From teenage pregnancy to graduation: the inspiring journey of Thembile Biyela

When Thembile Biyela stepped onto the graduation stage at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the tears in her eyes were not merely a result of the day’s celebration. They were the culmination of a decade-long battle against poverty, teenage pregnancy, and a community that told her that her life was effectively over before it had truly begun.

The Ndwedwe native recently received her Bachelor of Education degree, a milestone that seemed impossible in 2016. That was the year Biyela, then a Grade 11 pupil, discovered she was pregnant. Instead of finding a safety net, she found herself cast out by those around her. She faced a barrage of judgement and ridicule from fellow learners and neighbours that turned her school into a place of emotional torment.

“People made me feel like my life was over,” she recalled, noting that she was laughed at and treated differently to the point that she no longer felt welcome in the classroom. “Going to school became emotionally painful because I no longer felt welcome there.”

This emotional isolation was worsened by the biting reality of poverty. Growing up in a household where food was often scarce, the combined weight of hunger and social stigma eventually took its toll on her. In her matric year, the pressure became insurmountable, and she failed her final examinations.

“At the time, I felt defeated,” she said. “I believed the things people were saying about me, that I had ruined my future.”

For several years, her focus shifted entirely to motherhood. Yet, while she was rebuilding her confidence in the quiet moments of her daily life, the flame of her ambition never quite went out. The turning point arrived in 2020. Determined to rewrite her narrative, Biyela returned to school and successfully completed her matric. This achievement reignited her self-belief and provided the gateway to higher education.

The journey through university was far from a simple stroll; she was forced to balance the demands of motherhood with rigorous academics and persistent financial strain. There were moments when she doubted herself and considered giving up, but she was driven by a desire to be a role model for her children.

“I want my children to grow up knowing that no matter how difficult life becomes, you must never stop believing in yourself,” she said. “I also want to prove to other young women that becoming a mother does not mean your dreams are finished.”

As her name was called at the graduation ceremony, the memories of the embarrassment and hopelessness she once felt came rushing back.

“All I could think about was how far I’ve come,” she said. “I remembered the embarrassment, the rejection, the poverty and the hopelessness I once felt. Standing on that stage meant that I survived it all.”

Today, Biyela hopes her journey will serve as a beacon for others facing similar adversity. Her message to those struggling is simple: keep showing up, even on the days you do not feel ready.

“The hard parts you live now will build the strength you’ll need later,” she said. With a degree in hand, she is no longer defined by the rejection of her past, but by the resilience of her character.