“At VUT’s Spring Graduation 2025, civil engineering leader Marcia Maraka urged Faculty of Engineering and Technology graduates to live with purpose, pride, and innovation.”
19 September 2025 | Story By: Nontobeko Moimane | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) celebrated a momentous occasion on 16 September 2025 as the Faculty of Engineering and Technology gathered in the Desmond Tutu Great Hall for the Spring Graduation Ceremony. The pride of the Class of 2025 filled the room, accompanied by a keynote address that left a lasting impression. The speaker was Ms Marcia Maraka, a distinguished civil engineering technologist, public speaker, and thought leader in the built environment, whose life journey and career inspired the graduates to embrace purpose and innovation.
Raised in Bochum Township in Limpopo, Ms Maraka has carved a remarkable path spanning more than two decades in both the public and private sectors. Today, she serves as Head of the Construction Unit at the Department of Water and Sanitation’s National Office, overseeing major national water infrastructure projects including the raising of the Clanwilliam and Tzaneen Dams, as well as the construction of the Ntabelanga Dam. Her story of perseverance and achievement set the stage for her message to the graduates.
She reminded them that their degrees are more than certificates, for they are instruments of change. “Today is not only a celebration of academic achievement, but also a recognition of the vision and promise of a bright future. It is a testament to hope for our country, our industries, and the communities that will be transformed by the knowledge and skills you carry out of this institution,” she said, her words echoing through the hall.
Ms Maraka reflected on the power of education, calling it the great equaliser. Quoting both Horace Mann and Nelson Mandela, she reminded the graduates that education has
the ability to transcend barriers of background and circumstance, offering the opportunity to rise, compete, and make a lasting difference.
She also reminded them that the world is waiting for their contributions. In a rapidly changing environment shaped by technology, climate change, and the demand for infrastructure, she urged each discipline in the Faculty to recognise its global relevance. From chemical engineers pioneering sustainable water treatment, metallurgical engineers ensuring infrastructure resilience, to mechanical engineers innovating in energy and water systems, she painted a picture of graduates who are not just entering the workforce but stepping into roles that will define the future.
Her message culminated in a heartfelt call to live a purpose-driven life. “Knowledge without purpose is empty. Don’t just live, live boldly. Live a life that inspires and leaves your mark on the world. Purpose will anchor you when jobs are scarce, challenges mount, and life pushes back,” she encouraged.
Closing her address, Ms Maraka spoke of pride and responsibility. She reminded the graduates that they carry with them not only their own names, but also those of their families, lecturers, and the VUT community. “Protect that reputation. Carry it with pride and dignity. Progress, like engineering, is built step by step. When setbacks come, keep building, adjusting, and moving forward,” she said. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., she left them with a final reminder: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
The ceremony ended in celebration as graduates crossed the stage, their qualifications in hand, inspired by one of South Africa’s leading women in engineering. They left not only with academic credentials, but also with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility