“We need to target and groom future academics. I am not comfortable being the only one. I am not comfortable to be among a few; I want more.”
A Wits University student has become the first black woman in 10 years to obtain a PhD in real estate.
Dr Thabelo Ramantswana is also the first student to graduate from the school of construction, economics and management’s doctoral real estate academic plan, a programme in real estate, after its introduction in 2014, to bridge the gap between her qualifications from the school of architecture and planning and her now PhD in the school of construction, economics and management.
WOMANDLA: Dr Thabelo Ramantswana outside Great Hall after her graduation. Photo: Provided
The Wits alumnus began her academic career with a degree in town and regional planning and later returned for her masters, focusing on housing and later going into the work force.
In 2013 she registered for a doctorate of technology at Tshwane University of Technology, which after a year did not work out. She then, through a colleague, contacted Prof Sam Azasu to return to Wits.
Her concessions to come to Wits included taking on master’s courses alongside her PhD, to bridge the gap between her qualifications from the school of architecture and planning and her now PhD in the school of construction, economics and management.
“They felt that somewhere, somehow, my background was not strong enough,” Ramantswana said.
She was unable to complete the master’s because of the added pressures of class, exams and later teaching.
“As a colleague, Thabelo is a delight to work with. She is absolutely committed to the students and has overcome a lot of adversity to make it through her academic career,” the head of the school of construction, economics and management, David Root, told Wits Vuvuzela.
Conquering the edge was not an easy journey for Ramantswana.
After starting in the work place, she took time off from everything to start her family.
“My husband was moving to the US to do his PhD, so we all moved. When we were there I decided to be a full-time stay-at-home mom, so that at least I could better support him with his studies,” said Ramantswana.
After taking time off with her family in the United States in 2005, she returned to South Africa but could not find work, so she applied for her doctorate.
The mother of three describes her journey as tough, having to balance the multiple roles of mother, wife, student and teacher.
She says, however: “My determination is strong enough. When I want to get something done, I fight until I get it done… it was not easy, but I had to fight.”
Root told Wits Vuvuzela, “She is a role model.
To do a PhD while also being a mother to young children shows what is possible to achieve.
The school has a growing number of female academics and she is the first to come through the Construction Education and Training Authority development programme.”
In South Africa, Ramantswana said, there is equal distribution of men and women in the working environment of real estate.
She would like, however, to see more growth in terms of South African academics in the field.
Ramantswana wants to preserve the future of property studies for South Africans for more people to teach real estate to the future generation.
“We need to target and groom future academics. I am not comfortable being the only one. I am not comfortable to be among a few; I want more.”
FEATURED IMAGE: WOMANDLA: Dr Thabelo Ramantswana outside Great Hall after her graduation. Photo: Provided
