NHLANGANO – Ngwane Teacher Training College celebrated its milestone 40th anniversary with a landmark graduation ceremony graced by His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Indlovukazi and Emakhosikati, officially welcoming 159 new educators into the profession.
Ngwane College Principal Celiwe Khumalo opened the event, expressing immense pride in receiving Their Majesties and noting that the 40-year milestone reflects four decades of educational advancement across the nation. The principal highlighted the success of the graduating class, which included 47 graduates specialising in Science, ICT and Mathematics, 52 in Applied Sciences (Agriculture and Consumer Science), 30 in Languages (English, SiSwati, and French) and 30 in Social Studies (Geography and History). Outlining plans for future expansion, Khumalo emphasised the need for a dedicated special conference facility to hold meetings. She further presented to Their Majesties a gift of five cattle, three for His Majesty the King and two for Her Majesty the Queen Mother.
The atmosphere shifted to pure jubilation as graduates across the various academic disciplines reflected on their journeys, expressing deep joy, gratitude and relief at reaching their graduation day.
Graduates specialising in Science, Mathematics, and ICT shared heartfelt tributes to the family members who made their success possible. Many reflected on overcoming severe personal adversity, academic pressure and funding delays, describing their graduation day as a triumphant victory. The Student Representative Council president, who balanced a demanding Pure Sciences workload with campus leadership, celebrated the resilience required to multi-task through high-stress periods. Across the department, students voiced profound gratitude toward surviving parents, aunts, and uncles whose unwavering emotional and financial support carried them through their studies.
For some graduates, the anniversary event served as a joyous culmination of years defined by determination. Graduates recounted navigating intense project deadlines, allowance delays, and personal bereavement, explaining that overcoming these hardships only heightened the joy of the day. Students expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by their families, noting that the emotional backing of their mothers, fathers, and relatives served as the primary motivation to excel and earn their qualifications.
Other graduates shared equal delight in concluding their academic chapters. Language scholars specialising in English, SiSwati, and French reflected on the amazing overall experience of college life, celebrating how they conquered initial stress, assignment deadlines, and financial strain. Surrounded by supportive families, including parents who travelled from abroad and extended networks of aunts and grandfathers, the new teachers celebrated their success with immense pride and overwhelming gratitude.
Despite the various hardships faced along the way, the general sentiment among the entire graduating class was one of overwhelming happiness, thanksgiving, and optimism for the future. The landmark celebration stood as a powerful testament to the dedication of both the institution and its scholars, marking four decades of shaping teachers who are now fully equipped to make meaningful contributions to the national education sector for many years to come.
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