SIPHE MADYIBI Tell us about the background of your research.
Amiena Bayat, was resilient, refusing to accept
My research builds on what the South African
of. There was a time I switched off my phone for
government promises through its National Development Plan (NDP)-Vision 2030 regarding
anything less than what she felt I was capable two consecutive days avoiding her. When I finally switch my phone, she sends a WhatsApp, calm
Early Learning Opportunities. The NDP commits
as ever, “Dear, please call me,” and so I did.
to make early learning a top priority and dedicate resources to ensure children are cared
Who is your biggest inspiration/What inspires you?
for and receive the necessary development. This
There is so much that still needs to get done
is because prior research has proven that early learning interventions lead to short term and long term gains for both individuals and societies, e.g. better school outcomes, employment and social mobility.
in black communities in terms of uplifting, cultivating
potential,
creating
capabilities,
reclaiming the identity of servitude and sacrifice the world saw in the likes of Mama Winnie, Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela and others. So I am
In reality, though, children from economically
both inspired and challenged by my history and
vulnerable backgrounds who stand to gain the
identity as an African.
most through early learning intervention are
What is the funniest/scariest/most embarrassing or best thing that has happened to you as a researcher?
generally accessing low-quality and ill resourced preschools
in
their
communities.
Further
exacerbating the plight of these children is the government’s unwillingness to provide early learning opportunities, albeit its rhetoric in the NDP.
I collected data in about 20 preschools, but I visited a lot of them and spoke with different people. On this day, I am standing outside the gate at this one preschool; the gate is locked for
What were the motivations for carrying out this research?
safety. The principal stands about a stone throw
I come from an economics background. I hold
am busy explaining my research, and she only
great respect for scholars who research the
hears “school project” and “please help”; then
writings of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman,
starts yelling at me that I am a lazy learner who
David Ricardo and other renowned Western
wants other people to do my schoolwork. Never
economists. But honestly, my heart lies in
had I been so tempted in my life to swear at an
simple, less complicated views of how we can
older person. It is scorching that day; I am tired,
nurture an African brain. How do we solve the
hungry, emotionally exhausted. Overall, it was
problems in our back yards? How do we equalise
not a good day for me.
opportunities and realise freedom in every
Research can be a long and tough journey, what kept you going during this process?
There are certainly lots of lesson you took from your journey, what can you share with an aspiring researcher/post grad student?
I am spiritual or religious, whatever you prefer,
If your research is not giving you sleepless nights
but for me, it means I believe in God and His
and making you doubt your own intelligence,
mighty strength. Positive thinking can only get
you’re not doing it right.
me so far. Thus I prayed and cried a lot, especially
COVID-19 has been a huge challenge in
aspect?
towards the end. Secondly, my supervisor Prof
away from me on the other side of the gate. I
