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From Chief Director in Northern Cape Government to Doctor Mangalane du Toit

24 February 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo supplied

maggy du toit_web read more — Mangalane Maggy du Toit, Chief Director in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, received her doctorate at the February virtual graduation ceremony.

Years of hard work and commitment have certainly paid off for Mangalane Maggy du Toit, who received her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration and Management during the UFS virtual graduation ceremony on 24 February 2021. A Chief Director in the Northern Cape Restitution Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Du Toit started her public-service career as a social worker in the rural areas of Limpopo. Over the years, she has acquired extensive experience in implementing and managing government development projects, particularly in rural settings. She is currently responsible for the restoration of land rights to those who were dispossessed due to the Natives Land Act of 1913.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but deep down I knew I had to go through with this. Funny enough, quitting never even crossed my mind,” said Du Toit on receiving her external examiner reports. She is preparing for four international journal publications.

Promoted by Prof Liezel Lues, Du Toit’s thesis, titled The administration of social grants for adult persons with disabilities in the Northern Cape, assesses efficiency in the administration of social grants for adult people with disabilities, using the 2011 Social Grants Disability Management Model. The study explains why, despite gatekeeping, applicants with the same medical condition keep returning and are allowed through the system, only to be rejected again. The significance of the study lies in its attempt to improve efficiency in the administration of these social grants in the national sphere. The recommendations will help develop clear, integrated policy guidelines on disability grant administration and will be captured in the regulations of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act 13 of 2004 as amended).

News Archive

UFS student makes breakthrough in the application of nanorobots

2005-04-21

A student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has made a ground-breaking discovery in the field of microbiology by uncovering a series of new compounds that may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots.

Mr Olihile Sebolai, a full-time student at the UFS’s Department of Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, made this discovery while working on his M Sc-study on yeast.

With this discovery Mr Sebolai will also be awarded six prestigious prizes during this week’s autumn graduation ceremony at the UFS. This university has recognised this exceptional achievement as a build-up to the celebration of national Science and Technology week next month.

Mr Sebolai’s dissertation on the yeast genus Saccharomycopsis Schionning has been published in an accredited international journal of repute.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am. I never expected to receive such recognition for my studies. I am humbled by all of this,” said Mr Sebolai.

The Lipid Biotechnology Group at the UFS recently discovered that some yeasts produce their own water-propelled capsules in which they are transported. These capsules have different shapes and resemble among others miniature flying saucers, hats with razor sharp brims etc. “In order to function properly, parts of the capsules are oiled with prehistoric lubricants – lubricants that are produced by yeasts and that probably existed for many millions of years as yeasts developed,” said Mr Sebolai.

According to Mr Sebolai these capsules are so small that approximately 300 can be fitted into the full-stop at the end of a sentence and are therefore invisible to the naked eye.

“With my studies I discovered many new compounds that resemble these prehistoric lubricants. These lubricants may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots and are similar in size compared to yeast capsules,” said Mr Sebolai. The nanorobots are used to perform tasks in places that are invisible to the naked eye and could one day be used, among others, to clean up human arteries.

Mr Sebolai has been interested in the subject of Micro technology since he was at RT Mokgopa High School in Thaba ‘Nchu. “I was specifically interested in the many possible applications the subject has – in the industry, as well as in medicine,” said Mr Sebolai.

His next goal is to successfully complete his Ph D-degree.

The prizes that will be awarded to Mr Sebolai this week include:

Best Magister student at the UFS (Senate medal and prize);

Best Magister student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science and Dean’s medal at the same faculty;

The Andries Brink – Sasol-prize for the best M Sc dissertation in Microbiology;

The JP van der Walt prize for best M Sc dissertation in yeast science;

The Chris Small prize for an outstanding Master’s dissertation; and

Honorary colours awarded by the UFS Student Representative Council

Media release

Issued by: Lacea Loader

Media Representative

Tel: (051) 401-2584

Cell: 083 645 2454

E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

20 April 2005

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