@dr.pfarelo.matsila: On 22 October 2026, I had the pleasure of chairing a breakaway session titled “Becoming and Belonging” at the Humanities Postgraduate Conference. One of the thought-provoking presentations was by Sesethu, who explored graduates’ conceptions of work, offering a critical perspective on internship culture and the expectations placed on young graduates entering the labour market. Her presentation invited us to reflect on an important question: At what point does gaining experience become an endless cycle of having to prove one's employability? In a country grappling with graduate unemployment, precarious employment and unequal access to opportunities, these conversations are both timely and necessary. What I particularly appreciated about the session was the opportunity to engage with emerging scholars who are asking difficult questions about the world they are inheriting and navigating. Chairing Becoming and Belonging was a reminder that academic spaces should not only be about presenting research, but also about creating opportunities for critical dialogue, intellectual curiosity and collective reflection. Congratulations on your presentation, Sesethu! 🌸 #research #phd #conference #studentlife #univenstudents📚

Dr Pfarelo Matsila (PhD)

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Monday 26 October 2026 16:09:34 GMT