NWU PhD graduate makes history at 23
AT JUST 23, North-West University’s Musawenkosi Saurombe is about to graduate with a PhD in industrial psychology. This will make her the youngest woman in Africa to qualify for a PhD, according to the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Eagerly awaiting official graduation in October, Saurombe describes this time in her life as surreal.
“Coming to terms with everything is slowly happening. To be the youngest woman in Africa to have studied this far is big. You never really prepare yourself for when you actually obtain what you’ve been working for, for so long. I asked God to do it for me and he did,” she said.
The bubbly and optimistic Saurombe now has her sights on working towards a professorship, but as to what the future holds, she said: “It is all in God’s hands.”
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May 24, 1993, she was just 3 weeks old when her family relocated to Gaborone, Botswana.
It was there that she went to school, but proved too brainy for her age.
“I was such a hyperactive child. At 5, I was sent to Grade 1 because my teachers saw that I adapted and finished my work quicker than other children. They felt I needed something more challenging,” she said.
Another jump for the rising star was when her Grade 3 teacher favoured a move to Grade 4.
At 13, she began high school. At that time, the Botswana government had introduced a new system, which meant all pupils who completed grades 8 and 9 with an excellent average would skip Grade 10.
“For me, it became a matter of excellent results or nothing, despite the fact that at that time in my life, I was feeling so playful.”
The education system stood in her favour, because at 15 she completed her matric in life, physical and chemistry sciences, as well as maths and English.
At 16, when some of her peers were starting high school, she began her tertiary education at North-West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng campus, registering for a degree in HR management.
The transition to a different country and a different academic system was not an easy one.
“I always tried to enjoy myself, but found the campus social scene very foreign, except for a few parties I attended where I could at least dance because I love to dance.
“I never wanted to be a geek or that nerd walking around with books all the time, but I knew I could not let whatever fun that was around me influence my character and the teachings of my upbringing,” she said.
Saurombe went on to complete her undergraduate studies in three years, Honours degree in one year, Master’s in a year and PhD over a two years.
“My honours and former academic supervisor Mr Joel Maubane, I think his strict approach to research geared me to all higher levels of research. I remember how my current supervisor, Professor Nicolene Barkhuizen, pushed me to get my Master’s done in one year instead of two – all this enabled me to get through my PhD at such a young age.”
Her thesis focused on a topic titled “Talent Value Proposition”, commonly known as labour value proposition.
The study is on the mutual benefits stated on the contract of employment, looking at what the employee takes home after performing their duty versus what the employer expects of an employee to deliver in order to support the employee’s experience title.
“I also established that organisational branding, employment branding, are what comprise the imperative elements of talent value proposition particularly for academic staff in a South African higher education institution,” she said.
With her research topic requiring her to investigate the managerial perspective of corporate institutions, she “was met with business executives who would not co-operate with me”, she said.
“I grew impatient during the process and would sometimes feel like everything was not worth it,” she added.
Her parents’ consistent drive for excellence laid the foundation to all she has achieved thus far.
Her mother would give her a hiding every time her percentage dropped by even 1 percent in high school; her father would insist she read academic books meant for an advanced grade and age, from the time she was 4, to ensure she stayed ahead.
“What I really admire about my father is that he doesn’t reprimand and speak a lot, but he prays for me.
“My mother on the other hand is a smart woman; despite the fact that my father is an educator and people give him credit for my academic achievements, I actually get it all from her,” Saurombe said.
NWU vice-chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi said: “We are very excited; the increasing research capacity at our institution is enabling us to see more students like Musa.
“When I think of her, I get excited to see a researcher who is able to maintain a social life, yet still perform.”
He cited another young PhD graduate from their Mahikeng campus, Lehlohonolo Phali, 28, as testament to NWU’s growth in research capacity.
Phali, who faced challenges after her dad died in 2004, obtained a PhD in maths.
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