Mkateko Vivian Mabunda from Lombard village, in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality (CCLM), graduated with a PhD in public affairs from the Tshwane University of Technology on Tuesday, 10 October. Her thesis was: "The impact of load shedding on SMEs in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality", and she firmly believes that her studies could be beneficial, not only to the CCLM, but also to other municipalities around South Africa.
In her studies, Mabunda confirmed that load shedding has a detrimental effect on small businesses and local economic development. Her recommendation is that policy makers assist the CCLM. "Through the Municipal Resilience Project, the government ought to capacitate the municipality to generate its own electricity," she suggested.
Earlier this year, the humble academic rose to international prominence when she addressed the BRICS Summit at Kota University in India about her research. She says her research will definitely assist the nation as far as the issue of load shedding is concerned.
Her success has inspired many locals who have commented favourably on her success. One of the respected leaders of the Vahlavi (Mabunda) people, Mr Gezani Mabunda, said he would discuss her research with the Vahlavi people, including Hosi Ngove of the Mabunda traditional Council, to consider how they could implement it. "She has put the Vahlavi people on the map, and I phoned her to tell her so," he said.