Youngest PhD graduate in Africa now also Youth Leader of the Year

The youngest PhD graduate in Africa, 24-year-old Dr Musa Suarombe, has been named by the Institute of People Management (IPM) as Youth Leader of the Year for 2018/2019.

Suarombe, a post-doctoral fellow at the North-West University's (NWU) campus in Mahikeng, was recognised by the IPM for her innovative leadership skills as well as her growing influence in her field of expertise.

According to the CEO of IPM, Dr Jerry Gule, the fact that Suarombe obtained her PhD at just 23 years of age in Industrial Psychology at the NWU played, among other considerations, a major role in her being named Youth Leader of the Year.

"Musa is most deserving of this award. We are honoured to have the youngest PhD in Africa sprout from our field of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management. I am astounded to see the influence she has and the drive as well as passion she instils in other young researchers and professionals," says Gule.

Suarombe grew up in Gaborone, Botswana, and received her BCom and BCom honour's in Human Resources as well as her MCom in Talent Management at the NWU, before embarking on her doctoral studies.

She credits her success to her positive outlook on life and her tenacious attitude. "It is important for you to understand and acknowledge your own personal journey. Do not sit and wait for opportunities. Go out and take initiative. You may not always know how to get there, but if you have a picture, a vision of where you are going, you will be able to manoeuvre despite being unsure," says Suarombe.

Her success bears testimony to that.

Dr Musa Suarombe can be contacted at 060 403 1649.