“A Human Sciences Research Assistant at VUT shares her journey in sustainability research, women’s empowerment, and the importance of writing as a tool for growth and advocacy.”
05 August 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Supplied
As we continue to honour the inspiring women of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) this Women’s Month, we spotlight Sisa Mdoda, a passionate researcher whose academic work contributes meaningfully to the global sustainability agenda.
Sisa is a Human Sciences Research Assistant with a Master’s in Travel and Tourism Services Management (cum laude) from VUT. Her research and writing reflect a deep commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of women in academia and beyond.
Her thesis, Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals at selected hotels in Cape Town, explores how global frameworks can be applied to local realities in the tourism industry. She also recently published an article with MDPI titled Tackling water and waste management challenges in the tourism and hospitality industry: A Sustainable Development Goals perspective.
“Having my work published by VUT brings a sense of accomplishment and inspires me to further contribute to the academic community and policymakers,” she shares.
Ms Mdoda’s writing is driven by her passion for sustainability. “It has become a global discourse, especially in the tourism industry,” she explains. Beyond academia, she sees writing as a powerful tool to elevate women’s voices. “Women’s empowerment relates to the elevation of women’s status through education, awareness of their rights, and access to resources that enable them to make consequential life decisions. I see writing as the very tool that amplifies their voices and enables them to define their own path.”
Quoting Lois P. Frankel, she says, “Nice girls don’t get the corner office,” and adds her own powerful advice: “Define what success is to you and chase those goals like the last bus of the night.”
To young women who want to start writing, she offers this encouragement: “Whether it is academic or creative writing, do not focus on being a perfect writer, just write and fail forward. Growth comes with experience.”
This Women’s Month, we celebrate Sisa Mdoda not only for her contributions to sustainability research, but for her determination to use writing as a force for visibility, growth and empowerment.