Associate writes book for postgrads

NITheCS Associate Dr Farai Mlambo of the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) has authored a new book that speaks directly to the heart of the postgraduate experience.

In her foreword to ‘A Survival Guide for Every Postgraduate Journey’, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Stellenbosch University, writes:

‘Dr Mlambo responds to a long-standing call echoing through lecture halls, supervisor meetings, and library corridors, a call for a guide that is not only methodologically sound but emotionally resonant. This is not just a book; it is a mirror, a map, and a lifeline for students navigating the often isolating and ambiguous terrain of postgraduate study.’

Dr Mlambo says it is ‘a book written to normalise the doubts, frustrations, and emotional hurdles often experienced by master’s and doctoral students. Rather than focusing on research methods, the guide emphasises the mental, emotional, and strategic foundations required for postgraduate success. ‘

Drawing on his own academic journey and experience supervising and mentoring over 100 postgraduate students across various disciplines, the book highlights 30 key lessons that every Master’s or PhD student needs to ‘make peace with’ before they get frustrated.

An abstract of the book is available at Research Gate. It includes, among others, the full table of contents, forewords and also some book endorsements. It also includes peer academic reflections, such as that of Prof Paida Mhangara from WITS, who says: ‘This book fills a critical gap by preparing the reader’s mindset, not just their methodology, for the postgraduate journey.’

The publishers of the book are Ascension Publishers.