"Grit!" UCT Graduate’s Joyful Reaction After Earning a Master’s Degree With Distinction Wins Praise

• Thembinkosi Excellent Machaba filmed his raw, joyful reaction to receiving his UCT Master of Science in Medicine with distinction
• The selfie-style bathroom video captured the moment he saw his graduation name card on screen, arms raised in triumph
• South Africans and brands flooded his comments with praise, calling his achievement a testament to grit

Thembinkosi Excellent Machaba had no grand stage for his celebration. Just a bathroom mirror, a phone, and a moment he could not contain.

The University of Cape Town graduate posted a selfie-style video to his Instagram account @themba_m_ on 9 September 2026, capturing the second he laid eyes on his official UCT Graduation Name Card. The card confirmed what he had worked so hard for: a Master of Science in Medicine, earned with distinction.

Arms raised, the joy on his face was immediate and unscripted.

Celebrate a distinction worth celebrating

A Master of Science in Medicine with distinction from UCT is no small feat. The University of Cape Town is consistently ranked among Africa's top universities and is recognised globally for its research output and academic rigour. Earning a postgraduate qualification at that level, let alone with distinction, demands years of sustained effort and sacrifice.

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For Machaba, the bathroom became the setting for one of the biggest moments of his life.

View the Instagram video below:

Mzansi rallied around the UCT graduate

The video resonated widely, drawing warm responses from followers and even a brand eager to celebrate alongside him.

@homechoice.co.za wrote:

"Can we send you a graduation gift? 👀"

@dineoranaka said:

"Grit! You did it! I imagine it couldn't have been easy 🙏🏽✨♥️🤝🏽"

@omphile.lesolang shared:

"Congratulations tlhee [friend] 🥹🥳🥳🔥🔥❤️"

@leboclive added:

"Congratulations 🔥"

@vieewz reacted:

"❤️❤️"

More Briefly News stories on graduates

• A UCT graduate shared five bursaries closing on 30 September 2026, with opportunities from Amazon, Toyota, National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank.
• An 80-year-old Karoo sheep farmer graduated from UCT with a Master of Commerce after researching how farmers survived a severe drought.
• Rorisang Mangole overcame strikes, lost NSFAS funding and financial struggles while working as a Mr D and Takealot driver before earning his CUT IT diploma.

Source: Briefly News