“Dr Mokete Phele, a VUT PhD graduate from Parys, has developed innovative water pollutant removal methods, driven by a lifelong desire to create change in his community despite many challenges.”
22 September 2025 | Story By: Thabisang Thebeeapelo | Picture: Peter Masela
3 minutes read time.
Water is the essence of life, yet for many communities it remains a scarce and fragile resource, often tainted by pollution. In the small Free State town of Parys, where access to clean water has long been unreliable, one young man dreamed of a solution. That man is Dr Mokete Phele, who recently graduated from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry.
His journey is not just one of academic success, but of resilience, purpose, and service.
Science with a human heartbeat
Dr Phele’s doctoral thesis, Utilising Magnetic Moringa Oleifera Pops-Feldspar Clay Composites for Selected Pollutant Removal from Water, may sound technical, but at its core lies a simple mission: to give communities safe, affordable, and sustainable water. By combining the natural purifying qualities of the moringa plant with the adsorption power of feldspar clay, and enhancing it with magnetic nanoparticles, his research makes it possible to trap dangerous pollutants such as antibiotics and heavy metals and then remove them effortlessly with a magnet.
This breakthrough is more than science. It is hope packaged in innovation. It is a tool for rural and under-resourced communities where clean water is still a daily struggle.
From Parys to a PhD
Raised in Parys, Dr Phele knows first-hand the frustration of unreliable water supply. That lived experience became the seed for his academic journey, which he completed entirely at VUT from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. His determination was tested many times. Limited resources, outdated equipment, and financial constraints could have easily discouraged him, but his persistence carried him through.
He acknowledges the pivotal role of his supervisor, Professor Fanyana Mtunzi, whose mentorship provided not only academic direction but also encouragement through the
most trying periods of research. The support of the VUT Chemistry Department gave him the platform to turn setbacks into stepping stones.
“Earning this remarkable achievement means a lot to me because now it’s a game changer. It is not just about having a title but also about contributing to society,” he reflected.
Scientist and servant
Beyond the laboratory, Dr Phele serves as the Water Manager at Ngwathe Local Municipality, where he tackles the urgent realities of water supply, sanitation, and technical infrastructure. His dual role as a scientist and public servant uniquely positions him to bring academic knowledge into direct service of his community.
His vision is simple yet profound: that no child, no family, should have to live without access to clean water.
Dr Phele’s story resonates with aspiring scientists who often feel weighed down by lack of resources. His message to them is clear and heartfelt: “You must not give up. Pursue your dreams whether you have enough tools or not.”
His journey is living proof that knowledge can spring from hardship, and that the true measure of education lies not in titles, but in the change it sparks in society.