“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”

Shirley Kholofelo Selahle

Category

Education
 

Organisation / Company

University of Venda
 
 

Profile

Shirley Kholofelo Selahle, 30, lectures analytical chemistry at the University of Venda. She is also on the teaching and learning committee in the department, where she ensures that first-year students do well in their chemistry modules, and supervises two honours students and three master’s students, guiding them in their research work and ensuring they complete their studies. One of the achievements of which Shirley is most proud is getting her doctorate in chemistry from the University of Johannesburg, despite having had difficulties with paying the fees. “During my PhD journey, I learned that dedication and determination really pay. What is needed is to focus on the targeted goal without allowing any external factors to disrupt you,” she says. Shirley is involved in a water project in the Eastern Cape, where she is assessing and monitoring the type of pollutants found in rivers, dams, boreholes and springs. In addition, she is working on a water project at the University of Venda, detecting and monitoring pollutants in Thohoyandou water bodies and developing analytical methods that will be effective in extracting them.

Qualifications

PhD in Chemistry, University of Johannesburg.
MSc in Chemistry (Cum Laude), University of Johannesburg.
BSc (Hons), University of Venda.
BSc in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, University of Venda.

Achievements

Completing my PhD degree: Obtaining a PhD is not easy, especially in the science field. But I obtained this degree within the recommended period and managed to publish the results obtained in reputable journals. During my PhD journey, I learned that dedication and determination really pay. What is needed is to focus on the targeted goal without allowing any external factors to disrupt you.

Mentors

Professor PN Nomngongo. I really look up to her. She was my supervisor and mentor. She has always believed in me and always offered support, financially and emotionally. Even now when I am no longer at her institution, she is still by my side and offers advice and assistance where she can.