Dr Thuli Mthembu and his five siblings were raised by his mother in Schoemansdal under poor living conditions.
He shares his story with us:
You are one of the top graduates at UWC and recently received your PhD in occupational therapy, take us through your journey.
My mother was a domestic worker. She wanted the best for us but she did not have the financial means to help us further our studies after matric. In 1994 I matriculated, however, my results were poor. I moved to Jerusalem, on the outskirts of White River, with my brother where I repeated my matric. Five years later I was still unemployed and volunteered to help biology students at a high school.
I was pleased when they passed well. In 1998 I went to assist my sister at her hair salon in KaMaqhekeza after she fell ill for three months. She gave me money, which I used to open my own salon because I had developed a skill for hair and bought stock for the business. I saved about R4 000 and decided to head to Cape Town after I had applied for a bursary through the Mpumalanga Department of Health. I then started with my bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy and obtained six distinctions in the first year and completed it in record time in 2004. I came back to Mpumalanga and worked at Shongwe Hospital for six years and also did my masters in public health, and I was later appointed as an occupational lecturer.
What influenced your career choice?
Initially I had hoped to study nursing, but at the time there were no bursaries in that field. I met an occupational therapist who I would interpret for at one of the clinics I volunteered at. I enquired about it and became positive and excited about pursuing it as I am passionate about working with people.
What obstacles did you overcome during that time?
I had been applying at various institutions without any success, but I took a risk with the money I had saved. I travelled more than 30 hours by train and could not even afford to buy a decent meal. When I arrived I had only R2,50 in my pocket and spent three days sleeping on the floor at the campus.
My turning point was when I received a call from my brother who gave me the news that I had got the bursary I had applied for. That was my breakthrough, because for years I wanted to study and God had answered my prayers. Unfortunately in 2014, after registering for my PhD, I lost my father and the following month my mother died.
What was your family’s reaction when you received your PhD?
They are all happy and proud of me. I was touched when one of my cousins said she wished my mother was still alive to witness all the benefits of my hard work. It’s a pity she left us so soon.
Looking back, did you think your dream would come true?
I knew what I wanted, and the situation back home pushed me even harder. I can never forget being a goat herder, which I never really liked. It was not easy but I had no choice. However, as an adult I did have a choice to either make my dream a reality or to let the opportunity pass me by.
What are your hopes and aspirations?
I’ll definitely be making my way back to the province and uplift communities, especially the youth and the university through my research. Young people tend to face difficulties. However, I want to change that using my expertise.
