From being raised by her grandparents in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape to becoming an international PhD researcher specialising in sustainable supply chain management, Durban University of Technology (DUT) alumna Dr Anathi Sokhetye continues to break new ground in her academic and professional journey.
Grounded in the values of respect, humility, discipline and perseverance, Dr Sokhetye has built a career that combines industry experience, academic achievement and research aimed at addressing real-world challenges.
Her journey at DUT began in 2015 after she matriculated from South Coast Academy in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal. She completed a National Diploma and later a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Operations Management, qualifications that laid the foundation for her career in supply chain and operations management.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Dr Sokhetye said being raised by her grandparents in a loving family environment played an important role in shaping her character.
She also had to become independent from a young age when she moved to a boarding school in another province at the age of 10.
“The decision was largely influenced by my parents’ places of work, as the boarding school allowed me to be closer to where they were based. Moving to boarding school at such a young age was a significant experience because it required me to become more independent and responsible,” she said.
Her experience at DUT would later become an important chapter in her academic and professional development.
Following the completion of her National Diploma, Dr Sokhetye approached the DUT Department of Co-operative Education in search of an opportunity to gain practical industry experience. She subsequently secured a position with Bell Equipment as a Lead Logistics Expeditor.
The role exposed her to logistics, supply chain coordination, manufacturing operations and expediting, giving her an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through her studies in a real-world environment.
She said her industry experience strengthened her interest in supply chain management and helped her understand the relationship between academic theory and workplace practice.
“I developed a strong interest in processes, logistics, supply chains, and the way organisations manage their resources. This interest became even stronger when I gained practical experience in the manufacturing industry,” she said.
“Working in the industry allowed me to see the theories I had learned in the classroom being applied in real-world situations. I experienced first-hand how important effective logistics, planning, coordination and supply chain management are to the success of an organisation.”
Her academic journey continued internationally when she received the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, which enabled her to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Development at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Hungary.
She recently completed her PhD in Economics and Regional Sciences, specialising in Supply Chain Management and Operations Management, at the same institution.
Her doctoral research focused on sustainable supply chain management and examined the role businesses can play in addressing economic, environmental and social challenges within the South African manufacturing industry, particularly in Durban and Johannesburg.
Dr Sokhetye said her exposure to industry made her aware of challenges that could not always be addressed through theory alone, which influenced her decision to pursue doctoral research.
“My PhD research allowed me to investigate these issues within the South African manufacturing industry, particularly in Durban and Johannesburg. Through this work, I became even more passionate about research that can contribute to solving real-world problems rather than remaining purely theoretical,” she said.
She currently serves as a PhD Researcher in Sustainable Supply Chain Management at MATE and has set her sights on transitioning into academia.
“I would like to secure an opportunity within higher education where I can contribute to teaching and learning while continuing to develop as a researcher. I want to bring together my academic knowledge and my practical industry experience to ensure that my teaching is relevant to the realities that students will encounter in the workplace,” she said.
She is also open to pursuing a postdoctoral research opportunity to strengthen her research capabilities, collaborate with other academics, expand her research network and contribute to policy, industry and society.
“My long-term professional goal is to become an established academic and researcher who is recognised for producing research that addresses real-world problems. I would like to progress through the academic ranks and eventually take on leadership responsibilities within a university,” she said.
For Dr Sokhetye, academic success is not only about obtaining qualifications but also about using knowledge to create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.
She encouraged young women who aspire to build successful professional and academic careers to believe in themselves and not allow their circumstances, backgrounds or the opinions of others to determine what they can achieve.
“I encourage young women to take education seriously. Education has played a transformative role in my own life, and I believe that knowledge gives you confidence, independence and the ability to create opportunities for yourself. Do not be afraid to pursue higher qualifications,” she said.
She also encouraged young women to seek out mentors and build strong professional networks, while being intentional about the people they surround themselves with.
“Surround yourself with people who challenge you, support your growth and encourage you to become better. You do not have to have everything figured out at the beginning. What matters is that you remain committed to learning, growing and moving forward,” she said.
Looking back on her journey, Dr Sokhetye said her experiences have taught her the importance of perseverance and remaining open to opportunities.
Her journey from a DUT Operations Management student to an international PhD researcher is a testament to the possibilities that can emerge when education is combined with determination, practical experience and a willingness to pursue new opportunities.
As she looks towards a future in academia, Dr Sokhetye hopes to use her experience to inspire and equip the next generation of students while producing research that contributes to solving some of the challenges facing industry and society.
Her story is a reflection of the impact DUT graduates can make beyond the University and an example of women who continue to pursue excellence, challenge boundaries and create new possibilities through education.
Pictured: Dr Anathi Sokhetye
Thulasizwe Nkomo
