Professor Musawenkosi Donia Saurombe earned her PhD in Industrial Psychology from North-West University at the age of 23, establishing herself as the youngest female PhD graduate in Africa.
By the age of 28, she was appointed as an Associate Professor of Industrial Psychology at the University of Johannesburg.
Commonly referred to as Professor Musa, she was born in Zimbabwe, raised in Botswana, and currently resides in South Africa.
Musa commenced her undergraduate education at North-West University in South Africa at the age of 16.
By 19, she had completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in the same field at 20.
At 21, Musa achieved a Master of Commerce (31MCom) in Human Resources Management. Ultimately, at 23, she graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial Psychology from North-West University, thus becoming the youngest female PhD holder on the continent.
Her thesis was accepted without any revisions and centered on the management viewpoints regarding a talent value proposition for academic personnel within a South African higher education institution.
Musa serves as an Editorial Fellow at the American Psychological Association, an Academic Editor at PLOS, and a Research Supervisor at STADIO Higher Education.
“Coming from a household where my parents have had to make so many sacrifices to ensure that my siblings and I got a better start to life has always compelled me to thrive as much as I can in all my endeavours.
“It is always important to remember that though pursuing success often entails significant struggle, if you commit to pushing through the barriers, it will only be temporary,” she said.
