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20 April 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Charl Devenish
Rea Parkies
Dr Reabetswe Parkies, Senior Officer in Marketing within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), graduates with a PhD in Business Management at the April 2024 graduations.

The April 2024  graduations at the University of the Free State (UFS) mark a significant moment for graduates in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS),  including Dr Reabetswe Parkies, whose journey in attaining a PhD in Business Management has been one of dedication and perseverance.

Reflecting on the upcoming ceremony, Dr Parkies expressed mixed emotions, encapsulating the essence of her journey: ‘’As I prepare to walk across that stage, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions—excitement, pride, nostalgia, and perhaps a hint of apprehension about what lies ahead.’’ This moment represents the culmination of years of hard work and commitment to her academic pursuits.

Dr Parkies’s doctoral thesis, titled “Student self-employment in South Africa: A triple helix model, entrepreneurial competence and social support perspective,” delves into the complex dynamics of student entrepreneurship within the South African context. Her study aims to develop a comprehensive model for understanding self-employment, incorporating factors such as entrepreneurial competence, social support, and the role of the university, industry and government initiatives.

A culmination of years of hard work

The path to achieving her PhD was not without its challenges. Balancing her responsibilities as a Senior Officer in Marketing at the UFS with the demands of academic research required meticulous time management and personal sacrifice. ‘’As time went on, I found my rhythm and developed strategies to become more efficient and effective,’’ Dr Parkies explained. She credits her successful completion of the PhD to the unwavering support of her supervisors and her determination.

As she prepares to celebrate this milestone, Dr Parkies looks ahead to future contributions to her field. ’’By delving deeper into my area of expertise, I aim to uncover new insights and share these findings with the academic community through scholarly articles,’’ she remarked, emphasising her commitment to ongoing research and knowledge dissemination.

Dr Reabetswe Parkies's achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars and underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in pursuing academic excellence. Her journey exemplifies the ethos of the University of the Free State in fostering academic growth and scholarly inquiry. 

News Archive

A & M Foundation to empower youth
2016-10-25

Description: ’Manapo UFS cross-country    Tags: UFS cross-country

Margo Fargo and Andricia Hinckemann,
the co-founders of the A & M Foundation.
Photo: Supplied

“Knowing that we are changing the lives of generations to come is motivation enough for me to wake up every day.”

These are the words of Andricia Hinckemann and Margo Fargo, the co-founders of the A & M Foundation. The foundation aims to empower young learners by providing greater platforms for social growth and development, allowing learners to be agents of change.

Going beyond textbook scopes

Andricia, a finalist of Miss Commonwealth 2016, is currently doing her Masters in Labour Law at the University of the Free State (UFS). Fargo is doing her Honours in BSc Consumer Science at the UFS. She is also the first princess for Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2016 and a brand ambassador for Kalos Collections.

Margo says knowing it is no longer just about herself is more than enough to keep her going. “Be eager to learn beyond the scope of your textbooks and never limit yourself to your field of study,” she says.

Motivation to go the extra mile

The foundation specifically focuses on high school pupils, and helps build confidence among young adults in order that they become active social agents. “It’s about finding an identity irrespective of the circumstances you are in and developing townships to unlearn bad habits such as drug and alcohol abuse that have been instilled in these communities,” says Andricia.

Their main goal is to build something that is sustainable. “We want to go international and fund a group of high school pupils through tertiary education at any institution in the world.”

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