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06 December 2018 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Mpho Makgalemele
Mpho Makgalemele, town planner at Emalahleni Local Municipality, developed perseverance, tactical thinking and problem-solving skills when she enrolled for the Professional Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning.

Mpho Makgalemele received her Master’s degree at the December Graduation Ceremonies of the University of the Free State (UFS). The highlight of walking up to the stage to receive her Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning marked a milestone in Makgalemele’s career.

Her thesis is titled: “The role of town planning in the implementation of the ‘special presidential package for the revitalisation of distressed mining towns’ “: with specific reference to Emalahleni (formerly known as Witbank).

Contributing to township development in SA

She enrolled for the Professional Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning to solve complex spatial planning challenges, thus contributing to the economic and township development of South Africa. “I wanted to advance my technical knowledge, contribute to the urban and regional planning body of knowledge, and practise my profession in a specialised manner,” she said. 

Makgalemele believes that doing a master’s programme builds your character and develops attributes such as perseverance, tactical thinking and problem-solving within you as a person. 

Building intellectual capacity 

Makgalemele is the town planner of Emalahleni Local Municipality and applies on a daily basis the advanced theoretical knowledge of urban planning, the research skills and the writing and presentation skills she obtained in the programme. 

“The programme augments your intellectual capacity. It provides advanced technical skills, knowledge and practical experience that is imperative for town planning professionals,” she said. 

Maléne Campbell, Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning has high praise for Makgalemele: “She overcame challenges by managing the spatial planning vulnerabilities (including environmental degradation, service-delivery challenges and a massive population growth) of a local economy based on non-renewable resources, while at the same time doing research for her master’s.”

News Archive

Academics proud of their children
2012-03-29

 

Photo: Hannes Pieterse
29 March 2012


Carmien, the daughter of Prof. Francois Tolmie, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, received the degree B.Sc. Hons. (Cum laude) in Biotechnology.

For Prof. Theo du Plessis’ family, the graduation ceremony meant double joy. His daughter, Mènan, received her B-degree in Architecture, while his son, Jean-Pierre, got an award for the best honours project in Computer Science. Here are, from left: Jean-Pierre, Mrs Colleen du Plessis, Prof. Theo du Plessis en Mènan. Prof. Du Plessis is the head of the Department of Language Management and Language Practice and Mrs Du Plessis is a lecturer in the Department of English.

Johané Nienkemper (B.Sc. Hons.) (middle) received the Senate’s medal and prize as the best honours student at the UFS, as well as the Dean’s medal as the best honours student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. With her are her sister, Marisan Niemkemper, and her mother, Mrs Dorothy Russell of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Bernadette du Toit (middle) received a B.Com Honours degree (Cum laude) at the graduation ceremony on Friday. She is here with her parents, Prof. Gawie du Toit and his wife, Dr Erna du Toit, both of the Faculty of Education. She is one of three people to receive such high marks in the past 30 years.


 

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