As exam season approaches, UCT lecturer Boitumelo Diale delivered a heartfelt message reminding students to believe in themselves, embrace their journey, and never forget that they belong.
Cape Town, South Africa (28 October 2025)- It’s not every day that a university lecture ends in tears (happy ones at least). But that is exactly what happened at the University of Cape Town when a group of students surprised their lecturer, Boitumelo Diale, with a touching farewell gesture that left both her and her class deeply moved.
As exam season approaches, the surprise was a moment of reflection, encouragement, and powerful motivation.
In one of the clips shared online, Boitumelo, who teaches accounting, stood before her students wearing the same dress she wore on their very first day together.
“Today, I specifically wore this dress because I welcomed you in this dress and I’m bidding you farewell in this dress.”
But it was her parting words to her students that left an impact.
“You may forget the content I’ve taught you, but please don’t forget this, you belong here. You have to meet this institution with a degree. You have to.”
Speaking with honesty and faith, she reminded them that imposter syndrome would come knocking as exams approached. But they need to remember not just who they are, but whose they are.
“When imposter syndrome comes knocking, don’t tell it who you are. Tell it whose you are.”
Her words blended faith, resilience, and self-belief. She reminded them that where they stand today was once a dream.
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“The season that you’re currently in right now was once a prayer point. You didn’t come this far to only get this far.”
The emotional farewell was a reminder of the power of community and encouragement in academic spaces that can often feel overwhelming.
She reminds her students in this season of stress and sleepless nights to look back and believe, and look ahead with the same belief.
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