“I decided to become a master of time management, the hero of schedules and the guru of planning,” says UP doctoral candidate Ntombizethu Mkhwanazi, whose relentless drive and “juggling” skills have set her on a path to success.

University of Pretoria (UP) doctoral candidate Ntombizethu Mkhwanazi (29) is a multitasking marvel: she is in the midst of a demanding PhD programme while working multiple jobs to finance her studies.

“At first, it felt like a wild juggling act, where I was desperately trying to keep all the balls in the air,” says Mkhwanazi, a Political Sciences PhD candidate who is doing a research internship at UP’s Future Africa Institute as well as filling a project management and communications support role at the Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa), which is co-hosted at UP.  “I was so caught up in my work that I completely neglected my PhD studies. I had to remind myself that as much as I enjoyed immersing myself in work, I also needed that shiny PhD in my hands to secure a stable future.”

Mkhwanazi is on a mission to acquire additional knowledge and qualifications to boost her academic portfolio. She has a BAgric Plant production and extension, BAgric (honors) Extension, MAgric Extension and PhD food safety and Governance (final year).

So why a PhD in Political Sciences? Mkhwanazi says her true passion lies in agricultural production, and the decision to pursue a PhD in Political Sciences was the result of the programme under which her field of study falls.

“It happened to be associated with political sciences, and I had to register in the Department of Political Sciences, where my lead supervisor is based,” she explains. “While my academic journey may have taken me into the realm of political sciences, my underlying passion remains rooted in the realm of agricultural production.” 

She started working at the Future Africa Institute in March this year, joining the organising committee for Africa Week 2023, UP’s scientific knowledge leadership summit. Mkhwanazi has been with FSNet-Africa for more than a year, assisting the network with social media, travel logistics and finance monitoring.

“Oh, the struggles of being an ambitious academic and a responsible adult at the same time!” Mkhwanazi exclaims. “I decided to become a master of time management, the hero of schedules and the guru of planning. I crafted a grand strategy to allocate my time wisely, ensuring I had dedicated slots for my PhD endeavours and work responsibilities. It was like performing a meticulously choreographed dance routine, but instead of graceful pirouettes, it involved juggling research papers and spreadsheets.”

Amazingly, Mkhwanazi has time to fit in a bit of fun. She says he enjoys dressing up and taking pictures, painting abstracts, listening to music and dancing.

Pushing the boundaries of knowledge has been incredibly fulfilling and intellectually stimulating for Mkhwanazi. Her unrelenting drive stems from being the first person in her family to reach these academic heights, and she hopes to illuminate the path for her younger siblings. Unsurprisingly, her accomplishments have not come without uphill battles.

“This journey has not been easy,” she says. “I have faced numerous challenges, especially when it came to conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being far away from my family has been challenging and emotionally taxing. Data collection has been a nightmare – it took almost two years to gather sufficient data. Additionally, financial hardships have arisen this year, which is why I am working multiple jobs.”

Being at this stage in her academic journey evokes a range of emotions, she says.

“But mostly it brings me a sense of excitement and accomplishment. For this, I am grateful to my supervisors who guided me throughout my PhD journey. My parents supported me when I felt discouraged to continue, and not forgetting my friends as well as the FSNet-Africa team, who showed me kindness and connected me with other researchers.”

Mkhwanazi envisions pursuing a career in farming, specifically focusing on cultivating vegetables and culinary herbs. This line of work holds appeal for her because she grew up farming the fields with her father in Somkhele, a rural village in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal, where she was born. The 29-year-old intends to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship after completing her PhD and establishing a career in farming.

“My focus will be on contributing to sustainable agriculture and promoting the production of fresh and healthy produce,” she says. “This vision reflects my desire to make a tangible impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable and nourishing food system.”

Mkhwanazi said she chose UP because it is an esteemed African higher education institution with a global reputation. It is well regarded for its research excellence and houses a vibrant agricultural faculty with abundant resources and expertise.

“To my supervisors, Dr Camilla Adelle and Professor Lise Korsten of UP’s Centre of Excellence in Food Security, you have been a sound voice in my ears. To my parents and friends who sharpened me and helped me stay the course, thank you. Another big thank you goes to my best friend, Nhlamulo Mhlongo, my sister Thuso Moshabesha, my study partners, Obakeng Kgongoane, Keolebogile Mbebe and Rahab Ohanson, and Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire. Thank you to Dr Tracy Muwanga, who assisted with my research, Dr Melody Mentz-Coetzee, my boss at FSNet-Africa, and my friend Dr Colleta Gandidzanwa.