MP’s hunger for knowledge secures second master’s

African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentarian Joe Maswanganyi’s hunger for knowledge has just secured him a second master’s degree in Political Science, conferred by the University of Venda this past Friday.
It will definitely not be his last either, he assures as he shares the intention to register for further post-graduate studies – most likely with the same institution for higher learning – next year. With yet another degree behind his name, Maswanganyi stresses the importance of education and encourages the country’s youth to study and equip themselves with knowledge. He believes a country’s development is dependent on the education of its youth.
He stresses that it is key as all developed countries the world over have invested in knowledge and that developing countries are consumers of knowledge, rather than producers thereof. He reckons it is time that Africa, and South Africa in particular, invest in knowledge production as is the case with powerhouses like China and Japan. He regards it crucial to keep up with rapid change and being equipped with the relevant knowledge amid ongoing globalisation. South Africa needs to enhance its knowledge capacity and he urges young people to take their education very seriously. “We can’t rely on experts from outside South Africa to take over our country and run key sectors supposed to be run by local people.” He was of the opinion that young people had to be encouraged to enter into the knowledge economy sector.
With reference to the headlines dominating current news events nationally, he refers to government being fully aware of students’ needs and for more resources to be invested in institutions of higher learning, but that it is overstretched where funding is concerned. The economy permitting, government believes that it would invest more in such institutions, he reiterates.
Maswanganyi has always been intrigued by the potent combination of politics and governance, and his qualifications are proof of his interests. He obtained a BA degree in Political Science through Unisa in 2000, and his first master’s degree in Governance and Political Transformation from the University of the Free State in 2006. His studies have not only enriched his knowledge of governance, but his understanding of politics from an academic point of view. According to him he still harbours the desire to learn more about governance and the ever changing landscape he finds himself in. He is adamant that he would have secured another degree before the current Parliamentary term comes to an end in 2019.
As a young learner growing up in Mudabula village in the Malamulele area he was surrounded by a group of friends eager to study, he recalls. Even at that young age and driven to excel at the height of a turbulent time in South Africa’s history, they realised the importance of an education. Due to financial constraints Maswanganyi could not enrol with the then University of the North in 1987 upon completing secondary school as planned. After a temporary teaching job he enrolled at Tivumbeni College of Education in 1988 and upon getting his Secondary Teacher’s Diploma he had a teaching job for three and a half years. In 1994 he joined the Legislature and was tasked with the responsibility of Chairperson of the Public Works and Finance Committees, while serving as member on other committees of the Legislature.
Obtaining the qualifications was no mean feat as Maswanganyi took up further studies while all along maintaining a challenging political career and family interests. After already embarking on studying for his BA degree he was given the responsibility of the position of MEC for Local Government and Housing in Limpopo. Later on while subsequently serving as MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the province, he registered for his first master’s degree.
Studying for the last qualification he used the available time on two-hour flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg on his way home on Fridays and back on Mondays to go through study material or journals, while confined to his seat. He otherwise dedicated available mornings to academic work in Parliament’s well-resourced library before afternoon sessions commenced and yet again put aside two hours for studying in the evenings.
“Every time you start studying you realise that you know less about the world, hence the urge to obtain the knowledge, which is critical,” he concludes.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com

Featured photo: African National Congress Parliamentarian Joe Maswanganyi upon receiving his second master’s degree. (Photo: Supplied)