By Mpho Modiba
TURFLOOP – Celebrations filled the air at the University of Limpopo on Saturday as Limpopo Legislature Speaker, Makoma Makhurupetje, was officially conferred with a Doctor of Administration degree during the Autumn 2025 graduation ceremony.
Born and raised in Ramotshinyadi village in the Greater Tzaneen area, Makhurupetje’s academic journey is both inspiring and impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Administration and an Honours degree from the University of Limpopo. She also earned two Master’s degrees—an MBA from Milpark Business School and a Master of Development (MDEV) from Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership.
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Monitoring and Evaluation as a Contributing Factor Towards Sustainable Service Delivery: A Case of Waterberg District Municipality”, offers practical insights into improving governance. The study recommends retaining the government-wide monitoring and evaluation system but integrating both results-based and participatory approaches for more sustainable service delivery.
This year’s Autumn graduation saw 4,350 students receiving their qualifications. Among them were 25 PhD graduatesand 225 Master’s degree recipients, highlighting the institution’s ongoing contribution to academic excellence.
Makhurupetje’s career in public service spans numerous leadership roles, including serving as Director of Supply Chain at LEDET, and Chief Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Disaster Management at Limpopo COGHSTA. In 2014, she was appointed MEC for COGHSTA, later serving as MEC for Transport and Community Safety.
The prestigious event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC for Public Works Tonny Rachoene, Dr David Selane, Executive Mayor Pule Shayi, His Grace The Right Reverend Bishop Dr Barnabas Lekganyane, and Limpopo ANC Secretary Richard Madadze.
Makoma Makhurupetje’s academic achievement is not only a personal milestone but a proud moment for the Bolobedu community and the entire province.
