In honour of Women’s Month, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) proudly presents the Women of Impact Series. This series celebrates the outstanding achievements of our female graduates, partners, and project leaders in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We showcase the groundbreaking research, extraordinary dedication, and inspiring visions of these accomplished women. Through their innovative work and unwavering commitment, they have advanced in their respective fields and shaped a more inclusive and diverse future. Join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions and stories.
- Can you please share a brief overview of your research and the significance of it in the HSS space?
There is no ready-to wear personal protective equipment for women working in mines that conforms to women's bodies in terms of fit and comfort.The current workwear is based on the men's sizing system and does not fit properly. The supply of designed-for-men PPE continues to be distributed to the women in mining. The significance in the HSS is purely based on the study being human related within society.
- How has funding and support from the NIHSS influenced your academic journey and personal growth?
I am still grateful to this day for the funding opportunity and academic support I've received from NIHSS. Being granted the opportunity reduced alot of finacial and academic stress which helped me concentrate on finishing my studies with no worries of how and where will I get my next meal and accommodation. The NIHSS made me feel finacially and academically secure and that motivated me each day to fully give my Master's study my all because I did not have any reason not to finish while,the montly meetings on our progress where being monitored and discussed ,made my study progress plans even easier,I felt important and cared for by the NIHSS. It influneced me to study further,hence I'm currently pursuing my Doctor of applied Arts in Design at CPUT.
- What inspired you to pursue your Masters Degree and what challenges did you overcome during your academic journey?
I am a village girl surrounded by mining companies and almost all my family members work in the mining industry. My interest grew in protective clothing because my sister works in the mines, and she lamented the ill-fitting workwear. As a clothing designer, I noticed that the protective clothing was poorly designed in size, fit and comfort, which motivated me to search for a solution. I have overcome Covid related rules that played a major rule in how I conducted my research, my study was human related and there were too many human related restrictions that set back the study from being conducted according to the study's time line. I therefore, overcame financial stress when the funding was granted, what a relieve as it was mentally draining me to travel from home to campus, owing the institution also didn’t do any mental justice. I can passionately say after receiving the NIHSS scholarship I felt personally and financially positive and motivated to overcome any obstacle that would come my way. I was confident and overcame mental stress that came with being poor but eager and willing to study and learn.
- What does the celebration of Women’s Month mean to you?
It means being a women in not a barrier to achieving successful leadership in South African higher education, it means I should continue to fight for women equality within workplaces through my academic writing ,it means I am heard but not being understood and that is passive aggressive from all parties involved in not caring to bring about change to that.