Against all odds: Dr Mbonani triumphs over challenges to earn doctorate

Balancing the demands of academic research, career advancement, marriage and motherhood is a challenge few can navigate simultaneously. Yet, through determination, resilience and unwavering commitment, Dr Mbali Pridy Mbonani overcame extraordinary personal and professional obstacles to achieve one of academia’s highest accolades.

Dr Mbonani graduated with a Doctor of Education degree during the Tshwane University of Technology's Spring Graduation Ceremony on 5 October 2026, joining a group of 25 doctoral graduates who received their qualification during the ceremony.

Her journey to graduation was not an easy one. At the beginning of 2026, just as she was preparing to submit her doctoral thesis for examination, Dr Mbonani received a major career promotion to Head of Department. Around the same time, she became engaged and was later married. As she adjusted to her new leadership responsibilities and personal commitments, she also discovered that she was expecting a child.

Juggling the demands of a senior leadership role, family commitments and the rigorous requirements of doctoral research presented a huge challenge. However, Dr Mbonani remained steadfast in her pursuit of academic excellence and successfully completed her thesis under exceptionally demanding circumstances.

Her doctoral research, entitled “Probing the Perpetuation of the Digital Divide When Teaching Technology Subject in Quintile One Schools in the Nkangala District in Mpumalanga Province”, examines the persistent technological inequalities affecting teaching and learning in under-resourced schools. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital, field and habitus, the study provides a critical analysis of how disparities in digital capital, institutional support and socio-economic conditions continue to reproduce inequalities in technology education.

The research offers important insights into the challenges faced by schools in disadvantaged communities and contributes to ongoing discussions around educational equity and digital inclusion in South Africa.

Dr Mbonani completed her doctorate under the supervision of Dr Samuel D Khoza and Dr Ndlelehle M Skosana from the Department of Technology and Vocational Education in the School of Education at the Faculty of Humanities. She expressed deep gratitude to her supervisors for their encouragement throughout the process. "I would like to thank my supervisors, who were very patient and supportive in making sure that I do not give up under pressure. It gives me great joy to say that I made it, against all odds," said Dr Mbonani.

Dr Mbonani’s story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, demonstrating that even in the face of significant personal and professional demands, determination and dedication can turn almost impossible goals into remarkable achievements.