There was a sense of pride and triumph at Unisa’s recent graduation ceremony at the Muckleneuk Campus when Andrew Mkhabele received a Master's Degree in Public Administration, marking the culmination of a remarkable academic journey defined by resilience, perseverance and determination.

Originally from Mhangweni Village in Limpopo Province, Mkhabele’s path to graduation has been anything but ordinary. At the age of 16, while in Grade 10, he lost his sight due to retinal detachment. Faced with a life-changing diagnosis, he initially believed his future ambitions had come to an end.

"I thought my life would be miserable because I had never imagined that a blind person could study at university, obtain a degree or occupy a senior professional position," he recalls.

However, his outlook changed during his time at Optima College, where he received training in Braille literacy, mobility, typing and independent living skills. More importantly, he met visually impaired professionals who were thriving in their careers, inspiring him to believe that his disability did not have to determine his future.

After completing his schooling at Philadelphia Secondary School in Soshanguve, Mkhabele enrolled for a National Diploma in Public Management and Administration at Technikon Northern Transvaal (now the Tshwane University of Technology). He became the first blind student to graduate from the institution, a significant achievement at a time when accessible learning resources were limited.

Driven by a passion for learning and professional growth, he later enrolled at Unisa, where he completed a BTech in Public Management and Administration in 2008. Despite balancing full-time employment, family responsibilities and academic commitments, he remained determined to further his studies and eventually embarked on a master’s degree.

"My career goal has always been to become a lecturer or hold a decision-making position. Many people encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree, and that motivated me to continue my studies," he says.

The road to graduation was not without challenges. Mkhabele encountered inaccessible information technology systems, difficulties accessing academic articles and challenges navigating university platforms designed primarily for sighted users.

One of the most significant obstacles came when his initially assigned supervisor left the institution without notification. Determined not to abandon his studies, he sought assistance and was subsequently assigned to Prof Valery Louw, who, together with co-supervisor Dr Mpfareleni Mavis Netswera, guided him through the remainder of his research journey.

"I am sincerely grateful to Prof Louw and Dr Netswera for their invaluable guidance and support throughout my studies," says Mkhabele. "I remember meeting Prof Louw whenever I was in Pretoria for work, and we would spend hours discussing my research. Those conversations played an important role in my academic journey."

He also credits Velaphi Abram Kheswa from the Unisa Library for ensuring he had access to research articles in accessible formats.

"As a visually impaired student, many systems were not compatible with my needs. Mr Kheswa consistently assisted me in obtaining the resources I needed to complete my research," he says.

Reflecting on the experience, Louw says supervising Mkhabele was both professionally and personally enriching.

"Intentional communication was essential in building a meaningful supervisory relationship. The experience challenged me to think deeply about removing barriers and ensuring that equity becomes a lived reality for students with disabilities," she says.

Netswera describes the journey as equally rewarding.

"I am grateful for what I learned while supervising Mr Mkhabele. Respectful engagement, constructive feedback and perseverance contributed to a positive student-supervisor relationship. The experience deepened my appreciation for issues of social justice, dignity and the rights of persons with disabilities."

Mkhabele attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his family. He pays tribute to his late parents, Jan Mabasa Mkhabele and Mlarise N’wa-Duka Mkhabele, whose sacrifices laid the foundation for his educational journey. He also expresses gratitude to his wife, Mosetsanagape, and their children, Ashley, Mabaso and Tisakurhula, for their love, patience and encouragement throughout his studies.

Now a proud master’s graduate, Mkhabele has no intention of stopping his academic journey. His next goal is to pursue a doctoral degree.

His message to students living with disabilities is simple but powerful: "Disability does not mean inability. Never allow your circumstances to define your potential. Believe in yourself, pursue your dreams and do not let any obstacle stand in your way."

He also encourages parents and guardians to ensure that children with disabilities have access to education and calls for greater outreach to special schools to raise awareness about higher education opportunities available through institutions such as Unisa.

As Mkhabele celebrated his graduation at the Muckleneuk Campus, his achievement stood as a powerful reminder of the transformative role education can play in changing lives. His story is not only one of academic success but also of courage, determination and the belief that every person, regardless of disability, deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential. 

* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences