UKZN’s youngest graduate still in her teens

Nineteen-year-old, Ms Clermentine Ngidi is the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) youngest graduate for 2020. She will have a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree conferred on her at the University’s virtual graduation ceremony taking place at 13:30.

Ngidi says the absence of a physical graduation ceremony hasn’t dampened her spirits: “Although I won’t be able to experience graduation in its exciting entirety due to Covid-19, I am proud of myself and all that I have accomplished.”

She added that her success was made possible with much needed financial support: “My sisters played a big role – they found the money to make sure I always had groceries at residence and money to buy the required books.”

She says she is also grateful to the Umzumbe Municipality and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who contributed to her tuition fees.

Ngidi is currently completing an honours degree in Community Development at UKZN.

Supplied