Ekurhuleni resident, Nompumelelo Chili (54), graduated with her PhD in education, leadership and management this year, marking the culmination of a long and challenging journey defined by resilience and perseverance.

A former educator and deputy principal at Orchards Primary School, Chili is also the owner of Plot 434 Functions and Conference Venue, which hosts life skills camps aimed at empowering young people.

Her PhD study is titled “Examining the training of peer educators in schools to improve their leadership capacity.” It took five years to complete.

“I decided to do my study in this field because I’m passionate about youth development. I became a teacher by default in my youth, but left it in 2005, exactly 10 years after I said I wouldn’t spend more than 10 years as a teacher,” she said.

Initially, Nompumelelo wanted to be a medical doctor, but she didn’t qualify to study medicine. She took a gap year before studying to teach in 1991.

“My stepmother, Rebecca Tshabalala, who wasn’t even married to my dad at the time, stepped up and came through for me. She helped to pay for my studies, and later on I was able to secure bursaries,” she said.

Her mother, Thembekile, also supported her as she sent whatever money she could every month for food and necessities. This is despite working as a domestic worker for a small wage. Her father, Petrus Tshabalala, was also an exemplary figure in Nompumelelo’s life.

“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.

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She lost her father in March, after caring for him for a while during her final stretch in her PhD studies.

“He was a pillar of strength and will be sadly missed. Unfortunately, he could not see me graduate,” she said.

One of the biggest challenges for Nompumelelo during her studies was going through a difficult divorce.

“I went through so much emotional stress and financial challenges without any help, and I had to stop using attorneys. I had to leave my comfortable home in the suburbs and move to the rural area of Withok,” she said.

In 2025, she lost her brother, which further depressed her while she was busy with her studies. Still, she persevered.

“Through it all, I managed to stay focused. I told myself I couldn’t give up. I had my own business, where I started a life skills camp on my plot in Withok, because I saw how other similar camps treated the children and wanted to provide a better option,” she said.

In addition, she provides talks at schools about substance abuse, mental health, teenage pregnancy, bullying, career guidance and any other issues identified within the school. During her studies, she decided not to compare herself to others.

“Some came in after me and graduated before me, but I had my own difficulties. Language was a barrier; I’m not a native English speaker, and I come from a disadvantaged background, but still I kept on focusing. It’s important to know your own situation, because comparing yourself just discourages you.

“Avoid competition, appreciate what you have and focus on yourself. When you study at this level, you need a support structure.”