For 25-year-old Sebongile Tumediso Lobega, from Mahikeng in the North West Province, science has always been more than a subject of study. Her passion for chemistry has evolved into a deep interest in research that uses scientific innovation to address real-world challenges.
The aspiring scientist graduated with a Master of Applied Sciences in Chemistry from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) during the University’s Spring Graduation on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
For Sebongile, completing her master’s degree is a deeply personal and emotional achievement. It represents years of hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and personal growth, but, most importantly, it is a tribute to her late father, whose memory she has carried throughout her academic journey.
“Although he is no longer here to witness this milestone, I have carried his memory with me throughout my academic journey. My father remains an important part of that story. Completing this degree is therefore more than an academic achievement for me; it is a tribute to him,” she shared.
“There were moments during this journey when the workload felt overwhelming, but reaching the end has made every difficult moment worthwhile. I am especially proud because this achievement represents more than obtaining another qualification; it is proof that I was able to remain committed to my goals even when the journey was difficult,” she added.
Sebongile expressed her gratitude to her supervisors, lecturers, colleagues, family and everyone who supported her throughout her postgraduate journey. Their encouragement, she said, played an important role in helping her reach this milestone.
“Most importantly, completing my master’s has given me even greater confidence in my abilities as a young scientist. It has made me excited about what lies ahead and has strengthened my desire to continue contributing to scientific research,” she said.
Her journey in higher education has been characterised by continuous growth, learning and discovery. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry in 2022, followed by a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Chemistry in 2023. These experiences strengthened her passion for scientific research and motivated her to pursue postgraduate studies at DUT.
Her master’s research, titled Thermodynamics and Antibacterial Properties of Selected Bio-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents, explored the thermodynamic behaviour and antibacterial activity of selected deep eutectic solvents (DESs).
The study sought to understand how the structural characteristics, stability and intermolecular interactions of these solvents contribute to their potential as environmentally benign antimicrobial agents.
“The findings demonstrated that the investigated DES systems possess measurable antibacterial activity and provide useful insights into the relationship between their physicochemical properties and antimicrobial performance. The study contributes to the growing body of research exploring alternative solvent systems with potential applications in antimicrobial and pharmaceutical research,” she explained.
Sebongile’s interest in this field stems from her broader passion for drug discovery and antimicrobial research. During her undergraduate and Honours studies, she became increasingly interested in research that connects chemistry with biological applications.
“I was particularly fascinated by the possibility of designing and studying chemical systems that could potentially contribute to addressing challenges associated with microorganisms and antimicrobial applications. My master’s research allowed me to explore this interest from a different perspective by investigating deep eutectic solvent systems and their antibacterial properties.
“What attracted me most was the interdisciplinary nature of the research. It allowed me to combine physical chemistry, analytical techniques, computational approaches and microbiological applications,” she added.
For Sebongile, the master’s journey taught her that perseverance is just as important as intelligence in research.
“It taught me to remain curious, to question my findings and, most importantly, to keep going,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sebongile hopes to become an independent researcher and academic scientist, with a particular interest in drug discovery, antimicrobial research and environmentally sustainable chemical technologies.
Following her master’s degree, she aspires to pursue a PhD in Chemistry, where she hopes to expand her research interests into areas such as advanced materials and innovative solvent systems for environmental applications, including wastewater treatment.
“Ultimately, I hope to establish myself as a researcher who contributes meaningfully to scientific knowledge while also inspiring other young people, particularly students from backgrounds where pursuing advanced scientific research may not always seem attainable,” she explained.
Her advice to students who aspire to follow a similar path is simple but powerful: believe in yourself, remain disciplined and never underestimate the power of perseverance.
For Sebongile, the completion of her master’s degree is therefore not simply the culmination of an academic journey. It is a testament to resilience, a tribute to her father’s memory and a foundation for the scientist she hopes to become.
Pictured: Sebongile Tumediso Lobega
Photography: Sifundo Thwala
Thubelihle Dumakude
