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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
New horizons: Opportunities for South African students in China
In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills. They say when one door closes, another one opens, and China is always at the forefront of opening doors and providing Africans opportunities to learn and grow in everything they put their minds to. In a world increasingly characterised by division and discord, a recent speech by Jiang Yurong, a Chinese graduate from Harvard University, has resonated deeply within both the United States and China. Jiang delivered her message of unity on Thursday, coinciding with significant political developments surrounding immigration policy and international education."We don't rise by proving each other wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go," Jiang said. Her speech went viral in China, with some saying it moved them while others were critical. Correlating this week, in an exclusive interview with the Consul General of China in Durban, Li Zhigong, one of the underlying themes in the conversation was about unlocking potential across borders and exploring how South African students can benefit from studying in China and the myriad of collaborative opportunities that await. In the exclusive insights into the vast opportunities available for South African students to study in China from Li, it was revealed that an array of scholarship programs and academic partnerships have already fostered fruitful exchange of knowledge and skills. According to Li, the Chinese government offers a comprehensive suite of scholarship programmes designed to entice South African students. "These scholarships, available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, encompass a wide array of benefits including tuition coverage, provision of textbooks, multiple round-trip flights, and a monthly stipend," he said. He highlighted that the disciplines in high demand span engineering, medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), international relations, and the study of Chinese language and culture — all areas that align closely with South Africa's developmental needs. "The Consulate warmly encourages prospective applicants, highlighting the importance of returnees as contributors to bilateral cooperation," he said. He further highlighted that collaboration is key to enhancing the educational ties between South African institutions and Chinese universities. "Opportunities for joint research initiatives, student and staff exchanges, as well as co-hosted academic programmes are flourishing. For instance, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has established a partnership with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to promote skills development. Notably, the Confucius Institute at DUT has emerged as a prominent cultural and language platform, training thousands of students in Chinese language and culture. The partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Centers for Disease Control in Sichuan province, focusing on HIV/AIDS research and facilitating exchanges of Chinese medical students, exemplifies the potential of such collaborations," he explained. Li also added that the Consulate General is also actively involved in skills development initiatives that enhance economic cooperation between China and South Africa. A focus on technical skills training is evident through collaborations with Chinese enterprises and educational institutions. Areas covered include construction safety, welding, mechanical skills training, and innovative 'Chinese + Vocational Skills' programmes through the Confucius Institute at DUT. In partnership with Tianjin Vocational Institute, the establishment of the Luban Workshop is dedicated to vocational education, he said. He added that the introduction of Juncao technology for mushroom cultivation has empowered local farmers with practical skills while sharing China's poverty alleviation experiences. "Each year, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce organises a variety of training programmes aimed at capacity building and exchange, with many individuals from KwaZulu-Natal already benefiting from these initiatives," he said. *This is Part 3 of a series of exclusive interviews that the Chinese Consul General in Durban, Li Zhigong, granted the Daily News' editor, Ayanda Mdluli.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Why South African graduates struggle to find jobs despite their degrees
Unemployed graduates across South Africa face a tough job market, with many struggling to find work despite holding tertiary qualifications. Image: Ron The words of Nelson Mandela, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world', have inspired generations of young South Africans to pursue university degrees with hopes of a better life. In a nation where education has long been heralded as the pathway to success, South African graduates are increasingly finding themselves at a crossroads. Despite years of hard work and dedication, many are left grappling with the harsh reality of unemployment, questioning whether their degrees truly hold the key to a brighter future. As the job market becomes more competitive and saturated, the promise of higher education is beginning to feel like a distant dream for countless young South Africans. Just ask Alonde Zolo, who poured his heart out in a viral Facebook post that has touched thousands. 'I remember the promise I made to my mom,' she wrote. 'A promise to build her a beautiful home as soon as I graduated, but life had other plans. Despite my hard work and dedication, I'm still struggling to find a job.' Zooloo, who holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Sociology and an Honours in Clinical Sociology, is not alone. Thousands of South African graduates are confronting the same harsh reality: despite diligently following the conventional path of studying hard, obtaining a degree, and striving for a better future, they find employment remains frustratingly elusive Asive Sibeko, who graduated from CPUT with an Advanced Diploma in ICT: Applications Development in 2025, expected the world to open up post-graduation. 'I thought I'd find a job and grow in a company where I could learn more about IT. But six months after my internship, I'm still jobless,' she said. 'I do get some interviews, but then it's rejections. Or worse, silence.' The emotional toll is heavy. 'When I think about it, it stresses me,' Sibeko admitted. 'I start wondering, what if it takes years to get a job, or what if I never do?' Nosipho Masondo, a 2023 Journalism graduate from DUT, has been unemployed for nearly two years. 'I feel like a failure to my parents,' she said. 'I'm supposed to be looking after them financially. I even thought of starting a fast-food tuck shop, but I don't have the money.' The psychological effects of prolonged unemployment are well-documented. Clinical psychologist Dr. Reitumetse Mashego said that many jobless graduates experience 'chronic anxiety, depression, emotional difficulties, and even physical symptoms like sleep problems and headaches.' 'Unemployment negatively impacts one's identity and self-worth. It leads to a diminished sense of purpose and sometimes even desperation, which can push individuals into toxic relationships or risky survival strategies.' Graduates aren't just facing emotional despair, they're trapped in a system that appears structurally flawed. Justin Durandt, Managing Director of Key Recruitment, shed light on the market forces at play. 'The graduate market has become increasingly saturated,' he explained. 'Even for entry-level roles, employers are prioritising job readiness and experience. That's why we shifted away from graduate hiring, our clients demand more.' This shift reveals a contradiction at the heart of South Africa's education-employment pipeline. While government campaigns continue to promote higher education as the gateway to prosperity, the job market tells a different story. Graduates are stuck in limbo, qualified on paper but disqualified by lack of experience. Sibeko no longer believes in the idea that education guarantees success. 'There are people with master's degrees who've been unemployed for five years,' she said. 'Meanwhile, others without formal education are flourishing. So no, education is not the key to success in this country.' Dr Mashego says families and communities must step up. 'Reassure graduates they did their best,' she urged. 'Help them explore alternative income paths, volunteering, side hustles, or skill-based initiatives like gardening or car washing. Mental health support is vital too.'
The Herald
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Herald
Jacob Zuma almost steals the show at daughter's graduation
Former president Jacob Zuma almost stole the show from his daughter at her graduation ceremony on Monday. Zuma was greeted with loud cheers from guests and Durban Institute of Technology (DUT) graduates at the Olive Convention Centre where his daughter, Bridget Zuma, received her second qualification, an advanced diploma in taxation. Zuma was also present in 2023 when his daughter was awarded her diploma in taxation. Speaking after the ceremony on Monday, Zuma said: 'I was happy when I heard her name called out on the graduation stage. I am very proud of her. I am always very happy to see my children succeed. I wish her well and I want her to continue furthering her studies. I always tell her education is not something you can finish. I wish for her to study further and to develop herself and live a better life.' Bridget, 28 said she was motivated to study further for 'a better job and a better life'. 'My desire is to continue to live a good life as I was blessed to live a good life. I am looking for a job and hope to get one before the year ends. I am looking to gain experience in my field. I am willing to take any job, anywhere, if it is within my field of study. I am not rushing to get a good job. I will be grateful to get a job, gain experience and use the skills I acquired at DUT.' She said she would study further when she was able to pay her tuition fees. She hoped to run her own company one day. She said her father had always taught her about respect. 'My father has respected people who have not respected him in the toughest situations. The most important value of DUT I will take with me is respect. I think one can go very far with respect.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
27-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
A mother's poignant graduation tribute
Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo at her daughter's Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo graduation at DUT. Image: DUT/Supplied They say that the worst pain is a mother burying her child. It must also be painful for a mother to attend a graduation and accept a posthumous qualification on behalf of her late daughter. This was the painful reality for Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo. In an emotionally charged moment, Hlatshwayo took to the stage at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) at the weekend —not as a graduate, but as a grieving mother honouring the memory of her daughter, Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo. With tears streaming down her face and unimaginable courage in her heart, Hlatshwayo accepted a posthumous Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Applications Development on behalf of her daughter, who passed away just days after completing her final exams. The graduation ceremony was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. The audience stood still as DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, extended heartfelt condolences to the Hlatshwayo family. A moment of silence was also observed to honour the young woman whose dream was cut short too soon. 'She left DUT on the 7th of November after completing her final exams. She was home for seven days, seemed fine, and then… she was gone,' Mrs Hlatshwayo said quietly after the ceremony. 'She was not sick. She slept and never woke up. We still don't know what took her.' Sinenhlanhla passed away on November 14, 2024, leaving behind a devastated family and a heartbroken community in Mtubatuba, northern KwaZulu-Natal. The unexplained nature of her death continues to haunt her loved ones, with no cause yet confirmed. Hlatshwayo recounted the morning she returned home from an all-night church service, only to find her daughter cold and lifeless in bed. 'She was our hope,' she said, her voice trembling. 'She was the only one in university. We were all looking forward to the life she would build for herself and for us.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ What used to be a cause for celebration and hope turned into grief. Her younger son, who had been preparing to start university, is too afraid to follow in his sister's footsteps. 'He told me he's scared. Scared that he'll go and never come back, just like his sister,' said Hlatshwayo. Despite the pain, she made the brave choice to walk across that stage in her daughter's name. 'It was hard,' she said. 'But I needed to do it for her. She worked so hard. That diploma belongs to her, and it had to come home.' Cape Argus
IOL News
26-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
A mother's heartache: Accepting a posthumous diploma for her late daughter
They say that the worst pain is a mother burying her child. It must also be painful for a mother to attend a graduation and accept a posthumous qualification on behalf of her late daughter. This was the painful reality for Mrs Thembisile Hlatshwayo. In an emotionally charged moment, Mrs Hlatshwayo took to the stage at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) at the weekend —not as a graduate, but as a grieving mother honouring the memory of her daughter, Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo. With tears streaming down her face and unimaginable courage in her heart, Mrs Hlatshwayo accepted a posthumous Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Applications Development on behalf of her daughter, who passed away just days after completing her final exams. The graduation ceremony was held at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
