This document summarizes a study about the exceptional academic success of four female undergraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The study used qualitative interviews to understand the key contributors to the students' success. It found their success was due to holistic support systems, including inspirational role models, strong family support, academic support, and a strong spiritual foundation or belief in God. The findings suggest universities should support students through academic, physical, social, spiritual, psychological, and family programs to help female students achieve high academic levels and empower their lives.

1. Empowerment, women, and exceptional academic success at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: exceptional academic success, women, empowerment, God, support, higher education
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the exceptional academic success of four female
undergraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Highlighting these students’ exceptional
academic success is important in light of a current discourse of underachievement in South African
higher education, and foregrounds a discourse of empowered women in a transforming higher
education context. Data for this paper was drawn from an overarching transformative mixed method
study. The qualitative phase of the study employed an auto-photographical data production method
(Photovoice) where participants participated in individual photo-elicitation interviews with the
researcher so she could explore the meaning each participant attributed to the people, places,
structures, and processes that significantly contributed to their exceptional academic success. The key
findings from the participants’ interviews illuminated the holistic nature of their exceptional academic
success. Themes that emerged included inspirational role models, strong family support, academic
and peer support, and physical and psychological boundaries being challenged. A theme that was
strongly identified throughout all four participants’ interviews was a deeply rooted spiritual
foundation and a belief in God that they attributed to their exceptional academic success. The holistic
nature of the participants’ exceptional academic success refers to an all-encompassing view of the
support systems each participant had access to that positively supported them to excel academically,
e.g. Academic, physical, social, spiritual, psychological and family support systems. The findings of
the study could inform policy makers of the necessary support systems and learning environment that
are the most conducive to female students attaining high academic levels. Further research could
direct university officials and policymakers towards developing policies and programs aimed at
increasing the exceptional academic success of female students with the goal of transforming and
empowering lives.