You don’t always need a clear roadmap to find your purpose – just ask Mxolisi Ngwenya from Nkomazi, Mpumalanga. After losing his father at 16 and watching his mother raise five children on her own, he witnessed the struggle up close. Today, he’s not only the youngest lecturer at the University of Limpopo but also a fierce advocate for women’s health – a cause that speaks to his core.
As an openly gay man in healthcare and academia, Ngwenya is breaking barriers and pushing for spaces that are more inclusive and representative.
At one point, Ngwenya pictured himself in fashion design, and later, civil engineering. However, growing up in a rural area limited his exposure to career options, and he could only consider what he saw in his community.
When it was time to apply to university, nursing came to mind, and from that day, he never looked back.
‘I am because of them’
“My mom always says, ‘when one falls, we all fall,’ meaning that when one of us is in need, we all must direct our resources to help the other,” he says.
He explains that their family values were rooted in love, never enforced or judged, and even now, that’s what keeps him drawn to home.
“I think the family principles, the way we support each other, that’s what shaped me to be the person I am today. In a way, I am because of them.”
His nursing journey began in 2016 at the University of Limpopo, where he enrolled for a bachelor of nursing.
“I fell in love with midwifery from my first year when we were doing introductions to midwifery. I was intrigued with the idea and privilege of saving two or more lives at once.”
Mxolisi Ngwenya
By his fourth year, he had developed a deep research interest, which led him to pursue his master’s a few years later.
“My research interest focuses on midwifery, women’s health, digital health, and mental health.”
He explains that in his early university years, he often approached lecturers for clarity – an effort that helped shape his academic journey.
Ngwenya adds, “Years later, now I have extensive experience in midwifery and obstetric high care, hold a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Limpopo, and I am currently a new generation of academics programme lecturer and PhD candidate at the same institution.”
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The power of a mother and mentors
His mother, Christina Shekwa-Ngwenya, a traditionalist, raised the family by selling clothes and food on farms.
Ngwenya describes her as a one-woman, business-minded force. From the little she had, she managed to buy land and build rooms for rental income. “That’s how I think she managed to take us all through school.”
After the passing of his father, his brother Kwanele stepped up and took on a fatherly role – something Ngwenya is truly grateful for.
His midwifery journey didn’t come as a surprise. The interest was shaped by his surroundings and the love he received from women and his family.
“I drew my inspirations from the researchers that I had many encounters with, including Professor Livhuwani Muthelo, my mentor, Professor Tebogo Mothiba and Professor Melitah Rasweswe, my supervisors.”
Ngwenya felt his calling was in academia rather than clinical practice.
“I believed that I could influence the policies, guidelines and further improve the quality of care through training the next generation of nurses to be the best version of themselves; to be innovative and critical thinkers.”
His work is already making a difference. “Recently, I have been involved in international and national research projects. I have noticed the beautiful impact the research projects have on saving mothers and babies.”
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Making women’s healthcare a priority
Ngwenya tells Health For Mzansi that through his research, he has come to understand how many maternal deaths during pregnancy are caused by avoidable factors.
“Some die during childbirth and post-delivery,” he says. “Among the avoidable factors are delay in seeking healthcare, lack of information among pregnant women, not booking of antenatal care services, and shortage of resources.”
These factors, he says, have been identified as possible impact outcomes.
“Thus, I have been involved in projects looking at how we can integrate digital health technologies into women and maternal health to enhance accessibility to healthcare services and improve pregnant women’s literacy while emphasising the importance of antenatal booking.”
He also notes that while social media has its place, serious health concerns should be addressed by medical professionals.
He adds that some issues are not a one-way street to be diagnosed virtually by people who know nothing about your medical history.
A healthy lifestyle, he adds, is always important but becomes even more crucial during pregnancy, as the baby depends on the mother’s health for proper development.
To anyone considering nursing as a career, Ngwenya offers this advice: “Your life, your background, should be your motivation to do something. Learn to fill the space.”
Although where he is now gives him a deep sense of purpose, he says, “the night is still young”, and he’s open to what lies ahead.
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