Aluminaries

Welcoming Lara Watts, Class of 2022, as one of our Durban Girls’ College Aluminaries.

An international triathlete and World Championship competitor, Lara has taken her passion for sport from the early mornings and afternoons spent training at DGC to the international stage, representing South Africa at the World Championships in 2024 and the Ironman World Championships in 2025.

Lara’s journey is one built on discipline, consistency and perseverance. What began as training around her school commitments has grown into a remarkable sporting journey — one that has taken her across the world while teaching her the value of simply continuing to show up, even when things are difficult. Lara currently lives in the Netherlands.

Her connection with College continues in another meaningful way. Inspired by the teachers who supported her at DGC, particularly Mrs Kotze, Lara is completing a B.Ed in Foundation Phase Education with SANTS University, with the hope of making the same lasting impact on young people that her teachers made on her.

Meet Singita Khosa (Class of 2018) — a scientist, cancer researcher, model and luxury travel content creator whose journey reflects the power of curiosity, ambition and refusing to be defined by just one path.

After matriculating from Durban Girls’ College, Singita went on to study Health Sciences, Human Genetics and Molecular and Cell Biology at Wits, specialising in cancer research. She is now pursuing her PhD in Pharmacology, collaborating with the University of Pretoria’s Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), with a focus on cancer research and the potential to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful advances in patient care.

But Singita’s story extends well beyond the laboratory. Alongside her academic career, she has spent a decade modelling and has built a career as a luxury travel content creator, working with African luxury lodges and showcasing the beauty of the continent.

As a Black woman in STEM, Singita is passionate about representation and about encouraging young women to see themselves in fields where they have historically been underrepresented. Her message is one of possibility: you don’t have to choose between your passions.

Elisabeth Manduell’s journey is a wonderful example of where a passion for the performing arts can lead.

After DGC, Elisabeth studied Opera Performance at the University of Cape Town before joining Cape Town Opera, where she built a diverse career across directing, production and company management. Today, she is based in Bonn, Germany, working as an Assistant Director and continuing to build an exciting international career in opera.

Elisabeth credits the teachers and lifelong friendships she found at DGC with helping shape the path she has taken.

We’re proud to celebrate Elisabeth as part of our Aluminaries and to see her passion taking her from Durban to stages across the world.

Welcoming Revd. Jen Hands — a much-loved DGC Old Girl whose life has been shaped by faith, compassion and an extraordinary commitment to serving others.

A DGC girl from the age of four, Jen matriculated in 1964 before beginning a career in teaching. She returned to Durban Girls’ College in 1990, where she taught Religious Education from Grade 1 to Grade 11 and became the College’s first Chaplain.

In 1992, Jen became one of the first five women ordained as Anglican deacons in South Africa, marking an important moment in the history of the Anglican Church and beginning a lifelong ministry of pastoral care.

Through times of joy, grief and personal challenge, Jen has continued to offer comfort, kindness and compassion to generations of pupils, families and members of the wider community.

In 2017, she was honoured with the Galleon Old Girls’ Achievement Award for her selfless dedication, humility, grace and kindness. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership does not always happen in the spotlight — sometimes it is found in a listening ear, a helping hand, a prayer, or simply being there when someone needs you most.

From winning MasterChef South Africa in 2013 to becoming a food writer, television host, cookbook author and wellness coach, Kamini Pather’s journey has taken her from the world of food and travel into the fascinating intersection of psychology, nourishment and wellbeing.

Known for her food-travel series Girl Eat World, Kamini has always brought together her Durban roots and Indian heritage with a curiosity for global flavours and storytelling. Her debut cookbook, All Dahl’d Up, went on to receive an international Gourmand Award in 2025.

Today, Kamini draws on her MSc in Psychology and her experience in the food world to help women develop a more nourishing and mindful relationship with food. Through her Food Freedom Journey, she explores the connection between food, emotions and the body, encouraging curiosity rather than judgement.

Looking back on her time at Durban Girls’ College, Kamini describes her three years at College as formative ones that opened her eyes to a world beyond what she had experienced before. She remembers the teachers who inspired her, the pride she developed in putting her best foot forward, and preparing the matric dance as a Grade 11 — an experience that taught her the importance of giving back and paying it forward.

Zama Pila (née Mkhize) is an Industrial Engineer and Group ESG Manager at Dis-Chem, with a career spanning mining, Eskom and retail. With a Master’s in Industrial Engineering from Wits, her leadership extends into the broader sustainability space, including serving on the National Business Initiative Board and as President of IAIAsa in 2025.

That same year, she represented South Africa at the international IAIA Conference in Bologna, Italy.

But her journey began at DGC. Boarding taught her independence and resilience, while sport and school life developed her discipline, confidence and courage to speak up. The sisterhood she found at College continues to be part of the person and leader she has become.

As a proud wife and mother, she remains grounded in family, purpose and the belief that there is no limit to what a DGC girl can achieve.

Jessica’s journey is one of courage, resilience and simply being willing to try.

After DGC, she moved to the UK, graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and went on to serve for 13 years in the British Army Intelligence Corps, rising to the rank of Major. She became the first Intelligence Officer for the British Army’s new Ranger Regiment, establishing its intelligence capability and later working in complex international environments.

Today, she has traded military life for life on a farm in Norway, where she works in business development, helping advance renewable hydrogen technology and the transition to cleaner energy.

Looking back, she credits DGC with giving her the strength of character, humour, tenacity, courage and humility that have guided her throughout her career.

And perhaps her greatest lesson is also her simplest:

“Put your chin up and try.”

A reminder to every DGC girl that sometimes, all you need to do is take that first step — and then keep going.

Welcoming Kate Woods, a proud Durban Girls’ College alumna and one of our Durban Girls’ College Aluminaries.

A legendary South African international field hockey player, Kate represented South Africa at three Summer Olympic Games — Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 — as well as multiple World Cups and Commonwealth Games.

Her love of sport has continued beyond the hockey field and into the boardroom. After 20 years with adidas, Kate is now the General Manager of adidas South Africa — the first woman to hold this role.

Kate’s journey is an inspiring example of ambition, leadership and the ability to evolve while staying true to what you love. Today, she continues to balance a successful career with being a wife and mother, while keeping sport firmly at the heart of her life.

From the hockey field to the boardroom, Kate’s story reminds our DGC girls that there is no single path to success — and that with determination, passion and perseverance, they can create their own.

Congratulations to Dr Zamambo Mkhize, Class of 2002, on her selection to represent South Africa at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Masters Tour World Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2016. Alongside a distinguished academic career as a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town, Zamambo has remained committed to excellence both on and off the court. Her journey is a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance and purpose can lead to extraordinary achievements. We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr Mkhize as one of our Durban Girls' College Aluminaries, inspiring today's girls to pursue their ambitions with courage and determination.

Dr Zakithi Mkhize is a medical scientist with a PhD in Virology from the HIV Pathogenesis Program (HPP) UKZN and SANTHE.

A celebrated science communicator, Zakithi not only won the FameLab KZN crown and earned a spot among JCI’s Top Young Persons in the World, but she also founded BlackGirlScientist, a platform dedicated to mentoring young Black women in STEM.

Her work bridges rigorous scientific research with public engagement, bringing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to life through storytelling that reflects real, lived experience. Zakithi continues to pave her own path in science — one that blends discovery, communication, and purpose — inspiring the next generation to see themselves in STEM.

Welcoming Dr Serini Murugasen as one of our Durban Girls’ College Aluminaries.

With a Master's in Global Health Science and Master of Science by Research at Oxford supported by a Rhodes Scholarship, she qualified in Paediatrics cum laude, winning the Robert McDonald Medal.

Serini then went on to sub-specialise in Paediatric Neurology with a further two Masters in paediatric disciplines along the way. She is currently a senior lecturer at UCT and a Paediatric Neurologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

Congratulations to DGC Old Girl Ms Klara Robertson, Class of 2020, on being awarded the prestigious Cecil Renaud Education Trust Scholarship.

This fully funded scholarship will see her undertake a two-year MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Oxford, where her studies will focus on economics, history, politics and anthropology in the developing world.

We are proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and to recognise Klara as one of our Durban Girls' College Aluminaries, whose story continues to inspire the girls who follow in her footsteps.

Accomplished long-distance runner, coach, and motivational speaker.

Jenna is a leading South African elite long-distance and ultra-marathon runner, national champion, and prominent member of the Nedbank Running Club. Representing South Africa on the world stage, she has earned multiple podium finishes across major marathons and ultra-marathons throughout her distinguished career. Beyond her athletic achievements, Jenna is a dynamic professional who works as a coach and motivational speaker. She is also a proud mother of three, including a daughter who currently attends Durban Girls' College.

Welcoming Kirsten Goss, Class of 1992.

An award-winning jewellery designer and creative entrepreneur, Kirsten has built an internationally recognised career defined by bold creativity, craftsmanship and individuality.

Her connection with College continues in a particularly special way: every DGC Grade 12 receives a Kirsten Goss silver nugget pendant as a farewell gift — a lasting reminder of her school and the community of women to which she belongs.

In 2013, Kirsten was awarded the DGC Galleon Award. This prestigious award is conferred on those Old Girls who have brough honour to DGC by their achievements.

Kirsten’s journey is a wonderful example of creativity, courage and the confidence to forge your own path — qualities we hope to nurture in every DGC girl.

Khanyi Dhlomo is a South African TV Host and the founder and CEO of Ndalo Media and Ndalo Luxury Ventures. Khanyi is the daughter of Oscar Dhlomo. While she was at Durban Girls' College, she won the Thandi Face Cover Girl competition which sparked her interest in media.

At the age of 22, Khanyi was appointed as editor of True Love magazine. Within a year of her appointment, the magazine's circulation doubled from 70,000 to 140,000 and the magazine became the most widely read women's magazine in the country. After eight years at True Love, she stepped down as editor and relocated to France where she worked as manager of South Africa's Tourism Board in Paris. In 2007 she graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA which is where she met her husband Chinezi Chijioke.

In 2007 she returned home to South Africa at which time she founded Ndalo Media in
partnership with Naspers and successfully published the Destiny Magazine. In 2013, Khanyi launched Luminance, a high-end boutique department store.

Khanyi was awarded the AdVantage Magazine Editor of the Year in 2001 and the Most
Influential Woman in South African Media in 2003.