“Rosemary Sanah Maseko, a VUT Biotechnology diploma graduate, overcame a mobility disability with resilience, family support, and help from the Disability Service Unit and SRC.”
23 September 2025 | Story By:Tshepang Mothibedi | Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
On 15 September 2025, Ms Rosemary Sanah Maseko proudly walked across the stage at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to receive her Diploma in Biotechnology. For many, it was a graduation like any other, but for Ms Maseko, born with a mobility disability, it was the culmination of years of perseverance, sacrifice and unyielding determination.
From an early age, Ms Maseko knew that her physical challenges would not define the limits of her dreams. She embraced education as a pathway to independence and empowerment. “My journey has had its challenges,” she reflected, “but with determination, the love of my family, and the unwavering support from VUT’s Disability Service Unit and Student Representative Council (SRC), I have proven that no obstacle is too great to overcome.”
Her story is as much about community as it is about personal courage. Throughout her studies, Ms Maseko leaned on her family’s steadfast encouragement, crediting them with being her greatest source of strength. At VUT, she found institutional support systems that transformed her experience: the Disability Service Unit ensured that her specific needs were addressed, from accessibility on campus to academic accommodations, while the SRC stood by her in moments of difficulty, offering solidarity and advocacy.
Pursuing a Diploma in Biotechnology demanded rigorous study, integrating analytical thinking with practical laboratory skills. Despite the physical challenges of navigating lecture halls and laboratories, Ms Maseko approached her coursework with the same resolve that shaped her life. Each successful exam, each completed project, became a quiet victory over the barriers that stood in her way.
Her graduation is more than a personal achievement; it is a powerful statement about resilience, inclusion and the transformative role of education. Ms Maseko’s success is a reminder that when institutions, families and individuals work together, barriers can be broken and new possibilities imagined.
Looking ahead, Ms Maseko envisions a career where she can contribute meaningfully to science and society, while also inspiring others who face similar challenges. “Education has empowered me to achieve my dreams,” she said with pride. “I want others to know that it is possible, no matter the obstacles.”
Ms Maseko’s journey is a beacon of hope for students with disabilities and a celebration of the power of determination. Her story exemplifies what it means to achieve dreams against all odds.