rom Ga-Dikgale, a modest village nestled 45 kilometers northeast of Polokwane, Dr. Moyagabo Kenneth Rapetsoa’s academic journey is nothing short of inspiring. Kenneth, a former Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) intern and beneficiary of the SAMERDI Research Centres initiative, has successfully completed his Phd.

Growing up in an area untouched by significant industrialization and mining, Kenneth is driven by a powerful urge to uplift his community through academic research and scientific innovation. “My early inspiration came from Prof. Musa Manzi, who I saw on television when I was in high school,” he says. This encounter sparked Kenneth’s interest in geophysics, leading him to pursue an academic and professional career.

The MMP is mandated to facilitate the development of skills, capacity, and capability in mining RDI. To this end, the MMP runs an internship program and has established research centers at the universities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, the Witwatersrand, and the Free State.

Kenneth had the privilege of being part of the MMP internship program under the Advanced Orebody Knowledge program, where he had the opportunity to participate in research and implement cutting-edge technologies for mining exploration and development. “I participated in hands-on activities and gained skills in various geophysical methods