Unisa alumna Janice Greaver jetted off to Algeria at the beginning of May 2023 to pursue a fully funded Master of Science in Energy Policy at the University of Abou Bekr Belkaid in Tlemcen, Algeria. She will be staying there until 2025 while flying the South African flag high.

Janice Greaver

Being the only South African to be selected for the programme amongst the thousands of applications from the African Union, it gives her family pride and joy to see her accomplish this great milestone.

“This is an enormous accomplishment and we couldn’t be any prouder,” says Kaedon Pinetown, Greaver’s brother who informed Unisa about the achievement.

He says that Greaver has always been an exceptional individual who makes an impact and leaves a mark anywhere she sets foot. “I therefore have no doubt that she will be one of the most important names in the energy sector in this country,” he continues.

It was only through sheer determination, strategic planning, and self-belief that Greaver was able to seize the opportunity when it was advertised by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. “I worked diligently to prepare a compelling application that highlighted my academic achievements, leadership roles and desire to shape the future of Africa through my work, especially in energy-related projects,” she says.  

Greaver says that she is deeply honoured and humbled as this opportunity not only represents a significant milestone in her academic journey, but also a valuable opportunity to contribute to the development of energy policy on the African continent. It is expected that when she returns, she will bring with her a unique set of skills vital to solving the energy crisis currently prevailing in the country.

At the age of 31, she has two degrees: a BCom in Law from Unisa, and a BCom in Finance from the University of Johannesburg. Greaver has been working as a management consultant, and is the youngest executive committee member at a Sandton-based company. Her interests extend to establishing a foundation in her own name and self-funding young children’s school fees in both Klerksdorp, where she was born, and Middelburg, where she spent her youth. Besides being a member of the Rotary Club of Sandton, she’s also a boxing promoter and the treasurer of the Gauteng Boxing Promoters’ Association.

Greaver says that her journey with Unisa began primarily because of the flexibility the university’s open and distance e-learning model offers. She says she was never a fan of attending lectures because she is more of an independent learner. “Unisa therefore allowed me the independence to study at my own pace, without the need to attend traditional on-campus lectures, and this worked phenomenally for me,” she comments. “The flexibility and convenience were essential for me, and was ultimately the deciding factor.”

Greaver says that overall, her experience at Unisa was positive and suited her lifestyle perfectly, allowing her to achieve her academic goals without sacrificing her career or personal life. “It instilled in me a sense of self-discipline and has further reinforced my independence, which has been invaluable in both my personal and professional life,” she explains.

Janice is a proud Unisa alumna and extends her heartfelt congratulations to the university on its 150th anniversary. “Unisa has transformed countless lives, mine included, and has created a legacy that will endure for generations to come,” she concludes.

#Unisa150

* Compiled by Busisiwe Mahlangu, Communications Coordinator, Department of Institutional Advancement