“Ms Tseleng Ramphoma, a VUT academic, graduates with a Master of Management in Public Relations Management, reflecting resilience, sacrifice, and a commitment to shaping future leaders.“
24 April 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
3 minutes read time.
In every graduation season, there are stories that rise above the moment. Stories that carry more than achievement. They carry meaning. For Ms Tseleng Ramphoma, her graduation on 20 April 2026 at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is one such story, as she was awarded a Master of Management in Public Relations Management.
A lecturer, mentor, and guide to many, Ms Ramphoma’s journey reflects a quiet but determined pursuit of growth. Born and raised in Matwabeng, she did not see education as a destination, but as a continuous path. After completing her BTech qualification, she knew she was not done. That decision led her to enrol for a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, where she discovered a deeper connection with research, a turning point that shaped her academic direction.
Her journey is captured in the Sesotho expression Mohale o tswa marweleng, a hero emerges from the ashes. It speaks to rising through difficulty, not untouched by it, but strengthened because of it. Another phrase, Tlou ha e hlolwe ke morwalo, reminds us that an elephant is not defeated by its burden. These words mirror her path, one marked by pressure, persistence, and an unyielding focus on the goal ahead.
She describes the journey to her master’s degree as demanding and, at times, overwhelming. Institutional processes, academic expectations, and personal responsibilities often converged, testing both her patience and endurance. Yet she did not walk the path alone. “A wise man once said no man is an island,” she reflected. “You cannot walk this journey alone.”
Among the most telling moments of her journey came when final dissertation corrections were due on her birthday. Instead of celebrating, she chose to sit down with her daughter and complete the work. It was a quiet sacrifice, but one that speaks volumes about commitment, not only to her studies, but to the example she is setting.
Beyond her personal achievement, Ms Ramphoma’s impact within the University is already evident. As an academic, she is known for encouraging students to believe in their potential and to push beyond their limitations. Her influence extends beyond the lecture room, shaping not only academic outcomes, but confidence and direction.
The journey has also transformed her. Research, once approached with caution, has become a space of curiosity and exploration. She now finds herself engaging with ideas beyond her immediate field, driven by a genuine love for knowledge.
Her message to aspiring graduates is grounded and direct. Remain resilient. Stay committed to your goals. Hold on to your vision, even when the path becomes uncertain.
Ms Tseleng Ramphoma dedicates this milestone to her late mother, Ms Masediane Rebecca Ramphoma, whose memory continues to guide her, and to her daughter, Ms Kamohelo Samkelisiwe Mlangeni, who has been a constant source of motivation throughout her journey.
As the University marks its 60th milestone, her story reminds us that its legacy is carried not only in its history, but in individuals who rise, persist, and extend that legacy forward. In her journey, the meaning of Mohale o tswa marweleng finds its full expression, a life shaped by resilience, and a future defined by purpose.