For Nompumelelo Chili, who now holds a Doctorate in Higher Education, Newcastle has always been so much more than just a place where she grew up. It is where the values that to this day continue to shape her, were first instilled.

“My upbringing in Newcastle was deeply rooted in values such as respect, care, kindness and Ubuntu. These were not values that we simply talked about; they were values that we lived every day,” she said.

Growing up in Madadeni, Chili said she experienced a strong sense of community.

She says that children were regarded as belonging not only to their parents, but instead to the wider community.

“Any parent or elder could correct a child when they were in the wrong, while parents trusted the community to help guide their children. That, for me, was the spirit of Ubuntu.”

She believes those early experiences taught her important lessons about leadership, relationships and caring for others that could not be found or taught in a classroom.

Memories that shaped her

Chili initially lived with her maternal family in Madadeni Section 1 before moving to Section 5.
In Grade 4, she went to live with her father, the late Petrus ‘Bhongoza’ Tshabalala.

Attending choir competitions and athletic competitions at KR Rumelin Stadium, as well as watching school films at the Mandla Cinema, are some of her favourite childhood memories.

She also remembers going to music festivals, meeting some of her favourite celebrities (such as Rebecca Malope and Brenda Fassie) and competing in a BMX competition where she was the only girl among the boys.

After attending Qedizaba Primary and Thobani Higher Primary, she eventually matriculated from Sekusile Secondary School, where she still remembers and respects the teachers who had a profound influence on her – her Afrikaans teacher, the late Mrs Mabaso; her Chemistry teacher, Mr Vilakazi; and Mr Tshabalala, her maths instructor.

She participated in a Pantsula competition, sang in the school choir, performed in talent shows and cultivated relationships with her Grade 12 classmates decades after she matriculated.

Overcoming adversity

Chili had to take a year off after matriculating due to financial hardships. However, with the help of her stepmother, Rebecca Tshabalala, she was eventually able to register for her teaching qualification in 1991.

But later in life, her career would present its own set of difficulties.

“As a deputy principal, I had to navigate being accepted as an African woman in a leadership role while my school was undergoing some major transformations,” she said.

After 10 years, Chili made the decision to leave the teaching profession at the end of 2005; but, her journey did not end there.

She then went on to complete her Doctorate in Higher Education at the University of Johannesburg while also running her own business.

“Balancing my studies and business was difficult, while also going through a divorce which brought additional financial and emotional strain.”

She firmly believes that her academic supervisor professor, Suraiya Naicker, played an integral role in her perseverance and ultimately her academic success.

Chili was once again hit with hard times when she lost her brother in 2025 and then her father in 2026.

“Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. I had to finish what I started,” she said.

A message to young women

Today, Chili hopes that her very own life experience will inspire other young women to find careers in domains where they might not always feel accepted, and inspire them to have confidence in themselves.

“Don’t let other people’s thoughts and uncertainties about you become your reality,” she said.

She encourages women to invest in themselves, their education, create networks of support and find meaningful mentors.

“Remember that our family backgrounds do not determine our destination,” she said.

She also urges women to stop comparing themselves with others and instead focus on becoming the best version of themselves.

“If I could sit down with young Nompumelelo,” she said, “I would tell her to believe in herself, even when she cannot yet see how her dreams will come true.”

For Chili, setbacks should never define a person. They should rather be seen as opportunities to learn, grow and keep moving forward.

Most importantly, she wants women to find their voices and have the courage to use them.

“To the young woman who is struggling financially, being rejected, feeling overlooked or wondering whether her dreams will ever happen, I want you to remember: your current circumstances are not your final destination.”

Looking back, Chili says Newcastle gave her more than childhood memories. It gave her values that continue to guide her.

She never expected to build a career in education, but today she holds a Doctorate in the field.
“Life is full of surprises,” she said. “Our circumstances in life can redirect our career paths.”

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