Inspirational figure gives her all to obtain PhD

One of Mpumalanga’s most inspirational women to be celebrated is the province’s Xitsonga subject adviser, Dr Marinkie Usinga (56).

She recently obtained her PhD in African languages from the University of Limpopo. Being a full-time employee of the provincial Department of Education, Usinga made time to balance her work schedule with her studies.

“I gave my all to make sure that neither one of the two suffered. When it came to work, I tried my level best to make sure that I reached all my planned activities without compromising.

“For my studies, I would sit at the table at night and get down to my books until 02:00, and emailed my work to my supervisors. I’ve never regretted being under pressure, because I had my planned targets.

“My initial plan was to achieve my PhD by the age of 50. Due to the pressure of work, I failed to do so. My next target was to complete the degree by the age of 55, which was last year. I thank God for making it happen,” she said.

“I am so excited for having made it.”

Usinga also values African languages the most. She wrote her thesis on Xitsonga.

“I just wanted to show the world that Xitsonga is one of South Africa’s official languages,” she said.

The MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, congratulated her on her achievements. “In 2008, she was appointed as a subject adviser responsible for setting Xitsonga grade 12 papers in the Mpumalanga Department of Education and for Basic Education in 2012 to date. She has also proceeded with her studies,” he said.