A desire to help her own children understand science has grown into an award-winning journey of research, innovation and entrepreneurship for the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Dr Moleboheng Mokhele.

That journey has now been recognised on a national stage. Dr Mokhele is a senior lecturer, scientist, researcher, educator, innovator and entrepreneur, won the Education category at the 2026 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards. Held at the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club on 8 October 2026, the awards recognised women making meaningful contributions to economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

For Dr Mokhele, the award recognises more than professional success. It reflects a journey shaped by motherhood and a desire to turn academic research into solutions that can benefit children and communities.

“Personally, this means so much to me because I know where I started. I know the challenges, the doubts and the moments when I questioned whether I was on the right path,” she says. “To now stand on a platform such as the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards as a winner is something I do not take for granted.”

Her work combines research, innovation, education and entrepreneurship. It focuses on early childhood STEM education, visual and digital literacy, sustainability and learning that responds to the cultural backgrounds of children.

One of her key innovations is Renewable Rangers, an educational initiative that introduces young children to science and sustainability through play. The educational carpet game uses storytelling, characters and problem-solving to teach concepts such as renewable energy and climate change.

The idea grew from Dr Mokhele’s experience as a mother.

“My journey into early childhood STEM did not begin with a business plan. It began with me being a mother and wanting to understand how I could support my own children,” she says.

That experience developed into a research question and later an educational innovation that she believes could reach many more children.

A central part of Dr Mokhele’s work is making science relevant for African children. She believes children should recognise their languages, communities, cultures and everyday experiences in what they learn.

“Science should feel like us. It should sound like our African children. It should recognise their context, their languages, their communities and the knowledge that already exists around them,” she says.

She also wants African knowledge to receive greater recognition in education and research. Renewable Rangers reflects this approach by placing African children and their experiences at the centre of learning.

Dr Mokhele is now taking this work beyond academia through WARINOVA (Pty) Ltd. The company explores ways to turn educational research into products and experiences that can reach schools, teachers and communities.

She says research, innovation and entrepreneurship should support each other.

“Research gives you knowledge. Innovation gives that knowledge a form. Entrepreneurship gives you an opportunity to take that innovation into the world. For me, these things belong together.”

Her entrepreneurial journey is also about building a legacy. Dr Mokhele wants the knowledge produced through her research to have an impact beyond academic papers and awards.

“I do not want to be remembered only for the number of papers I published or the awards I received. I want to be remembered for what those things allowed me to build and for the people who were impacted by the work.”

She hopes her journey will also encourage young women to pursue opportunities across different fields rather than feeling pressured to follow a single path.

“You can be a scientist, a researcher, a teacher, an innovator and an entrepreneur. You can be a mother and still build something significant.”

For Dr Mokhele, the award is therefore another milestone rather than the destination. Her focus remains on using research to create practical solutions and helping African children see themselves as future scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. “I am grateful for the award, but I do not want the award to be the story. The work must remain the story.”

Photo: NWU academic Dr Moleboheng Mokhele has won the Education category at the 2026 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards.