31-Oct-2019 1300

1

Welcome to the
Graduation Ceremony
of the
University of Johannesburg
31 October 2019
Welkom by die
Gradeplegtigheid
van die
Universiteit van Johannesburg
31 Oktober 2019
Le a Amogelwa
Moletlong wa Dikapešo wa
Yunibesithi ya Johannesburg
31 Diphalane 2019
Niyamukelwa
eMcimbini wokweThweswa kweZiqu
weNyuvesi yaseJohannesburg
31 kuMfumfu 2019
2

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
CHANCELLOR
Prof NS Ndebele
BA (Lesotho), MA (Cambridge UK), PhD (Denver USA)
SENIOR OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE UNIVERSITY
VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL
Prof T Marwala
BS Eng (Case Western Reserve USA), MEng (UP), PhD (Cambridge UK)
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR ACADEMIC
Prof A Parekh
BA, BA Hons, MA (UDW), MA (Kansas USA), DPhil (UDW)
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONALISATION
Prof S Sinha
BEng, MEng, PhD (UP)
REGISTRAR
Prof IC Burger
BA, HEd, BA Hons, MA, PhD (RAU)
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Ms N Mamorare
BCom (Rhodes), BCom Hons (UKZN), CA (SA)
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Prof A Swart
NDip, NHDip (TWR), BEd, MEd (RAU), DTech (TWR)
GENERAL COUNSEL
Prof PH O’Brien
BCom, LLB, LLM, LLD (RAU)
SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE
Dr N Vukuza
BA (Fort Hare), BA Hons (Rhodes), DTE (UNISA), MA (Wits), PhD (Stellenbosch)
3

EXECUTIVE DEANS
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Prof D van Lill
BSc, BSc Hons, MSc, PhD (US)
FACULTY OF ART, DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
Ms A Breytenbach (Acting)
BArch (UP), MBA (UJ)
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
Prof SJ Gravett
BA, HEd (PU for CHE), BEd, MEd, DEd (RAU)
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Prof DJ Mashao
BSc Eng (UCT), MSc Eng (UCT), MSc AM (Brown, USA), PhD (Brown, USA)
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Prof S Khan
BSc, BSc Hons, MSc, PhD (UWC)
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
Prof AB Broadbent
BA, BA Hons, MPhil, PhD (Cambridge UK)
FACULTY OF LAW
Prof LG Mpedi
B Juris, LLB (Vista), LLM (RAU), LLD (UJ)
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Prof D Meyer
BSc, BSc Hons, MSc (RAU), PhD (California USA)
4

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
CHAIRPERSON
Mr MS Teke
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Dr Y Ndema
MEMBERS
Prof H Abrahamse
Mr FM Baleni
Mr T Ditshego
Ms S Dlamini
Ms K Gugushe
Prof D Hildebrandt
Ms X Kakana
Mr G Khosa
Mr MS Khoza
Ms K Khumalo
Ms B Madikizela
Mr M Mahlasela
Prof T Marwala
Mr T Mati
Ms Z Matlala
Prof A Parekh
Dr WP Rowland
Prof A Strydom
PRESIDENT OF CONVOCATION
Dr BM Diale
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Programme
Thursday, 31 October 2019 at 13:00
To ensure good order during the ceremony all those present are requested to leave
the Auditorium only after the ceremony has been concluded.
The academic procession enters the Auditorium and the members of the procession take
their seats on the stage.
The choir sings Gaudeamus Igitur (or a CD is played) while those present remain
standing.
The Chancellor constitutes the congregation.
Choir.
Welcome.
The relevant Executive Dean presents the candidates to the Chancellor for the
conferment of a degree/diploma/certificate.
Singing of the National Anthem.
The Chancellor dissolves the congregation.
The academic procession leaves the Auditorium while those present remain standing.
Lenaneo
Labone, 31 Diphalane 2019 ka 13:00
Go kgonthiša gore dilo di sepela ka tshwanelo nakong ya moletlo, bohle bao ba tlilego
moletlong ba kgopelwa go tšwa ka Holong ya kopano feela ka morago ga ge moletlo o
phethilwe.
Sehlopha sa dirutegi se tsena ka Holong ya kopano gomme maloko a sehlopha se a dula
ditulong tša ona sefaleng.
Khwaere e opela Gaudeamus Igitur (goba CD e tlo bapalwa) mola bao ba lego gona ba
tšwela pele go ema.
Mokhanseliri o kopanya phuthego.
Khwaere.
Dikamogelo.
Hlogophethiši ya maleba ya lefapha e hlagiša dialoga go Mokhanseliri gore di newe
tikrii/diploma/setifikeiti.
Go opelwa ga Koša ya Setšhaba.
Mokhanseliri o phatlalatša phuthego.
Sehlopha sa dirutegi se tšwa ka Holong ya kopano mola bao ba lego gona ba tšwela pele
go ema.
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Program
Donderdag, 31 Oktober 2019 om 13:00
Ter wille van die ordelike verloop van die plegtigheid
word alle aanwesiges vriendelik versoek
om die Ouditorium nie voor die einde van die plegtigheid te verlaat nie.
Die akademiese prosessie kom die Ouditorium binne en neem op die verhoog plaas.
Die koor sing Gaudeamus Igitur (of ‘n CD word gespeel) terwyl die aanwesiges staan.
Die Kanselier stel die kongregasie saam.
Koor.
Verwelkoming.
Die betrokke uitvoerende dekaan stel die kandidate aan die Kanselier voor vir die
toekenning van ‘n graad/diploma/sertifikaat.
Sing van die volkslied.
Die Kanselier ontbind die kongregasie.
Terwyl die aanwesiges bly staan, verlaat die akademiese prosessie die Ouditorium.
Uhlelo
uLwesine, 31 kuMfumfu 2019 ngelo-13:00
Ukuze kuqinisekwe ukuthi konke kuhamba kahle ngesikhathi somcimbi, bonke abakhona
bacelwa ukuba baphume eHholweni kuphela lapho umcimbi usuphothuliwe.
Udwendwe lezifundiswa lungena ehholweni bese amalungu odwendwe ahlala phansi
esiteji.
Ikwaya icula i-Gaudeamus Igitur (noma kudlalwa iCD) ngalenkathi labo abakhona
besamile.
UShansela uhlanganisa ibandla.
Ikwaya.
Ukwamukelwa.
Izinhloko Eziyiziphathimandla ezithintekayo zethula abafundi kuShansela weNyuvesi
ukuze bathole idigiri/idiploma/isitifiketi.
Kuculwa iHubo Lesizwe.
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Gaudeamus Igitur
Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus;
Post iucundum iuventutem,
Post molestam senectutem
Nos habebit humus.
Vivat academia,
Vivant professores,
Vivat membrum quodlibet,
Vivat membra quaelibet;
Semper sint in flore!
English
Let us rejoice, therefore,
While we are young.
After a pleasant youth
After a troubling old age
The earth will have us.
Long live the academy!
Long live the professors!
Long live each student;
Long live the whole fraternity;
For ever may they flourish!
Sesotho sa Leboa
Ka gona, a re thabeng,
Re sa le ba bafsa.
Ka morago ga bofsa bjo bo bose
Ka morago ga go tšofala mo go nago le
mathata
Lefase le tla ba le rena.
Phela thuto phela!
Phelang diprofesa phelang!
Phelang baithuti phelang;
Phela kagišano ka botlalo phela;
O ka re ba ka phela gabotse goyagoile!
Afrikaans
Laat ons dan vrolik wees,
Terwyl ons jonk is;
Na ’n aangename jeug.
Na ’n onaangename oudag,
Sal die aarde ons hou.
Lank lewe die universiteit,
Lank lewe die professore,
Lank lewe elke student,
Lank lewe al die studente,
Mag hulle vir ewig hul jeug behou!
Zulu
Ngakho, masithokoze
Sisebasha nje.
Emva kobumnandi bobusha
Emva kwezinkinga zobudala
Umhlaba uzosithatha.
Phambili ngemfundo!
Phambili boSolwazi!
Phambili nakuwe mfundi;
Phambili ngenhlangano yonke;
Maziqhubeke ngonaphakade!
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QUALIFICATIONS
1. Diploma (Dip): Architectural Technology
Mokoena, Albert Mandla
Mumba, Msirim
Naran Kara, Eshara
2. Bachelor in Architecture
Banda, Shadreck
3. Masters in Art (MA):
Becker, Zadie (Jewellery Design)
Dissertation: A Personal exploration of Afrikaner Identity through Jewellery
Practice.
Supervisor: Prof J Peter
Bediako, Kimberly Adwoa (Fashion Design)
Dissertation: Fashion and technology: A study exploring digital communication of
fashion information targeted at Generation Z consumers.
Supervisor: Mr A Muthambi
Co-Supervisor: Dr DN Smal
Dzirba-Van Rooyen, Sylvia Alexsandra (Interior Design)
Dissertation: Holistic Interior Design for Business: Retail design of quick-service
dining environments within the Johannesburg context.
Supervisor: Ms A Breytenbach
Jayanandham, Carey Anne (Communication Design)
Dissertation: Visual representations of identity in Afropolitan magazine covers.
Supervisor: Prof JD Pretorius
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Mabale, Nthabiseng Pamela (Multimedia)
Dissertation: Retracting the beholder's eyes: Portrayals of black South African
women's beauty in television commercials.
Supervisor: Dr AT Ambala
Co-Supervisor: Ms L Raubenheimer
4. National Diploma (NDip)
Chauke, Rhulani Sharon (Building)
Chavalala, Ntwano Chriswell (Engineering: Civil)
Diphoko, Khothatso (Engineering: Civil)
Khumalo, Khumbulani (Engineering: Civil)
Ludere, Tshedza (Building)
Mabuza, Wandile Sakhile (Engineering: Civil)
Magangeni, Nkateko Blessing (Town and Regional Planning)
Makukule, Adonis Zinto (Town and Regional Planning)
Maluleke, Vukosi (Engineering: Civil)
Marole, Thivhaloshi (Engineering: Civil)
Mathebula, Percy (Engineering: Civil)
Mdaka, Basani (Town and Regional Planning)
Moabelo, Boitumelo (Town and Regional Planning)
Modiba, Rearabetswe Gabaiphiwe Shale (Town and Regional Planning)
Moela, Katlego Hlabirwa (Building)
Moyo, Lerato Sherpard (Building)
Mthombeni, Masana Nsuku (Building)
Racheku, Masilo Exellent (Engineering: Civil)
Rakoma, Kelebogile Georgina (Building)
Rapudi, Rector Riphuluse (Engineering: Civil)
Sefoloshi, Kenny Motsedi (Engineering: Civil)
Xulu, Busani (Town and Regional Planning)
Zawadi, Neema Gradi (Building)
5. Baccalaureus Technologiae (BTech)
Bolton, Thomas Jervis (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Boshoman, Mabuse (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Buthelezi, Phumlani Mpumelelo (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Chauke, Majiro Josia (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Dantile, Samkelekile Lundi (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Dlamini, Mzokhona Brian (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Dlamini, Nombuso Small (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Erero, Joel (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
10

Glanz, Brandon Raymond (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Kabamba, Kevin Mwamba (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Khoza, Cooper Sibusiso Albert (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Langa, Thapelo William (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Lotz, Freddie Melchior (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Lungu, Dalitso (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Maila, Tadima Raymond (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Makeketlane, Motlatso Gloudean (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Makume, Lehlonono (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Mashego, Morategi Robbias (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Mathebula, Risimati Wesley (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Mbatha, Lindokuhle (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Mdlalose, Sithabile Hlobisile (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Mdoda, Camagwini Ilana Wongalethu (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Mhlophe, Nkosana Joseph (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Moloele, Thabang William (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Moshokoa, Tumelo Victor (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Musema, Andy (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Nhantumbo, Carlota Katia (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Nthulana, Phindulo Seani (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
Phasha, Motsepe Ronny (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Ratsela, Tumisang Cordelia (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Sibande, Innocent Nkosinathi (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Thabang, Jeremiah Tumelo (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Thabede, Lefa Aubrey (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Tseka, Sophia Mahubane (Engineering: Civil: Water)
Tshabalala, Nondumiso Siphumelele (Engineering: Civil: Transportation)
Tswaledi, Billy Mmarumo (Engineering: Civil: Structural)
Xhanti, Sithandile (Engineering: Civil: Construction Management)
6. Baccalaureus Ingeneriae (BIng)
Banyini, Wanga (Civil Engineering)
Bodibe, Neliseiwe Norah (Civil Engineering)
Dimba, Lwazi Fundisa Lehlohonolo (Civil Engineering)
Hlebeya, Bhekumuzi Gift (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Khoza, Mbongeni Willy (Civil Engineering)
Kubayi, Wandisile Fortunate (Civil Engineering)
Lefifi, Bontle Thandi (Civil Engineering)
Maabane, Swelihle Jubilant (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Mabasa, Gaelle Ntumba (Civil Engineering)
Mahlatji, Thabiso Boke (Civil Engineering)
Makgamatha, Motala Alfred (Civil Engineering)
11

Maleaopo, Phetola Elias (Civil Engineering)
Mambeva, Simbarashe (Civil Engineering)
Mamutse, Esther (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Manenzhe, Mulalo Ivan (Civil Engineering)
Manganyi, Hlulekani Humphrey (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Marumo, Mathews (Civil Engineering)
Mayisa, Keletso Hezron (Civil Engineering)
Mhandu, Simbarashe Raphael (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Mokoele, Pulana Olympus (Mechanical Engineering)
Mollo, Tshepiso Persevarance (Civil Engineering)
Monare, Omphile (Civil Engineering)
Mosupi, Katlego Paul Junior (Civil Engineering)
Mtsweni, Thokozani Elias (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Munyai, Pfariso (Civil Engineering)
Muthambi, Matidza Lusani (Civil Engineering)
Ndlangamandla, Fisokuhle Lawrence (Civil Engineering)
Ndlovu, Lungani Guardian (Civil Engineering)
Ndodana, Zuko (Civil Engineering)
Ngcobo, Nhlakanipho Wiseman (Civil Engineering)
Ngonyama, Milton Moswaba (Civil Engineering)
Nguma, Thandwa (Civil Engineering)
Nkosi, Njabulo Felix (Civil Engineering)
Nkosi, Thabo Xolani (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Phetoe, Florance Thato (Civil Engineering)
Ravhutsi, Ritshidze (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Sekwambane, Manoko Joseph (Civil Engineering)
Selelo, Thabang Mohlatlego (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Selepe, Nkubi (Civil Engineering)
Shumba, Awonah (Civil Engineering)
Sibane, Tiisetso Kewin (Mechanical Engineering)
Sithole, Lethuthando (Electrical and Electronic Engineering with endorsement
Information Technology)
Tayob, Naeem (Mechanical Engineering)
Thopola, Kabelo Africa (Civil Engineering)
Zwane, Ndumiso (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
7. Magister Technologiae (MTech)
Adeyemi, Benjamen Sunkanmi (Construction Management) (with distinction)
Dissertation: Assessment of conflict management among professionals in the
Nigerian construction industry
Supervisor: Prof CO Aigbavboa
Co-Supervisor: Prof WD Thwala
12

Bambokela, Jonathan Empompo (Chemical Engineering) (with distinction)
Dissertation: Assessing the chemiabsorptive potency of organic solvents and
potential utilisation of CO2 after Biogas upgrading
Supervisor: Prof E Muzenda
Co-Supervisor: Prof M Belaid
Diba, Nthabiseng Molebogeng Joycynthia (Quantity Surveying)
Dissertation: An assessment of social sustainability considerations during publicsector
infrastructure procurement: the case of Free State Province
Supervisor: Dr BO Awuzie
Co-Supervisor: Prof CO Aigbavboa
Dlamini, Sibusiso Bongani (Engineering: Mechanical)
Dissertation: Exploring the capabilities of a grid connected photovoltaic system for
an office building
Supervisor: Mr E Bakaya-Kyahurwa
Co-Supervisor: Dr MM Mashinini
Dube, Nomfundo Nobuhle Faith (Construction Management)
Dissertation: Site management practices in Swaziland’s construction projects
Supervisor: Prof CO Aigbavboa
Co-Supervisor: Prof WD Thwala
Kaelo, Olehile John (Engineering: Mechanical)
Dissertation: Characterisation of polymer matrix composites properties, using
novel indigenous fiber
Supervisor: Dr A Mashamba
Co-Supervisor: Prof AL Nel
Mafafo, Ramokone Marcia (Chemical Engineering)
Dissertation: High-temperature erosion-wear behavior of stainless steel matrix
composite.
Supervisor: Prof PA Olubambi
Co-Supervisor: Dr BA Obadele
Magabe, Oupa Marene Raymond (Engineering: Mechanical) (with distinction)
Dissertation: Investigation on Wire Spark Erosion machining of NITI shape
memory alloys
Supervisor: Prof K Gupta
Co-Supervisor: Dr N Sharma
13

Maubane, Lesego Tabea (Chemical Engineering)
Dissertation: Development of highly functional PBSA/Butyl-etherified starch
nanocomposites using reactive extrusion
Supervisor: Dr Suprakas Sinha Ray
Co-Supervisor: Prof K Jalama
Musundire, Suwisai (Construction Management)
Dissertation: Mitigating the triple challenge through the influence of green building
literacy on pro-environmental behaviours in Johannesburg, South Africa
Supervisor: Prof CO Aigbavboa
Co-Supervisor: Prof WD Thwala
Tladi, Moemedi Ngoanamosadi Advocate (Chemical Engineering)
Dissertation: Study of the electrochemical characteristics of cathodically protected
2205 duplex stainless steel in saline environment
Supervisor: Prof PA Olubambi
Co-Supervisor: Dr BA Obadele
8. Master of Sustainable Urban Planning and Development
Baloyi, Ethel (Sustainable Urban Planning and Development)
Minor Dissertation: Evaluating the location of fire Stations using GIS-Based
accessibility analysis: A case study in Ekurhuleni
Supervisor: Mrs VN Letsoko
Co-Supervisor: Prof W Musakwa
Malapane, Olgah Lerato (Sustainable Urban Planning and Development)
Minor Dissertation: Landscape change in the Levhuvhu and Nzhelele River
catchments, Venda Limpopo province South Africa
Supervisor: Prof W Musakwa
Co-Supervisor: Prof T Gumbo
Mkhongi, Felicity Aphiwe (Sustainable Urban Planning and Development) (with
distinction)
Minor Dissertation: Perspectives of GIS education in secondary schools,
uMgungundlovu District, South Africa
Supervisor: Prof W Musakwa
Co-Supervisor: Mrs V Yeni-Letsoko
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9. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Art History
Hobbs, Philippa Anne
Thesis: Ideology, imagery and female agency in tapestry at the Evangelical
Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre, Rorke's Drift, during the Swedish period
1961 - 1976.
Supervisor: Prof BL Schmahmann
10. Doctor Philosophiae (DPhil)
Nkomo, Malvin (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Thesis: Virtualised Overlay Wireless Sensor Networks for Heterogeneous Internet
of Things applications
Supervisor: Prof S Sinha
Co-Supervisors: Prof GP Hancke and Prof A Abu-Mahfouz
11. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Abdulrahman, Kamardeen Olajide (Mechanical Engineering)
Thesis: Laser Metal Deposition of titanium aluminide composites
Supervisor: Prof ET Akinlabi
Co-Supervisor: Dr RM Mahamood
Damisa, Uyikumhe (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Thesis: Energy management models for renewable energy-assisted prosumer
microgrids
Supervisor: Prof NI Nwulu
Co-Supervisor: Prof Y Sun
Gbadamosi, Saheed Lekan (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Thesis: Optimal composite generation and transmission expansion planning
considering renewable energy sources, harmonies and system reliability
Supervisor: Prof NI Nwulu
Co-Supervisor: Prof Y Sun
Mahajan, Sagar Bhaskar (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Thesis: Development of novel Non-Isolated unidirectional DC-DC multistage power
converter configurations for renewable energy applications-hardware implantation
and investigation studies
Supervisor: Prof P Sanjeevikumar
Co-Supervisor: Prof F Blaabjerg
15

Mahlobo, Mandlenkosi George Robert (Chemical Engineering)
Thesis: Cathodic protection of steel buried in unsaturated soils: Role of polarisation
level, pH and carbonate concentration
Supervisor: Prof PA Olubambi
Co-Supervisor: Prof P Refait
Matheri, Anthony Njuguna (Chemical Engineering)
Thesis: Mathematical modelling of biological wastewater treatment and bioenergy
production processes
Supervisor: Prof F Ntuli
Co-Supervisors: Prof JC Ngila and Dr T Seodigeng
Mwema, Fredrick Madaraka (Mechanical Engineering)
Thesis: Thin film coating: characterising the evolving properties of aluminium thin
films prepared via RF Magnetron Sputtering
Supervisor: Prof ET Akinlabi
Co-Supervisor: Dr OP Oladijo
Sithole, Nastassia Thandiwe (Chemical Engineering)
Thesis: Synthesis and evaluation of slag based geopolymers for acidic mineral
effluent remediation and geotechnical engineering applications.
Supervisor: Prof F Ntuli
Co-Supervisor: Prof F Okonta
16

Hobbs, Philippa Anne (PhD)
Philippa Hobbs, currently a postdoctoral research fellow with the SARChI Chair:
South African Art and Visual Culture at the University of Johannesburg, graduated
with a National Higher Diploma in Fine Art (with distinction) from the Technikon
Witwatersrand, in 1987 and with an MA Art History (with distinction) from the
University of the Witwatersrand in 2004. In the late 1990s, she started working with
the MTN SA Foundation, becoming Senior Manager in charge of the Arts and
Culture portfolio between 2009 and 2014. An accomplished printmaker and curator,
she is also an art historian who has published numerous journal articles and book
chapters. Co-author (with Elizabeth Rankin) of Printmaking in a Transforming South
Africa (David Philip, 1997), Rorke’s Drift: Empowering Prints, (Double Story Books,
2003) and Listening to Distant Thunder: The Art of Peter Clarke (Standard Bank,
2011; Penguin Random House, 2014), she was also the editor of Messages and
Meaning: The MTN Art Collection (David Krut Publishing, 2006).
In her ground-breaking thesis, Philippa Hobbs examines the tapestry practice
initiated and run by Swedish artists at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and
Craft Centre in Rorke’s Drift during the 1960s and early 1970s. Gender politics
provide a lens for her investigation of both the philanthropy of the Swedes and the
responses to it by isiZulu-speaking women who joined the weavery. Through close
analysis of tapestries, many of which were formerly unknown, Hobbs reveals how
women assumed agency by reworking oral narratives in such a way that their works
commented on apartheid policies, missionary strictures as well as limiting social
conventions. Her three examiners – all international scholars – were unanimous in
their praise of the study. Commenting how the thesis brings to light works by
women that were formerly neglected in scholarship, they also observed that
Philippa Hobbs’ thesis provides an outstanding example of how feminist analysis
can enable wholly new perspectives on histories.
Supervisor: Prof BL Schmahmann
17

Nkomo, Malvin (DPhil)
Malvin Nkomo was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 1984. He received a Bachelor
of Engineering Honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the National
University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe in 2009. In 2012, he completed
a Master’s of Science degree in Communication and Information Engineering at
Shandong University of Science and Technology in Shandong, China. In 2015, he
proceeded to pursue his doctoral studies at the University of Johannesburg. He has
vast industry experience in the field of embedded systems design, having started
his career as a junior engineer at MH Automation and continued to become a
seasoned research, innovations and design engineer at Econet Wireless. He is also
a technology entrepreneur who founded Hailer Technologies − a Pan-African digital
on-demand mobility platform.
In his doctoral research, he focused on advanced wireless sensor networks (WSN)
in heterogeneous internet of things applications, bringing near-cloud computing
competencies to the edge of the WSN. He proposed a novel architecture that
implements virtualisation and overlay networks as on-demand applications at the
edge of the WSN enabling a sensor-as-a-service paradigm to shared sensor
systems, thereby improving energy efficiency, communication latencies and
network congestion.
Supervisor: Prof S Sinha
Co-Supervisor: Prof GP Hancke, Jnr
Co-Supervisor: Dr A Abu-Mahfouz
18

Abdulrahman, Kamardeen Olajide (PhD)
Kamardeen Olajide Abdulrahman was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, in 1983. He
obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Mechanical Engineering from
the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, in 2008. He further attended
the University of Derby, England, where he obtained a Master of Science (MSc)
degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in 2014. In February 2017,
he registered for a doctoral degree at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is a registered member of the Council of Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria
(COREN) and currently works as a Lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
The material world faces increasing challenges in dire need of durable materials for
advanced applications. The candidate’s doctoral study focuses on the effect of
deposition parameters and preheating of substrate on the properties of fabricated
titanium aluminide using the laser deposition technique. He carried out an extensive
study on the deposition of titanium aluminide powder (Ti-4822-4 or Ti-Al-Nb-Cr in
prealloyed proportion) on pure titanium (CP-Ti) substrates using three scenarios
(unpreheated, laser preheated and heating-bed preheated substrates). Deposited
samples were characterised through visual observation, microhardness,
microstructure, X-ray diffraction, dry-sliding wear, corrosion and nano-indentation
test for hardness, modulus of elasticity, stiffness and creep. The result outcome
revealed that careful control and increase in energy intensity (most especially
increase in laser power and a reduction in the scanning speed), can totally
eliminate cracks and lead to the production of superior titanium aluminide
composite material suitable for high temperature applications.
Supervisor: Prof ET Akinlabi
Co-Supervisor: Dr RM Mahamood
19

Damisa, Uyikumhe (PhD)
Uyikumhe Damsia was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1988. He earned his Senior
Secondary School Certificate in 2005, and obtained his Honours degree in
Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Lagos in 2010. In
2015, he obtained a Masters’ degree from the same university, and enrolled for a
doctoral degree at the University of Johannesburg in 2017. While studying for the
degree, he served the University as tutor, demonstrator, student assistant and
lecturer.
The advancement of energy management techniques paves the way for increased
adoption of renewable energy resources, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of
utilities, communities and countries. In this doctoral research, energy management
models for renewable energy-assisted prosumer microgrids were developed. The
models were formulated as constrained optimisation problems whose solutions
minimise the operating cost of microgrids, while satisfying grid constraints. Using
the models, the use of batteries and dispatchable loads in dealing with the
uncertainty introduced by intermittent renewable energy resources, demand and
prosumers, was explored. The models were validated using test systems, while an
algebraic modelling language solver was used for model validation. Results showed
the positive impact of demand-side participation on the operational economics of a
microgrid. Improvement and implementation of the proposed energy management
strategies would facilitate consumer participation in grid power balancing and, the
integration of renewable energy resources.
Supervisor: Prof NI Nwulu
Co-Supervisor: Prof Y Sun
20

Gbadamosi, Saheed Lekan (PhD)
Saheed Lekan Gbadamosi was born in Nigeria in 1985. He obtained the BTech
(Honours) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Ladoke Akintola
University of Technology, Nigeria, in 2009. He obtained an MEng in Power System
Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2014. He enrolled
for a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg in 2017. He is
a registered Candidate Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa
(ESCA) and a registered Professional Engineer with the Council of Regulation for
Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). His research interests include power systems
operation and planning, renewable energy optimisation and power quality.
Electricity generation via conventional generating systems grapples with
challenges, including emission of greenhouse gases, uncertainty associated with
fossil fuel prices and incidences of failure or outages of generators. This thesis
investigated a solution methodology that includes high utilisation of offshore
renewable energy sources and the incorporation of economic incentives to
encourage the use of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the thesis
developed optimisation models for improving the power quality and reliability of
power systems with large-scale renewable energy sources. A novel method for
estimating Locational Marginal Prices (LMP) as a function of harmonic power
losses was also developed. The developed technique shows an effective approach
to the minimisation of nodal marginal prices, harmonics and power losses coupled
with grid voltage profile enhancement. Lastly, a reliability framework for the
integration of large-scale renewable energy sources into a power system was
considered with the end result being increased grid dependability and reliability.
Supervisor: Prof NI Nwulu
Co-supervisor: Prof Y Sun
21

Mahajan, Sagar Bhaskar (PhD)
Sagar Bhaskar Mahajan was born in India on 25 June 1989. He received the
Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai, India (2011), and a
Master’s in Power Electronics and Drives from the VIT University, India (2014).
Prior to his PhD studies, he was assistant professor at the Marathwada Institute of
Technology, India. His research work related to power electronics, drives and
renewable energy. He is a member of IEEE, including various IEEE societies like
IES and IAS. He is a review member of various journals and conferences including
IEEE and IET. He received the IEEE ACCESS Journal award, Reviewer of the
Month, in January 2019.
Sagar Bhaskar Mahajan started his PhD work related to modelling and circuit
formation of power converters. His work mainly focused on non-isolated
unidirectional power converters and application to renewable energy systems. He
identified design challenges for high voltage converters and derived a novel
configuration based on the multistage concept. He is the first researcher to develop
a new family of power converters called X-Y converter series. The X-Y power
converter family has three classifications: two-stage, three-stage, and N-stage X-Y
power converters. He tested all originally developed circuits in numerical simulation
software and experimentally validated prototypes developed from base. He has
shown his commitment to research by disseminating articles referring to the X-Y
converter family, multilevel and high gain converter.
Supervisor: Prof P Sanjeevikumar
Co-Supervisor: Prof F Blaabjerg
22

Mahlobo, Mandlenkosi George Robert (PhD)
Mandlenkosi Mahlobo completed his Chemical Engineering undergraduate studies
at Tshwane University of Technology before enrolling for his MTech studies in
2012. His MTech research was completed cum laude in 2016 producing two
international conference publications. He enrolled for his PhD at the University of
Johannesburg in 2016 and was awarded the NRF Travel Grant to the University of
La Rochelle (France) where he spent 15 months working on his research. His
research has so far produced three conference papers, a Best Presentation Award
at the University of West of Scotland, and he recently submitted three articles for
journal publication.
The rationale behind the research was to establish a reliable method for estimating
and monitoring the corrosion phenomena occurring in buried pipeline steels and to
understand their cathodic protection efficiencies in varying soil environments. The
specifically modified voltammetry technique in combination with electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy and linear polarization resistance used in this study
provided insights into the degradation processes occurring at the steel/electrolyte
interfaces in soil environments. The study approach demonstrated that cathodic
protection effects and the varied wet-dry cycles largely influenced the oxygen mass
transfer mechanism, interfacial pH and electro-capillarity effects that led to the
formation of a pseudo-passive mineral layer covering steel surfaces and the
calcareous deposits that inhibited corrosion. The study revealed that cathodic
protection efficiency was primarily linked to the polarisation level, the properties of
the calcareous deposit, and those of the pseudo-passive oxide layer.
Supervisor: Prof PA Olubambi
Co-Supervisor: Prof P Refait
23

Matheri, Anthony Njuguna (PhD)
Anthony Njuguna Matheri was born in June 1986, in Nairobi, Kenya. He received
his Bachelor’s (2014) and Master’s (2016) degrees in Chemical Engineering from
the University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. He has been a full-time student
for his PhD in Chemical Engineering at UJ since 2016. Other professional studies
completed by Anthony are Mathematical Modelling (UP-SA and Chongqing
University, China); Machine Learning (Stanford); IP Law and Policy (Penn
University); Renewable Energies (UCT); and Entrepreneurship (Harvard). Anthony
is currently a research coordinator at UJ. His expertise is in green economy,
computational complexity, knowledge management, technology and innovation.
Global population and economic growth has increased waste generation and the
introduction of emerging contaminants into water streams that may pose sanitary
and environmental risks. These contaminants have increased the demand for new
approaches that address emerging pollutant removal in wastewater streams.
Wastewater treatment is inherently a dynamic process because of the large
variation in the influent concentration, flowrates and composition, which makes it
difficult to control the time-varying process parameters. The candidate applied
mass balance equations, the activated sludge model and artificial neural network,
using MATLAB, to predict and forecast the flow rates, the emerging micropollutants
concentration and their composition, biosolids utilisation and sludge
biochar utilisation in wastewater treatment plants. This combined knowledge of the
process dynamics with the prowess of mathematical models for evaluation of
wastewater treatment processes addressed the challenges posed by controlling the
time-varying process parameters.
Supervisor: Prof F Ntuli
Co-Supervisor: Prof JC Ngila
Co-Supervisor: Dr T Seodigeng
24

Mwema, Fredrick Madaraka (PhD)
Fredrick Madaraka Mwema was born in the South Eastern region of Kenya. He
received his BSc (First Class Honours) and MSc degrees in Mechanical
Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi,
Kenya, in 2011 and 2015, respectively. He then registered for a PhD degree at the
University of Johannesburg in January 2017. Mr Mwema is a registered graduate
mechanical engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and he is currently
an assistant lecturer at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya.
Aluminium thin films are used as metallisation networks in micro-electronic devices
and back contacts in solar cells. This is due to the low cost, high contact
conductivity, low diffusion in silicon and sheet resistance of aluminium. These
applications, however, are limited by microstructural defects. The candidate’s
doctoral study focused on the deposition and characterisation of aluminium films
through radio-frequency magnetron sputtering with the aim of achieving defect-free
films. The films were deposited on various substrates under different sputtering
parameters and characterised for structural, chemical and mechanical properties.
Optimised parameters for depositing films of aluminium via RF magnetron
sputtering were obtained in this study. The study revealed that sputtering aluminium
thin films within low temperature range (slightly below 100 o C) produces structures
with no defects. The study demonstrated, for the first time, that defect-free
sputtered aluminium films exhibit fractal behaviour and that fractal prediction can
improve the sputtering of aluminium thin films.
Supervisor: Prof ET Akinlabi
Co-Supervisor: Dr OP Oladijo
25

Sithole, Nastassia Thandiwe (PhD)
Nastassia Thandiwe Sithole was born in April 1991. She is currently a lecturer in
the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
She completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering
at UJ and has been a full-time PhD student since July 2016. She has published four
journal articles (two articles in press) and seven conference proceedings.
The candidate’s thesis was on waste valorisation, focusing on the beneficiation of
Basic Oxygen Furnace Slag (BOFS), with the purpose of utilising the material in
remediation of acid mine drainage and for construction applications. To achieve this
application value for BOFS, physico-chemical processing was conducted geared
towards improving the properties of BOFS for the aforementioned applications. The
candidate’s work is novel in that minimal work that has been done on utilisation of
BOFS to produce geopolymers for use as construction blocks that meet the
minimum requirements as per ASTM and South African standards. Furthermore,
the application of these developed geopolymers composites as geo-filters to treat
mine water by neutralisation and removal of metals and sulphates is a novel
concept that contributes to the body of knowledge. The treated mine water in this
study met the minimum statutory limits as stipulated in the South African water
quality guidelines.
Supervisor: Prof F Ntuli
Co-supervisor: Prof FN Okonta
26

See the back cover for the words of the National Anthem.
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the University of Johannesburg graduation ceremonies.
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