From typist to lecturer
She’s first in family to get degrees
Dr Nyawesedza Phellecy Lavhelani started out working as a typist at the University of Venda in Limpopo, climbed the ladder and now she is one of the institution’s most senior lecturers.
Lavhelani from Dzimauli Village, outside Thohoyandou, broke the mould in her family by becoming the first to get an education despite her difficult background.
As the university celebrates its 40th anniversary, Lavhelani, one of the varsity’s longest-serving members of staff, reflected on how the institution had turned her into a notable academic.
Lavhelani is a senior lecturer in the faculty of management, commerce and law, under the OR Tambo Institute of Governance.
“I come from a very disadvantaged background. I was raised by my mother and she did not have an education. She never went to school. So I decided that I would get an education and uplift my family,” she said.
Lavhelani, 56, said her four older siblings also did not get the opportunity to get an education, which made her even more determined to change the family narrative.
The family survived on her late mother’s traditional marula beer business.
“I don’t remember the size of the container my mother used to sell the marula beer but I remember that she would sell it for R5. I even know how to make the beer because I would assist my mother as a child,” she said.
After matriculating at Rambuda Secondary in 1988, Lavhelani landed her first job as a typist at the university.
This is when she was inspired by her colleagues to take advantage of the scholarships offered to staff members and study further.
“They told me that I could not be a typist for the rest of my life when there is an opportunity to study,” she said.
Lavhelani enrolled for a degree in administration and continued to study while she held different administrative roles within the university.
She was promoted from typist to secretary and in 2010 she served as the chief administration officer for the university’s centre for higher education teaching and learning.
The mother of four said juggling work and study was hard.
Lavhelani obtained a PhD in public administration from University of Fort Hare in 2017.
She also holds other qualifications, including two masters degrees and has published articles in 10 recognised academic journals.
Lavhelani has also used her story to inspire others through doing motivational talks at churches in the community.
Her first-, second- and thirdborn children all followed in their mother’s footsteps by obtaining university degrees while her last-born son is in matric.
“I also make sure to motivate youngsters to take education seriously because it is the best,” Lavhelani said.
She said looking back at how far the University of Venda had come from the time she first started working there, she has realised that the institution has developed.
Lavhelani said back then the campus was smaller with poor infrastructure.
“But we have grown. We are producing good quality students. If you look at most of the lawyers around Thohoyandou, they are our products and they are the best,” Lavhelani said.