{"id":43132,"date":"2026-09-19T10:08:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T10:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=43132"},"modified":"2026-09-19T10:08:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T10:08:59","slug":"vut-graduates-challenged-to-lead-with-excellence-in-a-changing-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/en_gb\/vut-graduates-challenged-to-lead-with-excellence-in-a-changing-world\/","title":{"rendered":"VUT graduates challenged to lead with excellence in a changing world"},"content":{"rendered":"

“As VUT’s Spring Graduation 2026 concludes, Faculty of Management Sciences graduates are encouraged to embrace excellence, adaptability and ethical leadership as they prepare to shape the future of business and society.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 September 2026 | Story by: Tayron Mhlongo | Picture:<\/strong>\u00a0Keitumetse Mokgope\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Dr Miseria Tishaniso Nyathi encourages VUT Management Sciences graduates to lead with excellence, adaptability and purpose as they embark on their professional journeys.\u00a0\n <\/figcaption>\n\n\n\n

As the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Spring Graduation 2026 celebrations concluded on 16 September, graduates from the Faculty of Management Sciences received a powerful call to lead with excellence, adaptability and purpose as they prepare to enter an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Miseria Tishaniso Nyathi, an academic, corporate governance specialist and non-executive director, reminded graduates that their qualifications represent more than the completion of years of study. Rather, they mark the beginning of a journey during which they will help shape organisations, communities and South Africa’s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Today marks a significant moment of achievement, reflection and transition,” Dr Nyathi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the contributions of lecturers, mentors, support staff, families and loved ones who supported students throughout their academic journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Nobody crosses the finish line by themselves,” she said. “This achievement belongs not only to the graduates, but also to everyone who lent a helping hand.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouraging graduates to reflect on their first days at VUT, Dr Nyathi reminded them how far they had come and urged them to recognise the significance of the roles they are now poised to play in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The influence you have will extend beyond your workplaces,” she said. “You will influence how organisations work, how communities grow, and how South Africa competes internationally.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A central theme of her address was excellence. Dr Nyathi urged graduates to view excellence not as a milestone achieved on graduation day, but as a lifelong commitment reflected in everyday actions such as preparation, integrity, reliability and continuous self-improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Walking on stage today to receive your qualifications is a single moment of celebration, but excellence should be your lifetime journey,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Nyathi also highlighted adaptability as an essential quality in a rapidly evolving professional landscape shaped by technological advancement and artificial intelligence. She encouraged graduates to think of their qualifications as a compass rather than a GPS, explaining that while career plans may change, the knowledge and skills acquired at university can open unexpected opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the example of a fictional VUT auditing graduate whose career path changed unexpectedly, she demonstrated how transferable skills such as communication, entrepreneurship, teamwork and problem-solving can create opportunities beyond a graduate’s original field of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The GPS plan may have crashed, but her auditing qualification compass guided her to other areas,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging that many graduates may feel uncertain about the future, Dr Nyathi reassured them that anxiety is a natural part of any major transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Feeling anxious is normal. Your anxiety is genuine, and it deserves to be acknowledged,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, she reminded graduates that they leave VUT equipped not only with qualifications, but also with critical-thinking abilities, technological skills, self-discipline and resilience developed throughout their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She further cautioned graduates against comparing their progress to the carefully curated success stories often displayed on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing social media as a “curated showroom”, Dr Nyathi encouraged graduates to focus on their own journeys and not measure success by how quickly others appear to achieve their goals. Every career path is different, she said, and meaningful success often requires patience, persistence and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising the challenging economic environment facing many young professionals, Dr Nyathi encouraged graduates to continue developing their skills, seek mentorship opportunities, build professional networks and remain open to opportunities that may serve as stepping stones towards their long-term ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Do not let pride stop you from accepting those small job opportunities whilst waiting for the perfect job,” she advised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concluding her address, Dr Nyathi commended graduates for the determination they had demonstrated throughout their academic journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You came, you learned, and you absolutely conquered,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether they pursue careers in accounting, auditing, logistics, marketing, communications, human resources, management or entrepreneurship, Dr Nyathi encouraged graduates to carry the VUT name with pride while remaining guided by integrity, humility and a commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As you leave the banks of the Vaal River and step into the next chapters of your lives, carry the VUT name with immense pride,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the curtain fell on VUT’s Spring Graduation 2026, the message to the Faculty of Management Sciences graduates was clear: success may not always follow a predictable route, but through excellence, adaptability, integrity and purpose, they have the tools to build meaningful careers and make a lasting contribution to society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch the full experience on Flickr <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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