Military officer graduates cum laude for master’s
A DURBAN father is bursting with pride after his son, a military officer, graduated cum laude with a master’s degree in biochemistry at UKZN.
Ntuthuko Zungu from Illovo was conferred a master’s degree last Friday after an uncommon academic journey inclusive of two years of service within the South African National Defence Force’s SA Military Health Service branch.
Zungu was selected to be part of the Military Skills Development System Programme when his family could no longer afford to pay his tuition fees. The two year programme involves six months of basic military training and upon completion, trainees either pursue studies during their service or are appointed as active force members.
“Biochemistry is biological chemistry which is focused on the study of chemical processes, reactions, pathways within living systems,” explained Zungu.
“Candidates are exposed to various biotechnological procedures and techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction and protein extraction.”
Zungu said he was initially registered for a course in industrial and applied biotechnology but changed to biochemistry in the second year.
“The programme was insightful. I got to understand military culture and principles and got the opportunity to converse and share knowledge with people from other ethnic and religious groups,” he said.
“We travelled to many places including Limpopo, Bloemfontein and Pretoria and I enjoyed being introduced to the different languages and cultural practices.”
Zungu also completed his honours studies through sponsorship from the programme. He received the GV Quicke Book Prize for Best Honours Biochemistry student meant to honour the top overall achiever in the previous year of study. The winner receives a book voucher to buy his books of choice.
His master’s project dealt with legume research where he investigated soil nutrition in grassland and savanna ecosystems that affects plant-microbe symbiosis, nitrogen nutrition and the growth of peas.
“What interested me most about this research was elucidating plant survival strategies under nutrient stressed conditions, and the potential impact that similar research could have on sustainable and healthy food systems.”
Having completed his master’s with a distinction, he is now pursuing PHD research on the topic of the effects of drought, soil nutrient deficiency and plant-microbe symbiosis on legume crops.
“The research is based on the establishment of sustainable healthy food systems that are both eco-friendly and cost-effective. The research topic is liable to change since we are still developing the project and also because of the pandemic we are currently facing.”
Zungu said he was grateful to have come this far and that would not have been possible without the support of family and loved ones.
His father Sthembiso said he was happy that his son was progressing.
“As a parent I believe that children should lead better lives than the one you have lived.”