Dr Phumzile Mkhize, a Lecturer at the University of Limpopo, received her PhD in Crop Science for work on the indigenous South African crop Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), known for its drought resilience and versatile uses as food and a household and industrial resource.
An important plant genetic resource, the bottle gourd is under-researched and mainly cultivated by small-scale farmers using unimproved landrace varieties, leading to low productivity. Despite its potential for large-scale production, there is no dedicated improvement programme.
Born and raised in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg, Mkhize chose to study at UKZN after inspirational school tours to the Institution. Despite limited academic guidance in her upbringing, she successfully completed her undergraduate and master’s studies here, benefitting from the University’s diverse, safe and supportive environment as well as high-quality lecturers who shaped her academic and personal growth.
“Earning a degree from UKZN is something I am very proud of as it represents not only a high academic standard but also resilience and determination,” she said.
Mkhize pursued Crop Science, motivated by a desire to fight hunger and poverty and inspired by her father and grandfather’s informal crop selection at home. Learning about genetic and physiological components of crop improvement revealed to her the possibilities of integrating breeding, biotechnology and agronomic practices. She valued UKZN’s interdisciplinary approach, recognising that solving food security challenges requires combining genetics, soil science, physiology, biotechnology and climate-smart practices.
Her PhD research, supported by the University of Limpopo and UKZN’s African Centre for Crop Improvement, focused on developing high-yielding, drought-tolerant bottle gourd hybrids for commercialisation. She investigated cucurbitacin concentrations, evaluated drought tolerance in new hybrids, assessed combining ability and heterosis, and analysed genotype-by-environment interactions for yield traits. The study provided insights into genetic and biochemical mechanisms of drought tolerance, validated previous research and identified promising hybrids for registration and commercialisation.
Her work laid the foundation for current research on plant improvement, particularly enhancing secondary metabolites for nutritional and pharmacological benefits.
Completing her PhD involved overcoming logistical challenges of multi-location trials, balancing family life, and coping with the loss of her mother. The experience strengthened her perseverance, time management and emotional resilience.
Mkhize is building a career in academia, where she enjoys combining research, teaching and mentorship to address agricultural challenges and guide the next generation of scientists.
She thanked her supervisor, Professor Hussein Shimelis, for his expertise and mentorship, her co-supervisor, Dr Jacob Mashilo, for his guidance, UKZN’s administrative staff, her wider family, partner and children for their support, and acknowledged her late mother for her love and unwavering belief.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini