In 2025, during the final stretch of his PhD, Tobias Ndlovu suffered a stroke that affected the mobility of his left arm and leg. At the time, he was revising two academic articles and preparing to complete his doctoral work.
Despite the physical challenges, he did not stop working.
Instead, he adjusted. Using limited movement, he continued typing – slowly responding to reviewers’ comments and completing revisions. What began as a necessity became part of his rehabilitation.
“Frequent use of my affected hand in typing became an integral part of my physical therapy,” he says. “With each keystroke, my hand gradually regained strength and fine motor skills much faster than expected.”
In time, he completed his revisions and successfully published both articles.
On Friday 17 April 2026, Ndlovu graduated with a PhD in Disaster Management from the University of the Free State (UFS).
Work grounded in practice
Ndlovu’s academic work is closely tied to his professional experience. Since 2002, he has worked in development and disaster management across 19 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
“Working directly with disaster-affected populations, including displaced communities, has been a profound source of inspiration for my studies,” he explains.
His doctoral research examines how people living in urban informal settlements navigate poverty by using the resources and capabilities available to them. These communities are often described in terms of vulnerability – but Ndlovu’s work challenges that view.
“My research seeks to challenge deficit-based narratives by highlighting the inherent capacities within informal settlements,” he says.
The study draws attention to informal settlers – including refugees and internally displaced persons – not only as recipients of support, but as active participants in shaping cities.
Not a solitary achievement
Ndlovu describes the PhD journey as demanding, but not individual.
“I am profoundly grateful to my supervisors, family, and colleagues for their unwavering support,” he says. “Their encouragement gave me the emotional strength I needed to recover and to complete what I had started.”
That support, he adds, was essential.
“Success is never a solitary journey but one built on the care and support of others.”
Graduating also carries personal weight. As the first in his family to reach this level of education, the qualification represents more than just an academic milestone.
“For me, it symbolises the triumph of determination over adversity,” he reflects. “Even a stroke or disability could not stop me from pursuing my dreams.”