From classroom teacher to PhD lecturer, Bronville girl beats the odds, who says a small-town girl cannot dream big?
Nicole Drude, now formally known as Dr Drude, was once just a young teacher from the streets of Bronville. She is now a university lecturer with a PhD and a heart full of purpose.
Her journey started in 2006 at North-West University, (NWU) where she completed her teacher training and graduated in 2010.
After teaching for two years, she felt the need to deepen her knowledge and make a bigger impact.
She went on to further her studies at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free STate, where she obtained her B.Ed Honours in 2012, followed by a master’s degree in Education in 2017.
She was honoured with her PhD qualification at a graduation ceremony at the CUT on 19 March this year, surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends.
Her doctoral research focused on inclusive education, explicitly supporting teachers and School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs).
With years of experience on the SBST, she understood the challenges of supporting learners with barriers, especially in full-service schools.
She was honoured with this inspiring achievement on 19 March 2025.
Her thesis introduced a practical support framework for schools and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to better address these needs.
Desire for more
Her frustration with the basic education system and her passion for inclusive teaching led her to higher education.
In 2024, she discovered her love for working with students who had a bigger goal in mind and thus transitioned to a full-time university lecturer role.
Drude says the shift from teaching school learners to lecturing university students was eye-opening.
“You have to treat students as adults, allowing for more independence while still offering guidance,” she said.
She appreciates the respect and eagerness to learn that university students bring, which reignited her passion for teaching.
Her PhD has shaped her teaching approach, focusing on differentiated instruction, learner-centred methods, and accessibility.
She hopes to engage with teachers through community outreach, sharing inclusive strategies and building their confidence in supporting all learners.
Though her academic path was challenging, especially with the setbacks of Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of her sister, she credits her faith and determination for seeing her through. “I wanted to finish it for her,” she said.
Looking ahead, Drude plans to grow as a lecturer, publish research from her thesis, and supervise postgraduate students – aiming for the title of professor one day.
Outside of being an academic powerhouse, she is a proud mother to a handsome young boy, Neymar Swartz, fiancée to Rafael Swartz, and a community role model.
“I am just a simple girl from Bronville,” she says. “But I hope to inspire the next generation of doctors, especially in our coloured communities.”
Her advice?
“Do not overthink it. Just start and keep going. If you plan to get out of the basic education space, gather your support network, enrol and do not look back. Yes, it will be challenging, but what is even more challenging is staying in and at the same place year in and year out. – Heidrè Malgas
