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Champion boxer Vuyolwethu Dila’s graduation from the University of Fort Hare is resonating far beyond the boxing ring after the Mthatha athlete opened up about overcoming a severe tik addiction that nearly destroyed her future.
The 25-year-old from Mthatha recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in criminology during the University of Fort Hare’s 2026 Autumn Graduation ceremony.
Her story is drawing attention across the Eastern Cape at a time when communities continue to grapple with substance abuse among young people, particularly in vulnerable urban and township areas.
Dila revealed that she became addicted to crystal meth, commonly known as tik, while still in matric after experimenting with friends who were already using the drug.
“I was drowning in drugs; did crystal meth three times a day,” she said. “I even started selling my clothes.”
Despite her growing addiction, Dila continued competing as a boxer and had already represented South Africa internationally. She competed at the Olympic qualifiers in Morocco in 2018 and won gold at the Region 5 Games in Botswana.
But behind the sporting success, her personal life was collapsing.
Her dream of studying medicine faded after her matric marks dropped, while the addiction also affected her boxing performances.
The turning point came after she experienced hallucinations linked to crystal meth use.
“Crystal meth takes your mind, I started seeing things, I was hallucinating,” she recalled.
Dila said she stopped using drugs without rehabilitation treatment and focused on rebuilding her life through sport and education.
Her recovery journey may resonate with many Eastern Cape families who have seen substance abuse affect young people struggling with unemployment, academic pressure, poverty, and social instability.
While official provincial figures were not included in the graduation story, anti-drug campaigns in the Eastern Cape have repeatedly highlighted growing concerns around drug use among youth in both rural towns and urban centres.
Dila’s return to education also reflects the role institutions like the University of Fort Hare continue to play in giving students second chances. After initially missing out on a science qualification because of her marks, she entered a maths programme before later discovering criminology through social sciences.
She later excelled academically and said forensic science reignited her original passion for medicine.
At the same time, she rebuilt her boxing career and returned to the national team in 2022 after several years away from top competition.
Dila also won medals at university level competitions and finished runner-up at the Mandela African Boxing Cup.
“Fort Hare saw something in me and took me away from the streets,” she said.
She is now studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and plans to return to boxing professionally next year.
For many readers across the Eastern Cape, her story is not only about sport or graduation. It reflects the growing conversation around addiction recovery, youth support systems, and how education and mentorship can help young people rebuild their lives after substance abuse.
