As a qualified dietitian with experience at the Mokopane and Seshego Hospitals in Limpopo, she aspired to earn a qualification to enhance her impact on the public health sector.

Today, as the CEO of Groblersdal Hospital in the Sekhukhune District, Mampane embodies determination, resilience, and the transformative power of education – an impact magnified by the University of Pretoria’s (UP) fully online learning offering.

A leap of faith

Enrolling in the UPOnline Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health was a leap of faith, Mampane says.

“It was my first experience of online learning. My first module, learning about public health, was not easy, as I had to adjust to online learning, polish my computer skills, and pass the module simultaneously.”

She was drawn to the programme because of the flexibility of self-paced learning and the ability to continue working full-time while supporting her family.

“What attracted me most was that it was online, with no travelling cost to UP, as I am in Limpopo. And as a mother, wife, worker, and sister to my siblings, I found it convenient for me, and it was also suitable for my work environment and experiences.”

Mampane says the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health didn’t just equip her with knowledge but reshaped her leadership approach. The programme’s flexibility allowed her to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges. Her approach to public health issues became more analytical, strategic, and innovative.

“Online studies at UP have enhanced my perspective in embracing an empathetic management-oriented approach to resolve healthcare issues by identifying gaps in the system and providing decisive leadership to improve service delivery.”

The power of online learning

Building on what she learned during the programme, Mampane started and completed her master’s degree in public health within just 18 months.

“I think one should start with a postgraduate diploma before a master’s because online study takes us step by step in research methodology and helps us understand all aspects of research before writing a proposal.”

Her master’s research culminated in a published paper titled ‘The acceptability of a donor human milk bank and donated human milk among mothers in Limpopo Province, South Africa’, co-authored with Dr Jacqueline Wolvaardt and published in the prestigious journal Maternal and Child Nutrition.

Looking ahead, she sees herself not just as a leader but as a mentor and an advocate for the power of education. She wants other women from rural backgrounds to know that they, too, can break the cycle of limitation. “Education is a catalyst for change,” she says. “UPOnline showed me that you don’t have to wait for opportunities; you can create them, no matter where you start from.”