Graduating with his Master’s in Applied Mathematics summa cum laude is a multi-faceted victory for Mr Siyamthanda Mnisi, whose academic journey included setbacks from which he emerged stronger and triumphs culminating in top honours for a degree he dedicated to his mother.

Concentrating on the mathematical modelling of malaria dynamics through vector control strategies and health-seeking behaviour, Mnisi’s work was supervised by Dr Hloniphile Sithole Mthethwa, Dr Vusi Magagula of the University of Eswatini, and Professor Sicelo Goqo.

Born and raised close to uMnambithi (Ladysmith) in KwaZulu-Natal, where he lived with several generations of his family, he matriculated in 2019 from a school lacking resources and knowledge about potential career paths. Mnisi was not familiar with UKZN but discovered the University while browsing application options. Familiar with construction through his grandfather’s building profession and skilled at mathematics, he applied to study Civil Engineering at the Institution. Despite good mathematics and science results, he did not qualify, requiring a backup plan.

Accompanied by his isiZulu teacher, Mr Senzo Dlamini, Mnisi arrived at the Pietermaritzburg campus, where Student Representative Council (SRC) representatives guided his application for a BSc in Mathematics. He recalls an encounter with Academic Administrative Officer Mrs Mildred Nzimande, who encouraged him to study to PhD level, a prescient memory as Mnisi prepares to take on PhD studies in Applied Mathematics, focusing on the mathematical modelling of HIV dynamics.

The first in his family to attend university and supported by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Mnisi was hosted by Dlamini and his family while seeking a place to stay in Pietermaritzburg.

Two weeks into his first semester, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Despite his computer literacy, studying online presented challenges. He rebounded in the second semester, earning merit certificates for his subjects, and as he progressed to the second and third years he found his stride, earning the award for the Best Third-year Applied Mathematics Student, and serving as a class representative.

His honours year, with funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF), brought another academic challenge. Despite feeling the world had ended as he faced those challenges, he made up for it with Statistics modules in his second semester, conquering again to earn awards for the Best Honours Student in Statistics.

Inspired by a master’s topic suggested by Magagula, Mnisi enrolled in 2024, completing the bulk of his research by August. Without funding for his master’s studies, Mnisi’s supervisors contributed financial resources to support his study.

He attended a Mathematics in Industry Study Group at the University of the Witwatersrand, a Mathematical Modelling Mini Course at North-West University in early 2024, the annual international conference on Mathematical Methods and Models in Biosciences in Scottburgh and a mathematics modelling workshop hosted by Professor Precious Sibanda in mid-2024. In December 2024, he travelled to the United Kingdom to attend a research school on multiscale modelling for infectious diseases, cancer and treatments at the University of Edinburgh.

Completing his master’s, says Mnisi, is ultimately his mother, Ms Nonkululeko Mchunu’s triumph as it is the “fruit of her hard work”.

“The PhD gown will be for me, but everything else is for her,” said Mnisi.

He acknowledged his family for their support and pride – his younger siblings have been inspired to follow him into tertiary studies. He thanked his mother’s family, who raised him, his friends and colleagues for their support, Dr Sithole Mthethwa for her nurturing patience and belief, Magagula for his role as an academic parent, and Goqo and Sibanda for their support.

“Siyamthanda’s journey reflects the power of hard work, humility, and vision,’ said Magagula. “From overcoming early obstacles to achieving a summa cum laude result, he has shown what is possible when talent meets determination. I believe he will continue to make a profound impact in academia and beyond. It has been an honour to guide him on this journey.”

Mnisi credited his Sakhelwe High School teachers for providing inspiration and support, especially Dlamini and his mathematics teacher, Mrs Mazibuko. He thanked God and his ancestors for protecting him.

Having also served as a demonstrator, supplemental instruction leader, tutor and volunteer mathematics teacher at a local high school on Saturdays and at Sakhelwe High School in Ezakheni during vacations, Mnisi hopes to build a career in academia. The 24-year-old plans to achieve his PhD by the age of 26 and a full professorship by 35, recognising time as his most valuable commodity.

Quoting Issac Newton, Mnisi said: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini