At just 25 Lebogang Mokwena is already carving a name for herself in research and academic circles, historically dominated by men. She is well read and travelled.
Her academic achievements include a master’s degree in poverty and development from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. She also completed studies in law and politics at the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 2004 Mokwena was the first black female student at Wits to receive the Yusuf Dadoo prize, which is awarded annually to the top undergraduate student in the department of political studies. She was later awarded the Joe Ebrahim Prize for the top honours student by the same department.
She has a keen interest in literature and hopes to move to India for a year in a few months’ time. She is a researcher with the Centre for Policy Studies and she writes a column on South African politics and the coming elections for a Johannesburg-based daily newspaper.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Rockville (in the Eastern Cape) but we moved to Diepkloof (Soweto) when I was six years old.
Which schools (primary and secondary) and university did you attend?
I started off at Molalatladi Primary School in Rockville in 1989, then went to Boepakitso in Diepkloof from grade two to grade four. Then I went to a German school, Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg, from grades five to 12 in 1997. In 2002 I went to the University of the Witwatersrand to do my undergraduate studies. I completed my master’s at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.
Did you have a favourite teacher(s)?
At Molalatladi my favourite teacher was Ms Bridgett (I can’t remember her surname) in grade nought. Then in grade three it was Ms Mabalane. At the German school it was Mrs Mueller. Others were Mrs Acton, Mrs Reck, Mrs Hansen and Mrs Wentzel.
Why were you so fond of them?
All of them seemed to understand me as a learner and knew how to get the best out of me academically, particularly Mrs Mueller. She not only knew my strengths as a learner, but she understood my family and social background.
What influence did they have on you?
They encouraged my love for learning and never made me feel as if the dreams I had were beyond my reach. I never felt patronised when they interacted with me.
Do you still have contact with them? How?
I do still keep in touch, mainly with Mrs Mueller. She lives in Canada now and I visited her last year. We try to stay in touch through emails and gmail chat.
What were your favourite subjects and why?
I loved the languages – English, German and Afrikaans. The more languages one can speak, the more interesting the world becomes. I also enjoyed history and social studies. These subjects helped me make sense of our country and also gave me the tools to think about and analyse my world and its relationship to the experiences of others. Only during exam time in matric did I start enjoying mathematics. I found that I had the time to go through the syllabus at my own pace and get creative about doing it.
From your point of view, what are the qualities of a good teacher?
A good teacher makes an effort to know the individuals behind the desks. He or she attempts to familiarise themselves with the strengths and weaknesses of children and helps them to capitalise on their strengths without giving up on the things that they are not good at.
What are the things a teacher should never do/say?
Teachers should never divorce themselves from their learners as individuals but they should create meaningful friendships with their learners. Teachers should learn to respect them and enable their expression in a constructive way.
What message do you have for teachers in South Africa?
First I’d like to thank the many teachers who are dedicated to helping reshape South Africa’s future and development. Second, they should always be open to learning – from their learners as well as through further training. The world requires people who continually engage in the knowledge enterprise, as transmitters and as recipients simultaneously.