Her thesis was to focus on social work in mental health care in various hospitals, clinics and mental institutes.

Her research was carried out in both the Vhembe and Mopani areas.

She described her journey to achieving her PhD degree as not bring easy, “It has been difficult for me to achieve this doctorate as I have to do the wife chores and being a mother at the same time and business as well. I had to also study at night just to achieve my goal,” she said.

Joyce is married to a well-known medical doctor, Dr Solly Bila, an Orthopaedic Surgeon from Mapaula Village in Malamulele area and they are blessed with four children.

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She encourages young women to focus on education as it is the only key to success and will liberate them from social ills.

Bila also spoke about her first year at university were she had to drop out in the middle of the year because her bursary was not paid. She had to find piecework in order to help pay for her school fees.

Her husband applauded her for achieving the doctorate and indicated that this will inspire other women to focus on their education despite their age and backgrounds.

“As the family we are so happy for her and hope that other women will also emulate her and our children as well,” he said.