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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

Three OSM students selected for the 2013 World Youth Symphony Orchestra
2013-01-25


Carmi Nel

Elsabe Raath

Maja van Dyk

25 January 2013

Three students from the University of the Free State’s Odeion School of Music (OSM) have proved their mettle. Carmi Viljoen (violin), Elsabé Raath (viola) and Maja van Dyk (viola), have been accepted into the prestigious World Youth Orchestra – an orchestra known worldwide for its quality and the prix de corps itadvances between nations.

Musica Europa, an Italian cultural association, founded the World Youth Orchestra (WYO) in its present guise in 2001. It has close ties with UNICEF and its mission is to combine music with social activities from cultures all over to world in order to enrich the cultural life of all.

Rigorous auditions are held which require applicants to upload video recordings onto a website (Vimeo). An international board of adjudicators subsequently listens to these recordings and select the best.The three OSM students were good enough to make the grade.

These three musicians are also members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the MIAGI orchestra that toured Europe successfully last year. They are also outstanding chamber musicians. Carmi and Elsabé, as members of the Junior Odeion String Quartet, have shown that they are on par with international standards and have toured The Netherlands. In 2012, Maja van Dyk had been selected to perform as soloist with the National Youth String Orchestra under the baton of Swedish conductor and violinist, Fredrik Burstedt.

They first heard of the possibility of playing for the WYO through Anmari van der Westhuizen, lecturer at the OSM. Margarite Spies from the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) had contacted her in search of worthy candidates. A scant three weeks later, they received the good news of their inclusion.

The orchestra, with representatives from five continents, will be touring South Africa this year and no less than nine South Africans have been included. The tour kicks off in Durban, followed by performances in East London, Plettenberg Bay, George, Knysna, Stellenbosch, with a grand finale in the Cape Town City Hall.

Works that will be performed include ‘’Romeo and Juliet’’ by Prokofiev, the irrepressible “Carnival Overture” by Dvorák, Barber’s ‘’Adagio for Strings’’ and part of Mahler’s majestic Fifth Symphony, all under the baton of the dynamic Josep Vicent.

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