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04 April 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied
Robson Nkosi
Robson Nkosi in his academic regalia at the graduation for his honours degree.

Robson Siphosihle Nkosi's journey is a compelling narrative of resilience, determination, and academic achievement – a story that resonates deeply within the University of the Free State (UFS) community. Born in Mpumalanga and raised under challenging circumstances, Nkosi's path to academic success is a testament to his unwavering spirit.

 

Unwavering determination

His early life was marked by significant loss, having been raised initially by his grandmother, and subsequently by his mother, who tragically passed away just before his final year of high school at Bee Maseko Secondary School, a quintile 1 school in Sheepmoor, Mpumalanga. Facing financial hardship, he relied on the support of friends to complete his matriculation.

Despite these adversities, Nkosi's determination shone through. With the invaluable assistance of his high school teacher, Mokoena Libakiso – whom he now considers his mother – he applied to the UFS to pursue a teaching degree. Although initially accepted, funding delays resulted in his offer being withdrawn. Securing funding later, he enrolled in a BSocSci degree, majoring in Communication Science and Sociology, demonstrating his adaptability and commitment to higher education.

Nkosi’s initial aspiration to switch to a Bachelor of Education degree was redirected by the NSFAS N+1 rule. However, he refocused his goals, setting his sights on a PhD and a career in higher education lecturing. This strategic vision fuelled his academic pursuits.


Leadership. Excellence. PhD.

His leadership skills were honed during his final undergraduate year, serving as the Qwaqwa Campus SRC Deputy President and ISRC Treasurer General. His academic excellence was consistently recognised through academic merit bursaries and the UFS Partial Tuition Fee Bursary, which supported his honours studies. Living in Botshabelo and commuting to Bloemfontein, Nkosi demonstrated his dedication.

During his honours year, he not only excelled as a student, but also as a tutor and Career Ambassador. His academic prowess led to an invitation from his honours lecturer, Yzelle Du Plessis, to facilitate Communication Science classes. He completed his honours degree cum laude, specialising in Leadership Communication.

Nkosi's academic journey continued with a master’s in communication science, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Simultaneously, he gained practical teaching experience as a junior lecturer. He recently completed his master's degree and is now pursuing a PhD in Communication Science, while continuing to teach final-year and honours students on the Bloemfontein Campus.


A life dedicated to education and leadership

His short-term goal is to secure a permanent lecturing position, while his long-term ambition is to become a professor of Communication Science and potentially assume a leadership role in higher education, the public sector, or civil society.

Robson Nkosi's story is a powerful example of resilience, academic excellence, and the transformative impact of education. His dedication and gratitude to those who supported him underscore the importance of community and mentorship. He stands as an inspiration to the UFS community, demonstrating that with determination and perseverance, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.

News Archive

Digital Storytelling empowers and liberates students
2014-10-17

In January 2014, Jode Brexa, an American Fulbright scholar, came to our university and moved into the guest room at Welwitschia residence.

It so happened that Brexa and Elize Rall, residence head of Welwitschia – better known as Wel-Wel – started talking about digital storytelling. Brexa’s Digital Storytelling project captured Rall’s imagination. Shortly thereafter, Brexa convinced the RC members of Wel-Wel to participate in the project.

Digital storytelling is, on the most basic level, the use of computer-based resources to tell stories. The idea is to combine the art of storytelling with multimedia – including graphics, photos, text, audio, image and/or music.

The Wel-Wel students were taught storytelling skills and each student’s unique story was recorded and edited. It was so successful that they then showed their stories to the Rector and Dean of Students. Brexa will now – with their permission – take their stories to America with her, where she will share it with her community.

During the weekend of 10–12 October 2014, the RC of Wel-Wel introduced 12 learners, who are currently in Grade 10 at the Christiaan Liphoko School, to the project. The learners stayed in the gazellie for the weekend and, in the course of a few days, learned how much power is locked up in their personal stories. They learned that everyone’s story has the power to inspire and empower.

Wel-Wel has been involved in various outreach projects to the community. However, this was the first time that Wel-Wel literally brought the community to their doorstep. This is also not a charitable project. It is uplifted students reaching out to the youth to empower them in order to empower others in turn.

Meanwhile, Brexa also linked the project to the university’s Schools Partnership Project. The programme works through mentorship programmes to uplift previously disadvantaged schools. Hands were also taken with Columba Leadership NGO – financed by Old Mutual.

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