A small village in Giyani, Limpopo has produced it’s first PhD graduate when Dr. Orlette Mkhari, 33, was capped on Monday, 18 July 2022 at the University of Witwatersrand with his Doctorate in Philosophy.
Dr. Mkhari is the first person in the history of the Village of Bambeni, at Dzumeri to hold a PhD. He specializes in Material Science which is a branch of chemistry.
Mainly focusing on the fabrication of chemical nano material compositions that are cheap and can be used for breaking down and removal of water contaminants such as dyes and toxic metals.
Dr. Mkhari completed grade 12 at Bambeni Secondary School and went to the University of Limpopo to further his studies.
In 2013, he completed a BSc. Hons Advanced Chemistry and BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Limpopo.
In 2017, he completed an MSc. Degree in Structural Chemistry and Spectroscopy from the University of Leipzig, in Germany.
In 2022, he completed a PhD in Material Science, Chemistry from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits).
Dr. Mkhari worked for the University of Witwatersrand as a Laboratory demonstrator and Raman spectroscopy instructor. Junior chemist at S.A precious metal, South Africa. Laboratory demonstrator and tutor at the University of Limpopo. Leipzig Amazon distribution center, Germany. High school tutor at Bambeni Secondary School.
Dr. Mkhari has received a number of awards that comprise; National research foundation, international conference grant (year: 2019). National research foundation, (year: 2018-2020). Stipendien- und Betreuungsprogramm (STIBET), (year: 2017). Hilfe für Ausländische Studierende in Leipzig, (year: 2016). Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, EUROSA, (year: 2014-2016). National Research Foundation-Sasol Inzalo fellowship, (year: 2014). Sasol Inzalo fellowship, (year: 2013).
Dr. Mkhari won the R120k for his village at the final of the Makoti Annual Soccer Tournament at Ramotshinyadi Village on January 1, 2022. He’s the manager of Bambeni’s football team.
The village of Bambeni which consists of less than 700 units in the past produced a number of Educators, Police Officers and Media personnel among others. The village is situated on R529, 31 kilometers from Giyani town.
Dr. Orlette Mkhari’s primary school teacher, Rodgers Mabunda, told our sister paper Giyani View that he [Dr. Mkhari] was a brilliant learner from primary school, and you could see that the future is bright. “He is a good example in this village of how important education is. We are proud that we have produced a Doctor of philosophy“, he added.
Source: Giyani View
