Ronaldo Malapana

Masters student University of Limpopo/CIMERA

Ronaldo Malapana is currently enrolled at the University of Limpopo as a master’s student of geology. Like many others who grew up in the rural areas, Ronaldo has always aspired to stand out, make a change and contribute immensely to society. As such, due to his academic excellence, Ronaldo became part of the students that were awarded CIMERA and NRF-Thuthuka scholarships. Inspired by words of Will Durant “Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice”. Ronaldo’s meticulous and curious nature has always made him a firm believer that geology is the pillar of the old and modern society. Young as Ronaldo is in the field of geology, he has already published a paper titled "Geology and the Impact of Diagenesis on the Permian Sandstone of the Ecca Group in Borehole KZF-1”. Ronaldo also collaborated with his professors and colleagues who jointly co-authored other five papers. Presently, Ronaldo is undertaking a research project which seeks to look at coal and shales as alternative deposits of REEs around the Limpopo area. The research project was driven by the pressure demand on REEs as a result of recent advancement in technology applications.