For Sakhiwo Simphiwe Motsa, a BSc Accounting and Finance graduate of Lancaster University Ghana, the journey to academic excellence was about more than earning a degree. It was about stepping beyond familiar surroundings, discovering his identity and proving that world-class education and opportunity can be found right here in Africa.
When Sakhiwo Simphiwe Motsa left Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) to study at Lancaster University Ghana (LUG), he was doing something no other student from his country had done before. As the first Swazi and the first Southern African student to join the University, his decision was unconventional, even among his peers.
While others questioned why he would choose Ghana over more familiar destinations, Motsa had a clear vision. He wanted a world-class education without having to leave the continent he called home.
“I don’t want to leave home, I don’t want to leave Africa, but I want a world-class education,” he recalls telling God as he considered his options. For him, Lancaster University Ghana was the answer to that aspiration: an opportunity to pursue a globally recognised British degree while remaining in Africa.
Arriving in Ghana came with its own challenges. Navigating a new culture, building relationships from scratch and finding his footing in an unfamiliar environment required resilience and determination. Yet, what began as an intimidating journey became a defining period of personal and academic growth.
“At home, people have conceptions about you, and these conceptions kind of feed into your identity and how you carry yourself. But when I came here, I was truly alone. There was no family. I had to make new friends, develop new relationships and become a man of my own.”
For Motsa, LUG became more than a place to earn a degree. It became an environment in which he could discover who he was, grow in confidence and develop a stronger sense of independence. He credits the University’s supportive academic community, particularly its lecturers, for playing an important role in that transformation.
At Lancaster University Ghana, he found lecturers who were accessible beyond the classroom, offering guidance on both academic and personal matters. Their encouragement helped him navigate the challenges of university life while continuing to strive for excellence.
The academic transformation was equally significant. Having ranked among the top three students in his country during high school, Motsa arrived at LUG with a strong academic foundation. However, his experience at the University showed him that there was still room to grow.
“I’ve never been at my strongest before I came to LUG. And this is not to say I didn’t do very well in high school. I was in the top three in my country. But when I got to LUG, the growth, the fact that I could even grow further from that, it just shows you that what they teach us here is different.”
His journey culminated in a remarkable collection of distinctions, including the Chancellor’s Award, Valedictorian recognition, the Provost Award, Student of the Year, and the Lancaster Award. Together, these honours reflect a university experience defined by academic achievement, personal development and a commitment to making the most of the opportunities available to him.
As he celebrated his graduation alongside the Class of 2026, Motsa also had a message for his fellow graduates: the achievement of earning a degree should be a foundation for even greater things, not the final destination.
Recognising the sacrifices of parents and guardians, and the years of dedication that graduation represents, he encouraged his peers to celebrate their accomplishments while remaining focused on what lies ahead.
“May this not be the greatest of our achievements. A year or two down the line, you can do much better. No matter how far you go, you can do better.”
He urged graduates to be responsible with the education they had received, to become leaders and innovators, and to continue striving for excellence long after the celebrations had ended.
For Motsa, the significance of his journey extends beyond the awards he has received. As the first Swazi and Southern African student to study at Lancaster University Ghana, his story speaks to the possibilities that emerge when ambition meets opportunity, and when students are willing to venture beyond the familiar to pursue their goals.
His experience reflects the value of an education that develops not only academic ability but also independence, confidence and the capacity to lead. For a student who set out to find a world-class education without leaving Africa, graduation marks both the fulfilment of that ambition and the beginning of a new chapter.
