Her Royal Highness Queen Thandekile Jane MaNdlovu Zulu was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) during the Spring Graduation ceremonies.
Queen Thandi, as fondly known and addressed, is the fourth wife of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
Her thesis, titled ‘Developing a Framework for the Growing and Commercialisation of Stevia in Kenya’, was supervised by former UKZN Strategic Leadership expert Professor Macdonald Kanyangale and Public Governance specialists Professor Thokozani Nzimakwe and Dr Bonginkosi Zondi.
Having worked in the nursing profession for over 19 years and witnessing patients suffering with severe Diabetes Mellitus (DM) including family members fuelled her passion for the study.
She explained: “In my family we have had people who suffered from DM to the point of losing one or both limbs and even their lives to DM which end up being uncontrollable in spite of treatment and medical monitoring. So, I was quite intrigued when I learnt from someone who works with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research about stevia plant products in controlling DM and other health conditions.”
After learning about stevia, she investigated whether it could be commercially grown in South Africa. Her findings were largely negative, aside from pilot studies by the South African Farmers Development Association and ongoing trials in Eston, Phongolo and Riverview in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Kenya was ultimately selected due to its similar climatic conditions, which make commercialisation more viable.
The Queen’s qualitative study aimed to explore and develop a framework for the commercialisation of stevia in Kenya. Data was collected from experienced Kenyan stevia farmers through semi-structured interviews to better understand the commercialisation process. The study revealed the importance of providing financial and market-readiness support to these farmers. The findings advocate for strategic interventions to strengthen the stevia supply chain, which could drive economic progress and improve food security in the region.
As a public leader in the Zulu Kingdom, the Queen plans to apply her study’s findings locally. She said: “The model used in Kenya, was inclusive of the communities. They incorporate the value chain that integrates small holder farmers. Lessons learnt from the study in Kenya will enable KZN to benefit from the framework when tailored to KZN circumstances.”
The findings of the study will be of value to various sectors including health, agriculture and business. The work is currently being disseminated through conferences and research publications, including a journal article on the commercialisation of stevia in KwaZulu-Natal, which is under review.
Queen Thandi’s academic achievement at the age of 75 is an inspiration to the nation as it demonstrates resilience, discipline and a commitment to lifelong learning and growth.
The Queen wears many hats as a public leader. Earning a doctoral degree is a strategic move that positions her as a thought leader capable of designing and contributing to solutions for social challenges both locally and internationally.
Her past public engagements include presenting the South African perspective on women’s reproductive health in Harrogate, United Kingdom, in 2000. In 2018, she was invited to Nigeria for the African Philanthropic Forum, where she served on a panel alongside other African leaders.
She is the founder of The Queen Foundation Trust, which focuses on health, social and cultural issues. She is also an agricultural entrepreneur and smallholder farmer, supplying produce to retailers such as Boxer, Arizona, Spar, the KwaZulu-Natal market, and the local community. Her farm also serves as a clinical facility for agricultural interns from universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training colleges.
On the spiritual front, she serves as one of the Zululand Diocesan Development Commissioners in the Anglican Church.
The Queen was recently nominated for recognition at the Clevenard Media Award 2025, to be held in Spain in November. The honour acknowledges her work in uplifting women, safeguarding African traditions, strengthening communities, and advancing socio-cultural development – all while serving as an enduring symbol of dignity, wisdom and unity.
She encourages public leaders to pursue postgraduate studies to sharpen critical thinking, support evidence-based policymaking, and foster innovation.
Congratulating the Queen, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the UKZN College of Law and Management Studies, Professor Ernest Khalema said: “Our congratulations to the Queen for obtaining the highest academic qualification in the College. May this continue to enrich your leadership in empowering others. You have inspired the nation.”
Words: Hazel Langa
Photographs: Sethu Dlamini