PhD Research Explores the Digitalisation of Life Orientation Training

Dr Pinky Ntombizonke Zwane’s journey began with a humble upbringing, raised by her maternal grandmother who supported the family with a social grant paid every four months.

These early circumstances led to significant financial hardship, and Zwane was often sent home from school due to unpaid fees. Reflecting on her life, she expressed a deep sense of humility, blessing, and triumph. “My grandmother would be very proud to know that I am graduating with my PhD,” she said.

Zwane’s doctoral research, titled: ‘Digital Experiences of Life Orientation Lecturers in a Technical Vocational Education and Training College in Partnership with Cisco Network Systems, South Africa’ explored how Life Orientation (LO) lecturers navigated the abrupt introduction of digital training via the Cisco platform.

“My research was inspired by struggles faced by colleagues when Cisco was introduced,” Zwane explained. “I wanted to investigate why the system was failing and how it could be improved.

“I set out to understand the effectiveness of the Cisco training received from private facilitators and how lecturers perceived the use of Cisco as an instructional tool,” said Zwane.

Her research went further and assessed how lecturers understood and responded to the support structures and policy directives issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). “My central focus was to determine whether the training effectively addressed digital skill gaps among lecturers, how they utilised existing infrastructure to deliver the curriculum and manage student submissions during technical challenges, and whether the potential to expand the Cisco programme to other departments had been considered,” she said.

Her findings revealed that the abrupt implementation of the Cisco system created a knowledge gap among some campus managers, resulting in insufficient lecturer training. Furthermore, the training was ineffective because it failed to assess the lecturers’ existing digital competencies, leaving them unprepared to adopt the new system.

The research also revealed a sense of uncertainty among lecturers and students, who struggled to master digital tools due to inadequate resources and support. However, Zwane’s study offers a practical evaluation tool for both lecturers and Umalusi, designed to promote innovative teaching methods and enhance digital engagement in classrooms. By positioning Cisco as a bridge to workforce readiness, the study highlights the potential of educational technology to improve employability in the modern job market.

Zwane found the collaborative aspects of her research deeply rewarding, particularly the opportunity to engage with fellow students and exchange research experiences. Despite facing significant challenges – including financial hardship and institutional barriers – she persevered with the encouragement of her online facilitators.

Zwane credits her perseverance to the unwavering support of her supervisor Dr Lokesh Maharajh as well as her lecturers and online facilitators, whose encouragement was both exceptional and invaluable. At the heart of her motivation, however, was her late granddaughter, Chuma Lubanzi Maqoma, who, despite being only six years old, displayed remarkable wisdom and resilience during her illness. “She was more concerned about school than her pain,” Zwane said. “Her courage pushed me to complete this degree.”

She also expressed gratitude to her prayer supporters, friends, and mentors for sustaining her during her darkest moments. Financial assistance, spiritual support, and words of encouragement from colleagues, friends, her sons Mfundo and Andile, sister Ms Mbalenhle Dladla and her grandchildren, Ntombentle and Tshepo kept her grounded. For the first time in her life, she looks forward to celebrating her graduation with both parents by her side.

With her PhD, Zwane hopes to create opportunities to share her experiences and advocate for stronger integration of digital skills in education.

“I feel a deep sense of humility and triumph,” she said. “From being chased out of school for fees to standing here with a PhD, I know God has carried me all the way. My hope is that my story inspires others to never give up, no matter how impossible it may seem.”

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini