Personal trials a source of strength, resilience

“This degree is more than a qualification; it’s the first master’s degree in my family from the University of Cape town (UCT). I am from a village called Emgoshongweni in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and even in my village this degree means a lot. It’s a symbol of persistence, growth and community.”

Matholi Hlophe, an area maintenance manager at UCT, walked the graduation stage for her master’s in property studies at the Sarah Baartman Hall on Monday, 8 September, as family, friends, and colleagues, including her Properties and Services department (P&S) director, watched on. Matholi describes herself as a “dedicated professional with a passion for continuous learning and personal growth”.

“I come from an underprivileged village in KZN. I had no school shoes from Grade 1 to Grade 9. My late mom was a single parent who was selling biscuits at the school gate to feed me and my three other siblings. I am the oldest daughter born with three boys and I’ve spent the past few years balancing a full-time career while pursuing my master’s degree,” said Matholi.

“It took me five years to get to this point, and it has involved deep academic engagement, late nights, and a lot of personal growth along the way. I lost a lot of family members in the past five years of my studies. I believe we are all shaped by the challenges we face, and in my case, personal trials have been a major source of strength and resilience. They’ve taught me perseverance, humility, and the importance of showing up.”

Matholi profiled UCT’s highly specialised infrastructure in her research, titled, “Challenges of maintaining highly specialised infrastructure facilities at an institution of higher learning in South Africa”. “One of the most exciting aspects was connecting with peers and lecturers who brought different perspectives and experiences. I also loved diving deep into research and topics that are close to my heart. The sense of intellectual stimulation and achievement has been truly energising,” she said.

“I’ve learned to look at problems more critically and to embrace complexity. I now understand the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration. More than anything, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to my field as a maintenance manager and in real estate development.”

Matholi has been at UCT for a decade, working as an area maintenance manager for other campuses and has over the years observed improving standards at the university. “I have seen positive shifts in how the institution engages with students, particularly in terms of digital learning, inclusivity and support structures. There’s a growing sense of community, and I’m proud to have been part of that evolution. UCT has provided an environment that fosters academic excellence and critical thinking. The support from the faculty, access to resources, and encouragement to challenge the status quo made all the difference. I also appreciated how responsive the university was to the unique needs of postgraduates, especially during times of uncertainty,” she added.

The single mother to a 13-year-old daughter, who enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and jogging on the treadmill at the gym, credits her own discipline for where she is now with her studies. “Time-blocking and goal-setting each week helped me stay on track without burning out.”

Unstoppable

This latest achievement for Matholi is for those whose belief in her never wavered, “and to everyone who held space for me during moments of doubt”. It is not surprising then that to capture this moment, the song “Unstoppable” by Sia is her song of choice.

Matholi hopes her efforts inspire others to pursue their goals, even when the path isn’t straightforward, regardless of the background and upbringing. “If I can do it, so can they.”