Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

Core herd established on the UFS Experimental Farm
2006-05-24

Seven of the foremost stud-farmers of the Afrikaner Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa, in cooperation with the University of the Free State (UFS), established a core herd on the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm outside Bloemfontein.

Each stud-farmer donated five heifers to the project.  In return, each farmer will annually receive a performance tested bull or semen of a performance tested bull out of the core herd.

With the establishment of the herd, the UFS wants to create a genetically outstanding herd to be used for the training of students, research as well as information sessions for farmers.  All the animals that cannot be used by the herd or the stud-farmers will be made available for auctioning at the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm.  

The herd will be kept under commercial conditions to ensure that only those animals who have adapted can be made available to the industry.  For more information Prof Frikkie Neser can be contacted at (051) 401-9595.

In front from the left are Mr Julian Balt (stud-farmer from  Carletonville), Prof Johan Greyling (Departmental Chairperson: Department of Animal- and Wildlife- and Grassland Sciences), Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences) and Mr Neels van Rooyen (stud-farmer  from Zastron). At the back from the left are Mr Willem Kooij (stud-farmer  from  Potchefstroom), Messrs Johan and Estian Cronjé (stud-farmers from  Winburg), Mr Willie Cloete (stud-farmer from Vryburg), Prof Frikkie Neser (lecturer at the UFS Department of Animal and Wildlife and Grassland Sciences) and Mr Schalk de Jager (stud-farmer from  Vryburg).

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept