From Maramanzhi to master’s: Unisa graduate champions Tshivenda through scholarship

For Makwarela Mudau, obtaining a master’s degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa) represents more than academic achievement. It is a testament to perseverance, the power of education and her determination to contribute to the preservation and advancement of African languages.

Raised by her grandparents in Maramanzhi, a rural village in the Venda Niani area of Limpopo, Mudau grew up understanding that access to educational opportunities was not always guaranteed. Yet those circumstances strengthened her resolve to pursue her ambitions and demonstrate that one’s background need not determine one’s future. Today, she is an advocate for African languages, particularly Tshivenda, with research interests spanning literature, linguistics, translation and the use of emerging technologies to strengthen indigenous language development.

Her master’s research examines how women are portrayed in Tshivenda drama, contributing to conversations about gender representation, African perspectives and the importance of producing scholarly knowledge in African languages. In this interview, Mudau reflects on her academic journey, the significance of her research and her ambition to ensure that Tshivenda remains relevant in education, research and an increasingly digital world.

Q: Tell us about your upbringing and how it shaped your academic journey.

A: I was born in Maramanzhi, a small rural village in the Venda Niani area, where I was raised by my grandparents until I completed matric. Growing up in a rural community was not always easy. Living far from town meant that access to certain resources and opportunities was limited. However, those challenges taught me perseverance, dedication and the importance of hard work.

My grandparents played a significant role in shaping my values and encouraging me to believe in myself. I learnt that circumstances should not determine one’s future. My journey from a rural village to postgraduate studies has been driven by determination, resilience and a passion for education. Over time, I developed a particular interest in African languages, linguistics and translation, especially Tshivenḓa. Through my academic work, I want to contribute to the development, preservation and promotion of African languages.

Q: What inspired you to pursue postgraduate education?

A: My motivation came from a desire to learn, grow and create opportunities for myself and others. I have always believed that education can transform lives and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Coming from a rural background, I understand the difficulties many young people experience when pursuing their studies. I wanted to demonstrate that where you come from does not have to determine where you are going.

I also hope my journey encourages young people from rural communities to believe that academic success is possible, regardless of their circumstances. My passion for African languages has been another important motivation. I believe languages such as Tshivenḓa deserve greater recognition and use in education, research, technology and other areas of society. African languages are not merely tools of everyday communication. They are also important vehicles for preserving culture, expressing identity and producing knowledge.

Q: What motivated your master’s research, and what did you seek to establish?

A: My research focused on the characterisation of women through their actions in selected Tshivenḓa drama books. I was particularly interested in how female characters are represented through their decisions, behaviour and relationships with other characters. I wanted to understand how these actions reveal women’s personalities, experiences, challenges and positions within society.

The study also explored how Tshivenḓa literary texts reflect gender stereotypes, inequality and the expectations placed on women. Approaching the research from an African feminist perspective allowed me to examine these issues within their cultural and literary contexts. It reinforced my belief that African-language literature has an important role to play in addressing social questions and challenging assumptions about gender and identity.

Q: What contribution do you hope your research will make to academia and society?

A: I hope my research contributes to the growing body of scholarship on Tshivenḓa literature, African languages, linguistics and translation. African languages remain underrepresented in many areas of academic research. More scholarship is needed to strengthen their position within universities and society. I want my work to encourage emerging researchers, particularly young African scholars, to investigate issues affecting African communities through African languages and perspectives.

Beyond academia, I hope it contributes to the preservation, development and promotion of Tshivenda. Most importantly, I want to demonstrate that African languages can be used effectively in research, scholarship and knowledge production.

Mudau’s research reflects Unisa’s broader commitment to socially responsive scholarship and the recognition of African knowledge systems. By examining gender representation through Tshivenda literature, her work contributes to conversations about gender equality, linguistic inclusion and the importance of African perspectives in academic research. These themes resonate with Unisa’s Catalytic Niche Area of Feminist, Womanist and Bosadi Theorisations, particularly its emphasis on examining gender, identity and social experiences through African-centred intellectual approaches.

The research also connects with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, and SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality. At a continental level, its emphasis on African languages and knowledge production supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics. In the South African context, the work is relevant to the National Development Plan 2030s emphasis on education, social inclusion and the recognition of the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

Q: What are your future academic and research ambitions?

A: I intend to continue developing my academic career in African languages, linguistics and translation, with a particular focus on Tshivenda. I am especially interested in translation between Tshivenḓa and English and the potential of artificial intelligence and other technologies to support African-language development.

Many African languages remain under-resourced when it comes to digital tools, terminology databases and translation resources. I want to explore how technology can help address these gaps and make African languages more accessible in education, research and professional environments. My ambition is to pursue a doctorate and establish myself as a researcher who develops practical language resources, including translation tools, terminology databases and other materials that support African languages.

I also want to inspire young people from rural communities to pursue their ambitions and recognise the value of their languages and cultural heritage. Her ambitions highlight the potential intersection between African-language scholarship and Unisa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation research priorities. Developing digital resources for under-resourced languages could contribute to linguistic inclusion and help ensure that African languages are not left behind as artificial intelligence and digital technologies become increasingly influential in education and society.

Q: Who supported you throughout your academic journey, and what would you like to say to them?

A: I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor, Prof Mudau, for his guidance, patience and unwavering support. There were moments when I felt like giving up, but he would remind me that “zwivhuya zwi tou konḓelelwa” — good things require perseverance.

Those words stayed with me and encouraged me to continue, even when the journey became difficult. I am also grateful to Prof Letsoalo and Mr Mabina, who consistently showed interest in my progress. They would often ask how far I was with my studies and remind me, “This master’s must be done.”

Although those words may have seemed simple, they motivated me when I felt tired or overwhelmed. My grandparents deserve special appreciation for raising me and laying the foundation for the person I have become. I am equally grateful to my mother, whose love and encouragement have been a constant source of strength. My daughter has also been an important motivation. I hope my achievement inspires her to believe in herself and never allow difficult circumstances to prevent her from pursuing her dreams.

To my family, friends and colleagues, every kind word and expression of support helped me move forward. Looking back, completing my master’s was not simply about obtaining a qualification. It was a journey of sacrifice, perseverance, encouragement and learning to believe in myself. From a small rural village in Venda Niani to completing my master’s degree, I have learnt that where you come from does not have to determine where you are going.

Mudau’s achievement illustrates how postgraduate education can empower individuals while contributing to the advancement of African scholarship, cultural preservation and social transformation. Her research demonstrates the value of studying African societies through their own languages and literary traditions, while her ambitions in translation and artificial intelligence point towards new opportunities for indigenous languages in the digital age.

For Unisa, her journey reflects the importance of widening access to higher education and supporting scholarship that responds to Africa’s intellectual, cultural and developmental priorities. For young people growing up in rural communities, her message is equally significant: limited opportunities at the beginning of life’s journey need not limit what can ultimately be achieved.

* By Nnana Martina Jege, Communications and Marketing, College of Human Sciences