Thuli Mthembu used to walk to school without shoes and a black bag to protect him from the rain. He has come so far since then, graduating with a PhD in occupational therapy
Thuli Mthembu’s story is incredibly inspiring, one we can all take with us when things get tough. He grew up in a settlement in Mpumalanga with a mother dedicated to bettering his life.
While he sometimes walked to school with only a black bag to protect him from the rain and no shoes, his mother always made sure there was food on the table. Sometimes, there would only be enough food for one plate and the family would all share it. One thing was more important than anything to Thuli’s mother, all her children needed to complete matric.
Thuli did just that and started working part-time as a caretaker at a clinic. He also opened a salon but his heart knew he was meant to study further. His first love was nursing but there were no bursaries available, thankfully he met an Occupational Therapist during his time at the clinic. This inspired him to pursue occupational therapy instead.
“At the clinic, I met an occupational therapist and decided to do occupational therapy. After I received a bursary from the Department of Health in Mpumalanga, I was excited.”
He set off to Cape Town, with just R2.50 in his pocket and big dreams. He thought if things didn’t work out, at least he would be the first person in his family to see the Mother City.
However, things did work out and Thuli completed his BSc Occupational Therapy in 2004. He returned to Mpumalanga and got a job where he was promoted to chief occupational therapist. In 2010, he completed his master’s in public health. That led to him being appointed as a lecturer in the department of occupational therapy at UWC in 2011.
Today he is a PhD graduate, proving that all his hard work and dedication paid off.
“Looking back, I am always telling my brother that getting my PhD is a dream, and it’s a pity my mom isn’t here to see me,”
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