“My focus as an emerging researcher within the discipline of public administration is to do research that contributes to people’s challenges and needs. My research should provide strategic solutions such as policy reviews and development of new programmes.”
The latter is the sentiment of 28-year-old Dr Mandisi Matyana, who was conferred a Doctor of Public Administration degree today (Monday, 5 May 2025).
As a proud rural child who was born and bred in the lush green mountains of Sidanga village in Bizana, Eastern Cape, it is no surprise that Dr Matyana has the empowerment of rural communities at heart. To this end, he chose to conduct his PhD study on the topic A critical analyses of Industrial Development Zones to alleviate poverty in KZN. He chose his topic considering the rampant poverty facing most of the South Africa population.
“This study considered poverty in terms of monetary aspects, social exclusion, and political participation. An international overview was examined in two BRICS countries – particularly, India and China. The aim was to establish their role in light of their thriving economies and partnership with South Africa in BRICS. Therefore, it was endeavoured to comprehend how they managed the industrial revolution to alleviate poverty, so that South Africa could learn therefrom and possibly consider the implementation of similar policies,” elaborated the scholar.
The study revealed that industrial development zones fall short of contributing towards the alleviation of poverty as they are largely profit-driven.
According to the doctor, “Foreign direct investments influence employment rates because most of the money earned by IDZ enterprises is taken advantage of by foreign investors. Hence, the earnings have minimal impact on the lives of South Africans.”
To try and mitigate this issue, the scholar recommends that government ramp up its efforts to assist and invest in local companies, investors, and traders, while implementing procedures that will decrease foreign investment in the IDZs. In so doing, Dr Matyana envisions the country establishing export processing zones in the future and adopting a “go global” trade strategy like China.
“This plan could mitigate the effects of foreign direct investment and guarantee that the larger percentage of the generated revenue remains in South Africa to assist its citizenry,” he reckoned.
On why he embarked on his PhD journey, Dr Matyana mentioned that it was inevitable as he is currently employed as a lecturer in UNIZULU’s Department of Public Administration. Thus, possessing a doctorate is a prerequisite. Although the road was steep at times, the scholar was propelled by the salient words of his late grandmother who would often say: “Funda mzukulu, xa ungafuni ukufunda uyoba uzifunza ecaleni uwubona umlomo”. This, loosely translated to English, means “I urge you, my grandson, to take education seriously. Failure to do this would be like trying to consume food with the spoon directed at your cheeks instead of your mouth”.
Despite his grandmother’s absence during his big day, Dr Matyana was comforted by the presence of his supportive mother and three sisters. Apart from his family, the scholar paid homage to Prof Nokukhanya Jili and Prof Mthethwa, his line managers for their unending guidance and love throughout his studies; his friends in academia for the constant motivation and the University’s Teaching and Leaning Centre, particularly Nosipho Chihaba for the financial support for tasks such as data collection, editing, among others.
With his PhD now in the bag, the emerging scholar plans to continue his research endeavours while also factoring in his hobbies: exercising and enjoying some Maskandi music.
– Naledi Hlefane
Picture: James Thwala
