The end of 2025 was a good time for one of the staff members in the Research directorate. Dr Melvin Sello Mothoa, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral and Fellowship Officer at the Research directorate, was awarded by his alma mater, Tshwane University of Technology, as “a Top Achiever and to receive the Best DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) Researcher Award. The Tshwane School of Business and Society (TSB) Excellence Awards took place on 11 December 2025. This “prestigious” recognition is awarded to candidates whose doctoral research demonstrates exceptional academic quality, originality, and real-world impact.
The uniqueness of Dr Mothoa’s research lies in developing a practical framework tailored to the realities of SMMEs. “Unlike many studies that focus only on access to finance from a theoretical perspective, my thesis integrates policy analysis, institutional challenges, and firm-level realities to propose actionable solutions. The developed and proposed framework bridges gaps between SMMEs, financial institutions, and government support mechanisms,” said Dr Mothoa. Dr Mothoa’s thesis was titled: “A Framework for SMMEs to Access Financial Support in Gauteng.”
Dr Mothoa was elated to be awarded a top achiever. “Winning this recognition is deeply humbling and affirming. It validates years of disciplined research, sacrifice, and intellectual commitment. Beyond personal achievement, the award affirms the relevance of SMME-focused research in addressing South Africa’s economic and development challenges,” Dr Mothoa said.
The TSB Excellence Awards are held annually and form part of the Business School’s commitment to promoting high-impact scholarship and acknowledging individuals whose work contributes meaningfully to academia, policy, and society.