Reflecting on what she described as a trying academic journey, Zonke Nogwaba, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduand at the University of the Free State (UFS), graduated on 11 December during the UFS December 2025 Graduations.

She explained that this moment, “represents the fulfilment of dreams and serves as a powerful reminder that God is real and that prayers do indeed work. It still feels unreal, almost like a dream from which I have yet to fully awake”.

A series of unfortunate setbacks

According to Nogwaba, what was meant to be a four-year pursuit of her qualification turned into a seven-year hurdle. When she commenced her studies in 2017, everything was going well until things took a turn in her final year. “I failed one of my majors; it shocked me deeply because I understood the content so well. I told myself it was just a bump, that maybe I simply needed to study harder, but no matter how hard I tried, I failed every test, every exam,” she explained. This experience not only shattered her confidence and affected her mental health; it also resulted in the loss of her funding. 

The loss of her funding being the final straw, Nogwaba packed her bags and headed home. She said that though going home was a peaceful experience, it was also shrouded in shame. “For nearly three months, I avoided going outside because I felt overwhelmed with embarrassment and a deep sense of failure. This experience was not only difficult for me but also for my family, who shared the emotional weight of my situation,” she explained. 

Trying again

Things took a turn for the better when Nogwaba was granted an opportunity to take a special exam – an opportunity she used to return to her studies. “When I went back, I returned differently. I walked onto campus with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding that I had no Plan B. Coming from a struggling family, this degree was not just for me; it was a generational breakthrough. So, I worked harder than ever before and passed the module that once broke me,” said Nogwaba.