AFRICA | 21-year-old African man defies odds to earn bachelors degree, becomes the first graduate in his family.
A 21-year-old from South Africa, Isaac Luyanda Gumede has defied the odds to graduate from the University of Zululand with a bachelor’s degree in Drama, Theatre, and Performance, becoming the first in his family to achieve this milestone.
Isaac began his university journey at the age of 17 after graduating at the top of his high school class at Groutville High School, Groutville in South Africa.
Reflecting on his achievement, he expressed pride in being the first family member to earn a university degree and pursue his passion.
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive more good news on WhatsApp
Growing up in a rural area of Hluhluwe, South Africa, Isaac lived with his grandmother and 10 other relatives before moving in with his mother and two siblings while attending Groutville High School.
Because he came from a financially disadvantaged, Isaac’s education was made possible through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which supported him throughout his time at the University of Zululand.
Isaac said his passion for the arts was ignited in his early primary school years when he was first introduced to drama activities. Despite facing discouragement from some teachers and peers, he remained focused on his dream of pursuing a career in theatre.
“If you let go of your dream, you are only betraying yourself,” Isaac said. At university, he was active in numerous theatre productions as an actor and behind the scenes.
He was part of the Creative Arts Department’s productions, taking on roles in various plays while also working as a director and stagehand. “Those were some of the best moments I had as a student,” Isaac recalled.
Isaac’s involvement in theatre began in high school, where he participated in productions like A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Durban University of Technology in 2018. He also performed at the Shakespeare Schools Arts Festival that same year.
In 2022, Isaac was part of the university’s troupe for A Reawakening of the People of the Land, which was performed at the prestigious National Arts Festival.
The same year, he also played a role in Controversy, produced by the Mbusufikile Arts Academy. His passion for theatre continued to flourish, and in 2022 and 2023, he participated in the university’s productions Faces and ALLY: The Algorithm, respectively.
Isaac credits his success to the support he received along the way, especially from Masedi Manenye, a movement lecturer in the Department of Creative Arts. He expressed deep gratitude for the lecturer’s guidance and mentorship.
“Mr Masedi has been there when I needed him throughout my academic journey. I am grateful to have met and worked with him. He inspired me a lot,” he said.
Receive Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter: @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region