Ms Ayanda Luthuli’s horticultural science master’s research concerned the integration of animal manure extract as a source of nutrients into a hydroponic system for growing vegetables and inspired her to consider a career in academia.
Luthuli grew up at Adams Mission close to Durban and pursued her undergraduate studies in agronomy at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) in its augmented programme, missing out on her graduation ceremony owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having always wanted to study at UKZN, thanks to its reputation in her home province and beautiful location, Luthuli received her chance when she decided to pursue her master’s and applied to UKZN.
Initially planning to head straight to work in the agricultural sector after her undergraduate studies, Luthuli was inspired by her lecturer at UNIZULU, also a UKZN alumnus, Dr Shirly Magwaza, to consider further studies.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Luthuli worked hard in her final year, qualifying for and gaining acceptance into a master’s programme at UKZN.
Moving into a postgraduate environment at a new university with different facilities was a challenge, especially in the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic when many had not returned to the office. Luthuli tried to connect with others, which eased the transition.
Supervised by Professors Lembe Magwaza, Asanda Mditshwa, Samson Tesfay and Dr Shirly Magwaza, Luthuli investigated the effect of animal manure extracts as a source of nutrients on the growth, yield and quality of hydroponically grown tomatoes.
She hopes her research will promote sustainable farming methods, as it is important to repurpose abundantly available and nutrient-rich animal manure for crop production to contribute to the circular economy using modern cultivation methods. Her research tapped into innovation and sustainability as she sought a cost-effective way of producing crops using no conventional fertilisers while integrating hydroponic systems and organic fertilisers, an uncommon approach. Animal manure extract has not been used commercially, and Luthuli tried to compare her results to those of commercial fertilisers.
She achieved good results, demonstrating that animal manure can be used as an alternative to commercial fertilisers and produces good crop yields and quality.
Luthuli identified gaps for further research, especially integrating hydroponic systems and animal manure extracts to reach an optimal point that would enable commercialisation.
Luthuli has registered for her PhD and plans on a career in academia, where she would like to cultivate young minds hungry for success. Postgraduate studies have grown her passion for horticulture. This field, she says, is about far more than simply planting and producing food; it is about conducting research to solve problems in agriculture.
Witnessing farmers’ challenges ignited Luthuli’s passion for exploring this research, and she believes that young people are the future of this industry.
Some of her research took longer than anticipated, and she faced challenges assembling the hydroponic system and even considered deregistering. Still, Luthuli motivated herself to continue to prove to herself that she could do it and to set an example for her nieces and nephews and her future children.
Luthuli appreciated the resources and opportunities UKZN provided for its students and enjoyed the diversity of the campus, where she encountered people from across South Africa and the continent, building friendships for her future.
She thanked Professor and Dr Magwaza, Mditshwa and Tesfay; her parents and her sisters, Ms Nonjabulo Luthuli and Ms Phumzile Mngoma, for their support; the National Research Foundation for funding her research; God for the strength she found to continue and complete her studies; as well as friends and colleagues for their support.
Luthuli found inspiration in her sisters and friends who showed her what was possible, including her neighbour, Dr Nomthandazo Samantha Manqele, who graduated from UKZN after growing up in similar circumstances and made academic success seem achievable. She also credited her boyfriend for motivating her to seize opportunities.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
