On 11 December 2025, as the Callie Human Hall filled with applause during the University of the Free State (UFS) December Graduations, Dr Samuel Njenga crossed the stage with a quiet dignity that belied the extraordinary journey behind his achievement. Two years earlier, he had spent seven weeks in ICU, including two weeks in a coma, after contracting COVID-19 in the middle of his doctoral studies. Doctors were unsure whether he would survive. His family braced for the worst while mourning the loss of his brother-in-law at the same time.

Yet, on this graduation day, here he was – completing his PhD with specialisation in Business Administration through the UFS Business School, a milestone he once feared he would never reach. The moment carried more than academic accomplishment; it reflected a story of endurance, faith, and rediscovery.

‘I had to learn to function again’

His recovery did not end when Dr Njenga left the hospital. The virus left him cognitively and physically drained. Reading even a few pages felt impossible. Concentration evaporated within minutes. “I developed persistent brain fog,” he shared. “Focusing became a daily struggle, and I would lose track of what I had read.”

The final stretch of the PhD – the part most candidates describe as the most demanding – became a daily test of patience, innovation, and self-belief. He adapted by listening to academic talks and audio versions of articles while walking or working in public spaces, searching for pockets of clarity. When reading and writing felt unmanageable, drawing became his refuge, a way to remain mentally present without forcing words he could not yet produce.

There were moments when he came close to stepping away entirely. “I watched videos about leaving a PhD and tried to find the courage to withdraw,” he admitted. What held him together was a community that refused to let go – his wife, who stood by him throughout; his supervisor, who encouraged him even when writing was not possible; and the consistent structure provided by his life coach. His motivation to become the first person in his extended family to earn a PhD also pushed him forward. Through it all, he found strength in his faith. “I kept holding on to my faith in God, who took me through the darkest moments of COVID to take me through the challenging times of the PhD journey.”

His academic supervisor, Prof Liezel Massyn, witnessed this resilience first-hand. “Sammy’s journey was special, and one that I will always remember,” she said. “During the time he contracted COVID, he had to persevere on another level. Even when he was facing difficult circumstances, he still pushed himself, and I learnt a lot from him about not giving up.”

A study that reflects both context and character

As he slowly regained cognitive strength, Dr Njenga began to rebuild his academic stamina paragraph by paragraph, idea by idea. A year after his illness, he finally reached a point where continuing his PhD felt possible again.

His research, titled ‘A systems perspective on the relevance of the Business School short learning programmes to learning in the workplace’, used reflexive thematic analysis to explore the perspectives of students, faculty, workplaces, and business schools. He developed an instrument grounded in systems thinking to capture these different viewpoints, with a clear emphasis on honouring African contexts.

“My work highlights the need for business schools to reflect their environment,” he said. “I hope to contribute African perspectives to systems thinking, management, and workplace learning, and to translate that into practical benefits for society.”

Prof Massyn described the study as both rigorous and deeply personal. “What makes his PhD unique is the use of metaphors in the different chapters to incorporate his own heritage. He contributed to systems thinking by integrating indigenous knowledge. It was an honour and a privilege to walk this journey with Dr Njenga.”

Looking back, he believes the experience changed not just his research but his life. “I have learnt to be grateful for each moment, and to bring that into everything I do.”