Financial pressure, study fatigue, limited internet access, loadshedding and other challenges never dissuaded Jennifer Moloto from pursuing her academic dream. She always kept her eye on the ball. 

According to Moloto, planning and setting boundaries informed her road to academic achievement. She obtained her Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Education at the recent Unisa 2026 Polokwane Autumn Graduations. 

She says this latest qualification is very important for her as it is on NQF Level 8. Other than the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Education, this mother of two boys and a wife, also has a B Ed Foundation Phase degree. 

Mrs Limpopo 2026 comes from a family that values education and has diverse qualifications. Her mother is also a teacher.  One of her sisters has a psychology degree, while another has a National Diploma in Journalism. Her brother has a Diploma in Criminology.

Some of the main challenges that Moloto, currently a full-time educator at Khekhutini Primary School in the Tzaneen area, experienced revolved around time management and self-discipline.

"Distance learning means no one is watching you, so procrastination is the biggest enemy. I also faced financial pressure and 'study fatigue' where balancing assignments with family responsibilities felt overwhelming. Limited internet access and load shedding were practical barriers too," says Moloto.

Instead of allowing the challenges to demoralise her, Moloto stayed focused. She also thought of the young girls in Limpopo who saw her as a role model. She wanted them to know that education can unlock a person’s knowledge for a better future. "I also drew motivation from Unisa alumni who graduated against the odds," she says. "If they could, so could I. Also, wearing the Mrs Limpopo cap reminded me that I represent more than just myself."

Moloto, from GaMatipane Village, Tzaneen, appreciates the fact that distance learning is not easy.

"Whilst distance learning is flexible, you should have discipline as you tend to become your own lecturer, administrator and motivator. It takes resilience, self-management and resourcefulness. You must be comfortable learning alone but wise enough to ask for help."

According to Moloto, being a student at Unisa is not just about receiving a certificate. "Unisa equips you with life skills such as time management, problem-solving skills and independence," she says. "That’s what makes Unisa graduates competitive."

What was her winning formula? "My winning recipe has always been two things: planning and setting boundaries," she explains. "I use a weekly planner for my studies, my family responsibilities, as well as for the Mrs Limpopo projects that I am involved in. My approach is that if something is not scheduled, it doesn’t happen. I learned to say 'no' to things that don’t align with my goals. Quality time beats quantity time."

Her advice to students is to build a study routine and stick to it and that they should not allow distractions. "Use myUnisa, discussion forums and tutors," she says. "Don’t wait until exams. Manage time effectively. Treat study time like a job."

Moloto intends to register for a Master's degree in Psychology of Education or inclusive education, as she aspires to work with learners with learning barriers.

In the type of work that she aspires to do, she aims to work with schools and education authorities to develop fair assessment tools and intervention programmes. "The goal is to ensure that no child is left behind because their strengths were not measured correctly," she says.

Moloto also wants to use her Mrs Limpopo platform and her academic background to assess and understand how learners think, learn and grow. "Psychometrics allows us to measure potential beyond exam scores, and that matters in Limpopo, where many learners are labelled as 'slow learners' when in fact they just learn differently," concludes Moloto.

* By Malose Gilbert Mokwatedi, Communication Manager, Unisa North Eastern Region