Although neither of her parents had formal education beyond the age of 16, they instilled in her a remarkable love for learning and a strong sense of curiosity about the natural and social worlds.
That led her to a career in social-ecological systems research and teaching at Mandela University’s George Campus.
Today, as a lecturer, Rhoda teaches courses that emphasise sustainability science and social-ecological systems, fields that are inherently cross-disciplinary and align perfectly with her own academic journey.
Her teaching approach encourages students to think critically and consider how their scientific knowledge can contribute meaningfully to society.
A day in the life at George Campus
Rhoda’s days are a harmonious blend of writing, teaching, and quiet reflection in nature. Teaching is at the heart of Rhoda’s daily routine. She currently teaches two courses and finds immense joy in engaging with her students, sparking their interest in knowledge that will serve them well as professionals.
Beyond merely passing tests, she encourages her students to critically evaluate how their science can impact society. Graduate supervision also occupies a significant portion of her time, as she co-supervises the research of one PhD and three MSc students.
The journey of inspiration
Rhoda’s academic journey is a testament to the power of encouragement, perseverance, and the pursuit of knowledge. From an early age, her schoolteachers recognised her potential and encouraged her to pursue higher education, despite financial constraints.
With the support of a dedicated teacher and a UCT professor, Rhoda secured a place at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where she earned a BSc in Archaeology and Environmental and Geographical Sciences.
Her passion for understanding nature and the world around her was nurtured through familial experiences and academic exploration. From learning about ethnobotany during hikes in the Overberg to engaging in public archaeology in Clanwilliam, Rhoda’s journey was marked by a deep connection to the land and a curiosity about the intricate relationships within ecosystems.
These experiences shaped her approach to sustainability science and social-ecological systems, fields that draw on both natural and social sciences. Although these are relatively new disciplines, they felt familiar to Rhoda, as much of her learning had been relational, rooted in family and community connections.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Rhoda’s teaching experience at Mandela University is the linguistic diversity of her students. With many of them fluent in multiple languages, Rhoda sees this as a valuable resource that enriches the classroom experience.
She often encourages her students to explore scientific terminology in their first languages, sparking lively debates and deepening their understanding of complex concepts.
This diversity in language and culture is also a source of inspiration for Rhoda’s commitment to a decolonial approach to science. She believes that African scholars have a unique and valuable perspective to offer the world, shaped by diverse cosmologies and ways of understanding the world that differ from Western paradigms.
Her students’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives motivate her to continue exploring these ideas and integrating them into her teaching.
Achievements and success
Rhoda’s academic journey has been marked by numerous achievements and accolades.
From winning the prize for best student presentation at her first conference, where she presented alongside the then Minister of Environment, to receiving awards from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for her work in communities, her contributions to the field have been widely recognized.
In 2017, Rhoda was selected for a fellowship between Stellenbosch University and Michigan State University, which led to the publication of a book chapter on Fynbos ecology as a metaphor for Ubuntu re-imagined.
She was also invited to participate in a fellowship on feminist approaches to decoloniality and care, resulting in a publication on the experiences of women of colour in academia.
Despite her success, Rhoda remains humble and focused on using her achievements to inspire others, particularly women and younger scholars.
She is deeply aware that her journey serves as a source of motivation for those who may be following a similar path, and she is committed to supporting and mentoring the next generation of academics.
Impacting the field and community
Rhoda’s dedication to advancing African scholarship and supporting first-generation students is evident in her work and the initiatives she has founded.
As the founder of The Small Things Fund, a crowdfunding initiative that provides first-line support for first-generation students, Rhoda is making a tangible difference in the lives of young scholars. Now a registered NGO, the fund is one of the most meaningful contributions of her career.
Rhoda is also committed to making a difference in her field by advancing the representation of South African and African scholars in the literature and the field of social-ecological systems.
She believes that African scholars have unique insights and contributions to offer on matters of global concern, and she is determined to ensure that their voices are heard.
For Rhoda, being in service to society is not just a professional obligation but a way of life, deeply ingrained in her upbringing. She emphasises the importance of collective action and interdependence, values that were central to her upbringing in Mitchell’s Plain.
Rhoda believes that the best way to serve is by leading by example and staying true to the principles of community and collaboration.
Her current community engagements include teaching young children about the value of nature and working with youth in Tsitsikamma on the economic value of Fynbos.
She also dreams of working with wild Fynbos harvesters on the farm where her paternal grandmother was born, a farm that remained in the family during Apartheid. Serving this community with her science would be an honour and a way to continue her family’s legacy of resilience and connection to the land.
Through her work, Rhoda is not only contributing to the field of social-ecological systems but also making a lasting impact on the lives of her students and the communities she serves.