Top MSU graduate Krystal Mtasa just put in the “10...

Top MSU graduate Krystal Mtasa just put in the “10000 hours”

Audrey Gawawu

Bachelor of Commerce Marketing Management Honours Degree graduate, Krystal Mtasa clinched nine awards when she graduated with a First Class Degree at Midlands State University (MSU).

Krystal said her goal was just to exert herself, do the best and graduate.

“Overwhelmed and eternally grateful are understatements to how I really feel about what I’ve accomplished. Thinking about the start of my education journey at the MSU, even leading right to my final examination in August of 2022, I had no aspirations or intentions of being the best female student at the university,” Krystal said.

Krystal was awarded His Excellence and Chancellor’s Award for the overall best female undergraduate student, MSU Book Prize, ZIMDEF Award for the overall best student in faculty, NICOZ Diamond Award for the best student in department, Excel Images Award for the best student in faculty, Old Mutual Award for the best student in Accounting Sciences, CBZ Award for the best student in faculty, and Econet Wireless Award for the best student in faculty.

Krystal said while she put her all into her studies, that did not mean having no life outside academic pursuit.

“I consider myself a balanced intellect. Too much of anything is never good and that’s just it. I believe in what is called The Balanced Wheel of Life and part of that is sound work ethic. I took my studies quite seriously, and as Malcolm Gladwell alludes, put in the “10000 hours”, however I did nothing out of the ordinary,” she said.

Since she was in grade two in 2006 at Selbourne Routledge, to the time she completed her ‘A’ level studies at St John’s High School Emerald Hill, Krystal has been receiving academic prizes yearly.

She was Head girl at both schools. She attained 5 units in grade 7 and 13 points at ‘A’ level.

Krystal said while there is a vivid imbalance for opportunities for women compared to men despite massive efforts to empower women, women need to step up for equity.

“We need to make noise about our abilities. There’s absolutely no need to be humble about what we can achieve.

“Earn your place at the table through hard work and impeccable work ethic such that people have no choice but to give you what you’ve earned, however it’s always important to remember that we do not need external validation,” she said.