First SA black female agri-economist PhD graduates

According to The New Age, Mabe has worked as lecturer, research supervisor and programme coordinator for the agricultural economics and extension programme at the Mafikeng campus for the past 10 years. She is also the acting manager of the Centre for Agribusiness and Entrepreneurial Skills Training.

Expressing her gratitude and excitement on attaining the coveted degree, Mabe, 40, who hails from Tlhabane, Rustenburg, said she felt "very grateful, overwhelmed and humbled." She dedicated her achievement "to the management, staff and students of North West University as well as my family who have made it possible." One of her aims was to stimulate a culture of "giving back to the university", Mabe said, stressing that it was important to increase the participation level of black alumni. Her new degree, she said, equipped her to impart business knowledge to small farmers so they shape their projects along business lines, The New Age reports.

Read the full article on www.thenewage.co.za.