Abel Sibanda was awarded his Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences Public Administration-Public Management at the 2025 Spring Graduation ceremony, held at the Olive Convention Centre on Friday, 19 September 2025.
Dr Sibanda (30) from Zimbabwe started his PhD at the Faculty of Management Sciences, three years ago, describing it as being a fulfilling experience. “I came in thinking that I understood research and it was going to be easy, however from the proposal development course that we started with, I got exposed to my shortcomings, however the team was dedicated in building our capacities. The learning on how to use various tools from referencing tools and data analysis tools made my studies at DUT manageable,” he explained.
Various webinars on research, networking and collaboration have been an accompanying factor which helped him to study with commitment. “My supervisors proved to be my key motivators who were invested in my success and went all the way in developing me as a researcher but also as a person, learning to take critical feedback, understanding academic communication and learning to write clearly,” he shared.
“My key reflection is that I am now different. I often return to my first proposal drafts to see the growth that I have experienced over the years. I am always reflecting that a PhD is not just a qualification but an experience which connected me to many including fellow students and the university staff who have become part of my social network beyond my time at the university,” he expressed.
The title of his thesis is: The Nexus between Campaigning NGOS and Sustainable Livelihoods in Zimbabwe
“This study investigates the influence of campaigning NGOs on sustainable livelihoods within Zimbabwe’s challenging socio-political context. Focusing on ActionAid Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association, and the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development,” he highlighted.
The study provides recommendations for NGOs, communities, the government, and donors, emphasising collaboration and sustained engagement in the work towards the attainment of social justice and community resilience in Zimbabwe and similar contexts.
Dr Sibanda currently consults with NGOs and Universities in Zimbabwe mainly with ActionAid Zimbabwe’s Youth Programme Global Platforms. He provides tailored capacity building programmes on youth leadership, community organising and community development.
Dr Sibanda said this was his choice of study because having been working with government departments and NGOs for some time prior, he knew about the debates around ways of delivering good services to the people. “I wanted to learn more to bring facts and evidence to the debates of community and national development,” he said.
For Dr Sibanda, espousing DUT’s values and principles of accountability, integrity and compassion are vital. “Accountability for me is about taking responsibility for my actions and knowing how my actions can also affect others. Integrity for me is about the genuineness that builds trust. And Compassion is about understanding that we are all struggling with something in life, we need to treat each other with love and care,” he indicated.
In terms of his study plans, Dr Sibanda has expressed that he may not take any new programme sooner; however, he will be researching more towards building a portfolio for himself and young people who would like to learn from his experience.
“ I look forward to researching more and to provide evidence-based recommendations to governments and NGOs on how to serve communities better. I see myself in public service at some point, bringing my research enthusiasm to public service,” he added.
Sharing some practical advice to a first year who wants to embark on the same career, Dr Sibanda says when approaching education do not look at it from the benefits of a job or promotion, love education for its own sake, that way one will enjoy the learning process, celebrate small gains and be patient enough to learn.
Pictured: Dr Abel Sibanda
Waheeda Peters
