WALTER SISULU STAFF MEMBER’S MASTER’S RESEARCH SPARKS CHANGE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

What began as everyday observations while supporting students at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu has evolved into research that is helping shape conversations around inclusive education and institutional transformation.

At 65 years old, Mrs Nobuhle Mpambani, Deputy Director in the Student Affairs Department under the Student Life and Co-curricular Unit, graduated with her Master’s degree during the university’s recent graduation ceremonies after conducting research centred on the experiences and educational needs of Students With Disabilities (SWDs).

For Mpambani, whose work focuses on enhancing student life and supporting holistic student development, the research journey was deeply rooted in what she witnessed both inside and beyond the classroom environment.

“My research topic was inspired by a strong desire for inclusive education,” she said.

“As a person exposed mostly to holistic student development outside the classroom, I noticed a worrisome gap when it came to inclusive education that would cater for SWDs both inside and outside the classroom situation,” she added.

She explained that many students living with disabilities often faced exclusion in areas that directly affected both their academic success and broader university experience.

“These students were overlooked in terms of provision of academic assistance for success. They are marginalised even in terms of extra-curricular activities. This inspired me to dig deeper into the educational needs of SWDs, hence I embarked on the research,” she said.

Mpambani revealed that some of the realities uncovered during her 2024 data collection process were so alarming that she felt compelled to raise the matter within the institution before even completing the study.

“What I discovered during the data collection period in 2024 deeply shocked me and made me not wait for the completion of the study, but share the information with my Line Manager, the Executive Director of Student Affairs Department, Dr Irene Mohasoa,” she said.

According to Mpambani, the findings later contributed towards institutional discussions that informed transformational changes aimed at improving reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities during lectures and assessment periods.

Beyond the classroom, her work has since expanded into broader conversations around economic inclusion and entrepreneurship for people living with disabilities.

“I have since written a paper that addresses the issue of inclusive economic empowerment of students and people with disabilities in entrepreneurial development,” she said.

“The paper encourages transformational review of economic policies of the country for inclusive purposes,” she added.

Reflecting on obtaining her Master’s degree at the age of 65, Mpambani said the achievement carried a message far beyond personal success.

“Earning the Master’s degree at my age sends a strong message to people out there and to the youth in particular, that there is no age limit to education and education is not a job-seeking tool but knowledge acquisition for accumulation of a pool of information that helps in decision-making and policy formulation in the ever-changing world,” she concluded.

By Yolanda Palezweni