Dr Mlondolozi Ndlovu’s story is a masterclass in the engineering of the human spirit. Today, a PhD holder in Civil Engineering, he reflects on a path paved with resilience, sacrifice, and an unshakeable vision.
“Although I’m naturally introverted, I’ve chosen to reflect on my academic journey. I was born and raised in a deeply rural area with almost non-existent modern conveniences. I saw a bus for the first time in Grade 6. Only one student owned a pair of school shoes at my primary school. Our entire curriculum was delivered in isiNdebele, further reinforcing our isolation from the wider world.”
Growing up, Mlondolozi faced many hardships, including his father losing his job and facing a drought that wiped out the cattle that were the family’s livelihood. The fifth of 13 children, his education hung in the balance.
“My father could barely afford my school fees, and I often survived on just one meal every 24 hours.”
Survival Through Resilience
Social Welfare partially covered his fees, but he had to fend for himself, working as a builder’s assistant and carpenter, and taking on any odd jobs on weekends just to afford basic supplies. With only one school uniform, Mlondolozi would have to wash the clothes overnight and often have to wear them damp the next morning.
“Once, desperate for clothes, I stitched a pair of shorts from old pillow fabric and overalls. My neighbours were shocked. One of them, the late Michael Ncube, who later became my brother-in-law, recognised my determination and gave me some of his old clothes.”
Sometimes after school, Mlondolozi would have to drop his books and travel for 5 km to fetch firewood instead of focusing on his homework. Despite the setbacks, he still managed to pass.
He continued with school, facing more challenges with a lack of resources, from textbooks to instruments.
His odd jobs helped him pay for his uniform and first-term tuition, and he continued to work as a builder’s assistant on weekends and during the holidays to help fund his education.
“The lack of resources, study time and constant financial stress took their toll, and I didn’t achieve the points needed to compete for limited university placements. After taking a year off to work and save, I enrolled at a Polytechnic.”
Breaking Barriers in Higher Education
Thanks to the support of the late Mr T Maphosa and Mr Mgcini Mike Nkolomi, who gave Mlondolozi a job at their retail shop, he could afford to cover some of his tuition, stationery, and daily needs.
“I graduated among the top students in my NC and ND programmes. But the university still felt out of reach. I needed a full-time job to support my siblings.”
In 2007, Mlondolozi moved to Johannesburg in search of a university that allowed part-time study while working full-time. Only two responded, Unisa and UJ. UJ granted him admission through a one-year bridging course. He went on to pass all 12 BTech modules with distinction, averaging 88%.
“I was named the best BTech student in South Africa across all engineering disciplines, breaking a record previously dominated by Electrical Engineering.”
He went on to further his studies at Wits University and the University of the Free State, and returned to UJ to pursue his PhD in Civil Engineering, which he graduated with earlier this month.
“The road has been marked by hardship, sacrifice, and unrelenting perseverance. Life taught me this: you may not control your circumstances, but you can control your mindset,” he said, adding, “Let your vision be stronger than your situation. Never allow hardship to define you.”
Today, as a leader in his field, Mlondolozi remains driven by empathy for those currently standing where he once stood. “If this story inspires even one person going through similar struggles, then sharing it was worthwhile.”
