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Written by Mongadi Mafata
As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, the City of Johannesburg is shining the spotlight on young professionals whose resilience and determination continue to inspire. One such employee is Farhin “Rhini” Delawala, whose remarkable story demonstrates how persistence can turn setbacks into success.
Born in Thohoyandou and raised in Klerksdorp, North West, Delawala grew up in a family that valued hard work. Her parents worked tirelessly, first as street vendors and later as retailers, instilling in their children the importance of perseverance and ambition.
Today, Rhini is a proud holder of a PhD in Health Sciences (Health Professions Education) from North-West University, a milestone achieved after 10 years of perseverance, sacrifice and commitment. Her dream was clear from an early age.
“I wanted to become a doctor because I was good at maths and physics,” says Delawala. “But life took an unexpected turn during my teenage years when I experienced a mentally stressful period, and my marks dropped dramatically.”
Instead of allowing disappointment to derail her ambitions, Delawala chose another path. She enrolled at North-West University, where she pursued a BA in Psychology and Tourism Management before completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Rhini couldn’t ignore the entrepreneurial bug as she started a side hustle selling Avon in between assignments and lectures at varsity. Her hunger for learning never stopped. She later completed an Honours degree in Psychology through the University of South Africa, followed by a Master’s in Health Sciences and eventually a PhD in Health Sciences (Health Professions Education) in 2022.
Earning my PhD was emotional because it represented years of sacrifice, resilience and hard work,” she says. “It reminded me that your circumstances do not determine your future.”
Rhini joined the City of Johannesburg in 2021, initially serving in the office of the former MMC for Community Development, Thapelo Amad. Her tenure was later interrupted when she was among the group of employees affected by the ‘130’ dismissals.
“I chose to focus on growth instead of setbacks,” she says. “Challenges can either break you or build you, and I decided they would build me.”
She has since returned to the City and is currently a Cluster Communication Specialist at Group Communication and Marketing. Delawala is married to Yasin and is the mother of 17-month-old Dua.
Beyond her professional and academic life, she enjoys travelling and has explored destinations including India, Zimbabwe, the Vatican, Austria, Kenya, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands, among others.
Delawala is deeply passionate about global health and social justice and has facilitated research seminars, contributed to evidence-informed policymaking and advocated for disability rights in humanitarian settings. Her message to young people is simple: “Do not allow setbacks to define your story. Keep moving forward, even when the road feels difficult.”
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City shines Youth Month spotlight on Delawala’s inspiring rise above setbacks
SOURCED FROM CITY OF JOHANNESBURG WEBSITE.