On Tuesday, 66-year-old award-winning author Mqhubi Given Mdliva, a retired East London high school principal, became the fourth University of Fort Hare (UFH) scholar to earn a PhD with a thesis written entirely in isiXhosa.
Mdliva graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in African Languages during the graduation event held in Dikeni on Tuesday.
His study critically examines 50 Xhosa poems from the 20th and 21st centuries, exposing the subtle and overt ways in which language in isiXhosa poetry has historically been used to undermine women.
Through his study, Mdliva advocates for the active participation of female poets in reshaping literary narratives.
He urges the department of basic education to review and revise the poetry currently taught in schools to ensure it promotes respect, equity and human dignity.
A portion of his research has already been published in an international academic journal, a significant milestone for literature written in indigenous languages.
His doctoral thesis not only contributes to the preservation and promotion of isiXhosa but also contributes to solving the pandemic of gender-based violence and femicide in SA by agitating for language that upholds the dignity of women in isiXhosa poetry.
Born in 1959 on a Kei Road farm, Mdliva’s journey is one of perseverance against systemic exclusion.
“As the grandson of a farm labourer, I was not expected to attend school; children like us were expected to herd calves and goats,” he recalls.
But he defied those expectations, secretly tailing other children to school until he was finally allowed to enrol at the age of eight.
That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with learning.
After matriculating, he pursued higher education with vigour, eventually earning five university qualifications: a bachelor of arts, a higher diploma in education, a bachelor of education (Rhodes University), a postgraduate diploma in education management (Unisa), and a master’s in creative arts (Rhodes), which he completed in just one year on a part-time basis in 2020.
He had been a principal and Xhosa teacher at Mzwini High School at Mooiplaas in East London for 13 years before retiring in 2016.
He met Phumeza, now his wife, at the same school, where she still teaches.
“Without my wife’s support, I could not have achieved my master’s and doctoral degrees,” Mdliva said.
“It was she who kept me going and today I am happy we achieved the milestone.”
In 2022, at the age of 63, he enrolled for his PhD at Fort Hare.
Remarkably, Mdliva, who now works as a part-time lecturer in the faculty of education at UFH, completed his doctoral degree in the minimum prescribed time.
As a literary force in the realm of isiXhosa, Mdliva has authored 20 books, including textbooks.
His novel, Nangomso Iselusuku (Tomorrow is Still Another Day to Make Things Right), won the Indigenous Languages Publishing Programme Award in the isiXhosa category at the South African Book Development Council Awards.
The novel tackles youth struggles and champions themes of resilience, growth and education.
He has contributed to isiXhosa literature with works such as isiXhosa Ngumdiliya, a high school reader prescribed in many schools.
Through his writing, he has consistently sought to inspire young readers and preserve the richness of Xhosa literary heritage.
His supervisor, Dr Lukhanyo Makhenyane, praised his commitment.
“He was a model student, always punctual, incredibly humble and fully committed to the research process.
“Despite being 24 years my senior, he never let age be a barrier. He treated feedback with grace and implemented it with impressive efficiency.
“I am humbled to have had the opportunity to be his supervisor. I learnt a lot from him, both personally and academically.
“His humility, respect and dedication are a marvel to witness.
“He has set a powerful example for his peers that it is never too late to fulfil your dreams, and to his children and grandchildren, that focus determines your reality and with hard work and dedication, anything is possible,” Makhenyane said.
According to Mdliva, education is a lifelong journey.
“One needs to have a dream, and within that dream, one should strive to make an impact.”
In a country marred by gruesome stories of gender-based violence, his doctoral thesis focused on the interface between language and GBV, titled: Uphicotho lolwimi olusingela phantsi amanina kwisiHobe sesiXhosa (A critical examination of the language that denigrates the women in isiXhosa poetry).
Mdliva is among heroes and heroines who are advocating for the preservation, advancement, promotion and re-intellectualisation of the indigenous languages of SA.
At Fort Hare, he walks the path of writing a doctoral thesis in isiXhosa paved by Dr Nompumelelo Kapa in 2018, who was followed by Dr Lukhanyo Makhenyane (his supervisor) in 2020 and Dr Pindo Somkebe in 2023.
In the 2025 graduation, Fort Hare will graduate five master’s students who wrote their research reports in isiXhosa.
“This comes at a time when most institutions of higher learning look down on African languages as scientific and research languages.
“Writing a thesis in isiXhosa is decolonising the mind, a giant step towards decolonising the curriculum,” Mdliva said.
Fort Hare, through its language policy, contributes to the re-intellectualisation of isiXhosa and other African languages by opening up more opportunities for students to conduct their research in their language of choice.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.