I can hardly believe I am writing this, but it is official. I am now Dr. Victorine Mbong Shu. I earned a PhD in Communication Science from the University of the Free State from a journey that was filled with doubts, challenges, and moments of pure joy.
I got the invitation in September 2019 to study. At that moment, I was not sure of how I’d go through with research on such a subject. Sex? Why sex? How sex? I questioned everything, including what would my children think? How would people see me? And honestly, I didn’t even know if there was such a research as Sex Communication. But deep down, I knew I had to rise to the challenge, and with encouragement from my husband who is a PhD in Political Science, I decided to take the leap.
What a time it was, to start a PhD? During Lockdown (June 2020), I shaped my proposal and began my research titled: Sexuality Communication in African Families: The Dynamics of Openness and Closedness. Over the years, I interviewed 20 parents of adolescents about how they were talked to by their parents, and how they talk to their children about sex and sexuality. And 20 young adults on how their parents talked to them when they were adolescents. What I learned from their stories was overwhelming, eye opening, and life changing. I will like to share my outcome of my research with South Africa through the media because in 2023, I almost gave up. The pressure was intense, and I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore, but my husband’s words stuck with me. He said: “Your research is important for African families with adolescents.” That reminder kept me going.
That is why I have written two books out of my thesis:
- “Open Up”: For kids aged 10-12, helping them start conversations about what they’re hearing, seeing, and experiencing.
- “Keeping It Real”: For teens aged 13-15, offering guidance on navigating sex and sexuality with honesty and confidence.
These books are still to be launched and I’m also planning workshops, talks, and media engagements to continue spreading this message. Sex and sexuality are important parts of who we are, and I believe open conversations about these can help build stronger, healthier identities, especially for young people.
I hope my journey inspires someone out there to embrace a challenge they have been putting off. If I can do it, you can too.
Let us keep talking, keep learning, and keep growing together.
About me
Victorine Mbong Shu (PhD) is a wife and mother of four adolescents. She is an awards-winning, bestselling author and editor who writes about involved parenting, personal relationships, identity, sex, and finance. She is the CEO, founder, and owner of Profounder Intelligence Management Services which includes a conference center, publishing house, and bookstore in Bramley, Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Victorine helps writers and those with stories to claim their voices. She is a Peak Performance (Authority) Coach, BrandSA Ambassador, respected Involved Parenting Conversationalist, Researcher, Transformational Speaker, and Facilitator. Along with Dr. Emmanuel Fru Child Prodigy, Stacey Fru, Africa’s youngest, international multi-award-winning, bestselling author of many books.
For inquiries or more about my books and upcoming projects, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 0825486385. Follow me on all social media @Mbongshu.
