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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

#PeopleOfKovsies brimming with positivity
2016-12-26

Kovsies both young and old, whether they are currently studying or have already graduated, abound in positive energy. Striving to harness this positivity, the #PeopleOfKovsies campaign was born. Over the past three years, this campaign has garnered a collection of photographs and quotable quotes from visitors, staff, students, and alumni that showcases the feeling that only a Kovsie knows.

The process is simple: Staff photographers approach people on campus and ask whether they are willing to pose for a photo. How they do this is up to the individual’s favourite style: pouting, looking serious, pointing, or just smiling. Participants then also have the opportunity to share a brief message with the Kovsie community, whether it is just how they feel at that particular moment, what it means to them to be a Kovsie, or how they picture that indescribable Kovsie feeling. These photographs, along with their captions, are shared on our social media platforms, and, in some cases, used on campus billboards or in our publications.

Description: Retha Hill Tags: Retha Hill

“I loved being a Kovsie, because my fellow Kovsies were more than just friends   they were like
FAMILY.” - Retha Hill

Description: Keamogetswe Nnyane Tags: Keamogetswe Nnyane

“I get to enrich my community through the diversity and exposure I received as a Kovsie.
To help uplift those who can’t do the same for themselves.” - Keamogetswe Nnyane

Description: Byron Wegger Tags: Byron Wegger

“The gateway that opened my mind to different ideas as well as giving me opportunities
through sport and academics I never would have experienced anywhere else.” - Byron Wegger

Description: Tamie Mbombo_PeopleOfKovsies Tags: Tamie Mbombo

“They have succeeded in creating the conditions wherein students from disadvantaged
backgrounds can be brought to the starting line of a race that many are unaware is even
being run.”-  Tamie Mbombo

Description: Lerothodi Molete Tags: Lerothodi Molete

“It means being an agent of change. Also equipping me with skills and exposure to be the
change I want to see in the world.” - Lerothodi Molete

Description: Lebogang Kotsi Tags: Lebogang Kotsi

"To be a Kovsie means being in a multi-racial learning institution and striving to be a great
leader in the future." - Lebogang Kotsi




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