By Nhlawulo Vision Chauke
“Destiny - what is meant for you will never pass you by.”
At the intersection of research, teaching and community service, stands Dr Lebogang Matholwane Mathole, a scholar whose entire journey embodies transformation.
Her journey with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is a story of passion, curiosity, transformation and growth, one that started in 2008 when she first enrolled as a student. She has since evolved into a career dedicated to teaching, research and empowering others.
From the beginning, TUT became more than just a University for Dr Mathole; it soon became her second home. As a student, she quickly distinguished herself, academically as well as through her leadership and sense of responsibility. She served as a class representative, tutored her peers and by 2011, before even completing her second qualification (B-Tech), she was offered an opportunity to lecture part-time in entrepreneurship. That early recognition of her talent and impact ignited a lifelong commitment to academia.
Dr Mathole describes her diverse academic success as natural and purposeful. She was drawn to the structured, orderly University environment, often spending her free time in the library or secluded corners of campus, immersing herself in books. That love for learning and her ability to inspire others made her a natural fit for the lecture hall, where she has now been teaching and mentoring students for more than a decade.
Her time at TUT has not only shaped her professionally but has also empowered her personally. While some may hold misconceptions about the institution, she sees herself as living proof of the strength of its brand commitment to empowering lives. “Everywhere I go, I carry TUT with me,” she says, “I am proud to represent a University that has given me so many opportunities to actualise myself.”
Driven by curiosity and a desire to give back, Dr Mathole has pursued postgraduate studies, contributed to research and authored chapters in academic books. For her, writing is not only about scholarship but also about creating pathways for others, ensuring that future students can open a book and find names that reflect their own identities and aspirations.
Earlier this year, Dr Mathole made history as the first recipient of a PhD in Economics, specialisating in Local Economic Development (LED) from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Her pioneering doctoral research explored entrepreneurial strategies to promote locally produced luxury goods, drawing on interdisciplinary insights from consumer psychology, entrepreneurship and LED.
Her teaching experience has taken her from the vibrant, fast-paced atmosphere of the Pretoria Campus to the calmer, community-centred environment of the Mbombela Campus. Each space has shaped her differently, but both have reaffirmed her commitment to quality education and holistic student development. “The environment plays a role in the kind of student we encounter,” she explains, “but ultimately, both campuses offer the same quality of education that transforms lives.”
Her presence at TUT Mbombela serves as a beacon for students who might doubt their potential. She reminds them that humility, service and resilience are as important as ambition in building a meaningful career.
Though she has already achieved significant milestones, Dr Mathole believes her academic journey has only just begun. Her vision is to continue growing as a researcher, mentor and thought leader, expanding her influence beyond the University while remaining rooted in service. “It doesn’t matter where you start; it is more important to keep going,” she concludes with a smile of enthusiasm.
Dr Lebogang Matholwane Mathole