My journey to education: Dr Mogudi recently received her PhD at the age of 64

Date: Sep 27, 2022 | Faculty of Science, News

My mother was a teacher and continuously encouraged us to learn; she was a single parent but always wished that we got educated. I started my primary school in St Michael’s Primary School, Manzini Swaziland.  I came back to South Africa and started my high school education from 1972.

In 1976, I went to Jordan High School in Evaton to begin with Matric, that same year the Soweto uprising started and we could not write the end of the year exams. I studied privately in 1977, wrote my Matric, and received an exemption. I started working from 1977 – 1980 for IMSA a Research company as a transcriber, interviewer, checker as well as a field supervisor.

Following this, I decided to go to the University of the North (Turfloop) in 1981. I begin studying a BCom (Accounting) degree. In 1982, I registered with UNISA but because I was unable to study properly, I stopped my stdies. I had started a family and during this time, I was always assisting my children with their schoolwork. In 1997, I registered with Damelin to upgrade to Mathematics HG, Biology HG and Physical Science HG. After passing the subjects in 1998 I decided to do a BSc degree with Unisa, with 32 modules, I registered 9 modules a year and completed my degree in 2002. I received my BSc degree in 2003, majoring with Chemistry and Microbiology.

In 2004 I managed to register my BSc (Honors) in Chemistry with Rau University (Now the University of Johannesburg). I left for the University of the Free State in 2005 – 2007 under the supervision of Prof Andrea Roodt and Co-supervisor Prof Reinout Meijboom. I submitted my dissertation on the 02/01/2008 for marking and graduated in September 2008.

Unfortunately, my husband became sick and I had to go back home and nurse him, but he died in 2013. In 2015 I went back to study my PhD (Chemistry) with the University of Johannesburg under the supervision of Prof Reinout Meijboom. During my study, i was employed as a demonstrator and tutor, and was awarded a certificate for Tutor of the Year. I started as a full time student and eventually part- time student because I started working. The University of Johannesburg presently employs me since 2016 as a Senior Technician. I submitted my Thesis for marking in January 2020. A few months later, we were in lockdown due to Covid-19. I had the online graduation on the 19^th October 2020. .

Eventually I managed to walk the stage on the 12^th August 2022.