Celebrating CSSR graduates | Honouring excellence, resilience, and impact

The Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR) proudly celebrates the achievements of our recent graduates - Vuyolwetu Tibini, Melisa Zulu, Nicole Chetty, and Akhona Mfeketo. Their journeys reflect not only academic excellence, but also resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to advancing knowledge that drives meaningful social change.

Vuyolwetu Tibini - Master of Public Health (Health Economics).

Vuyolwetu completed a Master of Public Health with a focus on Health Economics. His research explored the economic evaluation of “cash plus” interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behaviours among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in low- and middle-income countries.

His academic journey sparked a strong interest in the intersection of health outcomes and economic policy, particularly for vulnerable populations. Through his work, he examined how integrated social protection interventions can address structural drivers of HIV risk, and how economic evidence can inform more effective, scalable policy decisions.

A key highlight of his studies was engaging in interdisciplinary research that brought together public health, economics, and social policy. Conducting a systematic review of economic evaluations strengthened her analytical and critical appraisal skills. One of the main challenges he encountered was crafting a clear and compelling narrative for his thesis, finding the right words to tell the story at the right moments.

Looking ahead, Vuyolwetu plans to pursue a PhD in Health Economics, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and policy-relevant modelling, while continuing to learn from colleagues within the CSSR community.

Melisa Zulu Master’s Research: Peer-Based Support for Adolescent Mothers.

Melisa’s Master’s research, titled “Exploring peer-based support models in schools for pregnant and mothering adolescents in the Eastern Cape, South Africa,” was both challenging and deeply meaningful. A defining highlight of her journey was reaching the finish line while striving to honour participants’ voices with care and integrity.

Alongside academic demands, she navigated personal challenges, drawing strength from the unwavering support of her family. Her path was marked by early mornings, long walks between campus and residence, moments of uncertainty about emerging findings, and difficult trade-offs between academic work and time with loved ones.Despite these challenges, she persevered with determination and faith.

As she looks to the future, Melisa plans to pursue a PhD, embracing the next chapter with excitement and purpose. She reflects on the words that sustained her throughout her journey: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”

Nicole Chetty - Digital Parenting and Caregiver Mental Health.

Nicole's thesis, “Investigating caregiver mental health and user engagement during a digital parenting intervention (ParentApp) in Tanzania,” examined how a digital parenting programme affected caregiver mental health in a low-resource setting. Her research found meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms among both female and male caregivers, reinforcing the potential of culturally adapted digital parenting support.

One of the highlights of her work was seeing how evidence can translate into real-world impact. However, working with a complex intervention presented challenges—particularly in understanding user engagement beyond simple completion rates. This experience underscored the importance of considering the broader context of users’ lived experiences.

Nicole is excited to continue working in the field of digital parenting programmes, with a focus on mental health and implementation research. As she considers pursuing a PhD, she remains motivated by the potential for digital tools to create meaningful change in people’s lives.

Akhona Mfeketo - Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (Business Administration)

Akhona completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice, specialising in Business Administration. Her journey was both challenging and rewarding, marked by personal growth, resilience, and perseverance. Guided by the principle to “trust the process,” she embraced each stage of the programme with determination. The experience provided practical and valuable insights into self-leadership, people management, and value creation.

Among her key takeaways were the importance of ethical, values-based leadership, leading from within, and understanding value creation in emerging markets shaped by complex socio-economic and geopolitical forces. These learnings are directly relevant to her role as Finance and Administration Manager at CSSR, where she continues to contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s work.

These graduates are driven by a passion for social change and we look forward to the contributions they will make in the years ahead. Congratulations to all!