Delayed dream drives Mechanical Engineering success in renewable energy research

Thebeng Rhinos Makaung’s Master’s degree study titled Structural analysis of a single axis tracking photovoltaic support structure for turbulent wind flows, examines how wind affects solar panel support structures and identifies ways to strengthen them, resulting in him obtaining his degree cum laude.

The Mechanical Engineering graduate’s findings highlight vulnerable areas and propose improvements that help engineers design systems that are safer, more reliable and more efficient.

“This research is about making sure solar panels stay safe, stable and efficient even in strong and changing winds,” he says.

He conducted the research during a period when South Africa faced regular load shedding and rapid growth in solar farms.

“At the time, the country was in the middle of a load-shedding crisis. A lot of solar farms were being built, but there were not enough designs for support structures,” he says.

Makaung describes his achievement as a reflection of sustained effort and discipline.

“It represents sustained effort, discipline and consistent performance. It reflects the ability to stay committed through challenging phases of study and problem-solving,” he says.

He credits his supervisors, Dr Tamba Jamiru and Dr Idowu Ibrahim, for helping to shape his research approach and expand his understanding of engineering systems.

“It changed how I see engineering. It’s not just about numbers but about how things behave in real environments,” he says.

He now plans to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, continuing his research journey.

“My Master’s showed me that I can be a good researcher,” he says.

Makaung’s path to this achievement began in Limpopo, where he grew up with a strong focus on education. His interest in Mechanical Engineering developed from a desire to understand how physical systems work and how engineering can solve real-world problems.

“I have always been interested in understanding how physical systems work and how engineering solutions can solve real-world problems,” he says.

His studies were interrupted in 2018 when he accepted a job offer and paused his Master’s degree.

“Pausing my studies did not sit well with me. It was something I really wanted,” he says.

He returned in 2022, completing several bridging subjects before progressing to his dissertation in 2023. The work demanded long hours of reading journals and running simulations, often overnight on a slow laptop.

“It needed to use my time efficiently and spent my spare time reading journals, while I also had a lot of sleepless nights doing simulations,” he says.

That persistence enabled him to complete his degree with distinction, turning a delayed dream into a defining achievement.