Nine years later, Molatela finally takes her place among UL graduates. Photo Frans Nkhapele
Molatelo Mphago’s path to a University of Limpopo degree was marked by academic setbacks, financial hardship, a failed module, and moments when she nearly gave up — but she refused to let go of her dream
By David Mmatli- mabogo.mmatli@ul.ac.za
What was supposed to be a three-year degree became a nine-year test of resilience for Molatelo Mphago from Mankweng, Limpopo
When she enrolled at the University of Limpopo (UL) in 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Computer Science, with majors in Statistics and Computer Science, she expected to graduate within the prescribed period. Instead, academic setbacks and financial difficulties delayed her graduation, while watching her classmates move ahead and secure jobs made the experience even harder.
Her biggest obstacle was Statistics. After failing the module three times, Mphago was academically excluded in 2024 and could not register at UL that year. She was required to attend another institution to pass the outstanding module. After successfully completing it, she was given an opportunity to return to UL and complete her qualification in 2026.
It was a difficult period, particularly as she watched classmates she had started university with graduate and enter the workplace.
“Seeing others complete their studies while I was still retaking modules was emotionally very hard. I felt like I was stuck and I started to doubt if I would ever finish my degree,” she said.
Her academic struggles were compounded by financial hardship.
For the first six years of her studies, Mphago was funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). However, from 2023, she no longer received funding and had to continue her studies without financial support.
She credits her parents for their encouragement, but says her faith became her greatest source of strength during the most difficult moments.
“There were many times when I felt like giving up. What kept me going was the Word of God. I held on to Acts 1:4: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised.’ That scripture gave me strength,” she said.
The years she spent at university taught her lessons that went beyond the classroom.
Mphago said the experience showed her that she was more resilient than she had realised and that her worth should not be defined by how long it took her to obtain her degree.
Walking across the stage at the University of Limpopo’s 2026 Spring Graduation Ceremony was more than the completion of a qualification. It marked the end of a difficult chapter that had tested her academically, financially and emotionally.
“It means my living dream is now a reality. It means obedience pays off. It means a delayed dream is not a denied dream. It is a moment of closure, victory and gratitude,” she said.
With pride, she added: “I am a woman in STEM, and no one can take that from me.”
Mphago hopes her experience will encourage students who feel left behind because their studies have not gone according to plan.
“Your timeline is valid. Never compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20. Stay, wait and trust in God. Your finish line is still waiting for you. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as you don’t quit.”
Nine years after enrolling at UL, Mphago can finally call herself a graduate.
Now she hopes to gain practical experience in cybersecurity while seeking employment and plans to pursue an Honours degree in Computer Science.
“Seeing others complete their studies while I was still retaking modules was emotionally very hard. I felt like I was stuck and I started to doubt if I would ever finish my degree.”