Women’s Month: From humble beginnings in Matatiele to genetics researcher at UCT

Dr Khuthala Mnika, a researcher and lecturer in the Division of Human Genetics in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is working towards a better understanding of the genetics of kidney disease in African populations. Her journey to get here, was far from straightforward.

Dr Mnika was just 11 years old when her mother died, leaving her and her two sisters orphaned in the rural town of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. Her father had died when she was four years old. With no living relatives to take care of them Mnika’s older sister, who was 16 years old at the time, had to drop out of school to get a job to provide for her sisters.

Mnika did not set out to become a scientist, in fact for a while she thought her best option would be to become a schoolteacher. But through different internship opportunities she eventually found herself working in Professor Ambroise Wonkam’s research group, also in the Division of Human Genetics. It was here that she discovered her passion for research and her incredible potential was recognised.

Building the foundations

“Finances have always been the big challenge in my life,” said Mnika, reflecting on her journey to where she is now. “And this challenge is not because there are not resources or opportunities out there, there are. But the difficulty comes in knowing how to find them.”

Mnika always recognised it would take hard work and perseverance to change her and her family’s life circumstances. She attended primary and high school in rural Eastern Cape but was able to get good enough marks to secure funding to study at the University of the Free State. Here she did an undergraduate degree, followed by Honours in genetics. After graduating she found an internship opportunity in the Eastern Cape, called the Dinaledi internship, in which science graduates were placed at schools in the Eastern Cape to teach science. After a year in the teaching internship she applied for a research internship with the National Research Foundation (NRF) in which candidates are placed at the university of their choice.

“My strategy was, and still is, to apply and try to tap into every opportunity I hear of. If I fail, I fail, but at least I know I tried.”

“My strategy was, and still is, to apply and try to tap into every opportunity I hear of. If I fail, I fail, but at least I know I tried.”

Her application for this internship was successful and Mnika was placed in Professor Wonkam’s research group, which is now known as GeneMAP (Genetic Medicine of African Populations). While Mnika loved the work she did in this role, her financial pressures were such that she could not afford an internship for long.

“At this stage my little sister was in Grade 12 and would need support to go to university,” said Mnika. “My older sister had lost her job and I needed to step in to take care of my sisters.”

She found a funding opportunity to do a teaching degree (PGCE) and was successful. But when she went to Wonkam to tell him about the programme, he was adamant that research was where she belonged, and was willing to support her to make that happen.

“He told me, teaching is not you, research is for you,” she said.

On Wonkam’s suggestion Mnika applied to the NRF for funding to do her MSc. Her application was successful and Wonkam also topped up the NRF funding she received so she could survive and support her family.

“Despite having limited bench design training Khuthala quickly demonstrated remarkable qualities: motivation, curiosity, a fast-learning capacity, resilience, and, above all, kindness towards those around her,” said Wonkam.

Her MSc research was so successful that she was allowed to convert it into a PhD, which she completed in two years. She submitted her PhD in 2019 and immediately started a postdoctoral position in Wonkam’s group.

“I think too often people think their own background determines their future, and that belief can hold too many of us back.”

Choosing between career stability and research

But the financial insecurity that comes with being a postdoc was a huge problem for Mnika. She needed job security and the benefits that came with that. She began hunting for a more stable job. When Wonkam heard her concerns though, he was able to help her secure a more stable position as research co-ordinator within one of his projects.

But Mnika was eventually offered a permanent position at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) which she decided to take. This was a joint position between NHLS and the University of Witwatersrand (Wits).

It was here that she awarded the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) by the Wits vice-chancellor.

But the work at the NHLS was primarily diagnostic and Mnika missed her time in research.

“I realised that all this time Prof Ambroise had been right, research is the path for me,” said Mnika with a laugh.

Forging ahead on a research career path

She successfully applied for an open post in UCT’s Division of Human Genetics and moved back to UCT in 2023 to pursue her research on the genetic mutations that cause kidney disease in African populations.

“Too often diagnosis of chronic kidney disease is missed in Africa, and then patients cannot be properly treated,” said Mnika. “This can be particularly tragic in children who may die before they are properly diagnosed.”

Despite the great genetic diversity on the continent, African genomes remain understudied, with negative implications for African populations. For Mnika this is just one of the reasons why it is so important to support and mentor more young African researchers who can work to fill these gaps on the continent.

Supporting the next generation of researchers

“We have dreams and potential, but the challenge comes in trying to navigate the spaces, find the opportunities and climb the ladder,” she said.

She says funding that comes with mentorship and support is very valuable for young researchers unfamiliar with the world of research. The FALF came not only with funding but access to seminars and webinars on topics like strategic planning and communicating with stakeholders.

Mnika’s advice to young researchers or students who enjoy research but unsure of how to get to where they want, is to ask for help and apply for every opportunity.

“People out there are willing to help. Trust me, they want to help. I have realised that many young researchers from underprivileged backgrounds are likely to just keep quiet and try to figure things out by themselves.”

“It is about focusing on the future,” she said. “I think too often people think their own background determines their future, and that belief can hold too many of us back. Your focus should not be on your past, it should be on your future.”