In a world where circumstances often try to define our limits, the story of Dr Millicent Motheogane reminds us that beginnings do not determine destinies.
Her journey — from working as a cleaner to earning a PhD in Education — is not just a story of academic success. It is a story of courage, sacrifice, grief, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to rewrite her family’s narrative.
Growing Up With Big Dreams
Raised in Seabe, a village in Mpumalanga, Millicent was the eldest of four children. Her parents, both cleaners, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Like many matriculants, she dreamed of pursuing a qualification that would open doors to a better future.
Her parents pooled their savings so she could enrol for a certificate in Information Technology. But as the year progressed, it became clear that finances were stretched beyond capacity.
“In 1999, there was a lot that we were not exposed to,” she reflects. Unaware of government funding schemes for historically disadvantaged students, she found herself in a difficult predicament.
Faced with financial hardship, Millicent began accompanying her mother to cleaning jobs. Eventually, she secured clients of her own.
While these jobs supplemented the family income, a deeper fear weighed heavily on her heart: Was history repeating itself?
“I feared that this would be my destiny and that of my siblings.”
The Turning Point
A life-changing moment came when one of her mother’s clients mentioned a secretarial vacancy at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (Pretoria Zoo).
Armed with her IT certificate and quiet determination, she applied — and was hired.
For the first time, she had financial stability. And with it, she reignited her academic dream.
In 2003, she enrolled at the University of South Africa (UNISA) for a Diploma in Information Technology. Balancing work and studies was not easy. The journey stretched longer than expected, but in 2010, she completed her qualification.
“It took long, but I did not give up because I knew my background,” she says.
Breaking the Chains of Poverty Through Education
Determined to break out of poverty, Millicent continued pushing forward. She enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology and completed:
- A BTech in Information Technology (2012)
- An MTech in Information Technology (2018)
Studying while working required sacrifices — long nights, missed social events, and immense discipline.
Her survival strategy?
“Close your ears to outside noise and keep the vision.”
Her commitment began opening doors professionally. In July 2014, she joined University of the Witwatersrand as a Projects and Proposal Officer in the Development and Fundraising Office.
She would often walk past the Academic Information and Systems Unit (AISU) offices and whisper to herself:
“One day I will be here.”
In 2019, she joined AISU as a Systems Support Consultant. Her dedication and excellence led to her promotion as Deputy Head in July 2024.
The cleaner’s daughter was now leading within one of South Africa’s premier academic institutions.
A PhD With Purpose
When COVID-19 disrupted education globally, Millicent saw more than chaos — she saw a research question.
Remembering her own educational struggles, she wanted to understand how digital technology impacts student performance, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Her doctoral thesis, Digital Technology Enabled Education: Exploring Digital Education Affordances on Student Performance, examined how students navigated the sudden shift to online learning during the pandemic.
Supervised by Associate Professor Rueben Dlamini, her research contributed valuable knowledge on making tertiary education more inclusive, equitable, and resilient.
In July 2025, she graduated with her PhD in Education.
A Graduation Unlike Any Other
On the morning of 18 July, as she put on her red doctoral gown, she felt overwhelmed with disbelief.
In previous graduations, she cried — her mother had passed away before witnessing her achievements. A woman who deeply valued education, her mother had been her silent strength.
But this time was different.
“I started this PhD for you, Mama — but I am concluding it for my kids.”
Her father, now visually impaired, was present to hear her name called. It was a full-circle moment — a victory not just for Millicent, but for her entire family.
Demystifying the PhD
Today, Dr Motheogane is a mother of four, a leader in higher education, and an advocate for doctoral studies among professional and administrative staff.
She believes PhDs should not be viewed as unattainable or reserved for a select few.
“We need to demystify PhDs as something beyond our reach.”
Her message is especially powerful for young women and girls who may feel limited by their circumstances:
“I want every girl and woman to know that this is possible.”
Your Starting Point Is Not Your Destination
Dr Millicent Motheogane’s journey is not simply about academic achievement.
It is about:
- Breaking generational cycles
- Transforming adversity into opportunity
- Honouring parents through perseverance
- Choosing purpose over pain
- And daring to believe in a bigger future
From cleaning offices to leading within a university. From financial hardship to doctoral scholarship. From fear to impact.
Her life stands as undeniable proof that resilience, education, and vision can rewrite any story.
And perhaps the most powerful lesson of all:
Your starting point does not determine your destination.
About the authour: Founder & CEO of Women Power Africa & Zoza Communications | Content Developer | Brand Strategist | LinkedIn Consultant | Media Consultant | Content Director at Remarkable Africans | Changemaker.
