Thabiso Khumalo Thabiso Khumalo's graduation at DUT
What once seemed like a life consumed by addiction has become a story of resilience, redemption and hope for Thabiso Khumalo, who graduated from the Durban University of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Screen Arts and Technology.
The 30-year-old from KwaDabeka Sub 5 in Clermont walked across the graduation stage at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Thursday, carrying far more than a qualification. For Thabiso, the moment symbolised survival, healing and a second chance at life after years of battling whoonga (also known as nyaope or “sugars”) addiction.
His struggles began in 2009 after the death of his best friend while they were both in Grade 9.
“I wasn’t in a good place. Someone offered me whoonga as a way to cope. From that day, I started using and continued from 2009 until 2016,” he recalled.
