A journalism graduate from Tshwane University of Technology has successfully overcome adversity to complete their degree.
After battling severe illness, financial strain, and personal loss, Beauty Mbuwane, a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) postgraduate journalism student, has graduated, turning a year of hardship into a story of resilience.
Beauty received her postgraduate diploma during the Autumn graduation season on 15 April 2026 at the Soshanguve South campus, marking the end of a difficult academic journey that tested her mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Her health began deteriorating in early 2025, just before her birthday. Without a clear diagnosis, and by mid-year, her health had worsened, she moved from one doctor to another with her condition, but there was no change.
Despite the uncertainty, she continued working as a communications officer at the Legal Resources Centre while trying to keep up with her schoolwork. “Reaching graduation demanded from me a kind of endurance I had never experienced before.
“This qualification may not carry a distinction like my previous ones, but it carries the weight of everything I had to overcome,” she said.
As her condition worsened, it became difficult for her to do simple daily activities. She missed a lot of her classes and relied heavily on communication with her lecturers and classmates to stay on track. At one point, she wrote two major tests in one day while trying to catch up.
“Studying itself became a challenge. The medication I was on would make me fall asleep, turning every study session into a battle between my body and my will to succeed,” she shared.
The situation escalated to the point where Beauty was placed on medical probation after missing 75% of her classes. She was advised to extend her studies into the following year, but she chose to continue despite putting herself at risk.
“Being placed on medical probation was difficult to accept. It was discouraging, but it also strengthened my resolve. I had already endured so much, and I was determined to see it through,” she said.
She did not only struggle academically. She faced increasing medical bills, uncertainty about her employment, and the emotional toll of losing a close friend just before her final examinations.
“The difficulty was not just one moment; it was a continuous series of challenges. I remember breaking down trying to climb stairs to get to class. Adjusting to losing my independence was incredibly hard.” She said.
She said her turning point came when she shifted her mindset. “I stopped aiming for perfection and focused on finishing. I reminded myself that even showing up under those conditions was a victory.”
Behind her determination was a strong support system, including family members who saw her struggles from the beginning.
Her aunt, Ms Mpotseng Mosia, who became her guardian after the death of Beauty’s great-grandmother, described the journey as deeply challenging.
“As her aunt, I can tell you that this child has been through a lot. She lost her mother at the age of nine and was raised by her great-grandmother. When her struggles intensified last year, it was very difficult,” she said.
Ms Mosia said the family faced uncertainty as Beauty’s illness remained undiagnosed for some time. “There were misdiagnoses and no clear medical answers despite seeing different doctors. At one stage, I even thought the illness was psychosomatic, but I was wrong.
“Her resilience and determination are beyond my understanding. I am so proud of her,” she said.
Eventually, Beauty was referred to an academic hospital where she received proper care, allowing her to begin recovering and continue her studies.
“This achievement is more than just a degree. It marks the beginning of a new chapter.
“There was a time when all I hoped for was not to receive this qualification posthumously, and being here today is something I do not take for granted.” She said.
She has since qualified to pursue a master’s degree, a step she sees as proof of her perseverance.
“If I was able to push through illness, emotional strain and financial pressure, then it shows what is possible when you refuse to give up.
“Sometimes success is not about proving others wrong, but about staying true to yourself,” She said
Beauty hopes her story will encourage others facing difficulties to keep going. “Our minds carry more power than the conditions around us,” she said. “If you want something, do it, sick, broke, broken or discouraged. Just do it.”
