From the small village of Glen Cowie to the lecture halls and field sites of the University of Witwatersrand, Puseletso Mkhabela has turned every challenge into a steppingstone for success. With determination, and the right support, she has polished her potential like a rough gem, mastering Geology and Hydrogeology. 

Her journey with Siyandisa began in Grade 11, when her teachers encouraged her to apply for the programme. “I was overjoyed when I received the news that I am part of the Class of 2021. The support I received, including tutoring, reliable internet, and a tablet, made my studies more manageable, especially at a Quintile 3 school where resources were limited,” said Puseletso. In 2021, she matriculated with five distinctions out of seven subjects, and the financial reward she received for each distinction helped her prepare for university and settle into student residence.

When Puseletso arrived in Johannesburg in 2022 for her first year at Wits, she faced the familiar mix of excitement and nerves that many first-year students experience. Geology, a subject she had little prior exposure to, proved particularly challenging. During her second-year field trip to Matatane in KwaZulu-Natal, she struggled with a complex mapping project and questioned whether she belonged in the field. But with persistence and resilience, and alongside classmates facing similar hurdles, Puseletso pushed through. “Looking back, I can see how those struggles shaped me into the geoscientist I am becoming,” she said proudly.

By her final year, she approached her studies with positivity and gratitude. “On a field trip to the Vredefort Dome in 2024, I reminded myself that I needed to be the change I wanted to see,” said Puseletso. Her hard work paid off: in May 2025, she received the John and Coral Handley Geological Mapping Prize for Geology III, ranking among the top two students in her class. Graduating with a BSc in Geology and Applied Geology on 1 April 2025, she reflected on how persistence, support, and dedication had transformed her journey. “Despite financial challenges, self-doubt, and academic pressure, I made it!” shared Puseletso.

Beyond academics, Puseletso has embraced opportunities for personal growth. The Siyandisa Achievers programme introduced campus gatherings in late 2022, where she formed meaningful friendships and a strong sense of community. Inspired by these experiences, she took on leadership roles as a mentor and class representative. Today, as Deputy Chairperson of the Geoscience School Council at Wits, she has helped organise initiatives such as the Career Fair, connecting students to opportunities in the mining and geosciences sector.

During her Honours year, Puseletso worked on a hydrogeology project investigating potentially toxic elements in the soils of the Lephalale Coal Mining Region, integrating geochemistry and fieldwork. This project strengthened her research, data analysis, and time-management skills while deepening her awareness of pressing issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and sustainable mining practices. A recent role as a Research Assistant on a hydro geophysics project further fuelled her passion for the field and inspired her to pursue an MSc in Hydrogeology. She aims to contribute to innovative, sustainable solutions in mining and resource management, bridging scientific knowledge with practical application.

“The Siyandisa Achievers Programme laid the foundation for my academic success, allowing me to get my degree,” she said. Puseletso aspires to contribute to organisations such as Digby Wells Environmental, Piteau Associates, WSP, CSIR, Mintek, and Valterra Platinum, while also empowering other young scientists and contributing to South Africa’s economic growth.

Through every challenge and accomplishment, Puseletso has grown in confidence, stepping into her professional space, ‘mapping’ her way to success.