Dr Ndivhuwo Muneri, a former learner from LTT Murunwa Private School in Louis Trichardt, had to overcome more than one obstacle before she earned her PhD in biochemistry from Stellenbosch University on Thursday 16 March 2017.

"Ndo livhuwa mma na baba" ('thank you mom and dad'). I am so grateful for your love and support throughout," was the message to her family who travelled more than 1800 kilometres from the small rural village Ha-Maelula, about 30 kilometres outside Makhado (Louis Trichardt), to attend the graduation ceremony.

It took Ndivhuwo close to twelve difficult years to achieve this milestone in her life. Not only did she had to adapt to a different culture and learning in a third language, but in the final year of her MSc she was badly hurt in a hit and run accident in Stellenbosch.

"It was really hard to accept that somebody left me in the road to die," she says.

Ndivhuwo also had to deal with being far away from home, and losing both her grandmothers and a brother during her years of study.

But her determination to obtain a qualification and complete her studies become clear when she explains how she came to focus on biochemistry: "Of all my undergraduate modules, biochemistry was the most challenging module. As a result, I started focusing more on the subject, which then led me to understand it better and to do a BScHons in biochemistry."

Her study leader, Prof. Erick Strauss, and fellow students such as Dr Lizbé Koekemoer and Dr Ilse Rootman-le Grange, then encouraged her to continue with an MSc and PhD.

Prof. Strauss only has praise for this student who took five years to complete her BSc degree, but only four years for her PhD!

He says the external examiners described her PhD thesis as "an important and original contribution to scientific knowledge"' and that she demonstrated "solid and profound scientific expertise" on the topic.

Ndivhuwo's dream is to motivate more women to consider a career in science: "I love to do research, especially looking at drugs that can be used against malaria and other viral and bacterial infections. I enjoy learning how different pathogens affect the body and how the human immune system fights against them. My research in biochemistry has helped me to do what I love."

She will now continue her research career as a post-doctoral fellow in SU's Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science.

Ndivhuwo says she also needs to thank her husband, Nnditsheni Tshililo, for his love, support and patience, as well as her younger sisters, Mulalo and Mulavhelesi, and two brothers, Maanda and Magidi. She also makes special mention of her high school mathematics teacher Mr Mudau, and SU's Prof. Marina Rautenbach who motivated her while she was still struggling as an undergraduate student.

Her advice to learners and undergraduate students facing similar challenges?

"Dream, be patient and have a vision, no matter how difficult or impossible life seems to be. Concentrate on your studies and stay focused. There are many detractors on the way and instant gratification. Vision takes longer to reach, but is wonderful once achieved."

Ndivhuwo is not the first family member to graduate from Stellenbosch University. Her uncle, prof. Philip Kutame, completed his B.Phil degree at SU in 2004.

On the photo, This Venda family travelled 1800 kilometres to witness their loved one, Dr Ndivhuwo Muneri (now Tshililo), receive her PhD in biochemistry from Stellenbosch University. She is surrounded by her parents, Sylvia and Thomas Muneri. Next to Mr Muneri is her sister-in-law, Khumbudzo Muneri. At the back is her uncle and SU alumnus Prof Phillip Kutame, her husband Nnditsheni Tshililo and her brother Maanda Muneri. Photo: Stefan Els