Dr. Kesiwe Phuthi, DLitt et Phil - Zimbabwe

Dr. Kesiwe Phuthi holds a doctorate of literature and philosophy and is Head Of School at Masiyephambili College. She is a seasoned teacher, lecturer, sociologist, health communicator, examiner, and school administrator with over 30 years of experience at various levels within the Education sector. Dr. Phuthi is a qualitative researcher at Doctorate level in Health Studies focusing on Public Health, in particular HIV and AIDS, and related Social and Behavioural Sciences. She is passionate about the African Girl Child, gender and development. And she has traveled across the globe, both professionally and personally.

In this episode, Dr. Phuthi discusses her own experiences as a girl living with her grandparents in a remote rural area of Zimbabwe while her mother worked in town as a house maid… having to leave the rural school to join her mother but being unable to enroll in school there… having a job cleaning and washing for a nurse… at 15, deciding to look for a school to attend and finding one where the headmaster chose to place her in an advanced class… attending secondary school and then a teacher's college… going to teach in a rural area and discovering that “there were thousands and thousands of girls who are exactly in my own position” because they did not have the opportunity to attend school... advancing to learn at the University of Zimbabwe… pursuing advanced degrees at the University of South Africa where she obtained her Masters and Doctorate and was a part-time lecturer at Solusi University and the National University of Science and Technology for 2 years respectively. She held different national professional position in curriculum development and National Chief Examiner for several years. She acted Deputy Head for a couple years at Masiyephambili College. She is now Head of that School. 

Dr. Phuti also discusses  her adaptability… the importance of education and financial independence for women and girls, and her commitment to advancing their rights… owning and running a farm… praise for her liberal husband, a university professor… and her closing words of encouragement—“Let's be open-minded. The world is full of possibilities. Opportunities are there for us girls. Let's grab them.”