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UFS PhD graduate: “Learning is a lifelong experience”

09 December 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs

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

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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