On Monday, 12 June 2017, Thato Moagi, graduated cum-laude in BA Honours, Tourism Development. Moagi graduated at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Sanlam Auditorium, Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) Campus.
The 25-year-old born and raised in Diepkloof, Soweto, has always made standing out his responsibility as he is a result-driven individual and aims to keep a high standard in whatever he does.
“I am often ‘educationally’ hard on myself and that acts as a driving force that keeps me going. When I go through tough times I tell myself that I am already going through pain and I should keep moving because the fruits are worth it. Coming from a family of graduates also gives me the urge to do exceptionally well,” Moagi explains.
The Management graduate had never imagined he would graduate with a distinction at any point in his life. Fortunately, he had a lecturer and supervisor, Dr Peta Thomas, a lecturer at the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), whom Moagi looks up to. “It is worth a mention that Dr Thomas has played a significant role in transforming me from an average second year student in 2014 into a cum-laude Honours student by 2016. I want to keep the standard and graduate with another distinction for my Master’s degree next year,” he emphasised.
Some of Moagi’s achievements include:
- Was deputy president of the Soweto Young Leaders Association (NGO) before it closed in 2016
- Became overall second best student in third year
- Invited to the UJenius club
- Became overall second best achiever in Honours
Moagi is currently enrolled in his Tourism and Hospitality Management Master’s degree at UJ and is the secretary of the first Rotaract club at STH. ”Managing my job and school work simultaneously is easy as I have been well-equipped with all the skills and discipline necessary to succeed. The secret is hard-work, early preparations for tests and exams, perseverance, a few sleepless nights as well as taking advantage of the consultation hours. Young people need to remember that failure to prepare means one should prepare to fail,” Moagi concluded.
