Nompumelelo Chili turns life’s challenges into a PhD and a mission to empower youth
At 54, former educator Nompumelelo Chili has turned years of personal hardship, loss and perseverance into a PhD and a lifelong commitment to empowering young people.
Tsakani – For Nompumelelo Chili (54), earning a PhD is more than an academic achievement. It is a testament to what can be accomplished when determination refuses to be defeated by adversity.
Chili graduated with a PhD in Education, Leadership and Management this year after five years of research, perseverance and overcoming some of the most difficult chapters of her life.
Her doctoral study, titled “Examining the training of peer educators in schools to improve their leadership capacity,” reflects a passion that has remained central to her life, which is developing and empowering young people.
“I decided to do my study in this field because I am passionate about youth development,” she said.
Nompumelelo’s journey into education was not originally part of her plans. As a young woman, she dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, but did not qualify to study medicine.
After taking a gap year, she eventually enrolled to become a teacher in 1991. What began as an unexpected career would later become a significant part of her life.
“I became a teacher by default in my youth, but left it in 2005, exactly 10 years after I said I would not spend more than 10 years as a teacher,” she said.
A former educator and deputy principal at Orchards Primary School, Chili eventually redirected her experience towards youth development and entrepreneurship.
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She is the owner of Plot 434 Functions and Conference Venue, where she runs life-skills camps to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges they face.
Nompumelelo’s work extends beyond the venue.
She visits schools to speak to learners about substance abuse, mental health, teenage pregnancy, bullying and career guidance, while also addressing issues identified within individual school communities.
Her determination was nurtured by the people who supported her early in life. She credits her stepmother, Rebecca Tshabalala, for helping make her education possible when finances were limited.
Her mother, Thembekile Chili, also contributed what she could towards food and other necessities despite earning a small income as a domestic worker.
“My stepmother stepped up and came through for me. She helped to pay for my studies, and later on I was able to secure bursaries,” Chili said.
Her late father, Petrus Tshabalala, was another major influence. Nompumelelo describes him as a strict but loving parent who equipped her with practical life skills and shaped the woman she became.
“He raised me and taught me everything, such as how to cook and clean. He was very strict, but he made me who I am,” she said.
Sadly, her father passed on in March while she was in the final stretch of her PhD journey. Nompumelelo had cared for him during this difficult period, making his passing particularly painful.
“He was a pillar of strength and will be sadly missed. Unfortunately, he could not see me graduate,” she said.
His death came after another devastating loss. In 2025, Nompumelelo lost her brother while she was still pursuing her doctorate, adding to the emotional weight she was already carrying.
She was also navigating a difficult divorce, which brought significant emotional and financial strain.
As life seemed to present one obstacle after another, Nompumelelo refused to abandon her dream.
“Through it all, I managed to stay focused. I told myself I couldn’t give up,” she said.
Instead of allowing her circumstances to define her, she poured her energy into building a purpose-driven business and creating opportunities for young people.
Nompumelelo’s academic journey was also marked by challenges that could easily have discouraged her.
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As a non-native English speaker from a disadvantaged background, she had to overcome language as one of the barriers.
She also had to resist the temptation to measure her progress against others’.
“Some came in after me and graduated before me, but I had my own difficulties. Language was a barrier, and I come from a disadvantaged background, but still I kept on focusing,” she added.
Nompumelelo’s journey is proof that success does not always follow a predictable timeline. In Women’s Month, she aspires to inspire many young women to pursue their dreams.
She urged women of all ages to overlook their current situation, obstacles and hindrances along the way if they want to further their studies.
“Avoid competition, appreciate what you have and focus on yourself. When you study at this level, you need a support structure,” she said.
Nompumelelo’s story serves as a reminder that success is not defined by how quickly one reaches the finish line, but by the courage to keep moving despite the obstacles.
