PhD a dream come true for Rejoyce Gavhi
March 29, 2012 
34 Comments
Dr Rejoyce Gavhi. (Photo: Anton Jordaan)
When it comes to perseverance, dedication and excellence, Dr Rejoyce Gavhi is a prime example. The 28-year-old, who was awarded a PhD in Mathematics at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) third March graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 28 March, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 but managed to complete her studies despite undergoing exhausting treatments.
In 2008, she passed her Master’s degree in Mathematics cum laude (81%) and in March of that year she started doing research for her doctorate. However, in early 2009 she was diagnosed with cancer. The treatments that she had to undergo became a considerable stumbling block in her study career, but she never gave up hope.
“My progress during the second year of my PhD research was interrupted by a cancer diagnosis which required regular hospital treatments. I nevertheless continued my research with determination. After the treatments, I started working very hard to make up for lost time,” she says.
On Wednesday evening, Gavhi’s hard work finally paid off when she was among 531 graduates, including a record total of 43 doctoral candidates, who received their degrees at the graduation ceremony of the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Health Sciences. “I am excited and grateful about this achievement and it’s a dream come true for me,” she says.
In 2010 Gavhi received the Rector’s Award for Succeeding Against the Odds and she says this was a major help in her road to success. The Award goes to students whose performance is outstanding relative to the context within which their academic career has developed and recognises the role that challenges such as disability, poverty and limited opportunities played in their achievements.
“I was very grateful for the award which reduced financial constraints in the final year of my PhD. I also felt honoured to be recognised for the hard work I put into my studies.”
These days Gavhi is doing fine healthwise and in May this year she will be off to Canada where she’ll continue her studies at the University of Alberta. She will do a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences there for one year, with an option to extend to two years.
Gavhi, who hails from Khalavha village in Limpopo, says academic qualifications do not seem to be very important to black women in South Africa. “This is especially true in Mathematics, where many black women think that mastery of such a technical subject is only for the well-educated, and is out of reach to them. Hence there exists a significant need for someone to encourage them and by pursuing my post-doctorate I want to serve as a kind of role model to them.”
On Thursday, 29 March, students in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Law, Theology and Military Science will receive their degrees at the last of SU’s March 2012 graduation ceremonies. Two honorary doctorates will also be awarded at this event. The Internet entrepreneur and venture capital specialist, Mr Roelof Botha, will receive the degree of Doctor of Commerce (DComm), honoris causa, for his imaginative and visionary entrepreneurial spirit.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, will be awarded to Mr David Piedt, a respected community leader from Oudtshoorn and former chairperson of the KKNK board, for his dedication to the education sector and the promotion of Afrikaans.
Hi Rejoyce,
You are amazing!!!
Nothing, even cancer could stop your dream!!!
You are so brave, my girl!!!
Bless my girl healthy!
Hug!
your doing a great job Girl, miss u and take care
Trully inspirational. Fly the flag high in Canada. Bon Voyage!
Ndi a mu vulela munwadzi!
Congratulations Girl, Your story has touched my heart and inspired me, keep it up.
Perseverance pays off. Congratulations my girl. I am so proud of you….
May God continue to increase you. Indeed you have come against the odds….
You are also looking fabulous.
C
Congratulations Rejoyce,
I am etremely happy for you, you have genuinely inspired me. Thank you for the assistance you have given me, may God bless you and help you acheive all you ever wanted
Congratulations REJOYCE upon receiving your PhD. I knew you could do it! Wish you continued success in your future and may you climb greater heights.
Nda! Hi Rejoyce, Am so proud of you sister. Well done, and am sorry to hear about the state of your health.
May GOD carry you through and protect you in a foreign land. All the best in your studies and keep of smiling lady.
Kind regards
Congrats Rejoyce!
Your are a role model and an example of determination. Your never give up spirit should be an inspiration for south African women. Your story has touched my heart and I pray that the Lord may continue to Keep you safe.
Well done once again and I wish you all the best in your future career!
Yves.
Well done my friend.You are my inspiration!All the best!
My heart-felt congratulations! What an achievement!
Dear all,
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my story, your prayers, kind and supportive words of encouragement, it means a lot to me.
Thanks again/Ndi a livhuwa.
Congratulations my friend, nice work. I’m wishing u the best in Canada, mudzimu vhanitonde nga zwivhuya misi yothe,” hezwo zwitakadza mubebi”.
You go Rejoyce, well done…. Congratulations!!!1
Dr. Ghavi….Rejoice in the Lord!
Well done and all best for Canada (^^,)
xox
WOW! Im impressed and inspired. DR Rejoyce Gavhi is my current mentor. Well done!
You are a bundle of inspiration and epitome of hard work and resilience not only to women but to men in Africa. Congratulations .
Re a holebohisa
Thank you very much! Dr. Ghavi for being such a great inspiration to me personally and many other young women out there, especially those who almost gave-in… May God richly bless and keep you as you continue to inspire and bring hope to lives of many!!!
Congratulations:-)))!
U tou vha tshedza tsha lushaka,a fare a khwathisese khomba, ri di hudza nga ene, ri ri nahefho hune aya mudzimu vha mu fhatutshedze ari vhee kha mapa, a di phinesese Canada. Congra
Congradulations Rejoice. You are an inspiration indeed. Hope you continue to inspire women everywhere you go.
Congratulations. Yoa are an inspiration to all.
Im inspired by you, Rejoyce, Im getting my other degree soon.
Congradulations Rejoyce you are the inspiration to us younger than you & coming from the same geogrhical region…I am realy proud of you…Wishing you all the best in Canada
Well done Rejoyce! We desperately need that kind of determination and dedication in South Africa. Please come back after your studies abroad!
Congratulations dear Rejoyce, You have done us Proud! Continue representing us (Women,South Africa and most of all Limpopo). You are really an inspiration!
I have been inspired. Congratulation and all the best in Canada
From the Netherlands I wish you,powefull strong lady, all the best in the world!
Sincere greetings and congratulations Rejoyce!
Marijke Mannak
Wow Rejoyce, congrats! What a wonderful role model you are.
YOU ARE TRULY MY INSPIRATION.
You have truly evoked an emotion that is rarely awoken in me. You indeed have done well in representing women at large, you have shown that through determination and hunger anything and everything is possible.
I would like to take off my hat and give you a pat well done. Represent us well in Canada and continue to break records.
Godspeed.
Congratulations Rejoyce. You are, indeed, a true inspiration to all of us! Well done.