By Kgothatso Monono
The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) recently celebrated its Spring 2025 graduation ceremony at the Soshanguve Campus. During the event, 1 747 students were recognised, including 1 487 undergraduates, 76 postgraduate diploma graduates, 130 master’s students and 54 PhD graduates. Several students graduated cum laude, demonstrating their exceptional academic performance and dedication.
The graduating cohort spans a range of departments, from Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering to Information Technology, Multimedia Computing and Informatics. Each student demonstrated the technical expertise, problem-solving skills and innovative thinking that define TUT graduates and the next generation of ICT leaders.
Notably, several graduates presented research projects and thesis with significant societal impact. For instance:
- Master’s graduate Thapelo Matlala, awarded cum laude, developed a CNN-based vehicle security enhancement model.
- Ellen Mfati, another Master’s graduate, explored facial recognition for timesheet verification in government departments.
- PhD graduate, Hlaudi Daniel Masethe, produced pioneering work in computational linguistics for African languages, addressing the challenge of word sense disambiguation in Sesotho sa Leboa.
These stories illustrate the ingenuity and societal relevance of the Faculty’s research-driven programmes.
A number of students received special recognition for academic excellence:
- Thapelo Matlala – Master of Computing (Computer Science) – cum laude
- Masehlabane Mamogobo Junior – Master of Computing (Informatics) – cum laude
- Ndivhuho Tshilongamulenzhe – Master of Computing (Information Technology) – cum laude
- Tsholofelo Motautona – Diploma in Computer Science – cum laude
- Luyanda Ntshangase – Diploma in Computer Science – cum laude
- Slindokuhle Dumakude – Diploma in Informatics – cum laude
- Gugu Prisca Skosana – Diploma in Information Technology – cum laude
Acting on behalf of the Chancellor, Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean for the Faculty of ICT, delivered the keynote address, emphasising resilience, determination and societal impact. Reflecting on the students’ journey, Dr Van Wyk said: "Long live the students who refused to give up. Long live the students who are graduating today; they who grew from tiny cracks in the concrete of hardship and adversity."
Acting on behalf of the Chancellor, Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean for the Faculty of ICT, delivered the keynote address
Among the inspiring graduates, Sandra Matondo completed a PhD in Computer Systems Engineering with pioneering research on 5G MMWave network reliability. Similarly, Hlaudi Daniel Masethe’s work in African language computational linguistics demonstrates the Faculty’s dedication to producing research with global relevance. These stories reflect students’ resilience, creativity and commitment to leveraging ICT for real-world impact.
As the graduates step into the professional world, they carry more than just qualifications; they carry the responsibility and opportunity to redefine technology, management and digital innovation in South Africa and beyond.
Dr Agnieta Pretorious (FoICT assistant Dean) and Thapelo Matlala (Cum laude) graduate
University officials and academic members observing a solemn moment during the Spring Graduation ceremony, honouring the achievements of the graduating cohort.
Prof Topside Mathonsi, Ndivhuho Tshilongamulenzhe (Cum laude) graduate, and Dr Tshimangadzo Tshilongamulenzhe