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12 August 2020 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Supplied
Dr Maria Tsakeni’s position affords her the opportunity to forge a better future for the next generation as far as education and schooling are concerned.
Dr Maria Tsakeni is passionate about innovation and science in education. This is as a result of her poor upbringing, where she learnt to work with very few resources, as well as realities faced by her maternal grandmother. Her current position affords her the opportunity to forge a better future for the next generation as far as education and schooling are concerned. She believes the most important qualities are the ability to solve problems, keep motivated, work hard work, and tenacity. Her recent achievements include awards in Research in Learning and Teaching and Innovation in Learning and Teaching. 

Please tell us about yourself: Who you are and what you do? 

I am a senior lecturer and Science teacher/ educator in the School of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Education on the Qwaqwa Campus. I started my career as a Chemistry teacher (Cuban trained), studied further for an MEd in Chemistry at the University of Zimbabwe, and later obtained my PhD in Science Education at the University of Pretoria in 2015. I joined the UFS as a postdoctoral fellow in 2015 and began my journey as a researcher. I have an NRF-funded project (Thuthuka NRF-rating track) and am therefore working towards NRF rating and/or an associate professorship. 

My research focus is on curriculum innovations and innovative instructional strategies in science education through preservice science teacher preparation and school classroom practices. Innovations include inquiry-based learning (IBL), education for sustainable development (ESD), STEM education, and virtual learning environments (VLE), with a special focus on implementation in multiple-deprived classrooms. I am also interested in researching school improvement through Science and Mathematics education during my time as a postdoctoral fellow, and I continue to be a collaborator to the unit that hosted me, which is the SANRAL Chair in the Faculty of Education at the UFS. 

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

I am inspired by a sad story that my late maternal grandmother told me, which happened to her as a young girl in the late 1940s. She was forced out of school where she was doing very well, because she was told it was time to honour a marriage that had been arranged for her. It broke her heart at the time, and I also feel the pain that she felt. It makes me realise how privileged I am to have an opportunity to pursue my dreams and make a difference beyond my family obligations as a woman. Therefore, for every small achievement in my career, I say ‘this is for you grandma’. This Women’s Month, I celebrate my grandmother and many other women like her who sacrificed their dreams of pursuing different kinds of careers in order to serve others.  

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your life that have made you a better woman?

I grew up and went to school in a very poor township, so I learned quite early to work with very few resources, or no resources at all. I realised that the most important resource is the ability to solve problems, keep motivated, hard work, and tenacity.  

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

I would tell the 15-year-old me not to doubt herself and be less of an introvert, because there are many people out there who believe in her and think that she has potential.

What would you say makes you a champion woman [of the UFS]?

I think that being a champion is not about being better than other people, but about doing and being your best in every situation. It is about being prepared to go the extra mile, being a good colleague, and about developing a unique and special set of skills such as non-routine problem solving and people skills. These skills are handy when you have to perform unfamiliar and challenging tasks.

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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