Tshepho J. Mokwele
Summary
I am a dedicated Specialist (Researcher) with over seven years of experience in research and policy development/analysis environment. I hold formal qualifications in law, political science, and international relations, and am a final-year doctoral candidate.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialist – Researcher (Assistant Director)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
06.2019 - Current
- Conduct research for the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
- Facilitate research partnerships and NQF-related initiatives.
- Lead and contribute to the NQF Impact Study and policy development.
- Oversee research towards Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT).
- Coordinate research events, seminars and conferences.
- Present research findings at local/international conferences.
- Write and publish for different audiences.
- People and resources management.
- Writing peer-reviewed articles and books.
Policy Analyst (Deputy Director – Secondment)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
06.2022 - 01.2023
- Led a special/strategic policy review project for South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), focusing on amendments to key education policies.
- Developed strategic recommendations for policy amendments, enhancing the effectiveness of the 2017 Articulation Policy and 2016 RPL Coordination Policy.
- Produced 18+ reports to the DHET, contributing to the project’s success.
- Conducted comprehensive research on RPL and Articulation/mobility in education and training, summarising past research and clarifying their meaning.
- Administered surveys to stakeholders, gathering insights to enhance policy implementation.
Researcher
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
03.2016 - 03.2018
- Assisted to conceptualise and designing multidisciplinary research proposals, including budgeting.
- Assisted in the management and implementation of research, monitoring and evaluation projects, ensuring effective organisation.
- Conducted comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research, enhancing data quality and insights.
- Co-authored reports and prepared research outputs for publishing, driving knowledge dissemination.
Contributing Writer (Freelance)
News24 (Voices)
02.2013 - 02.2016
- Conducted independent research on current affairs, including socio-political issues and international affairs, to contribute opinion articles.
- Liaise with experts on political and international relations matters through emails, telephone, and social media to obtain views and comments on the aforementioned issues.
- Contributed analytical articles on public and foreign policy matters, education, and health.
- Disseminated articles and reports on websites, through social media, for uptake by researchers and policymakers alike.
Student Assistant/Mentor
University of Limpopo (UL)
01.2011 - 11.2011
- Maintained oversight of the smooth operation of computers and laptops for students.
- Ensure the availability and accessibility of the internet (i.e., Wi-Fi and Ethernet/cable connection).
- Assisted in the accessibility and utilisation of academic-related software (e.g., MS Office, student self-service portal).
- Assisted students in using printers for scanning, photocopying, and printing academic research papers, assignments, presentations, and related necessities.
- And other administrative demands.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) -
University of the Witwatersrand
01.2025
Master of Arts (MA) - Political Studies
University of the Witwatersrand
01.2017
Bachelor of Arts Honours - International Relations
University of Limpopo
01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Law, Political Science, International Relations
University of Limpopo
01.2011
Skills
- Research and policy nexus
- International relations
- Epistemic communities
- Education and training
- Skills development
- National Qualifications Framework
- Artificial intelligence
- Research, writing, publication
- Data and policy analysis
- Project management
Publications
- Co-Author (2024). Key Principles for Over-arching National Assessment Policy: A South African Perspective. In Mokhele-Makgalwa, Mohale, and Madise (Eds) Proceedings of the 40th AEA Annual Conference on Reimagining Educational Assessment in the Age of Multiple Dimensions of Learning in a Global Society [Available online].
- Author (2024). Exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence for the South African Qualifications Authority. In Makua et al. (Eds), Proceedings of the Focus Conference, Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities [Available online].
- Co-Editor (2023). SAQA Bulletin: Spotlighting SAQA Research. Vol. 21, Number 1. Pretoria: South African Qualifications Authority [Available online].
- Co-Editor (2021). SAQA Bulletin: Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the National Qualifications Framework. Vol 20, Number 1. Pretoria: South African Qualifications Authority [Available online].
- Co-Editor (2020). SAQA Bulletin: Inclusivity, Vol 19, Number 1. Pretoria: South African Qualifications Authority [Available online].
- Co-Author (2020). South Africa’s mediation experiences in African conflicts. In Khadiagala, G.M. and Deleglise, D., Eds. Southern African Security Review [Available online].
- Conference presentation: South Africa’s Fees Must Fall: What is the Impact of ‘Tweeting this Revolution’? (Paper presented at San Diego State University (California, USA) Conference on Social Movements and Protest, 5-6 May 2017 [See programme]).
- Conference presentation: Exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence for the South African NQF. 11th Focus Conference, 14-16 August 2024. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT).
- Conference presentation: Title. Rethinking assessment in an AI-induced 'post-plagiarism' era in South African HE. 12th Focus Conference, forthcoming: 13-15 August 2025. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT).
- Conference co-presentation: ‘Micro-credentials,’ or ‘Small Units of Learning,’ in the South African NQF Context. 13th Groningen Declaration Network (GDN), 7-9 October 2024, San Diego, California, USA.
References
- Ms. Chetty, Former Manager/Senior Researcher, ChettyYuraisha@gmail.com, +61 478 727 963, South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Dr. Heidi Bolton, Chief Researcher, HBolton@saqa.org.za, +27 84 869 5678, South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Dr. Mmakotsedi Magampa, Research Specialist, MMagampa@hsrc.ac.za, +27 82 545 6922, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Timeline
Policy Analyst (Deputy Director – Secondment)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
06.2022 - 01.2023
Specialist – Researcher (Assistant Director)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
06.2019 - Current
Researcher
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
03.2016 - 03.2018
Contributing Writer (Freelance)
News24 (Voices)
02.2013 - 02.2016
Student Assistant/Mentor
University of Limpopo (UL)
01.2011 - 11.2011
Master of Arts (MA) - Political Studies
University of the Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Arts Honours - International Relations
University of Limpopo
Bachelor of Arts - Law, Political Science, International Relations
University of Limpopo
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) -
University of the Witwatersrand
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