024, earning accolades for Best Paper in her concurrent session. Ebrahim reflected on her academic journey, said, "To ensure I was personally competent, I would begin exam and test preparation a month in advance to account for my slow reading pace. Despite my initial challenges, I am immensely grateful for the relationships I have built, the knowledge I've gained, and the friends I've made along the way." Now an NRF Honours Scholarship grantholder, she is pursuing her Honours degree in Religion and Social Transformation under the mentorship of Dr Cherry Muslim. Her current research centres on women-led khutbah (sermons) in Islam, reinforcing her ambition to become a scholar of Islam and enter academia, where she aims to elevate research on disability from a uniquely informed perspective. Balancing her academic commitments with family obligations presented further challenges during exam seasons, often leading to stressful situations. To manage her time effectively, Ebrahim planned meticulously, ensuring that she set aside moments for family gatherings and personal connections. Finding an outlet in karate helped alleviate stress and stave off burnout, while her family played an integral role in reminding her to rest, eat properly, and protect her eyes from strain. In an empowering message to students with disabilities, Ebrahim advised, 'Wear your disability with a badge of pride. Do not look upon it with disgrace, nor attempt to conceal it from societal scrutiny." She emphasised that while disabilities are a significant part of one's identity, they do not define an individual completely. "In a world engulfed by discrimination, stigma, and alienation, we must celebrate our uniqueness and challenge socially constructed ways of being," she said.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Blind UKZN student graduates cum laude with 14 distinctions
In a remarkable tale of perseverance and excellence, Azraa Ebrahim, a blind student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Religion Studies and Industrial Psychology, earning an astounding 14 distinctions. Her academic journey began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, an already daunting time for many, which was further complicated by her visual impairment. 'Navigating this path online, coupled with being blind, made familiarising myself with virtual platforms significantly more challenging,' she shared. Ebrahim credits her success to the steadfast support of her parents, lecturers, peers, and UKZN's Disability Support Unit. She transitioned from online to in-person learning with the aid of a white cane and screen-reading technologies. 'Despite my initial challenges, I am immensely grateful for the relationships I've built, the knowledge I've gained and the friends I've made along the way.'
