Zimbabwean-born Jabulani Shaba came to Stellenbosch University (SU) to pursue a postgraduate degree in history. But he found so much more. Shaba is awarded his doctorate this week (Monday 25 March) just days after tying the knot with Deveney Manuel, also a postgraduate history student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
The proposal took place at Val du Charron Wine Estate in Wellington in December last year, the day after Shaba had successfully defended his PhD. “She did not see it coming and her family kept the secret as well. As I was about to go on my knee, I said her full name and she began crying."
They first met when Manuel, who hails from Wellington in the Western Cape, was working on her honour's thesis. While Shaba admits that it was not easy working on his doctorate while in a serious relationship, the support of his future wife proved to be invaluable. “During moments of burnout, my partner was there to comfort me and encourage me to finish the final stretch." Shaba adds that if he were a poet, he would describe Manuel as “an embodiment of patience, kindness and understanding; an oasis of love that quenched my thirst and a shoulder to lean on".
He quips that her support was especially needed during moments of “intense feedback" from his supervisor, Prof Sandra Swart. Swart, who is the Chair of the Department of History and supervisor to both students, would say: “Jabulani, it is better to sweat in training than to bleed in combat." She has been a great mentor and inspiration to both of us, adds Shaba.
A delighted Prof Swart made a speech at the couple's wedding and when sharing the story of her postgraduate lovebirds, said “One of my favourite authors, Kurt Vonnegut, said 'History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.' Well, imagine my surprise – well, joyful astonishment – when they got engaged."
Shaba's research focused on the socio-environmental history of women in artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe between 1932 and 2021. By reconstructing the stories of women in these mining settlements, his work contributes to scholarship on mining labour and gendered resource politics in southern Africa and beyond.
He says he chose SU for his doctoral studies because of “its diversity and multicultural environment". He adds that he loves the Boland town for its “refreshing ambience of nature, serenity in the mountains and the many places to have coffee. MOOD Coffee Bar is a firm favourite.
The couple will soon leave for the Netherlands, where Shaba will take up a postdoctoral researcher position at the University of Groningen.
Photo: Curt Ruiters
