Dr Thuli Ntuli, lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Education specializing in Science Education.

Dr Thuli Ntuli was born and raised in Mabuyeni section, KwaNdebele, Mpumalanga province, brought up by her maternal family. Dr Ntuli started schooling at Andisa junior primary school and progressed to Fundukhuphuke middle school where she did grades 7 to 9. For her secondary education, Dr Ntuli went to Tholulwazi secondary school where she matriculated. Upon matriculating, she did not immediately go into a tertiary institution due to financial constraints and did a computer course. She then got a bursary to study at the Central University of Technology (CUT), where she did a Bachelor of Education specializing in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Biology. In 2015 she registered to do her Bachelor of Education Honours specializing in Natural Sciences at Tshwane University of Technology(TUT). She completed her qualification in record time and passed Cum Laude. In 2018 she started with her Master of Education in Natural Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA) which she completed in record time and was set to graduate in 2020 there was, unfortunately, no ceremony due to Covid-19. Dr Ntuli immediately continued with her studies and registered for a Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences at UNISA. She completed her qualification in 2022.

Dr Ntuli mentioned that she values education so much that she wanted to do the best and be the best by furthering her studies. Her late grandfather was also one of the people who encouraged her to value education. So she took on the baton and became the first graduate in her family and became a motivation to her younger cousins. Dr Ntuli mentions that self-motivation and discipline are very important to succeed as an academic, the journey does not end at being a Doctor of Philosophy. There are so many sacrifices made in this emotional and lonely journey so it cannot just stop at completing the PhD. She would have to choose to not attend events hosted by friends and family so that she can attend her studies. The transition was initially stressful however things got better with time.

At the beginning of her postgraduate academic journey, she worked as a school teacher specializing in Mathematics and Natural Sciences in grades 8 and 9, Technology in grade 9 and Chemistry in grade 12. She then had to move to another school so that she can be closer to home when she was doing her masters so that she does not have to travel +40km for work every day and always be tired from the commute. She mentions that she was very lucky to enter the system when there was a great influx of young teachers who were driven to further their studies because she had concerns about growth in the profession. She saw that other young people were doing it and saw that it was indeed possible. In 2021 she left the system and joined UNISA where she is currently a lecturer specializing in Science education.

#WrittenbyMahlakoChuene