NRF 25 years: Dr Motshumi Joseph Diphare

This year, the NRF is celebrating a major milestone in our history as we commemorate 25 years of Research, Innovation, Impact and Partnerships. It gives us great joy to share the accomplishments and impact of the many students and researchers that we have supported during various stages of their careers. We thank all participants for submitting their stories and we hope that you enjoy reading about their journey with the NRF.

Dr Motshumi Joseph Diphare is a Product Manager at Weir Minerals Africa & Middle East, and also enrolled for an MPhil in Artificial Intelligence with the University of Johannesburg. He received funding from the NRF for his Master’s and Doctoral studies.

How did your journey start?

Having grown up in a poverty-stricken village in the west of Hammanskraal, I have faced numerous challenges and barriers. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding my then environment, my father, Mathabe Petrus Diphare, always used to encourage me and quote the famous Nelson Mandela by saying, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Not having attended any tertiary studies himself, my father understood that education does not only have the potential to change the world but would change me and the conditions at home.

After all the encouragement I received from my father, I started seeing myself as a performer. I then started to excel throughout my primary and secondary school levels, which led my maths teacher to identify my potential. My maths teacher would give me additional mathematics problems outside the syllabus to solve and practice. With limited resources, I sought out every opportunity to learn, often studying late into the night by the dim light of a kerosene lamp.

My everyday practice led to me being one of the best performers at my school, which led me to be among the top three achievers. I completed my matric with distinctions in Mathematics and Accounting, then obtained a B symbol for the rest of my subjects. Just when I thought my problems were over, my real problems began. My parents had no idea how much the universities charged to enrol students. My father, a warehouse assistant, and my mother, a street hawker, did not have the means to pay for my registration fees, let alone the tuition fees.

After obtaining my matric in 2006, I went to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to apply for a Chemical Engineering qualification. I chose Chemical Engineering because I had learned during the UJ Open Day that it involved the conversion of raw materials into usable products. That really fascinated my young mind as I always liked to convert pieces of materials into toys during my childhood. My hard work and perseverance eventually paid off when I received a bursary to pursue my undergraduate studies. The transition from village life to academia was daunting, but I approached it with resilience and an unwavering commitment to excel. It was during this challenging time that I always reminded myself of my father’s encouragement that education is the only tool to change the conditions at home.

Throughout my undergraduate journey, I encountered numerous challenges that tested my resilience and determination. The unfamiliar and unpredictable learning experiences, heightened competition, and increased pressure to excel could have easily derailed my progress. However, with the support of my mentor, access to quality education, and a strong support system from my parents and siblings, I persevered.

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was happy and thought that I had finally made it and was ready to face the world of work and to start providing for my family, who had spent every last cent they had to ensure that I had a decent meal throughout my studies. My mentor, Dr Jeffrey Pilusa, and research project lecturer, Prof Edison Muzenda, persuaded me to remain in academia and further my studies. True, with the vision I had, I always knew that a Bachelor’s degree was not enough, and my vision was to become a renowned somebody in society. The plan was to work for a while to gain experience and then return to academia to pursue my postgraduate studies. I then applied for a Master’s scholarship with the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The following year, I received the best news of my life: I qualified and received the NRF Master’s Research Scholarship. The funds paid for my registration, tuition fees and other associated academic activities. During this time I was at the peak of my performance and was able to produce eight publications out of my research.

My determination to succeed and hunger for education and knowledge led me to further my studies by enrolling for a Doctoral programme. As at any stage throughout my studies, the question was where to obtain funding. I then applied for the NRF Scarce Skill & Innovation PhD Scholarship. With the overwhelming financial support from the NRF, I knew that what was left was to play my part by remaining focused and determined. In 2021, I was then awarded a DPhil in Engineering Management. This was somewhat painful as my father, who was the man who planted the seed, never lived long enough to enjoy the shadow of his tree, and to witness my graduation. He passed away after a short illness in 2019. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

It is without a doubt that the NRF played a critical role in my transformation journey. Without the financial aid, I would not have realised my dream of becoming a scholar and researcher. I believe my journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and highlights the significance of supportive academic structures and financial aid in enabling underprivileged individuals to pursue higher education to become a prominent individual in society who make positive contributions.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

Completing a Doctoral degree is a significant achievement that requires dedication, hard work, and financial support. Personally, this has given me an opportunity to raise my father’s name and symbolise the effect of his support. The scholarship from the NRF provided me with the much-needed financial support to pursue my Master’s and Doctoral degrees.

Furthermore, the scholarship relieved me of the burden of financial stress and allowed me to focus more on my academic and research pursuits. As a result, I was able to fully immerse myself in my research, collaborate with leading experts in my field, and attend conferences and workshops to share my findings and broaden my knowledge. This scholarship also opened up opportunities for networking and collaboration, as I was able to connect with other scholars and researchers in my field both nationally and internationally.

Additionally, the scholarship from the NRF boosted my confidence and motivation. It served as validation of my potential and the quality of my research, further motivating me to excel in my academic and professional pursuits.

The scholarship from the NRF also significantly impacted my life after completing my Doctoral degree. It allowed me to establish myself as a researcher in my field, gain recognition for my work, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. My Doctoral degree continues to open up opportunities for me in my current field of work.

What is your research focus on/what is your area of expertise?

I am currently enrolled for a structured MPhil in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the University of Johannesburg. I am currently working for an organisation that is involved in equipment design, process optimisation and equipment manufacturing for the mining industry. I am currently employed as Product Manager: Africa for slurry valves. With years of experience in the industry, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that mining companies face, particularly in maintenance. Equipment breakdowns can be costly and cause significant downtime.

Recognising the potential of AI to revolutionise maintenance practices in mining, I have decided to further my education by enrolling in a Master’s program in AI. My goal is to leverage machine learning techniques to develop predictive maintenance applications tailored to the needs of the mining industry. Through my research, I aim to create algorithms that can analyse vast amounts of data collected from mining equipment sensors to predict when maintenance is needed before breakdowns occur. By implementing predictive maintenance, mining companies can minimise downtime, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Why is your work/studies important?

My studies in artificial intelligence with a focus on predictive maintenance have the potential to bring substantial benefits to the mining industry and the country as a whole. Firstly, by developing predictive maintenance applications using machine learning, I can help mining companies significantly reduce downtime and maintenance costs. By accurately predicting equipment failures before they happen, companies can schedule maintenance proactively, avoiding costly unplanned shutdowns and maximising operational efficiency.

Moreover, my work can enhance safety in the mining sector. Predictive maintenance can identify potential safety hazards before they escalate into accidents, protecting the well-being of workers and preventing environmental damage. Additionally, the adoption of advanced AI-driven maintenance practices can improve the overall competitiveness of the mining industry. Reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs mean higher productivity and profitability for mining companies. This, in turn, can attract more investment, create job opportunities, and contribute to economic growth.

On a national scale, my contributions can bolster the country’s technological advancement and innovation in the mining sector. By harnessing the power of AI for predictive maintenance, the country can maintain its position as a global leader in mining technology. This technological leadership can lead to increased exports of mining equipment and expertise, strengthening the nation’s economy. Furthermore, my research and development efforts in AI can have ripple effects across other industries. The techniques and insights I will gain from applying AI to mining maintenance challenges can be adapted and applied to various sectors facing similar issues, such as manufacturing, transportation, and energy. Overall, my studies in AI for predictive maintenance have the potential to revolutionise the mining industry, enhance safety, improve competitiveness, and drive economic growth, benefiting both the industry and the country at large.

Below are my industry articles:

• Engineering News Article: Prevent costly downtimes by selecting correct valves.
• Modern Mining Article: Choosing the right pumps and valves for your operation.

What are some of your proudest academic achievements?

Research publications:

• Motshumi Diphare, Jefrey Pilusa, Edison Muzenda and Mansoor Mollagee, “A Review of Waste Lubricating Grease Management,” 2nd International Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Food Sciences (ICEAFS’2013), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphare, Jefrey Pilusa and Edison Muzenda, “A Comparison of Waste Lubricating Oil Management Techniques,” 2nd International Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Food Sciences (ICEAFS’2013), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphare, Jefrey Pilusa and Edison Muzenda, “The Effect of Degrading Agents and Diluents on Oil Recovery from Lithium Based Waste Lubricating Grease,” 2nd International Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Food Sciences (ICEAFS’2013), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “The Effect of Extraction Conditions on Oil Yield from Waste Lubricating Grease,” Int’l Journal of Research in Chemical, Metallurgical and Civil Engineering. (IJRCMCE) Vol. 1, Issue 1(2014) ISSN 2349-1442 EISSN 2349-1450.
• Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “Analysis and Characterisation of Waste Lubricating Grease Derived Oil,” 2nd International Conference on Agricultural, Environment and Biological Sciences (ICAEBS’2013), Pattaya, Thailand, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “Influence of Solvents on the Extraction of Oil from Waste Lubricating Grease: A Comparative Study,” 2nd International Conference on Agricultural, Environment and Biological Sciences (ICAEBS’2013), Pattaya, Thailand, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “Economic Evaluation of Waste Lubricating Grease Recycling Technology,” 2nd International Conference on Agricultural, Environment and Biological Sciences (ICAEBS’2013), Pattaya, Thailand, 2013.
• Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “Remediation of Oil Contaminated Soils: A Review,” International Conference on Chemical, Integrated Waste Management and Environmental Engineering (ICCIWEE’2014), Johannesburg, South Africa, 2014.
• Antonette Malepe, Motshumi Diphareand Edison Muzenda, “Remediation of Oil Contaminated Soils using Solvent-Flocculation Extraction,” 6th International Conference on Green Technology, Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering (ICGTREEE’2014), Cape Town, South Africa, 2014.
• Motshumi Diphare, Antonette Malepe and Edison Muzenda, “Organic Solvents Optimization in Base Oil Recovery from Lubricating Oil Contaminated Soil,” 6th International Conference on Green Technology, Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering (ICGTREEE’2014), Cape Town, South Africa, 2014.
• Motshumi Diphare, Hannelie Nel and Jan-Harm C. Pretorius, “A Cost-Benefit Approach to Thermo-Processing Equipment Safety Regulation Analysis,” International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Monterrey, Mexico, November 3-5, 2021.

Awards, grants and achievements:

• Best learner in Mathematics (HG), Ithuteng High School, (2006).
• Second position top leaner, Moretele Region in the Bojanala District, Ithuteng High School, (2006).
• First Position: Biology Common Test, Moretele Region in the Bojanala District, Ithuteng High School, (2006).
• First Position Accounting Preparatory Examination, Ithuteng High School, (2006)
• Tuition Fee Bursary, City of Tshwane Metro Municipality, (2007).
• MerSETA full bursary (2008-2010).
• National Research Foundation Research Scholarship (2012).
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Scholarship (2013).
• Best research article award: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Food Sciences (ICEAFS’2013), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2013.
• National Research Foundation Scarce Skill & Innovation PhD Scholarship (2016)

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