NRF Youth Month 2026: Londolani Bertha Munzhedzi

The NRF is committed to growing South Africa’s next generation of researchers and science communicators. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF celebrates the youth whose work contributes to meaningful change in South Africa and beyond. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Ms Londolani Bertha Munzhedzi is a Doctoral candidate in Public Management and Governance at the University of Johannesburg. She received funding from the NRF for her Honours and Master’s studies.

Tell us about your academic journey

My academic journey has been shaped by perseverance, curiosity, and a strong commitment to contribute towards good governance and social development in South Africa. Growing up in Limpopo, I understood from an early age that education was one of the most powerful tools for changing lives and creating opportunities. Although I did not have access to enough information about Doctoral studies while I was in secondary school, I always knew that I wanted to build a career that would allow me to contribute meaningfully to society and improve the effectiveness of public institutions.

After completing Grade 12 at Nndamuleleni Secondary School in 2016, I enrolled for a Bachelor of Administration degree at the University of Limpopo in 2017. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a deep interest in public administration, governance, financial administration, sustainable development, local government management, and project management. I became increasingly interested in understanding how public institutions operate and how leadership, administration, and policy implementation directly affect communities and service delivery.

My passion for governance and institutional development motivated me to continue with postgraduate studies. In 2020, I enrolled for a Bachelor of Administration Honours degree in Public Administration at the University of Limpopo, where I further strengthened my knowledge in financial administration, public management, and research within contemporary governance systems. The degree required me to complete a research project, which rooted my interest in using research to gather informed data and inform the public through publications.

Thereafter, I pursued a Master’s of Arts in Public Management and Governance at the University of Johannesburg between 2022 and 2024. My Master’s studies deepened my understanding of governance theory, research methodology, and institutional challenges facing South Africa’s public sector. This academic experience strengthened my analytical, research, and academic writing skills and reinforced my passion for applied research that contributes to institutional improvement and transformation. In this degree, I took on a mini dissertation on performance-based remuneration within the South African public administration; the data gathered helped me to better understand the difference between public and private sector remuneration systems.

Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Public Management and Governance at the University of Johannesburg. My Doctoral research focuses on addressing the skills gap in South Africa, an issue that continues to affect youth development, employment opportunities, and public sector performance. My research seeks to contribute towards practical solutions that can strengthen skills development and improve institutional responsiveness to socio-economic challenges.

Alongside my academic journey, I have continued to build professional and leadership skills through various programmes and short courses, including training in public service leadership, municipal oversight and accountability, research methodology, and modern AI. These opportunities have broadened my perspective and strengthened my commitment to education, transformation, and ethical governance. Looking back, my journey has not always been easy, but every challenge has strengthened my resilience and determination. Today, I remain committed to using education, research, and public sector knowledge to contribute meaningfully to institutional excellence, youth development, and social change.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My relationship with the NRF has played a significant role in my academic journey and professional growth. I was fortunate to receive NRF funding support for both my Honours degree in Public Administration at the University of Limpopo and my Master of Arts in Public Management and Governance at the University of Johannesburg.

Receiving NRF funding was a major turning point in my life, as it relieved financial pressures that could have limited my ability to pursue postgraduate studies. The support allowed me to focus more effectively on my academic responsibilities, research, and personal development without constantly worrying about funding challenges associated with higher education. The NRF funding not only assisted with tuition and academic-related expenses but also gave me confidence and motivation to continue striving for academic excellence. It affirmed that my academic potential, research interests, and aspirations within Public Management and Governance were recognised and valued.

Beyond financial assistance, other programmes offered by the NRF, such as researcher ratings, inspire me to see myself as an emerging scholar with a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society through research, knowledge production, and public sector transformation, especially in line the country’s National Development 2030, African Union Agenda, and Sustainable Development Goals. I remain deeply grateful for the role the NRF has played in support of my academic journey and helping me pursue my long-term goals within academia and governance.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My current research focuses on youth development, skills development, employability, and public policy interventions aimed at addressing unemployment in South Africa. I am particularly interested in examining how government programmes and institutional mechanisms can create meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the economy and improve their long-term employment prospects.

My research explores the effectiveness of initiatives designed to facilitate skills acquisition, workplace experience, and labour market integration among youth. It seeks to understand how public institutions can strengthen the implementation of employment-focused programmes and improve outcomes for young people facing barriers to economic participation.

My broader area of expertise includes public administration, governance, youth development, public policy, programme evaluation, and socio-economic development. I am especially interested in the intersection between policy design and implementation, and how governance systems can be improved to achieve more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.

Through my research, I aim to contribute evidence-based insights that can support policymakers, government institutions, and development practitioners in the design of more responsive and effective interventions that address youth unemployment and promote social and economic inclusion. My work is grounded in the belief that empowering young people through meaningful opportunities is essential for South Africa’s long-term development and prosperity.

What purpose drives your research/work, and how do you hope it will contribute to meaningful change?

What drives my research is a commitment to addressing one of South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic challenges—youth unemployment. As a young South African and a scholar in Public Management and Governance, I have witnessed the profound impact that unemployment has on individuals, families, and communities. Many young people possess the ambition and potential to succeed but continue to face barriers to access meaningful economic opportunities. This reality motivates me to pursue research that can contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and responsive society.

My work is driven by the belief that effective public policies and well-implemented development programmes can serve as powerful tools for social and economic transformation. I am particularly interested in understanding how government institutions can better support young people through initiatives that promote skills development, workplace readiness, and sustainable employment opportunities. By examining these issues, I hope to contribute knowledge that can strengthen public sector interventions and improve their impact on youth development outcomes.

I hope that my research will provide evidence-based recommendations that assist policymakers, practitioners, and public institutions in designing and implementing programmes that are more responsive to the needs of young people. Ultimately, I want my work to contribute towards reducing unemployment, enhancing employability, and ensuring that public resources invested in youth development achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Beyond policy and programme improvement, I hope my research will contribute to broader conversations about social justice, inclusion, and equitable development. Youth represent one of South Africa’s greatest assets, and investment in their growth and success is essential for the country’s future prosperity. I aspire to contribute to building a society where young people have greater opportunities to realise their potential and participate meaningfully in economic and social development through the generation of knowledge that supports informed decision-making.

As an emerging researcher, I am also motivated by the desire to contribute to the body of African scholarship on governance and development. I believe that locally grounded research is essential for developing solutions that are relevant to the unique realities of South Africa and the broader African continent. Through my work, I hope to contribute not only to academic knowledge but also to practical change that improves lives and strengthens institutions for future generations.

Being a young researcher can be demanding. What keeps you motivated and grounded throughout your journey?

Being a young researcher comes with many challenges, including balancing academic demands, research deadlines, financial responsibilities, job hunting and personal expectations. What keeps me motivated is the understanding that my journey is about more than earning qualifications. It is about creating opportunities, contributing to knowledge, and demonstrating that education remains a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation.

One of the greatest sources of motivation in my academic journey has been my daughter. I began my Master’s degree journey pregnant and ended it as a mother, and her presence gave my studies a deeper sense of purpose. During moments when the workload felt overwhelming, deadlines seemed endless, or self-doubt crept in, I would remind myself that I was not only pursuing my dreams but also building a better future for her. She became a constant reminder of why perseverance matters. I want her to grow up knowing that challenges can be overcome, that education is valuable, and that determination can open doors that once seemed out of reach.

What keeps me grounded is the gratitude towards the support I receive from my family and other professional contacts. Since my Honours studies, I have had the privilege of being guided by supervisors who genuinely invested in my academic growth and success. During my Honours degree, Mr S.J. Mabeba provided unwavering support and encouragement, while during my Master’s degree, Dr V. Mlambo continued to challenge and motivate me to reach higher standards. Despite their different approaches, they shared one important quality—a genuine investment in my studies and a commitment to seeing me succeed. Their mentorship helped me believe in my capabilities, especially during moments when the demands of postgraduate study felt overwhelming.

I am also grateful for the opportunities and support I have received throughout my academic journey, including funding from the NRF for both my Honours and Master’s studies. These opportunities have reminded me that many people have contributed to my success, and that inspires me to remain focused, humble, and committed to excellence.

One of my greatest fears is failure, not because setbacks define a person, but because I understand the significance of what this journey represents. For me, abandoning my studies or not performing well would mean walking away from years of hard work, sacrifice, and aspirations that have carried me from undergraduate studies to Doctoral research. Rather than allow that fear to discourage me, I use it as motivation to remain disciplined, resilient, and committed to completing what I started.

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