In lecture rooms, in community meetings, and in everyday conversations with students, Dr Gcina Mtengwane has spent years listening to one question surfacing again and again: what does it really take for a young person in Qwaqwa to build a stable, meaningful future?
That question now sits at the centre of his academic journey as the University of the Free State celebrates Dr Mtengwane from the Faculty of The Humanities, who graduated with a PhD in Sociology during the April graduation ceremonies on the Qwaqwa Campus. His study, Pathways to successful youth transitions in the former homeland of Qwaqwa, is shaped by the very communities in which he teaches and engages with daily.
A PhD that speaks to the ground
Dr Mtengwane completed his doctorate through the university’s staff doctoral programme – which supports academic staff to advance their studies while continuing their teaching and research – while lecturing in the Community Development Programme within the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies.
That connection between his work and research gave the study depth.
“Balancing lecturing and my PhD were demanding but deeply enriching. The alignment between what I teach and what I research has kept me grounded and motivated.”
Originally from the Eastern Cape, he is the first in his family to earn a PhD – a milestone that reflects both personal commitment and the support of those around him.
“For my family, this achievement shows that perseverance and education can open doors that once felt out of reach. It is a reminder that their sacrifices were not in vain.”
His research focuses on how young people navigate the transition to adulthood, particularly in contexts where opportunity is shaped by broader structural challenges.
“My work focuses on how young people move into meaningful adulthood and the barriers they face along the way. Without targeted interventions, many risk being left behind despite their potential.”
The study draws directly from the communities in which he works, centring the voices and lived experiences of young people themselves.
“This research is rooted in the communities I come from and work with. It has allowed me to focus on the lived experiences and agency of young people rather than imposing outside solutions.”
During his doctoral journey, there were moments that required him to pause and regain momentum, including a period of illness.
“There was a time when I was ill for close to a year. The support of my supervisors and the encouragement of those around me helped me to keep going.”
His supervisor, Dr Divane Nzima, highlights the significance of the work and its relevance to rural communities.
“Gcina’s research asks us to reflect on the realities that young people face in rural communities. It shows both the structural barriers and the ways in which they continue to move forward.”
He adds that the study offers practical value for communities such as Phuthaditjhaba.
“It highlights the importance of approaches that recognise young people as active in shaping their own futures and not just recipients of support.”
Dr Mtengwane hopes that his research will contribute to meaningful change by informing policies and programmes that better support young people as they navigate their futures.