In academia, North West Province-born Gaopalelwe Mathiba is set to make history as he becomes the youngest student in the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the past decade.
According to the UCT statement, over the past 11 years, there have been only five PhD graduates aged 26 or younger out of 2 583 graduates to be produced from UCT.
Born in Tlakgameng, a village in the Kagisano Molopo Municipality, the 26-year-old senior law lecturer has dedicated years of research and dedication to his ground-breaking thesis titled "Towards a meaningful engagement approach to mining-induced displacements in South Africa: A legal comparative perspective”.
With research and teaching interests spanning property law, mining law, human rights law, and comparative law, Mathiba has carved a niche in academia. His accomplishments are a testament to his unwavering commitment and perseverance.
Reflecting on his achievements, Mathiba acknowledged the driving forces behind his success. He credits his strong faith and family-oriented values for shaping his journey.
This remarkable milestone holds deep personal meaning for Mathiba. He dedicated this academic achievement to his late mother, Dibakatsatsi, who instilled in him a strong belief in the power of education. While she may not be present to witness this pivotal moment, her influence resonates throughout Mathiba's journey.
He also dedicated his PhD to his wife, Tshiamo Mathiba, and their newborn daughter, Warona Mathiba. The convergence of his thesis's completion and his daughter's birth added an extra layer of significance to this accomplishment.
Mathiba's academic journey has been filled with transformative experiences. He completed his LLB at North-West University (NWU) in 2018 and went on to obtain his LLM (with distinction) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in 2019.
His pursuit of knowledge led him to enrol in a PhD programme at UCT in 2020. Along the way, he had the opportunity to work at various universities, contributing to his growth and the understanding of the academic landscape.
His passion for academic writing flourished as an undergraduate law student at NWU. From publishing his first scientific paper during his final year of LLB to providing research assistance for expert affidavits, Mathiba's early exposure to rigorous legal research ignited his love for academia. It fuelled his drive to make a significant impact.
Now, as he prepares to graduate with a PhD, Mathiba's academic career is still in its infancy, spanning nearly four years. However, his high research output, expertise, qualifications, and teaching experience have contributed to his appointment as a senior lecturer at UCT.
Mathiba's story inspires aspiring academics and showcases the power of determination and hard work. His ground-breaking research in the field of law has the potential to drive positive change and protect vulnerable communities affected by mining-induced displacements.
As he continues to make strides in academia, Math remains grateful to all who have supported him and acknowledges the guiding hand of a higher power. With his family by his side, he is poised to embark on an exciting and impactful career, leaving an indelible mark on the field of law.
