UWC Future Researchers | Third Edition

I am both inspired and challenged by my history and identity as an African.

SIPHE MADYIBI

Tell us about the background of your research.

My research builds on what the South Africangovernment promises through its NationalDevelopment Plan (NDP)-Vision 2030 regardingEarly Learning Opportunities. The NDP commitsto make early learning a top priority anddedicate resources to ensure children are caredfor and receive the necessary development. Thisis because prior research has proven that earlylearning interventions lead to short term and longterm gains for both individuals and societies,e.g. better school outcomes, employment andsocial mobility.

In reality, though, children from economicallyvulnerable backgrounds who stand to gain themost through early learning intervention aregenerally accessing low-quality and ill resourcedpreschools in their communities. Furtherexacerbating the plight of these children is thegovernment’s unwillingness to provide earlylearning opportunities, albeit its rhetoric in theNDP.

What were the motivations for carrying out this research?

I come from an economics background. I holdgreat respect for scholars who research thewritings of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman,David Ricardo and other renowned Westerneconomists. But honestly, my heart lies insimple, less complicated views of how we cannurture an African brain. How do we solve theproblems in our back yards? How do we equaliseopportunities and realise freedom in everyaspect?

Research can be a long and tough journey, what kept you going during this process?

I am spiritual or religious, whatever you prefer,but for me, it means I believe in God and Hismighty strength. Positive thinking can only getme so far. Thus I prayed and cried a lot, especiallytowards the end. Secondly, my supervisor Prof

Amiena Bayat, was resilient, refusing to acceptanything less than what she felt I was capableof. There was a time I switched off my phone fortwo consecutive days avoiding her. When I finallyswitch my phone, she sends a WhatsApp, calmas ever, “Dear, please call me,” and so I did.

Who is your biggest inspiration/What inspires you?

There is so much that still needs to get donein black communities in terms of uplifting,cultivating potential, creating capabilities,reclaiming the identity of servitude and sacrificethe world saw in the likes of Mama Winnie,Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela and others. So I amboth inspired and challenged by my history andidentity as an African.

What is the funniest/scariest/most embarrassing or best thing that has happened to you as a researcher?

I collected data in about 20 preschools, but Ivisited a lot of them and spoke with differentpeople. On this day, I am standing outside thegate at this one preschool; the gate is locked forsafety. The principal stands about a stone throwaway from me on the other side of the gate. Iam busy explaining my research, and she onlyhears “school project” and “please help”; thenstarts yelling at me that I am a lazy learner whowants other people to do my schoolwork. Neverhad I been so tempted in my life to swear at anolder person. It is scorching that day; I am tired,hungry, emotionally exhausted. Overall, it wasnot a good day for me.

There are certainly lots of lesson you took from your journey, what can you share with an aspiring researcher/post grad student?

If your research is not giving you sleepless nightsand making you doubt your own intelligence,you’re not doing it right.

COVID-19 has been a huge challenge in the society at large, how did you cope with this challenge?

By respecting other people’s profession. I amnot a medical doctor or scientist. I have fearslike every individual, but what does the researchsay? Which option gives me a higher probabilityof survival. I must trust the medical professionthe same way (maybe even more in this case)that I trust anti-virus software companies. Afterinstallation, they send one notification, “you arenow protected”, and we believe that.

How was your supervision experience in one word?

I can’t do one word but can do a phrase, ‘n Boermaak ’n plan.

I would say I don’t know how to use this software,she’ll say learn it. I don’t want to go back to thepreschools, go back. It was constantly, get itdone!

What are you currently doing (work/ academics)?

I am teaching and supervising honours studentsat the Institute for Social Development, UWC.

What does the future hold for Siphe Madyibi?

I don’t know what it holds, but I’m holding faith and hope (lol). Robert Sobukwe once said, “Education to us means service to Africa.”Besides the prestige and financial security, I want those UWC degrees to produce service for Africa and my community. So I do want to continue teaching, publishing yes and no (I feel like researchers are like old testament prophets lamenting the end, and no one listens to them), which leaves politics and governance. Politics and governance are huge in South Africa, so powerful that they nearly ended this country. In the future, I would like to get into that space and follow just one simple commandment- “Thou shalt not steal” and see what happens.