Koketso Rabanye
29 Apr 2021
NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY - MAHIKENG CAMPUS: Many student alumni who are due to graduate in the year 2021, feel robbed of their opportunity to take centre stage due to the ongoing war against Covid-19.
In a Facebook post, the North West University (NWU) Mahikeng campus announced that the 2021 graduation ceremonies would be made virtual – on the official graduation app, that would allow students to capture their commemorative moments and ‘add a touch of NWU’ by using features available on the application, in response to the global pandemic.
Priscillah Masigo (21), a advanced corporate communications honours student at the NWU Mahikeng campus, says that Covid-19 has ruined her dreams of appearing on stage and that a virtual ceremony cannot replace the desire on walking down the stage.
“It’s every student’s dream after 3 or 4 years of sleepless nights, to see themselves on that stage, and families being proud more importantly being proud of yourself. Covid-19 just took all that away just like that and graduating virtually would never replace the feeling of wanting to be on that stage”.
NWU BA in communications alumni, Aaisha Khonziwe (21) says that the university could have allowed a ceremony for graduates whilst following the Covid-19 health restrictions.
“My view on how this year’s graduations are going to take place is that we are not being given that moment which we deserve. It’s frustrating and so heart breaking to know that you are graduating and yet you know nothing about what is going to happen on that day. In my opinion the university could have allowed a ceremony for graduates only which will be suitable according to the regulations”.
The virtual ceremony will be pre-recorded and made available to the public on the 28th of May 2021.