For Thembisile Sharon Maimela, graduation is not an individual milestone, but a collective celebration shared with the people who shaped her. Growing up in Qwaqwa in a close-knit community rich in resilience and hope, she learned early on that perseverance can unlock opportunity even where resources are scarce. These experiences formed the foundation of her purpose and fuelled her commitment to contributing to the well-being of others.

Becoming the first in her family to obtain a master’s degree represents both pride and continuity. “I am not the first graduate at home, but I am proudly continuing the legacy that my relatives established,” she reflects.

Her dissertation, Exploring the Psychosocial Influences of COVID-19 on Learners’ Academic Performance in a Rural High School, emerged from what she witnessed daily as a secondary-school educator. Thembisile observed how the pandemic reshaped learners’ emotional, social, and academic realities in ways that often went unnoticed.

“Many learners experienced anxiety, grief, isolation, and household pressures, and these psychosocial challenges affected their motivation, concentration, and academic achievement,” she explains. Working in a rural context made the impact even more visible, with limited resources, restricted technological access, and inadequate support systems deepening learners’ vulnerability.

Motivated to elevate voices that are often absent in research, she focused her study on rural learners’ experiences. Her work aligns with her passion for educational psychology and her commitment to strengthening psychosocial support in schools. She hopes that her findings will guide educators, counsellors, and policymakers in responding more effectively to future crises.

In her professional life as a Life Orientation and English teacher, she continues to advocate for young people’s holistic development. She intentionally builds an inclusive, supportive classroom where learners feel seen, respected, and encouraged to grow. Her practice is shaped by humility, care, and a firm belief in the potential of every young person.

Thembisile’s upbringing remains a steady compass. “The environment I grew up in shaped my understanding of hard work and resilience. Growing up with limited resources taught me to appreciate opportunities and push myself to rise above obstacles,” she says. “My upbringing became both my motivation and my guide.”