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09 December 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Dr Thomas Sekyi-Ampah
Dr Thomas Sekyi-Ampah, who recently received his PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the UFS December graduation ceremonies.

“I am extremely glad that I was successful in obtaining my PhD degree. Learning is a lifelong experience, and the joy of this undertaking is immense. I will encourage others to pursue this goal later in their lives if they so desire,” said Dr Thomas Eric Sekyi-Ampah, who received his PhD degree in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS) – just more than two weeks before his 74th birthday. 

He completed his master’s degree at the UFS and decided to also pursue a PhD at the same institution, focusing on the tension between traditional leaders and the municipal planning process around the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 2013 (SPLUMA), the role traditional leaders play in nature conservation, and the limitations of municipal spatial governance due to inadequate resources. In his thesis, titled: Towards a sustainable and transformative spatial governance system for municipalities with traditional leaders: A case study of Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, Dr Sekyi-Ampah investigates the potential for inclusive and sustainable spatial governance in this municipal district.

His supervisor since 2018, Prof Verna Nel, Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, said the process required tenacity and hard work. “I admire his persistence.”

Impacting service delivery

Dr Sekyi-Ampah describes the Alfred Nzo District as “a deeply rural area, characterised by subsistence agriculture, where longstanding traditions and customs prevail”.

“The legacy of the 1913 Land Act and subsequent apartheid policies are evident in the pervasive poverty and high dependence on social grants,” he added. 

“For me, it was appropriate to explore the nature of the existing spatial governance and development challenges of towns and the traditional authority areas within this municipal district, as well as the relationships between the municipalities and the traditional authorities,” he said.

He continued: “Very large areas of traditional lands are located in environmentally sensitive zones. Thus, planning that takes cognisance of the environment should be paramount.”

After interviewing municipal officials, traditional leaders, local businesses, and planners with knowledge about the region, he found that although the traditional leaders have antagonistic feelings towards the implementation of SPLUMA, there is sufficient goodwill for cooperation with the local governments in the district. While the necessary plans and policies are in place, the main obstacles are the constraints experienced by the municipalities – staff, finances, and an unstable political environment.

He also found that implementing the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) in the traditional areas is a challenge, since municipalities do not control land allocation. “Planners are excluded from land allocation; thus, there is no adherence to the provisions of the SDF. This impacts service delivery, disaster management, and the judicious use of the environment in the traditional areas,” he said.

Improving sustainability of the area

Dr Sekyi-Ampah believes that he can add value through his research. It can improve the sustainability of the area if these constraints are addressed, and if traditional leaders are included in the planning and land use management processes. Ultimately, this can alleviate the plight of residents.

“I recommend the Department of Urban and Regional Planning to any prospective student, because it has a team of academics and support staff that will guarantee success for prospective students who are prepared to put in the requisite effort,” said Dr Sekyi-Ampah.

He is looking forward to continuing his research and to mentor prospective students based on the experience and wealth of knowledge obtained from this research and his experience as a town and regional planner.

News Archive

Reverend Frank Chikane honours ‘Oom Bey’ at second Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture for 2012
2012-09-11

Rev. Frank Chikane and Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett
10 September 2012

The 9th Beyers Naude Memorial Lecture, a partnership initiative between the University of the Free State (UFS) and Kagiso Trust, was held on the South Campus of the university last week. The theme of the lecture focused on Collaborative partnership for social cohesion: Building of a nation with ethics.

Guest speaker, Reverend Frank Chikane, is a member of the UDF, ANC, Director-General in the Office of the President and a board member of Kagiso Trust.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane focused on the first 45 years in the life of Beyers Naudé, sketching a picture of a man who lived for what he believes in. When this former minister of the South African Dutch Reformed Church and member of the Broederbond, decided to question the morality of the Apartheid government after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, he made some changes in his beliefs and started to play a big role in the struggle against apartheid.

“If one know about ‘Oom Bey’s’ earlier life, you will see how radical his contribution was in turning South Africa from a country on the brink of destruction to a country of peace. ‘Oom Bey’ must be seen as a role model, someone we can aspire to be in South Africa today,” Rev. Chikane said.

“From his legacy one sees elements of someone building a nation with ethics.

“He took sides with the poor against an unjust system. Power breaks cohesion. It makes people not to think,” Rev. Chikane said.

If Afrikaners and black people stood together after the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), we would have talked a different language today. However, they did not. Afrikaners stood together, excluding black people and cohesion between all races was destructed. ‘Oom Bey’ tried to build relationships between people from all races in South Africa in an effort to create peace amongst all people. He was alienated from the Broederbond and defrockedrom the church.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane also said that South Africa did not succeed in collaborative partnerships in terms of the economy. “We need collaborative action to change our economy. This specific failure can destroy all that we have built together.”

“All South Africans can be like ‘Oom Bey” and make a contribution, especially in terms of the economy. To deal with this challenge, we can all contribute. This is important because due to a poor economy, many people are desperate and desperate people can destroy any relationship that we might have built so far.”

At this event, the university and Kagiso Trust also announced the winners of a poetry and essay competition that coincided with this last Beyers Naudé lecture for 2012. The award ceremony looked at the creativity of the learners, how they expressed themselves as well as the novelty of their work. Students as well as learners from schools in the Free State participated in the competition and first, second and third place winners received cash prizes as well as a book from Rev. Frank Chikane for their brilliant work.
 

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