Nkosi, originally from the village of Dludluma in Nkomazi, is a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor Scholarship and is currently pursuing a PhD at UMP. “I feel incredibly grateful to have been raised by my grandmother under humble circumstances.
Growing up on a farm and being raised by my grandmother, I developed a deep fascination for agriculture, animals, and science. My natural curiosity and constant desire to seek new knowledge serve as my inspiration," expressed Nkosi.
In 2017, he embarked on his journey at UMP when he enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture programme and received the Vice Chancellor Scholarship. Reflecting on his initial year, Nkosi shared, "The university environment and the change in surroundings overwhelmed me. Fortunately, the scholarship also included a Leadership Development Programme that helped me cope with the challenges I encountered along the way."
Successfully graduating in 2021, Nkosi had the privilege of working with Dr Tatenda Dalu, who became his supervisor for his Master of Science degree. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the guidance of Dr Nokuthula Khanyile and Mr Magicson Mthembu, who have been supportive to him throughout his UMP journey.
During his MSc, Nkosi focused his research on quantifying the abundance, diversity, and trophic uptake of microplastics by a freshwater shrimp species known as Caridina Nilotica in an Austral subtropical river system.
He shared, "I conducted extensive monitoring of microplastic accumulation in surface water, sediments, and shrimp populations in the Crocodile River. In addition, I conducted laboratory experiments using functional responses to understand the shrimp's reaction to different densities of microplastics."
The findings of his research were highly interesting. Nkosi discovered that the Crocodile River exhibited a high presence of microplastics during the cool dry season, while the sediments demonstrated higher levels during the hot dry season.
"These findings indicate that the Crocodile River experiences higher contamination levels during the cool dry and hot dry seasons. We identified wastewater as the primary source of microplastics, particularly fibre-type microplastics commonly released during laundry activities.
Nkosi is pursuing his PhD degree at UMP.
Moreover, my experiments demonstrated that the shrimp species, Caridina Nilotica, exhibited the capability to ingest microplastics. The results emphasized that microplastic uptake by the shrimp is prevalent among field populations and influenced by density. This highlights the vulnerability of Caridina Nilotica to the detrimental effects of microplastics, which are known to have adverse impacts on aquatic organisms."
After his graduation, Nkosi says he will pursue his ambitions with unwavering determination. His plans for the next five years encompass completing his doctoral degree and becoming a highly sought-after expert in the field of agriculture.
He stated, "Within the next five years, my sights are set on pursuing a PhD I envision successfully completing my doctoral studies and attaining expert knowledge in my field." Additionally, he expressed his intention to utilize his expertise by conducting further research projects and making contributions to the academic realm through teaching and mentoring students.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Nkosi acknowledged the challenges he encountered when transitioning from Agriculture to Aquatic Ecology for his Master of Science degree.
"The new concepts were initially challenging to grasp. However, with perseverance, extensive reading, and the help of my friends, I was able to overcome the difficulties and now I'm on my way to success," he said.
In terms of advice for students aspiring to achieve a good academic record, he emphasized the importance of embracing humbleness, commitment, resilience, and determination.
"These qualities will take you a long way. It's crucial to prioritize studying and manage your time effectively. While university life can be challenging, it's important not to lose sight of who you are and always remain true to your passions and goals," says Nkosi, noting that he also found inspiration in the success of individuals from his hometown.
"Seeing the accomplishments of Dr Nokuthula Khanyile, who is also from my village, has always motivated and inspired me. I consider myself fortunate to have had her as my mentor throughout my journey at UMP."
@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.