{"id":42975,"date":"2026-09-22T17:33:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=42975"},"modified":"2026-09-23T08:26:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T08:26:28","slug":"balancing-work-family-and-studies-tshifhiwa-mashaba-earns-postgraduate-qualification-at-vut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/st\/balancing-work-family-and-studies-tshifhiwa-mashaba-earns-postgraduate-qualification-at-vut\/","title":{"rendered":"Balancing work, family and studies: Tshifhiwa Mashaba earns postgraduate qualification at VUT"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Working full-time, raising two children and pursuing postgraduate studies, Tshifhiwa Mashaba has graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology from VUT.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 September 2026 | Story by: Shaun Ndou | Picture:\u00a0Sifiso Nmozaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 3 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \n
\nMs Tshifhiwa Mashaba proudly graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology at the Vaal University of Technology’s Spring Graduation 2026, following years of balancing work, academic commitments and personal responsibilities to achieve her goal.\n\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For Ms Tshifhiwa Mashaba, graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology was the culmination of years of balancing a demanding career, family responsibilities and academic ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Mashaba crossed the stage during the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Spring Graduation ceremonies on 14 September 2026, celebrating an achievement that required dedication, sacrifice and the support of those closest to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally from Musina and now living in Boksburg, Ms Mashaba works full-time in the coagulation department at Lancet Laboratories. Determined to advance her career without stepping away from her professional responsibilities, she began searching for a postgraduate programme that would accommodate her work schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her decision to enrol at VUT was influenced not only by the University’s Saturday block-release classes, but also by the calibre of VUT students she encountered in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We train students from VUT, so I could see how well they perform,” said Ms Mashaba. “VUT favoured me not only through class availability, but also because of the high standard of its students.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While pursuing her qualification, Ms Mashaba had to juggle multiple responsibilities. In addition to working full-time, she was raising two children and managing the demands of family life. Despite the challenges, she remained focused on her goal of completing her studies and furthering her professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She credits much of her success to the unwavering support of her family, particularly her husband, who stepped in whenever she needed time to focus on her coursework and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am deeply grateful to my husband,” she said. “When I needed to study or write assessments at night, he took care of cooking and bathing the kids.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Mashaba also praised the support she received from VUT’s academic staff throughout her studies. She singled out Mr Willem Viljoen for his guidance and willingness to assist whenever she needed academic support, especially during her research project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her achievement, Ms Mashaba said the journey reaffirmed her belief in the value of lifelong learning and the doors that education can open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that the Medical Technology field continues to offer strong career prospects, particularly because of the work-integrated learning opportunities that help students gain practical experience and enter the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For students who may be considering postgraduate studies or facing challenges along the way, her advice is simple: stay committed to your goals and continue investing in yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You will never go wrong with furthering your education,” said Ms Mashaba. “The knowledge you acquire is something no one can ever take away from you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she celebrates her graduation, Ms Mashaba’s story serves as a reminder that academic success is not reserved for those with the fewest responsibilities. With determination, discipline and the support of family and mentors, it is possible to pursue personal and professional growth while balancing the demands of everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Ms Mashaba, the qualification represents more than a postgraduate diploma. It is proof that perseverance, hard work and a commitment to lifelong learning can turn ambitions into achievements.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Working full-time, raising two children and pursuing postgraduate studies, Tshifhiwa Mashaba has graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":43177,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t