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04 April 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied
Ennie Mkotywa
Ennie Mkotywa celebrates her graduation at UFS Qwaqwa Campus, marking a triumph of resilience, passion, and lifelong learning.

Ennie Mkotywa walked across the stage in the iconic Mandela Hall this morning, Friday 4 April, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) specialising in English. This is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the transformative potential of education. Working as an assistant officer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Ennie's story is one of balancing professional responsibilities with academic aspirations – a journey that has culminated in a remarkable achievement.

 

Passion ignited

Mkotywa’s love for literature began in high school, blossoming during her undergraduate studies where she excelled in literary analysis. "I've always been passionate about reading books and poetry," she recalls. "During my undergraduate studies, I discovered that I was good at analysing literature, which led me to become a tutor." However, financial constraints initially delayed her pursuit of an honours. It was her appointment at CTL that reignited her dream, as she discovered the study benefits available to staff.

 

Balancing act and triumph

The journey was far from easy. "The most challenging part was balancing work, studies, and personal life," Ennie admits. "Juggling work deadlines with academic responsibilities was incredibly difficult." Working in a student-facing role, finding time for study was a constant challenge, requiring her to dedicate evenings to her coursework. Yet, the rewards were profound. "The most rewarding aspect was submitting my research and passing. Receiving my results was one of the happiest moments of my life."

 

Inspiration and mentorship

Ennie credits Dr Nonki Motahane from the Department of English as a significant source of inspiration. "Dr Motahane's journey resonates deeply with me," she says. "Witnessing her growth from a master's candidate to a PhD holder has been incredibly motivating." This mentorship fuelled Ennie's own academic aspirations, demonstrating the power of role models within the UFS Qwaqwa community.

 

Decolonial analysis and insight

For her honours research, Ennie focused on a decolonial literary analysis of Yewande Omotoso's Bom Boy (2011). Her dissertation, ‘Images of a Democratic South Africa: A Decolonial Analysis of Yewande Omotoso’s Bom Boy (2011)’, explored the contradictions within South Africa's post-apartheid ‘rainbow nation’ agenda. "My research portrays the enduring racial and socioeconomic inequalities in post-apartheid South Africa," Ennie explains. Her analysis highlighted the persistent colonial structures and the failure to achieve true equality and inclusivity.

 

Transformative impact and future aspirations

Ennie's studies have had a profound impact on her perspective, particularly regarding the #FeesMustFall movement. "Researching for my honours allowed me to understand the movement’s significance and the concept of decoloniality," she shares. Her enhanced English skills will benefit her work at the Write Site, supporting students with academic writing, and align with Vision 130's goal of increasing research output.

Looking ahead, Ennie plans to pursue a master’s degree and a PhD, aiming to deepen her expertise and expand her career opportunities.

 

A message of lifelong learning

Ennie's advice to fellow UFS Qwaqwa Campus staff is to embrace lifelong learning. "Pursuing further education is a powerful way to enhance your professional and personal growth," she says. "Take advantage of the resources and support systems available at the UFS, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help."

 

Community and support

Ennie emphasises the strong sense of community on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. "The Department of English, my supervisor Dr Peter Moopi, and my colleagues were incredibly supportive," she notes. "The library services and the shared experiences with fellow students were invaluable." She also recounts a story of a librarian remembering her when she was waiting for a book from Bloemfontein, and how that personal touch meant a lot.

 

Resilience and triumph

Even when faced with challenges, such as a difficult lecturer, she persevered. "Looking back, I realise that such experiences are the ones that build resilience," she reflects.

Mkotywa’s graduation is not just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the supportive environment on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus and the transformative power of education. Her story serves as an inspiration to the entire university community, proving that with dedication and support, any goal is achievable.

As a parting shot: "Remember that the process may sometimes be difficult, but the results are transformative. Stay focused on your goals and trust in the value of the journey, because the experience of learning is just as important as the final achievement." – Ennie Mkotywa.

News Archive

A guide and a friend
2016-12-12

Description:Khothatso Mokone  Tags: Khothatso Mokone  longdesc=

Louzanne Coetzee and Khothatso Mokone.
Photo: Charl Devenish

Behind every successful Paralympic athlete is a guide, and behind blind athlete Louzanne Coetzee is none other than former Kovsie student Khothatso Mokone.

Mokone, who is a sports journalist and freelance photographer, says he is not entirely sure that his busy schedule is very balanced, but he tries to ensure he squeezes as much as possible into his day. One thing he always makes time for is his training. “As a young person, I try to take every opportunity that comes my way,” he says.

This young runner, who has been Coetzee’s guide for the past eight months, says that every race they have run together thus far has always been better than the last. “The partnership grows harmoniously every day. We talk about almost everything there is, not only running,” Mokone says.

Mokone guided Coetzee in the 1 500m of the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in September this year when she was disqualified. 

Mokone, who loves comedy and Dubai, is inspired by SAfm journalist and presenter Ashraf Garda. “He talks a lot about current issues that affect our country and I like his style of presenting. He is a good orator.”

Something people may not know about him is that he always walks around hopeful that the best is yet to come. “When I walk down the street, I walk with confidence and people think I have made it in life not knowing that I only have hope for a better tomorrow,” he says.

Although he is not yet as successful as he would like to be, Mokone encourages the youth to “open their eyes and ears to set realistic goals and work with patience to achieve each goal, whether short or long term”.

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