From Small Beginnings to Soaring Heights: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph
Sweetness hails from the small town of Alice in the Eastern Cape, where her passion for science and determination has shaped an inspiring journey of perseverance. Her drive to pursue postgraduate studies in Soil Science was sparked by her Cum Laude BSc degree from the University of Fort Hare in Alice and her first peer-reviewed publication from her final year project. As an introvert, Sweetness found it easier to express herself through writing than through speaking. Her high school English teacher, recognizing her talent for written communication, once suggested she consider a career in journalism. At the time, Sweetness didn’t believe in the idea, feeling that a career in journalism required a level of social charisma she didn’t possess. However, looking back, Sweetness now realizes that her teacher’s words were more prophetic than she could have known. While she never pursued journalism, her love of writing has always been central to her journey, helping her communicate science in ways that blend the art of writing with the power of discovery. Through her dedication to writing and communicating complex scientific concepts, Sweetness has contributed to the advancement of Soil Science, with a citation index of 5 and eight publications in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing the impact of her research and her commitment to sharing knowledge.
Sweetness’s academic journey was never without hardship. Choosing to pursue a PhD at Stellenbosch University meant leaving her extended family of five, including her precious daughter Khanya, behind. Just as she was settling into the demands of her research, COVID-19 hit, and everything changed. Her mother, the family’s sole financial provider, lost her job, placing even more pressure on Sweetness to support her loved ones while juggling her own academic pursuits. It was a daunting realization that her NRF bursary was now the main lifeline for her entire family. Yet, Sweetness found strength in this challenge, knowing that her dreams and those of her family depended on her perseverance.
With the bursary allowance not enough to sustain her family, Sweetness had no choice but to start applying for jobs. In 2021, she was offered a lecturing position at Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute. Initially hesitant, knowing the demands of her PhD would leave little room for additional responsibilities, she was encouraged by her supervisors to accept the offer. She learned to balance her teaching responsibilities with her research, making weekends a blur of travel between two provinces to conduct laboratory experiments, while managing the exhaustion that came with the double workload. Despite the challenges, Sweetness’s resilience never faltered.
As if that wasn’t enough, Sweetness faced a physical challenge that would further test her endurance. She suffered a knee injury that required rare surgery. Doctors explained that the injury was related to childhood trauma, a damage comparable to those sustained by athletes, which resulted in meniscus damage that could not be repaired and required arthroscopic grafting. Despite the pain and uncertainty, Sweetness shares that the achievement she celebrates today means more than the physical pain she endured. Every challenge, including this one, has made her success all the sweeter and more meaningful.
Through it all, Sweetness’s unwavering determination, combined with the guidance of her supportive mentors, enabled her to complete her PhD graduating with straight A’s and no corrections required from her examiners.
Looking back, Sweetness feels a profound sense of gratitude for the guidance and encouragement she received, particularly from her supervisors. “As a supervisor, my role is to make sure my students achieve their goals,” Prof Clarke once said to her in one of the field trips. At the time, Sweetness didn’t fully understand the depth of this statement, but in her moments of struggle, those words became a lifeline.
Today, Sweetness’s story serves as a beacon of hope for young, ambitious children who may feel that their dreams are too distant. She wants them to know that no matter what their background, with resilience, support, and the courage to chase their passions, anything is possible. As Paulo Coelho writes in The Alchemist, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
