“Petros Majahonke Vilakati from Eswatini graduated cum laude with a Master of Visual Arts at VUT, inspiring students with his resilience and future PhD plans.”
22 September 2025 | Story By: Vince Twala | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
2 minutes read time.
On 17 September 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) proudly celebrated the graduation of Mr Petros Majahonke Vilakati from the Faculty of Human Sciences. Mr Vilakati graduated with a Master of Visual Arts in Multimedia, achieving the distinction of cum laude, a significant milestone in both his academic and personal journey.
Originally from Eswatini, Mr Vilakati’s educational path is one marked by perseverance, sacrifice, and resilience. He began his studies at Limkokwing University in Eswatini, where he obtained an Associate Degree in Creative Multimedia. Fuelled by a passion for creative and digital design, he furthered his studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Upon completing his degree in creative multimedia, he returned to Eswatini to lecture at Limkokwing University, where he taught digital design.
While teaching, Mr Vilakati recognised the importance of furthering his education. He applied for a master’s programme at VUT and was accepted into the Visual Arts in Multimedia programme. Balancing the demands of teaching full-time while pursuing postgraduate studies became one of the greatest challenges of his academic journey.
“Studying for a master’s degree was difficult,” Mr Vilakati reflected. “At this level, you are expected to do a lot of reading, writing, and research. I would often come home exhausted after teaching from morning until evening. There were moments when I thought of quitting, but I kept reminding myself of my goals.”
His determination was further tested by financial strain, as he had to fund his studies without the support of a scholarship. Yet his discipline and resolve carried him through. Graduating cum laude stands as both an academic achievement and a testament to resilience and hard work.
Mr Vilakati urges students to remain focused and embrace sacrifice in pursuit of excellence: “Education can open many doors in life, but it requires perseverance. Many stop at a diploma or bachelor’s degree, but advancing further allows you to stand out and creates more opportunities. The challenges you face will only make you stronger and prepare you for greater success.”
Looking ahead, Mr Vilakati has set his sights on pursuing a PhD in Visual Arts and establishing himself as a consultant to share his expertise and guide others in multimedia and design. His story resonates as a beacon of inspiration to students across Eswatini, South Africa and beyond, proving that with focus, resilience and determination, academic dreams can indeed become reality.