UKZN’s youngest PhD graduate this Autumn, Dr Phumelele Basi.
Image: Sethu Dlamini
Dr Phumelele Basi, at just 25, has achieved a remarkable milestone as the youngest PhD graduate at UKZN's Autumn graduation, inspiring future generations in gender education.
Her PhD, titled "Negotiating Heterosexual Relationships on Campus: Female Students’ Sexual Practices, Desire, Pleasure and Risk at a South African University", was completed in only two years and approved without any corrections.
Raised in the rural community of Hlokozi on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, her journey reflects resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to understanding gender and social justice in contemporary society.
Initially intending to pursue science education, her academic direction shifted when she encountered gender studies during her undergraduate years. Fascinated by how gender is shaped by cultural norms, social expectations, and lived experiences, she developed a passion for understanding the complexities of identity, relationships, and power.
Her interest deepened during her Master’s research, which critically examined the entanglement of social media, gender, sexuality, and power in shaping perceptions of beauty and self-worth. A study that ultimately led her to explore how young black African women negotiate and express their sexualities within higher education institutions.
Her doctoral research challenges dominant narratives that frame young women’s heterosexual relationships primarily through risk and vulnerability.
Basi presents a nuanced perspective that recognises both the pleasures and pressures shaping these relationships. Through interviews and participatory workshops with female students, her work reveals how socio-cultural expectations, economic realities, and institutional environments influence experiences of desire, agency, and harm. By highlighting these complexities, she hopes her research will inform interventions that promote gender equality and safer campus environments.
UKZN played a formative role in shaping her academic identity. Inspired by the work and mentorship of leading scholars, including Professor Deevia Bhana, who supervised both her Master’s and PhD studies, Basi developed a strong research foundation and a passion for knowledge production. Her current role as a research assistant continues to strengthen her academic skills while contributing to ongoing scholarly projects.
Beyond academic success, her motivation is deeply personal. Driven by a desire to uplift her family and create opportunities for a better future, she views education as a powerful tool for social mobility and community development.
Looking ahead, Basi plans to pursue postdoctoral studies with the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Gender and Childhood Sexuality and build a career in academia through teaching and research in Gender Education.
Her advice to aspiring scholars is grounded in perseverance: embrace the process, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and recognise the transformative potential of knowledge.
Through her work, Basi represents a new generation of scholars committed to reshaping conversations around gender, identity, and social justice, demonstrating how research can illuminate pathways towards a more equitable future.