After nearly 20 years of experience in the field of gender advocacy, Dr Samukele Deborah Khumalo-Dludla has reached a major milestone in her journey from practitioner to academic: graduating with a PhD from the University of Pretoria (UP). Her research, which focused on gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in local government, offers profound insight into the intersection of gender, politics and policy in South Africa.

Dr Khumalo-Dludla attributes her decision to pursue a PhD to her father, Dr Reggie Khumalo, the late former Ukhozi FM radio legend. 

“When I celebrated my 21^st birthday, having graduated with my undergraduate degree, my father challenged me to study until I had a PhD, just like him,” she says. 

This, coupled with her extensive experience as a gender practitioner, provided the perfect foundation for her academic pursuit.

For nearly two decades, Dr Khumalo-Dludla has worked on strategies to transform women’s roles in the workplace, developing frameworks, policies and advocacy strategies to ensure gender equity. Her decision to deepen her expertise through a PhD stems from a lifelong commitment to seeing more women in powerful management positions, across both the government and private sectors.

Dr Khumalo-Dludla’s PhD research explores the role of Gender Focal Persons (GFPs) in implementing gender mainstreaming to empower women in the district municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal. 

“The thesis used gender mainstreaming theory to argue that GFPs are a critical component of implementing gender-sensitive policies,” she explains. “However, their efforts are often hindered by political interference, gender-insensitive budgeting and insufficient training.”

Her research offers a series of solutions, including institutional reform, community engagement, capacity-building and the allocation of gender-sensitive resources. These recommendations aim to break down barriers to gender equality, contributing to more inclusive governance in South Africa.

Dr Khumalo-Dludla credits her extensive experience in gender advocacy with enriching her academic approach. 

“As a gender practitioner, work is often based on plans, policy implementation and advocacy,” she says. “But a PhD allows you to critically analyse your work with scientific rigour, providing tangible, evidence-based results.”

This transition from practice to academic analysis not only enhanced her work but also allowed her to offer more concrete recommendations for the challenges she studied.

Like many PhD candidates, Dr Khumalo-Dludla encountered a few snags during her academic journey. 

“One of the biggest hurdles was that some municipalities saw the research as a threat that would expose their shortcomings,” she recalls. 

Personal tragedy also struck during her studies, when she lost both her parents. 

“There were times when I felt like quitting, but something inside me was too strong to give up,” she says. 

Despite these obstacles, Dr Khumalo pushed forward, completing her research with a deep commitment to enhancing gender equity in South Africa’s local governance.

She is clear about the contribution she hopes her PhD will make to policy and advocacy in South Africa. 

“My research is the first to focus on KZN municipalities and Gender Focal Persons. It will hopefully lead to more municipalities adopting gender policies, creating gender budgets and increasing the number of women in leadership roles.” 

She envisions a future where gender mainstreaming is not just a buzzword but a tangible policy goal for the country’s development.

Looking ahead, Dr Khumalo-Dludla plans to continue balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for the arts. 

“I love writing stories about rural women, children and people with disabilities. I also enjoy producing and directing films, and writing music.”

For those considering a PhD, Dr Khumalo-Dludla offers valuable advice: 

“It’s a very lonely journey, but a walkable one. You need to make time to read and study a lot each week, especially if you work and study at the same time.” 

As South Africa continues to grapple with issues of gender inequality, Dr Khumalo-Dludla’s work offers important insights and solutions that can help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.