Woman Who Became Pregnant at 15, Defies Odds to Earn University’s Highest Degree

A South African woman, Babalwa Tyabashe Phume, who became pregnant at 15, defied all odds to achieve remarkable academic success.

Babalwa Tyabashe Phume, a South African woman who became pregnant at 15, has defied the odds to achieve remarkable academic success. Recently, she earned her PhD in Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Cape Town.

Sharing her journey on LinkedIn, Phume recounted the numerous challenges she faced. After giving birth at 16, she was pressured by friends, family, and teachers to abandon her education. Many saw her as just another statistic of teenage pregnancy.

Despite the discouragement, Phume remained determined to continue her education. She persevered through grade 11 with excellent grades, allowing her to apply to universities.

Grade 12 was particularly challenging due to her responsibilities as a mother to a sickly baby. She missed tests and classes, and was again urged to drop out, but she persisted, eventually earning a scholarship for further studies.

Phume obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Johannesburg and a master’s degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2019.

She then pursued a PhD at the University of Cape Town, a journey she described as long, difficult, and lonely. Financial challenges arose when she had to quit her job to study full-time, leaving her and her partner to survive on a single income.

There were moments when Phume questioned her decision to continue her studies, especially during a spiritual journey in 2020 that required her to be away from her family for months. This period was one of the toughest in her life, filled with doubts and challenges.

Through it all, Phume’s determination never wavered. She credits the support of her family, friends, and her now 16-year-old daughter, who served as her constant motivation. She dedicated her doctorate to her daughter, expressing gratitude to her spouse, best friend, and supportive family. Phume also thanked her supervisor for believing in her and pushing her to excel.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION