First-ever Vision-related Quality of Life Tool for Rural Children in Africa

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates Dr Tshubelela Sello Simon Magakwe, who has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Optometry for his ground-breaking research supervised by Professor Rekha Hansraj-Singh and Dr Zamadonda Nokuthula Xulu-Kasaba.

His doctoral study produced the Children’s Visual Function Quality of Life (CVF-QoL) Instrument - the first tool of its kind designed to measure how visual impairment affects the daily lives of rural schoolchildren in low- and middle-income countries.

“This accomplishment is beyond words. A friend of mine used to joke that school runs from Grade R to PhD - anything less and you’re a dropout. Well, I can finally say I’ve finished school,” said Magakwe. “I am deeply grateful to the Lord for giving me the wisdom and strength to see this through. My passion now is to join academia - teaching, researching, and developing future tools that will help communities.”

The CVF-QoL instrument - validated and translated from English to Sepedi - addresses a major gap in vision-related quality of life assessment for rural African children. Beyond measuring visual function, it incorporates unique sociocultural dimensions, such as traditional beliefs linking visual impairment to curses or witchcraft, and the preference for traditional medicine over spectacles. This not only provides a culturally relevant framework for intervention but also offers a model for similar tools to be developed and adapted in other languages and regions.

Magakwe’s PhD journey was not without obstacles. A break-in during his research led to the theft of his laptop - containing months of data. “I was discouraged for almost a year,” he recalls. “But my supervisor, Professor Hansraj-Singh, bought me a new laptop from her research funds so I could continue.” He also overcame a mental health challenge that required hospitalisation, crediting his faith and the unwavering support of mentors like Professor Rasengane Tuwane from the University of the Free State.

Remarkably, 80% of his PhD work was completed in just 11 months. “I took three months off work with no salary to focus solely on my thesis. UKZN’s support, including a scholarship from the College of Health Sciences, was incredible. My supervisors became like family, having guided me from my master’s - completed cum laude - through to this PhD.”

Born in the small village of Mohlarekoma in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune District, Magakwe is the fourth of seven children. His father worked as a cook, and his mother as a domestic trader before ill health forced her to stop. Despite poverty and days spent working in fields to afford food, he excelled academically, earning admission to university with a fee waiver.

“I always wanted to be a doctor. I knew education was the only way to change my family’s circumstances,” he said. His journey from selling makunya (fatcakes) and steel wool to fund school supplies, to publishing five international journal papers from his PhD, is a testament to his determination.

Magakwe’s research has the potential to transform how eye health interventions for rural children are designed, implemented, and evaluated. His work also enhances global collaboration in African optometry - he is part of a research group that has published three high-impact journal papers addressing eye health issues affecting African communities.

Guided by his favourite scripture, Philippians 4:12-13, Magakwe aims to inspire others to finish what they start. “My story is proof that with faith, resilience, and support, you can achieve anything.”

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini