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#WomensMonth: Dr Marinkie Madiope—Singular strength and energy

18 August 2020 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Sonia du Toit/Kaleidoscope Studios

Dr Madiope_read more — Dr Marinkie Madiope looks up to her mother as an inspirational woman.

Dr Maria ‘Marinkie’ Madiope is not your average professional woman. Her academic record speaks of vigilant style and resilient independence. The challenge of discovery, innovation, and stretching herself and everyone around her are qualities she values. The University of the Free State benefits from the extraordinary energy that characterises this woman. She is an infectious team leader, spurring others on to ever-greater heights, and is always on the lookout for something she can do for others: whether it is large-scale advocacy for women or smaller acts of empowerment. She describes herself as an “ever-present mother and sister” to those with whom she works. It is humbling to watch her Ubuntu in action.

Please tell us about yourself

“My academic interests lie in the realm of ICT and curriculum design and development, which is what drew me to working on the South Campus. Open, Distance, and eLearning (ODeL) is also close to my heart, and I have been the editor of Progressio, the only ODeL journal in South Africa, since 2016.

My expertise in eLearning is another of my strengths; I designed the Unisa online ethics course, which was launched in Geneva in 2015 and is currently being offered internationally in collaboration with Ethics SA.

As part of community engagement, I take part in the Africa Crèche Project to empower women. I enjoy working with young minds and little humans to provide them opportunities to which they otherwise would not have access.”

What do you do at the university?

“I am currently the Principal of the South Campus in Bloemfontein. The South Campus is dedicated to delivering quality distance education to sectors of society that would not necessarily have access to higher education. It advances education through ODeL delivery modes.

It is … vital to avoid dwelling on past mistakes, because regret robs you of joy. - Dr Maria Madiope, Principal: UFS South Campus.

“I enjoy the opportunity to transform the Open Distance Learning campus of the UFS to a digitised university. I cannot express the feelings I have when welcoming students to the UFS to unlock their future, or when they graduate. Especially students who have gone through very traumatic home, personal, or academic times. They still succeed, even when others have given up on them.”

What advice would you give to a 15-year-old you?

“I see women as proud warriors — resilient and strong guardians of the future generations. I would encourage a 15-year-old me to be enthusiastic, confident, and authentic. It is also vital to avoid dwelling on past mistakes, because regret robs you of joy. The best decision I ever made was embracing Education and making sure that I was not only certified but learned to empower others in a humble way.”

Is there a woman who inspires you and who you would like to celebrate this Women’s Month, and why?

“Although I am also inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem Still I rise, my mother is my biggest inspiration. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked, and she loved everyone. Her greatest strength is her ability to let nothing and no one remove her crown: ‘Strong winds may blow, but a QUEEN will bobby pin that thang in place and persevere because she is more than a conqueror’.”

“I am also inspired by the united force of women from all walks of life who, through a mass demonstration, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956, protesting against the unjust pass laws enforced on women in South Africa. This is in line with the 2020 Women's History Month theme, Valiant Women of the Vote. The theme honours the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others. I SALUTE ALL WOMEN!

Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo / You Strike A Woman, You Strike A Rock!!!!

News Archive

UFS involved in project to light up the townships

2006-06-06

The parties involved with the project are from the left: Prof Hendrik Swart (Departmental Chairperson of the UFS Department of Physics), Dr Thembela Hillie (CSIR), Prof Neerich Revaprasadu (Department of Chemistry at the University of Zululand) and Dr Wynand Steyn (CSIR).

UFS involved in project that could light up the townships

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Physics is involved with a project that could make life easier in the townships through the use of artificial light.

“The project is based on the use of sunlight to activate nano material in for example cement and paint during the day. At night the cement or paint can then radiate light,” said Prof Hendrik Swart, Departmental Chairperson of the UFS Department of Physics.

According to Prof Swart an amount of R3,9 million has been made available by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for the further development of the project.

Prof Swart visited the University of Florida in America in 1995 for a year where he researched luminescent phosphor material that is suitable for flat panel television screens. The red, green and blue spots on the television screens originate from these kinds of phosphor materials. “At that stage plasma television screens were only a dream. Today it is sold everywhere,” said Prof Swart.

“Upon my return I started a research group at the UFS which investigated the degrading of phosphor material. We also started to concentrate on the effectiveness of nano phosphors. In the mean time our cooperation with the Americans was strengthened with follow-up visits to America of my colleagues, Prof Koos Terblans and Mr Martin Ntwaeaborwa,” said Prof Swart.

“Nano phosphors are basically luminescent powders that consist of particles that are 1 millionth of a millimetre. These particles can provide light as soon as they are illuminated with, for instance, sunlight. The amount of time these particles can provide light, is determined by the impurities in the material,” said Prof Swart.

According to Prof Swart nano particles are developed and linked to infrastructure materials in order for these materials to be excited during the day by sunlight and then it emits light during night time.

“The nano material is of such a nature that it can be mixed with materials, such as paint or cement. The yellow lines of roads can for example emit light in a natural way during night time,” said Prof Swart.

About a year ago Prof Swart and Dr Thembela Hillie, a former Ph D-student of the UFS Department of Physics, had discussions with Prof Neerich Revaprasadu from the University of Zululand and the CSIR about the possibility of mixing these nano phosphor particles with other materials that can be used as light sources in the building of roads and houses.

“Prof Revaprasadu is also actively involved in the research of nano materials. Our efforts resulted in the CSIR approving the further extension of the project,” said Prof Swart.

“The UFS and the University of Zululand are currently busy investigating ways to extend the light emitting time,” said Prof Swart.

“There are eight M Sc and Ph D-students from the UFS and about five students from the University of Zululand working on this research project. The Department of Physics at the Qwaqwa Campus of the UFS, with Francis Dejene as subject head, is also involved with the project,” said Prof Swart.

According to Prof Swart the further applications of nano materials are unlimited. “Children whose parents cannot afford electricity can for instance leave any object such as a lamp, that is covered with these phosphor particles, in the sun during the day and use it at night as a light for study purposes,” said Prof Swart.

According to Prof Swart the further extension of the project will take about two years. “During this time we want to determine how the effectiveness of the phosphors can be increased. Discussions with the government and other role players for the possible implementation of the project are also part of our planning,” said Prof Swart.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
6 June 2006

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