Shudufhadzo Musida Celebrates Graduating From Her Dream University
OkMzansi | 15.05.2026 19:51
Author and mental health advocate Shudufhadzo Musida recently opened up about reaching a major milestone in her life as she prepares to graduate from her dream university, Columbia University in New York City.
Shudufhadzo shared an emotional video on her podcast, Mindful Mondays with Shudu, where she reflected on her long journey and the dream she carried from a young age. In the video, she spoke about first getting accepted to the university when she was only 18 years old and how surreal the moment felt at the time.
She said, “I got into my dream university, in my favourite city, had no plans about how I would make it happen. I had no plans about how I’d survive in New York because in that moment I got in. 10 years later, at 28 years old I got into my dream university, and this time the letter that they sent me was encouraging me to apply was to say welcome to this incredible institution, welcome to your dream.”
The inspiring moment touched many of her followers, especially as she reflected on how far she has come over the years.
In the caption of the video, Shudufhadzo shared more details about her journey and the challenges she faced along the way. She revealed that she had dreamed about living in New York since she was only eight years old.
“From the age of 8, I dreamed of living in New York. After matric, I remember starting an application to @columbia but never finishing it. A while later, I received a letter from them encouraging me to complete my application. I still have that letter somewhere in my room,” she wrote.
She continued by explaining how impossible the dream once felt to her.
“At 18, just receiving a letter with a New York address from an institution that has shaped some of the world’s most extraordinary minds did not feel real to me. It felt distant. Bigger than me. Almost inaccessible.”
Now, years later, the former Miss South Africa is celebrating earning her Master’s degree from the very same institution she once only dreamed about attending.
“This journey has, by no means, been easy. Those who have followed my journey and listened to the @mindfulmondayspod podcast know some of what this season has required: sacrifice, uncertainty, faith, exhaustion, perseverance, and starting over in many ways,” she shared.
Shudufhadzo ended her heartfelt message with gratitude to God, her family and the people who supported her throughout the journey.
“But today, I stand on the other side of it all filled with gratitude. Grateful to God. Deeply, deeply grateful to God. Grateful to my family for carrying me through moments when I could not carry myself. Grateful to everyone who believed in me even when I was still trying to believe in myself. It can only be God.”
