Dr Thulisile Bhuda once stood behind the counter at a Tekkie Town store in in a mall, ringing up customers’ purchases. Now, years later, she stands in front of a lecture hall of students at the University of Mpumalanga, sharing her knowledge of culture and heritage, with a PhD in indigenous knowledge from the North-West University (NWU) behind her name.

“I worked at Tekkie Town in 2012 to save money to buy needed necessities for university. I already received an acceptance letter from the NWU by the time I started working, and I knew that I needed cash for food, transport and toiletries,” says Dr Bhuda.

“I want people to know that where you start does not define where you will end up,” she adds.

Not that that the path to success is easy. Becoming a lecturer in South Africa requires years of study, research and teaching experience. “It takes patience and commitment,” she says. “But if you have a purpose, you will get there.”

Dr Bhuda obtained her PhD in 2022. She completed both her master’s degree (2019) and BA degree (2017) with distinction – all from the NWU. Never one to rest on her laurels, she is pursuing a second PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the IsiNdebele language and culture development, and in particular the survival of the language and cultural practices after the 1883 Mapoch war.

Beyond the classroom, Dr Bhuda is a strong advocate for heritage preservation. She was awarded the 2023 National Voice of Heritage Shield Award at the Golden Shield Heritage Awards, hosted by the National Heritage Council of South Africa. This award recognises individuals who have made meaningful contributions to preserving and promoting our indigenous heritage.

In 2023, Dr Bhuda also received an Alumni Excellence Award from the NWU in recognition of her contributions to academia and her significant societal impact.

Her influence continues to grow. She was named on the Sunday World Unsung Heroes 2024 list in the category Youth in Academia and Education, which acknowledges individuals shaping the nation through education.

Recently, Dr Bhuda was reappointed to the Indigenous Knowledge / Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) National Authentication Panel. Having first joined in 2021, she will now serve on the panel until 2027.

From wearing a cashier’s uniform to a PhD robe, Dr Bhuda’s story is proof that modest career beginnings can lead to greatness.

Dr Thulisile Bhuda