Having a profound interest in flying into outer space, and the remarkable occurring in space and on other planets in fields such as Astronautics and Astrophysics is what launched space enthusiast, Thabani Mazibuko’s interest in choosing space science technology as his choice of career.
Mazibuko (39) graduated with his Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony, held at the Olive Convention Centre on Friday, 24 May 2024.
He was thrilled to be part of this prestigious graduation. He could not wait to walk on that red carpet for his hard-earned degree under the tutelage of his dedicated Professor Renitha Rampersad and co-supervisor Sanja Bauk.
Furthermore, Mazibuko was elated to have been able to share his sterling achievements with his parents who had accompanied him to his first graduation and are still alive to witness his PhD graduation. “My children are also happy about this milestone,” he added elatedly.
The ‘space boffin’ is originally from Ulundi and is now based in KwaDukuza. With his immense passion for all things space like, such as his love for the galaxies, the Milky Way, the black hole and solar systems, Mazibuko further expressed his love in the form of writing and is also an esteemed author of Mangwe the Space Boy children’s book that is sold in Exclusive books and Van Schaik bookstores countrywide. His book was launched in Durban, South Africa and in the United States (Chicago and Washington DC).
The determined Mazibuko has made DUT more proud by becoming a United States (US) International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange alumnus, he added.
Further into his accolades, Mazibuko holds the position of chairperson of the South African Space Technology for Sustainable Development Foundation, which facilitates various space programmes that inspire young people to participate in space science technology.
“It is a partnership with various institutions including DUT Space Science and CNS Centre and has collaborated with numerous organisations including the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), KCAP, Zodwa Khoza Foundation, STEC@UKZN, Aerospace Systems and the Research Institute (ASRI), Moses Kotane Institute, Vodacom and many others,” he said.
Speaking about his goal in achieving his PhD, Mazibuko expressed that it was challenging.
“DUT was good especially when they gave us a platform to present at Space Science and CNS conferences as well as involvement in the BRICS (DUT and CPUT) academic conferences and ongoing BRICS virtual platforms added value to my work. The current leadership at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment which manages the Space Science and CNS Centre is very dedicated and gave me courage and I am prepared to work with them even after my student life,” he replied.
Mazibuko gave some insight into his dissertation, titled: The potential of space technology in sustainable tourism development in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal.
He explained that space technology has a huge potential to provide valuable support through applications, satellite communication, and reliable data for informed decision-making concerning sustainable tourism.
“This study is therefore aimed at assessing efforts by various stakeholders in space technology and tourism sectors for communities to yield the benefits of this integration. This study adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach, and it was sampled from 150 stakeholders and commuters within the Zululand District Municipality,” he commented
Mazibuko further elaborated that this study discovered that there are little to no efforts made to integrate space technology to achieve sustainable tourism in the district. “These findings necessitate reasonable interventions to achieve the desired outcomes. Therefore, several recommendations accompanied by a model were made. This model can be used to align and integrate the relationship between space technology and tourism sectors to create tourism sustainability in Zululand,” he added.
Being at the forefront of such a study had its challenges as Mazibuko explains.
“Space technology is not an easy subject and there is limited access to its information because it is also used for military or defence purposes. I contacted different people for assistance, but they all turned away. Through my Foundation, I was able to get access to different institutions and even participated in space panels which improved my understanding for better research,” he indicated
For Mazibuko, he was grateful to God for steering him into the ‘space science pathway’.
“God did it. The Faculty of Management Sciences and the Space Science Centre interviewed me to check if I can qualify for funding under their space-driven programme. I passed the interview, and I had a task to align space science and commerce which was a very arduous task ever. My proposal went back and forth but was finally approved. This was very difficult, but it has already changed my career path as I have made a significant mark in the space industry as a chairperson of such a unique foundation, and author and a host of international space information-sharing platforms. I want students in science, communication, and technology to attend these types of panel discussions so that they can access information and assistance from these credible panellists,” he professed.
A career in space science is no easy feat as Mazibuko can attest to. His advice to first year students who wish to embark in the same career path as he had, was to work extremely hard in order to skyrocket and achieve success, and be involved instead of waiting for the completion of a degree and then starting to acquire about companies or institutions in the aligning sectors.
Mazibuko is continuing to thrust ahead in his space academic voyage, aiming to take his studies to ‘infinity and beyond’, and to become part of the South African Space Administration and boost the industry in such a way that South Africa can launch its rockets and send its satellites and planetary exploration robots into space.
“I am already an author and in June I will be launching my second book about space technology,“ he said happily.
Also graduating with their Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (specialising in Business Administration) in this session were: Dr James Adu, Dr Happiness Anusi, Dr Msizi Khumalo, Dr Fiona Langry, Dr Itumeleng Maome, Dr Siphamandla Mlobeli, Dr Upasana Ramraj, Dr Radha Reddy, Dr Francis Ssali. Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (specialising in Leadership and Complexity), Dr Gonasagren Govender, Dr Patrick Mkhize, Dr Abdul-Kader Patel, Dr David Sedumedi. Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (specialising in Quality Management), Dr Fakuza Makhoba.
Pictured: Dr Thabani Mazibuko
Photographer: Mnqobi Mngobese
Waheeda Peters
