​​​Delecia Davids' academic journey proves that switching degrees is not a sign of failure.

While choosing a degree can be a daunting task for many students, for Davids – a 2020 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recipient – this seemed like an easy thing to do as she had always wanted to study civil engineering. And after a structured gap year, which guaranteed her a bursary for her first year at university, she was ready to fly.

But, says Davids, her love for engineering dwindled when she discovered teaching during her first year at Stellenbosch. “I discovered a lot of things about myself during my first year. I wanted to learn more about people – how they learn, what influences their learning and the role teachers play in this development," says the 28-year-old lecturer.

Delecia says being a first generation child at university made the process of changing degrees at the end of her first year of study extremely hard for her, but her mind was set on her newfound love for teaching.

“Changing degrees meant that I would lose my funding and this was a challenge. My dad had to make a plan and pay for one year of my studies even though we could not afford to do so at the time," she says.

Through her hard work, Delecia scored herself a Funza Lushaka bursary to fund her Education degree. Later she had to pay her own way through her honours studies, which was easier as she was employed.

Apart from receiving a 2020 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, she has occupied many leadership positions at SU, including being prim of Irene women's residence, as well as being the Executive Cluster Convenor in 2016/2017.

“Some of my absolute highlights at SU include graduating my honours degree cum laude, while working full-time. SU also opened a world of possibilities for me – I have travelled to three countries on three different continents, presenting my research at an international conference in Ireland. I also received a scholarship to attend TEDWomen in California, USA due to my role in hosting TEDxStellenbosch events at SU – TED-like events that celebrate local ideas with global relevance." 

Growing up in the dusty streets of Delft on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, Delecia says she wanted to be many things when she was growing up, but she knew anyone in her immediate neighbourhood who was studying at a tertiary institution.

“Apart from my teachers, I did not have contact with many people who had gone through this journey. I do remember attending the Stellenbosch University open day during my Grade 11 year in 2009. I think the vibrancy of what I saw drew me to SU."

Due to her involvement in student leadership, Delecia had access to staff who became mentors – constantly sending opportunities her way and exposing her to different ways of thinking and being.

“I have learned to be open to opportunities and challenges and to expand my comfort zone by living outside of it," she adds.

Delecia works as a part-time lecturer within the Curriculum Studies department at the Faculty of Education, and teaches Natural Sciences and Environmental Education modules to pre-service teachers in their first year. 

She also serves as the Programme Coordinator of Co-Curriculum at the Centre for Student Communities, where she is tasked with the development of leadership and community building programmes that takes place within residences, private student organisations (PSOs) and clusters.

She hopes that her master's degree in Educational Policy Studies will assist other scholar-practitioners in student affairs to develop and implement culturally responsive curricula in the out-of-classroom spaces, so that students leave higher education institutions with sought-after attributes and skills, in addition to their degrees.