SMU Celebrates Historic Achievement: First PhD in Mathematics Awarded

A groundbreaking moment has unfolded at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) as Dr. Phumudzo Lloyd Seabe becomes the institution’s first-ever PhD graduate from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. This accomplishment is not only a milestone for SMU but also the culmination of a deeply personal journey fueled by heritage, perseverance, and a commitment to inclusive technological progress.

Hailing from Gogobole, a village in Venda, Limpopo, Seabe grew up in a household shaped by the strength and wisdom of women. “I was raised by women of integrity and resilience,” he shares. “My mother’s unwavering discipline taught me the value of hard work, and my grandmother’s sharp intellect and strong principles guided our family.”

His grandmother, who had retired from working as a domestic employee at the South African Air Force Base, played a pivotal role in his upbringing. As the second oldest of twelve grandchildren, he spent much of his early life under her care. Her death in April 2020, a little more than a year before he began his PhD studies, left a profound emotional void. However, her words—“Noma kubuhlungu, kodwa kulungile” (“Even though it hurts, it is well”)—became his source of comfort during the many long nights of research and writing.

In July 2021, Seabe embarked on his doctoral journey with a clear vision: to bridge artificial intelligence, behavioural finance, and classical investment theory in analyzing the unpredictable cryptocurrency market.

His dissertation, Advancing Cryptocurrency Market Analysis and Investment Strategies: An Integrated Approach Using Machine Learning, Sentiment Analysis, and Factor Investing, lays out a cutting-edge framework for understanding and predicting crypto market trends. The study utilized advanced AI models such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), Bi-Directional LSTM, and Temporal Attention Networks, leveraging time series data and insights from over 48 million cryptocurrency-related tweets.

Using Natural Language Processing (NLP), he employed tools like VADER and RoBERTa to analyze sentiment, integrating this data into hybrid models enriched with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) for greater transparency in AI predictions. Additionally, Seabe revisited foundational finance principles through Fama–MacBeth regressions and portfolio construction techniques. His results showed that even in the volatile digital asset space, traditional factors like momentum and size retain significant predictive power.

His research has led to four publications in accredited DHET journals. One of his papers, which has been cited over 140 times, is a nominee for the 2023 Best Paper Award, with final results expected in June 2025—highlighting the global impact of his work.

Professor Maggie Aphane, Head of the Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Department, lauded this remarkable achievement. “Dr. Seabe has set a new precedent by becoming the first PhD graduate from the Medunsa campus of the University of Limpopo and SMU. He completed his PhD in record time. As department head, it’s an honor to witness this landmark during my leadership. This reflects our commitment to cultivating future scholars.”

Seabe’s path was not without personal sacrifice. Juggling full-time employment with intense academic demands required discipline and dedication. “This journey was never just about academics,” he reflects. “It was about honoring the sacrifices of my mother and grandmother. Every research model and paper was a tribute to them.”

Now a trailblazer in the intersection of financial technology and behavioural insights, Seabe continues to innovate by designing intelligent systems that are not only high-performing but also inclusive and human-centered. His story serves as a beacon of hope and possibility for students from rural backgrounds and aspiring scholars across South Africa. More than a degree, Dr. Seabe’s accomplishment is a powerful legacy.