Africa-Press – Eswatini. When Dr Thembisile Glory Mdluli strolls into a room, you can almost hear the drums of triumph beating behind her. At 53 years young, the daughter of Ngoleni soil has not just smashed the glass ceiling, she has rewritten the whole blueprint!
Fresh from having her thesis approved by a distinguished panel at the University of Namibia, Dr Mdluli now wears her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) title like a crown, one that was polished through decades of grit, grace and gospel.
Born on May 15, 1972, Dr Mdluli’s story begins in the gentle hills of Nkuntjini, Eswatini, where dreams were often as vast as the open skies but harder to reach.
As the firstborn of her father’s ten children and second among six from her mother’s side, young Thembisile learned early that leadership was not a title, but a calling.
By the tender age of 12, she had already taken the most important step of her life, giving her heart to Jesus Christ, a decision that would anchor her through every storm to come.
Schoolbooks, Ledgers and Prayers
From Nkuntjini Primary to Masiphula Secondary and eventually Velebantfu High School, Dr Mdluli walked her academic path with the tenacity of a marathon runner. When many girls were told to prepare for marriage and house chores, she sharpened her pencils and aimed higher.
Armed with a Diploma in Accounting and Business Studies (DABS) in 1992 and an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification in 1994, she was just getting warmed up. Fast forward to a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Eswatini in 2002, a Master’s degree from Midlands University in Zimbabwe in 2017, and now a Doctorate — a journey stretching over 30 years and proving that purpose has no expiry date.
“Challenges Were My Stepping Stones”
Her path was anything but easy. Dr Mdluli knows firsthand how the deck is often stacked against women, especially in male-dominated corridors like accounting. Balancing motherhood, professional duties in the public service, financial hurdles, and societal expectations demanded more than just intelligence — it demanded resilience of steel.
“There were moments where I had to work twice as hard to be seen, and three times as hard to be respected,” she recalls, her voice steady with wisdom. “But faith, hard work, and an army of angels in the form of mentors carried me through.”
And carry her they did. From her early days as an Accounts Officer at the Ministry of Education in 1990, to her current role as Principal Accountant at the Judiciary of Eswatini, Dr Mdluli’s name has become synonymous with excellence, transparency and impeccable service.
Faith and Finances — A Dynamic Duo
Beyond the suits and spreadsheets, Dr Mdluli is a proud deacon at Christ Embassy Church, where she continues to serve with the same fervor she brings to her 9-to-5. In 2021, she was officially ordained, another feather in a cap that is now overflowing with achievements.
Whether it’s mentoring young professionals or nurturing her son, Godsplan Hlophe, and niece, Treasure Mdluli, Dr Mdluli leads with an open heart and open hands.
“Dear Young Girls, the World Awaits You”
To the young women daring to dream beyond the barriers, Dr Mdluli has this to say: “Believe in yourself. Excellence is not a suggestion — it is your birthright. Never stop learning, and never allow anyone to dim your light. Accounting is not just about numbers — it’s about integrity, precision, and making a difference.”
She urges girls to chase those degrees and certificates like treasure hunters chasing gold. “Your character and your faith are your most powerful assets. With these, there is no mountain you cannot move.”
A Legacy Set in Stone
Today, Dr Thembisile Mdluli is more than an accountant, more than a mother, more than a mentor. She is a living testimony that dreams deferred are not dreams denied — they are simply dreams waiting for their appointed time.
In a world that often rushes women into silence, Dr Mdluli’s story is a thunderous reminder that patience, passion, and prayer will always have the final say.
Nkuntjini’s daughter has done it. And if you listen closely, you can hear her footsteps making way for the next girl to rise.
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