“I owe everything to Unisa and my late supervisor’s priceless mentoring”

Dr Stefani Chabwera recently paid tribute to his late doctoral supervisor, Dr Truelove Mkhwanazi from the College of Education, who passed away before he graduated.

Dr Stefani Chabwera

Born in Raffingora, in the Makonde District of Zimbabwe, Chabwera is a Unisa alumnus and Vice-Principal at the Mutare Polytechnic College in Zimbabwe.

He met Dr Truelove Mkhwanazi, his doctoral supervisor, in 2017 at the Unisa Main Campus when he attended tutorials. He says that she inspired and motivated him in his studies. At the time, he was studying towards becoming a Doctor of Education and Leadership with Unisa.

Even though he completed his qualification in 2020, the degree was conferred only in 2023, since he could not graduate due to financial constraints.

Chabwera says: “Dr Mkhwanazi was cordial and very professional. She made me feel that I had great potential and always gave me positive remarks about my studies.”

He continues: “The passing of my supervisor left me in a dark space which urged me to write a poem to honour and express my gratitude to her.”

In tribute to her he authored a poem, Couldn’t you wait?, to express his sorrow and grief. The poem emphasises profound loss and all the struggles he faced during his studies, especially her death, which robbed her of the opportunity to witness the joy of her mentee on graduating.

Couldn’t you wait?

The shrinking wick had sunk

Deep into the thin candle

With the wax flowing effortlessly

Towards the insatiate destiny

That continued to beckon you along

But couldn’t you just wait for me

As testimony of your true love?

My futile wrestle with the relentless fate

Betrayed my losing battle

I watched in agony

As the trembling wick

Sank deeper into the melting wax

That continued to flow

Enveloping the undesirable blanket of darkness

As you couldn’t wait for me anymore

*By Lethabo Nkogatse, Intern: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations