Having dedicated almost two decades to the Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership(TGSL) as a lecturer and scholar among other key roles she has played, the colleagues extolled Prof Theresa Moyo for a sterling job and dedication
She was celebrated through a seminar themed: Over 35 years in academia: Lessons and experiences of Teaching and Learning, Research, Postgraduate Supervision and Examination. The seminar was followed by a surprise farewell ceremony.
Prof Moyo joined the University of Limpopo (UL) at TGSL in 2004 as a professor in the Master of Development and Planning Management (MDEV) and was lauded as the longest-serving academic at the school, having committed her last 18 years to the School as lecturer, researcher and supervisor.
Prior to her appointment at UL, she was a lecturer for 10 years at the University of Zimbabwe, where she taught economics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Dalhousie as well as Bachelor’s and Masters of Philosophy degrees in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe.
Prof Moyo said one of the highlights of her career at the university was having supervised to completion close to 60 students who graduated with an MDEV degree. At doctoral level, she has co-supervised 1 PhD student in Public Administration (University of Limpopo) and also co-supervised 3 PhD students at the Uganda Technology and Management Institute (UTAMU) in Uganda.
Acting Director of TGSL, Prof Sipho Mokoena, described her time at the University as sheer hard work and dedication. He added: “UL will forever cherish dedicated academics who go over and beyond just to impart knowledge that is highly contributing to the education system of the country and beyond.”
In terms of research output, Prof Moyo has published 22 articles in SAPSE-accredited journals and several other peer-reviewed journal articles. She is also proud to have been guest editor for a special issue of Africa Insight on “The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)-A Political Economy Analysis of Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects”.
Her editing works also include two book volumes; one of which was published in 2015 co-edited with Prof Jose Leon-Marquez from University of Mexico, titled: “The Global Financial and Economic Crisis in the South: Impacts and Responses”.
With keen interest in gender issues in development planning and management, she is particularly proud to have published a book chapter on “Addressing gender exclusion for the realisation of the right to development in Africa: The South African experience, and The Right to Development in Africa: Issues, Constraints and Prospects.
Between 2018 and 2021, she was a member of the UN Women Reference Group on Women Economic Empowerment for Eastern and Southern Africa. Within the Limpopo Province, she served as a member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Industrialization and Enterprise Development in the Premier’s Employment and Growth Advisory Council (PEGAC).
“As a result of the support that I received (particularly capacity development in Teaching and Learning and Research), my productivity and performance in terms of student throughput and research outputs were significantly enhanced,” she Prof Moyo, adding that she is thankful for tremendous support and collegiality from staff and students at TGSL.
By Malatji Monyelegwete