The graduation stage at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is often a place of individual achievement, but this past Wednesday, 13 May 2026, it transformed into a theatre of shared dreams and mirrored success. For the Zikhali family from the Gugulethu area in Jozini, the air was thick with a unique brand of pride as twins Julius Abel Zikhali and Julia Anele Zikhali crossed the stage to claim their futures.
A Journey Shared, a Unique Path
The story of the Zikhali twins is one of lifelong companionship. From their earliest days in Jozini to their years navigating the halls of UNIZULU, they have been an inseparable duo. While they have shared a lifetime of memories, their arrival on Earth came with its own bit of tradition and charm. Julius was the first to arrive, followed shortly by Julia. According to local custom, Julius is considered the younger twin for being the first to lead the way into the world—a role he has embraced alongside his brother.
The pair each graduated with a Bachelor of Education: Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching. Despite their shared upbringing, the twins had distinct academic passions that highlight their individual strengths:
Julia, whose prowess in mathematics has always been his signature, followed his lifelong dream of becoming an educator. Julius on the other hand, driven by a fascination with physical sciences, set his sights on the healthcare sector with the goal of becoming a dentist.
Motivated by Reality, Not Idols
In a world full of social media influencers and celebrity icons, the Zikhali twins find their motivation closer to home. When asked who they look up to, their answer is grounded and profound.
“We don’t believe in looking up to people,” they shared. “The situation at home alone can give you direction. Our circumstances were our greatest inspiration to keep pushing.”
For Julius and Julia, their drive wasn’t sparked by a distant hero, but by the tangible reality of their upbringing. It was the desire to change their family’s story that fuelled their late night study sessions and their persistence through the challenges of university life.
New Chapters and Separate Ways
This graduation marks more than just an academic milestone; it represents the first time the twins are truly “flying solo”. For the first time in their lives, they are living apart as they begin their professional careers.
Julia is currently sharing his love for numbers with students at Thongwana High School. Julius’s scientific expertise are being utilised at Princess Langazana Secondary.
While they are now starting to build separate lives, the bond forged over decades of shared goals remains unbreakable. The “double celebration” at UNIZULU was a fitting tribute to a partnership that has seen them through every hurdle.
Looking Toward the Horizon
As they embark on this new journey, the duo is filled with an infectious excitement for the future. Their story is a beautiful reminder of the power of family and the strength found in a twin bond, a bond that provides a built-in support system while allowing each individual to shine in their own right.
– Precious Shamase
Picture: Xolani Ncube
