I’ve had the privilege of attending 22 graduations for my daughter-girls who came from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa and pursued their dreams at colleges and universities across the United States. This particular graduation was extraordinarily special. Daughter-girl Bongeka’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. She graduated summa cum laude from Spelman, earned her master’s degree at Oxford, and this weekend, she received her hard-earned Doctor of Medicine degree from Stanford University.

One of the greatest joys of my life was seeing her walk across that stage! Knowing where she comes from, a small community in KwaZulu-Natal, and how passionately she believed in becoming a doctor, made the moment even more profound. Bongeka never gave up on her dreams. With the unwavering support of good friends, fellow OWLAG sisters, and dedicated professors, we all celebrated her monumental achievement with immense pride.

Congratulations, Dr. Zuma. Well done! Well done.