Dr Bodibadi Dorothy Modungwa has become a beacon of inspiration after receiving a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Setswana from the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria (UP). Her doctoral research focused on teaching Setswana as a home language in Grades 11 and 12, a culmination of more than 30 years of dedication to education and the promotion of her mother tongue. She is the first to receive the PhD from the Faculty of Education, joining a list of other esteemed scholars who received theirs from UP's Faculty of Humanities.

“Personally, this milestone is a significant honour as it affirms the value of my language and culture,” she says. “Professionally, it signifies a step forward in elevating Setswana as an academic discipline, opening doors for further research, preservation and recognition of African languages in higher education.”

Dr Modungwa grew up in Ga-Rankuwa, a small township in Pretoria, surrounded by rich oral traditions and cultural practices.  “Being immersed in Setswana from an early age inspired my passion to preserve and advance the language through education and research,” she explains. 

Her love for Setswana deepened during her undergraduate studies and over the course of her decades-long teaching career. “Over the years, I realised that learners show different levels of proficiency in Setswana, even in predominantly Setswana-speaking areas,” Dr Modungwa says. “This motivated me to find strategies to support multilingual learners and promote Setswana academically.”

One of the major challenges of her PhD journey was translating academic knowledge into Setswana. “Finding equivalent terminology was difficult because some concepts had no direct translation,” she says. “I drew on indigenous knowledge, consulted experts and created new terms that stay true to the language’s essence.” 

A notable example is her translation of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development concept as Kgaolo ya Tlhabololo e e gaufi, broadening Setswana’s academic vocabulary and demonstrating its ability to convey complex ideas.

Dr Modungwa is grateful to her family, supervisors and colleagues for their support. “My supervisors, Dr Connie Makgabo and Dr Refilwe Ramagoshi, guided me through moments of doubt. The Head of Department, Professor Johan Wassermann, reminded me of the value of my work when the journey felt too heavy. My children and sisters gave me constant love and encouragement, and my colleagues motivated me throughout.”

Her doctoral journey was not without challenges. Balancing her roles as a new lecturer, PhD student, mother and supervisor to five master’s students demanded immense sacrifice. 
“There were moments of stress and helplessness, especially when hired statisticians delayed my data analysis,” she recalls. “Communication with my supervisors, patience and perseverance were vital. Completing a PhD requires dedication, sacrifice and resilience.”

Through her work, Dr Modungwa hopes to inspire others to value indigenous languages in scholarship. 
“I aim to continue developing Setswana academic resources, mentor emerging scholars, and promote the language in schools and higher education, ensuring it thrives both culturally and academically,” she says.

For Dr Modungwa, the PhD is more than a personal achievement; it is a testament to the richness of Setswana, a tribute to her community, and a beacon for future scholars.  “This journey has taught me that embracing one’s language and culture in academia is not only possible but essential,” she says. “I hope my story encourages others to pursue research that honours their heritage.”