Master’s Graduate from Glebelands Takes on the Francophone World

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Ms Asithandile ‘Clémence’ Nomvete’s graduation with a Master’s degree in French from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is more than an academic milestone, it is a powerful story of her resilience, identity and transformation.

Raised in Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi, south of Durban, Nomvete’s journey has been marked by both hardship and determination.

“My journey has been anything but easy,” she reflects. “There were moments when the path ahead felt uncertain and overwhelming. But through faith, resilience, and hard work, I kept moving forward.”

Central to her success has been the full support she received from the French Department at UKZN.

“They saw me for who I am, not where I come from,” Nomvete says. “They believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself.” That sense of acceptance and belonging became a foundation of her academic journey, one she now describes as feeling like family.

Her passion for French has taken her far beyond South Africa, with transformative experiences in France, and later Réunion Island. It was during this journey that she embraced the name “Clémence,” given to her by a friend. “It represents identity, growth and belonging,” she explains. “French is no longer just a language to me; it is part of who I am.”

Nomvete’s master’s research reflects this deep connection between language, culture and society. Her dissertation, ‘Citizen’s Movement and Covid-19 in Senegal: Textual Analysis of Songs Concerning Covid-19 by Y’en a Marre and Other Senegalese Musicians’, explores how music became a powerful tool for communication and social mobilisation during the global pandemic.

Drawn to the Senegalese youth movement Y’en a marre, she was inspired by how artists used music to respond to crisis. “I was fascinated by how communities used creative expression to raise awareness and educate people during such an uncertain time,” she says.

Her research reveals how musicians translated complex public health messages into accessible, emotionally resonant songs. Themes of hope, fear, resilience and collective responsibility were woven into lyrics that encouraged communities to adopt life-saving practices. “Music became a bridge between information and everyday life,” she explains, highlighting its role in shaping public behaviour.

Nomvete’s own lived experience of navigating different cultural and linguistic spaces enriched her research approach. “Language is not just about communication, it is about belonging, resistance and transformation,” she says. Her time in Réunion Island proved especially pivotal, providing access to resources and academic support that helped bring her research to life.

She credits her supervisor, Professor Bernard De Meyer, for his constant guidance. “He supported me academically and personally, even beyond working hours. He never gave up on me, and that gave me the strength to keep going.”

Despite financial challenges, limited resources, and the need to balance work as a tutor and English assistant, Nomvete remained committed to her goals. Long days spent writing on campus due to working with unreliable technology back home were part of a journey she navigated with faith and perseverance.

As she looks ahead to pursuing a PhD, Nomvete hopes her story will inspire others, especially students from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Where you come from does not define where you are going,” she says. “If my journey can give even one person the courage to keep going, then it has made a difference.”

Her story illustrates what is possible when determination meets opportunity and when institutions like UKZN create spaces where students are not only taught, but truly seen.

Words: Lorna Charles-Wright

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini