Dr Ntsieni Teresia Dzhugudzha is not only a lecturer and researcher—she is a barrier breaker. Her academic journey tells a story of resilience, purpose, and groundbreaking research in occupational therapy that is already shaping the future of inclusive education and employment in South Africa.
In 2025, she completed her PhD at the University of Pretoria, producing a conceptual framework designed to help learners with mild intellectual disability (MID) transition from school into meaningful work. The framework, created for use by occupational therapists, teachers, and employers, promotes strength-based, individualised approaches to employability and advocates for equitable opportunities in the labour market.
Her doctoral journey, which began in 2019, was not without challenges. She faced delayed site access, employers reluctant to participate, and personal health setbacks that cost her nearly a year. Yet she persevered with determination. “I recognise that success for women in academia often comes with considerable obstacles,” she reflects. “But I learned patience, resilience, and problem-solving along the way.”
Her decision to pursue this research stemmed from concern about the limited employment opportunities available to learners with intellectual disabilities. In South Africa, many young people leave Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) schools between the ages of 18 and 21, only to face unemployment at home. Determined to change this reality, she set out to design practical, inclusive solutions that could transform how society prepares these learners for the workplace.
Her academic promise showed early. Born in the rural village of Mashamba Mukondeni in Venda, she excelled in mathematics at Tshikhuthula Secondary School. After matriculating, she entered MEDUNSA (now SMU) with hopes of studying Medicine through the BSc (Special) programme. When she was not admitted into Medicine, she chose Occupational Therapy, a path that revealed itself as her true calling. Between 2003 and 2006, she completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with merit awards and soon after entered clinical practice. For nearly a decade, she worked across health facilities, earning recognition such as the Best Allied Health Professional Award at Odi District Hospital in 2014.
Alongside her practice, she pursued further studies and, in 2015, completed a master’s in public health at SMU under the mentorship of Professor Simphiwe Madiba. This experience cemented her passion for research. Her transition into academia began naturally while working at Weskoppies Hospital, where she supervised occupational therapy students from both SMU and the University of Pretoria. Discovering her love for teaching, she joined SMU’s Department of Occupational Therapy in 2017 as a Lecturer. Since then, she has taught across undergraduate levels, supervised postgraduate research, contributed to committees on community engagement and research, and served as an external examiner for universities across the country.
Balancing her academic and personal life has been one of her proudest achievements. A wife and mother of three daughters, she completed her master’s degree while pregnant with twins and working full-time. Her ability to balance teaching, research, and family responsibilities speaks to her determination. In 2025, she published two journal articles from her PhD and presented her findings at national conferences, extending her influence into scholarly and policy spaces.
She credits SMU for providing crucial support during her doctoral journey, including funding, study leave, writing retreats, and research grants. “The institution created the environment I needed to thrive,” she says with gratitude. Looking ahead, she envisions her PhD as the foundation for greater societal impact. She aspires to influence policy, mentor future occupational therapists, and advocate tirelessly for inclusive employment practices.
Her message to aspiring SMU students is inspiring: “A PhD is achievable, but it requires discipline, patience, and resilience. Write consistently, even a paragraph a day. The journey is about growth and impact, not just the qualification.”
For Dzhugudzha, completing her PhD represents more than the culmination of years of effort. It marks the beginning of a broader mission: breaking barriers, transforming lives, and paving the way for inclusive opportunities in education and employment.
By Dimakatso Modise
