History was made when the University of Venda awarded six PhDs, 33 Master´s, 29 Honours, and 351 first degrees, as well as 22 diplomas and 83 certificates during a graduation that was held in the university’s Auditorium recently.

It was also historic in that one of the exchange scholars, Dr Christmas Denhere from Zimbabwe, a product of the partnership between the Great Zimbabwe University and Univen, received a doctorate.

The qualifications conferred were from eight schools, namely Management Sciences, Human and Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Agriculture and Mathematical and Natural Sciences.

One of the extraordinary graduates is hardworking and dedicated Ms Makgoshi Priscilla Masipa, who received her PhD degree. Masipa was born on January 5, 1945 in Middelburg in Mpumalanga. She was the firstborn child of Mr Makgobe Phillip and Mrs Lieschen S Makoela.

After completing her matric examinations through Damelin College in 1972, she did not look back. She taught Needle Work, Clothing and Afrikaans and has worked for several institutions, such as Komani High, Mokopane College of Education, Kalahari High School, and Sekgosese College of Education (HOD of Practical Subjects) from 1990 – 2000. From 2001 to date, she has been teaching Housing Provision and textile clothing and science at the University of Venda.

She attained her first degree, a Bachelor degree in Home Economics from the University of Zululand (1989). She later attained the Hons in Home Economics in 1993. She has also received a Master´s of Development from the University of Limpopo in 2001. Those who know her say that her new degree, the PhD in Rural Development from Univen, is consistent with her hard work.

And she is part of the global community, being a member of the International Federation of Home Economics as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization of UN. She is also the Chairperson of South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences) in Limpopo Province as well as the member of Young Women Christian Association. She is known to have initiated several projects, particularly in the Botlokwa area. Some of the projects she initiated include the Botlokwa Disabled Learning Centre, Ramatjowe Food Garden, Molemole Indigenous Agro Processing Cooperative, the South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences in Limpopo Province as well as the establishment of the Home Economics Forum for Colleges of Education in Limpopo Province.

She has presented papers at local, national as well as international levels and was in 1996 rated by the International Federation for Home Economics as an international researcher. She also published four articles in recognized journals mainly on community development issues. Some of her articles published in newspapers on Consumer Sciences issues.

“We are proud of our students’ success and the new knowledge acquired”, said Univen Vice Chancellor, Prof Peter Mbati in congratulating the students. “The University of Venda is to continue to play an increasing important role in relevant and appropriate skills development for regional growth in partnership with key stakeholders such as the provincial government, to meet government’s developmental agenda in rural development and poverty alleviation.”