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Moloko Matlala served on the Ministerial Task Team for the review of the National Curriculum Vocational (NCV) before joining SAASTA.
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Tech whiz Moloko Matlala likes nothing more than to see people prospering, especially learners and students. After all, that is what attracted him to his new position in the first place. Here he tells getSETgo more about his life – past, present and future.
Tell us more about your new position at SAASTA
I am beginning to settle more comfortably into my new position as Manager of SAASTA's Science Education Unit. I have been blessed with a talented and supportive team and I hope that, together, we will go from strength to strength. I find the work both interesting and rewarding, especially as it involves our country's learners and educators. Some of the educators involved are people I used to work with when I was still employed by the National Department of Education.
What did you do before joining SAASTA?
I worked for the Department of Education - first as a teacher at a technical high school for four years, then as a senior lecturer at a technical college for six years, and finally as a deputy chief education specialist and later chief education specialist at the national department for 12 years.
Through my membership of a number of committees, I was involved in the development of the unit standards for electrical, mathematics as well as mathematical literacy; I served as a member of the SAQA NSB 10; I was involved with the development of the National Curriculum statement (NSC) for Grade 10 – 12; I was the first project manager of Dinaledi schools and coordinated the launch of the first 102 Dinaledi schools.
Before joining SAASTA I worked for the South African College Principals Organisation (SACPO) as an Executive Manager responsible for the support of academic staff and students of FET colleges. Recently I was serving on the Ministerial Task Team for the review of the National Curriculum Vocational (NCV).
Where did you grow up?
I was born and grew up in Pretoria, but I attended primary and high school at Modjadji near Tzaneen.
What did you study after school? Where? Why did you choose that?
After passing standard ten, I was employed as an apprentice at Sigma Motor Corporation (now Ford Motor Company). I started as a fitter and turner and after a year and half switched over to electrical work. I qualified as an electrical artisan after completing my four-year contract.
I then went on to do an NI to N6 with 18 subjects from N4 to N6, a combination of mechanical subjects and electrical subjects. I have two NND diplomas (mechanical and electrical). I also obtained a BSc from Unisa, majoring in mathematics and physical electronics. I then completed my BSc (Honours) and an MSc in electronics at the University of Pretoria. My research project dealt with energy management, specifically in terms of household appliances and electricity tariffs.
What are your future plans?
I am currently doing a PhD with Unisa. My research topic is "Investigating the performance and success of electrical engineering and technology students in FET vocational programmes".
I have developed some interest in research, but wanted to pursue my studies in applied mathematics to a Masters level. After joining the National Research Foundation (NRF) and realising the science facilities available for research, I am now uncertain whether to pursue my studies in applied mathematics as I am starting to re-develop an interest in astronomy, which was one of my first-year BSc subjects.
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend most of my spare time reading and I love music. I also do a lot of technically related physical work such as electrical projects, welding, and building construction.
What is your favourite dish?
Vegetables and fish.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
It has to be Cape Town.
What are the things that upset you?
People who lie and people who are dishonest, and I find it difficult to tolerate people who do not show respect for others.
What excites you most about life?
When I see people prospering, especially learners and students.
Tell us more about your family
I feel blessed to have a wife and four children - two girls and two boys. A special blessing is that I share a birth date with one of my daughters (27 May). My eldest daughter will be completing her BCom in econometrics in 2013 and the last born is in grade 7 this year.
What are your hobbies?
I like going to church on Sundays and I used to enjoy participating in karate at school.
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