Staff member earns doctoral degree despite heartbreaking loss

Clement Matasane's journey to earning his Doctoral degree is not only a testament to his academic dedication but also a story of incredible resilience in the face of profound personal loss.

Throughout his studies, he faced the unimaginable challenge of losing four siblings, a tragedy that took a heavy toll on his heart and spirit. During this time, he often found himself wishing fervently that his late father could witness his achievement as he walked across the graduation stage.

Despite these overwhelming circumstances, Matasane triumphed, receiving his Doctor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering during the CPUT Summer Graduation ceremony earlier today. Today, he stands proud-a devoted husband to Marethabile and a loving father to five daughters and one son. He reflects fondly on the words of his late father, who believed that education is truly "a weapon for a black, disadvantaged, and rural child." Achieving a doctoral degree is not just an academic milestone for Matasane it represents his unwavering spirit and profound personal growth. "This journey needed immense dedication and perseverance, along with a strong support system. I've now felt a deep sense of accomplishment and a renewed purpose," he shared.

The path has not been easy. Matasane faced numerous challenges socially, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. The onset of COVID-19 and the heartbreaking losses in his family were moments that tested him deeply, even forcing him to take a year-long study leave. Throughout this ordeal, his tenacity and commitment to his goals shone against the odds. His heartfelt advice for prospective PhD candidates is robust: find your passion, seek guidance from mentors, and prepare for the inevitable hurdles along the way. He says it's vital to maintain a healthy work-life balance and to believe in yourself. Embrace opportunities for training and collaboration, and engage with others in your field through workshops, symposiums, conferences, and research exchange programmes.

"It required dedication, perseverance, and a strong support system. I felt a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose. I experienced a lot of challenges in life, socially, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, as some obstacles came during my time of fieldwork when COVID-19 started, and worse, losing four siblings that caused me to take study leave for a year in 2020."

Clement's research focus-GIS Decision Support Systems in Rural Renewable Energy Deployment-aimed to shed light on how renewable energy resources can be effectively distributed and their potential for generating electricity. Utilizing multi-criteria evaluation techniques, he crafted a framework to define the distribution possibilities for various energy types. This vital research holds significant promise for the future of renewable energy initiatives, influencing project design, policymaking, and planning while considering the unique economic geography of the districts involved. Furthermore, the methodology developed can be applied to similar contexts, helping communities, designers, and installers assess, estimate, and validate the potential of renewable energy solutions.

Matasane's academic journey began at Lerotholi Polytechnic in Lesotho, where he laid the foundations of his studies, completing his undergraduate diploma in Electrical and Electronics. His pursuit of knowledge brought him back to Peninsula Technikon in 1994 for a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. He fuelled his passion further, earning a BTech in 1998 and a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2002. His fascination with research took root during the 1997 Logo Robotics Project at the Grahamstown Arts and Culture Festival which is where he became captivated by the potential of technology. This early interest eventually led him to delve deeper into environmental renewable energy and energy efficiency for his PhD.

Since joining CPUT in 2017 as a Research Manager under the Directorate Research Development (DRD), Matasane has continued to flourish. His career has been marked by impressive achievements, including five international peer-reviewed conference presentations across Nigeria, Uganda, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Scotland, alongside seven authored peer-reviewed publications with supervisors and collaborators. He has also garnered external funding for a critically important research project on the Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Platform for Transboundary River Basins in Southern Africa, illustrating his commitment to making a difference in his field and his community.