At just 25, Dr Phumelele Basi is UKZN’s Youngest PhD Graduate this Autumn
For University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) staffer Dr
Phumelele Basi, education has always been more than an academic pursuit; it has
been a pathway to transformation, empowerment and social change. Raised in the
rural community of Hlokozi on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, her journey reflects
resilience, intellectual curiosity and a deep commitment to understanding
gender and social justice in contemporary society.
As the youngest PhD graduate at UKZN this Autumn at
just 25, Basi also achieved her PhD in Gender Education in only two years. Her
doctoral thesis, ‘Negotiating Heterosexual Relationships on Campus: Female
Students’ Sexual Practices, Desire, Pleasure and Risk at a South African
University’ has been passed without corrections. This remarkable achievement
follows a consistent record of academic excellence, including cum laude and
summa cum laude distinctions throughout her undergraduate and postgraduate
studies.
Initially intending to pursue science education,
her academic direction shifted when she encountered gender studies during her
undergraduate years. Fascinated by how gender is shaped by cultural norms,
social expectations and lived experiences, she developed a passion for
understanding the complexities of identity, relationships and power.
Her interest deepened during her master’s research,
which critically examined the entanglement of social media, gender, sexuality,
and power in shaping perceptions of beauty and self-worth; a study that
ultimately led her to explore how young Black African women negotiate and
express their sexualities within Higher Education Institutions.
Her doctoral research challenges dominant
narratives that frame young women’s heterosexual relationships primarily
through risk and vulnerability. Basi presents a nuanced perspective that
recognises both the pleasures and pressures shaping these relationships.
Through interviews and participatory workshops with female students, her work
reveals how socio-cultural expectations, economic realities and institutional
environments influence experiences of desire, agency and harm. By highlighting
these complexities, she hopes her research will inform interventions that
promote gender equality and safer campus environments.
UKZN played a formative role in shaping her
academic identity. Inspired by the work and mentorship of leading scholars,
including Professor Deevia Bhana, who supervised both her masters and PhD
study, Basi developed a strong research foundation and a passion for knowledge
production. Her current role as a research assistant continues to strengthen
her academic skills while contributing to ongoing scholarly projects.
Beyond academic success, her motivation is deeply
personal. Driven by a desire to uplift her family and create opportunities for
a better future, she views education as a powerful tool for social mobility and
community development.
Looking ahead, Basi plans to pursue postdoctoral
studies with the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Gender
and Childhood Sexuality and build a career in academia through teaching and
research in Gender Education. Her advice to aspiring scholars is grounded in
perseverance: embrace the process, remain resilient in the face of challenges,
and recognise the transformative potential of knowledge.
Through her work, Basi represents a new generation
of scholars committed to reshaping conversations around gender, identity and
social justice, demonstrating how research can illuminate pathways towards a
more equitable future.
Words: Lorna Charles–Wright
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
