“Paraplegic graduate Ms Simango Masungulo Peculiar overcomes accessibility challenges to earn her Civil Engineering qualification at VUT.”
16 April 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu| Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
3 minutes read time
For many, graduation is a moment of celebration. For Ms Simango Masungulo Peculiar, it is something far deeper, a hard-won victory shaped by resilience, courage, and an unrelenting will to continue.
As she crossed the stage at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), there was more than applause in the room. There was a story, one carried quietly over years of challenge, determination, and belief.
Her achievement forms part of VUT’s Autumn Graduation ceremonies, held from 13 to 24 April 2026, marking the celebration of the University’s 60th generation of graduates. Within this milestone moment, her journey stands as a powerful reminder that behind every qualification lies a deeply human story, often unseen, often fought in silence.
Originally from Giyani in Limpopo, her journey to a qualification in Civil Engineering was never straightforward. Living with paraplegia and navigating campus life in a wheelchair, each day presented obstacles that went beyond the demands of her studies.
“I missed a lot of classes due to accessibility issues,” she shared. “Insufficient infrastructure has been and still is a challenge. It’s one of the hardest parts of my journey.”
These were not occasional setbacks, but daily realities. Moving across campus, accessing lecture venues, and fully participating in academic life often required more effort than it should. Yet, even in those moments, she chose not to step back.
What carried her forward was not ease, but purpose. “It’s not a short or simple story,” she said with a quiet smile. “But I love it.”
That love for engineering became her anchor. It gave meaning to the struggle and direction to her effort. Where others might have paused, she persisted.
At the centre of her journey was clarity, knowing exactly what she wanted and refusing to let circumstance redefine it.
“If I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I would have quit a long time ago,” she reflected. “Just know what you want, that’s the most important thing.”
Her achievement is not only academic. It is deeply human. It speaks to the realities faced by many students with disabilities and gently challenges institutions to confront the spaces where access is still limited.
Now a graduate, she is already looking ahead. Postgraduate study is firmly within her sights, a continuation of a journey that has never been about taking the easy route, but about moving forward, step by step.
Her story is one of quiet strength. Not loud, not performative, but steady and resolute. A reminder that sometimes the most powerful victories are the ones no one sees, until the moment they unfold.
As VUT celebrates its 60th generation of graduates, stories like hers give meaning to the milestone. They remind us that progress is not only measured in numbers, but in lives changed, barriers challenged, and futures reclaimed.
As she steps into the next chapter, Ms Simango Masungulo Peculiar carries more than a qualification. She carries a truth that will resonate far beyond this moment, that while challenges may shape the journey, they do not have the final word.