Humanities Doctoral Research Scholarship Celebrates Resilience and Purpose

The prestigious and highly competitive University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Doctoral Research Scholarship is awarded to top new full-time PhD candidates across UKZN’s Colleges.

It provides financial support for the first year of study, with renewals available for up to three years in total, subject to excellent academic progress. The top Humanities recipient is Ms Nelile Hlongwa, a PhD candidate in Community Development in the School of Social Sciences.

For Hlongwa, Community Development is rooted in a desire to understand how communities can become more actively involved in addressing the challenges affecting their everyday lives. Her background in Geography and Environmental Management shaped her interest in environmental and water-related challenges.

“Through my doctoral research, I have become particularly interested in how communities, government institutions and other stakeholders can work together to improve water provision and contribute to more sustainable and equitable water governance,” she said.

Hlongwa describes her UKZN journey as one of continuous growth, learning and perseverance. After completing her master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Management, she began her PhD in Community Development. Along the way, she has taught, conducted research, published academic work and engaged with different communities and institutions.

Her doctoral research focuses on stakeholder roles in water provision in four north-western communities of eThekwini Municipality. As her research has deepened, so too has her conviction that academic work should have value beyond the University.

Despite pursuing Higher Education amid financial pressures and limited resources, Hlongwa says she learned to focus on the bigger purpose behind her studies during difficult moments. She sought support, managed her resources carefully and took advantage of available opportunities.

“These experiences taught me resilience and strengthened my determination to complete my PhD. Coming from a background where financial limitations have been part of my academic journey, receiving this award is deeply meaningful,” she said.

One of the moments that affirmed she was on the right path was seeing her research interests evolve from academic questions into issues with real implications for communities. As she has engaged more deeply with water governance and stakeholder participation, she has become increasingly aware that research can improve understanding of community challenges and help develop better ways to address them.

Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career as a researcher and academic, continuing to publish, teach, and mentor students while contributing to evidence-based policy and to stronger connections between universities, government institutions, and communities.

Asked to describe her UKZN journey in one word, Hlongwa chose “resilience”.

Her advice to other students: “Dig deep. Believe in your journey, even when it does not happen at the pace you expected. No matter what, keep aspiring, keep going.”

Words: Rakshika Sibran

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini