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Iqembu labaculi abathathu lase UKZN abazibiza/abaziwa nge-Ubuciko the art, bebeyingxenye yohlelo lwabantu abasha Okhozini FM elibizwa ngokuthi i-Youth Kiyona, olwethulwa nguNomfundo Mkhize kanye noPhumeza Dlodlongwana.
‘Siyijabulele kakhulu ingxoxo esibenayo noKhozi FM. Inhloso bekuwukugqugquzela abantu abasha ukuthi bengeze amakhono abo ezemfundo emculweni,’ kusho uNkululeko Mchunu, imbongi kuleli qembu.
Bebekuloluhlelo ukuzokwazisa abalaleli ngempumelelo yabo, laba abathathu baphinde bagqugquzele intsha ukuthi yenze okungaphezulu kokulindelwe kubo ukuze bafezekise izifiso zabo.
UMchunu uthe: ‘uma ungabuzi, impendulo kuyohlezi kungu cha, uma futhi ungayi phambili uyohlala endaweni eyodwa’
Iqembu Ubuciko selinandise ezindaweni eziningi, okufaka neDurban Playhouse ukugumba usuku lwabesifazane, 2014 Africa Day (usuku lweAfrika 2014) eDurban City Hall nakwama festivali njengoTime of the Writer.
Noma uhambo lwabo lukhombisa ingqubekela phambili, bebeengakayitholi inkampani engaqopha umculo wabo. Ngaphandle kwalokhu banethemba lokuthi maduzebazofezeka iphupho labo.
Luthando Msomi.
author : .author email : .Promoting Healthy Activity for the Elderly
Mr Nivash Rugbeer.Mr Nivash Rugbeer was among Masters of Sport Science graduates whose research helped change the lives of senior citizens in old age homes around Durban.
Rugbeer (27) found that group exercise significantly improved the nutritional status and health-related quality of life of the elderly folk after he introduced group exercise at the homes.
His study participants who performed group exercise three times a week reported improved social functioning, vitality and mental health, while those who did the group exercise twice a week said they had improved social functioning.
Rugbeer said the group exercise programme assisted the elderly in accomplishing activities of daily living safely, ‘improving their functional ability and quality of life’.
He says he studied Sport Science because he has always been interested in sport performance and rehabilitation sciences.
Currently employed at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Biokinetics and Physical Therapy, Rugbeer is also registered with the Health Professional Councils of South Africa, the Biokinetics Association of South Africa, and an accredited Exercise in Medicine professional.
He is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, a recipient of merit certificates in Kinesiology and Health Education, Biomechanical Principles of Sport Science, Sport Organisation and Management as well as Legal Aspect, Rehabilitation Science and Sports Science Teaching.
‘My intrinsic motivation and drive to improve quality of life of ailing folk enabled me to further my studies in the field on Biokinetics.’
Rugbeer said due to the high prevalence of chronic disease, disability and inactivity within long-term care facilities, elderly people experienced difficulties in performing activities of daily living resulting in dependence.
‘The elderly residing in long-term care facilities are often neglected. My passion is to use skills and experience obtained from my studies to develop a group exercise programme that improves functional ability of the elderly and adds years of life for them.’
He said the long-term goal of the study was to encourage the elderly within long-term care facilities to be physically active and improve functional ability promoting inclusiveness in society.
Rugbeer said he was ‘delighted and grateful to God’ for providing an opportunity to further his studies and contribute positively to the body of knowledge.
‘My deepest gratitude goes to my supervisors, Professor van Heerden and Dr Serela Ramklass, for all the support, encouragement, guidance and sound advice they gave me.’
He said encouragement from his mother and grandmother instilled self-confidence and enabled him to persevere in reaching his goals.
Rugbeer is now pursuing a PhD in Sport Science and is determined to establish a long-term community exercise based project for community dwelling and institutionalised frail old persons.
Lunga Memela
author : .author email : .Professor John Mubangizi Appointed Chair of HEQC
Professor John C Mubangizi.The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Law and Management Studies, Professor John C Mubangizi has been appointed Chair of the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). This is a voluntary function that he will perform over and above his UKZN responsibility as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
As Chair of the HEQC, Professor Mubangizi will be responsible for providing leadership to the Committee in its role of, among other things: being responsible for quality assurance and quality promotion; upholding the accountability requirements of higher education provision within the context of quality assurance; protecting the public and students in particular, against poor quality provision and taking appropriate action where necessary; considering and making final decisions on recommendations made by the sub-committees of HEQC; and advising the CHE on matters relating to quality.
Mubangizi is familiar with the work of the HEQC having served as a committee member for the past three years. He takes over the reins from Professor Yunus Ballim who has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape.
‘Over the next three years I hope to continue the good work of Professor Ballim and to provide the necessary leadership and guidance in steering the HEQC to make the right decisions that will result in improving the quality of higher education in South Africa,’ said Mubangizi.
In order to ensure synergy between the HEQC and the CHE, the Chair of the HEQC must also be a member of CHE. Hence, Mubangizi will also serve as a member of CHE during his tenure as Chair of the HEQC.
Congratulating Mubangizi on his appointment, the Chairperson of the CHE, Professor Themba Mosia, said: ‘I am certain that you will guide the committee with wisdom and ensure that good judgement informs its decisions.’
Commenting on his appointment, Mubangizi said: ‘I feel humbled, honoured and proud to have been given this opportunity and responsibility to provide leadership at this level of the South African higher education system.’
Over the years Mubangizi has been entrusted to also serve in various leadership positions, including being Vice-Chair of the UKZN Senate and sitting on several College and University committees, some of which he chairs. He is an NRF-rated researcher and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and also serves as Advisor and Member of the ASSAf Council.
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Business Forum to Explore options on Surviving the Energy Crisis in SA
.The new Dean and Head of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) at UKZN, Professor Theuns Pelser, will host a Business Forum on 27 May at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.
The topic: “The State of Energy in South Africa: Business Thinking Outside the Box”, will be discussed by a panel comprising the President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Zeph Ndlovu; the Chairman of the South African Independent Power Producers Association, Mr Sisa Njikelana, and the Chief Director of Energy Planning at the Department of Energy, Ms Tshilidzi Ramuedzisi.
The Forum aims to bring together experts from the public, private and civil sectors to critically engage on this topical issue affecting economic and social development in our region. It is envisaged the panel members will share insights on alternative energy solutions to enable local businesses to survive and promote the future development of the South African economy during this critical time in South Africa’s history.
Ramuedzisi will unpack government policies on alternative energy solutions, while Ndlovu will speak on behalf of the business sector about what the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry has put in place to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis and ensure economic development in our region.
The business sector will gain valuable insights from Njikelana who has served as a member of parliament for ten years and also as Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Energy as well as in the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry.
Entrance to the event, which is open to the public, costs R300. Click here to book a seat.
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Finance Students Give Back to the Community Through Mentorship Programme
Johannesburg Stock Exchange representative Mr Ralph Stein delivering a presentation to mentors and Finance students.A student mentorship programme aimed at providing pupils from underprivileged KwaZulu-Natal high school with financial literacy is underway following a partnership between UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
The Initiative, championed by finance academics, Dr Mabutho Sibanda and Ms Faeezah Peerbhai, will see finance students visit the schools to enlighten pupils on markets and stock investing which they need to know about in order to participate in the JSE Investment Challenge.
The JSE Investment Challenge is a national financial literacy competition which provides South African high school pupils and university students with opportunities to explore the world of investing by trading JSE-listed shares through a virtual portfolio.
The JSE has chosen 10 Finance students from the Finance discipline to be mentors and each one has adopted a school which they travel to regularly to provide training and advice to the students.
To ensure that the mentors are adequately equipped for this task, JSE members Mr Ralph Stein and Mr Idris Seedat recently held a training session for them on how the JSE works and investing in general.
‘The JSE Investment Challenge aims to increase financial literacy among the South African youth therefore securing them a better future,’ said Seedat.
“We would like to express our gratitude to UKZN for being imperative role partners in the realisation of this aim by making the Challenge available to all their students. As we forge ahead we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Peerbhai said the initiative would not only benefit the community but would also teach the Finance students the value of enriching others.
‘The mentorship programme will allow students within the Discipline to assist schools by providing valuable training and information that would not have otherwise been available. This is a good experience for students as it allows them to participate in a project that will enhance social awareness, and give back to the community,’ she said.
‘This will also hopefully entice the school participants to further their studies and pursue a degree in Finance within the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance.’
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .UKZN Academic Graduates with PhD from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Together here are (from left) Professor Gregory Kamwendo, Dr Fumane Khanare and Professor Naydene de Lange. Lecturer in the School of Education Dr Fumane Khanare, who graduated with a PhD from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth, dedicated her degree to her late grandmother ‘Maqhaola Annacletta Ntlhoi who encouraged and supported her to excel in her studies.
Khanare’s thesis, titled: “Rethinking Care And Support Of ‘Vulnerable’ Learners In the Age of HIV and AIDS: An Arts-Based Approach”, explored secondary schoolchildren’s constructions of care and support provided for “vulnerable” school children in the age of HIV and AIDS, and also how the use of participatory arts-based research can enable agency in their lives.
Khanare’s study positioned within a critical paradigm used a participatory arts-based research methodology, taking research as an intervention approach. Working with 20 Grade 11 male and female school children from two secondary schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal, she used drawings, photovoice, collage as well as reflective free writing to generate data.
The bio-ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner and the structuration theory of Giddens were used to make meaning of data.
‘I have many thoughts and feelings about the roller coaster of my PhD journey. Being part of the PhD cohort at NMMU and an academic member of staff at UKZN was such a useful combination. I made the most of my supervisor, colleagues, affiliates and friends. I was happy to learn a lot from all the massive networks around me and I was happy because I also had something to offer.
‘I used to share my PhD journey with cohorts and at colloquiums or conferences and I would get cool and hot questions, suggestions and applause, among a range of different feedback. I realise that I was doing something bigger and more meaningful than just gaining a piece of paper.’
Khanare believes her research offers some significant contribution in education in the age of HIV and AIDS, defining new ways of defining “vulnerable” children and constructing care and support aimed at them.
She says a democratisation of care and support in schools is necessary in the age of HIV and AIDS. ‘This is significant when one is working within complex and dynamic systems that are underpinned by several structures. My thesis offers persuasive evidence of original theoretical, methodological and conceptual contribution in rethinking care and support of “vulnerable” school children in the age of HIV and AIDS.’
Khanare’s research received funding through a grant-linked bursary from the Every Voice Counts project and she received Sabbatical Grants to Complete Doctoral Degrees from the National Research Fund.
She is grateful to her family, friends, her supervisor Professor Naydene de Lange, Professor Relebohile Moletsane and the Dean and Head for the School of Education, Professor Gregory Kamwendo, for their ongoing support, guidance and advice.
Her mother ‘Manthokho Clementina Khanare was happy and proud of her daughter’s achievement.
On her future plans, Khanare said: ‘I am looking for platforms to share my PhD journey and results. We should “walk and talk” our PhDs if we really think PhDs should make a difference to some community. I am also on the look-out for funding opportunities so that I can do a post-doc before “walking my talk”.’
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Academic Invited to Deliver Public Lecture at Syracuse University, Florence, Italy
Professor Sara Matthews-Grieco (left) and Dr Maheshvari Naidu. Dr Maheshvari Naidu, Senior Lecturer and Anthropologist in the School of Social Sciences in the College of Humanities, has just returned from Italy where she was invited to deliver a public lecture to faculty and students within the Women and Gender Studies department.
Naidu said that this was a follow up to her previous invitation in 2012 where she delivered a lecture sharing feedback around a Gender and Reproductive Health Project that she was heading at the time with three of her masters and doctoral students.
Naidu was invited this time round to speak about ‘LBGT Identities in an African Context’. The invitation was extended by Professor Sara Matthews-Grieco, a senior Professor in the Women’s and Gender Department in Syracuse University (SU), Florence.
Professor Sara Matthews-Grieco teaches in History and Women’s and Gender Studies. She was responsible for the creation of the Women and Gender Studies focus at SU Florence, and has recently expanded courses in LBGT issues, in the context of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Florence.
Naidu contextualised her recent Lecture within the context of an empirical study that she had carried out with religious women who held alternate sexual orientations, and their experiences within institutionalised religious structures.
‘The invitation from Syracuse University was ideal as their Women and Gender Department adopts an intersectional and transnational approach to the study of gender working from the premise that an analysis of gender and gender oppression is placed both within a global and intersectional framework,’ said Naidu.
Gender hierarchies and practices take shape in relationship with ideas about race, class, cultural identity, sexuality, nationality, and religion, and can also reveal significant variations and differences that exist in the world.
Naidu shared her findings with women within mainline institutional religions, who self-identified as being both gay and religious, sharing narrative insights from her study, which indicated the levels of marginalisation and discrimination experienced by the women within religious structures.
‘Syracuse University, Florence draws from its mother campus in the United States and the American students were a receptive audience wanting to gain a perspective on alternate sexualities in an African context.’
‘Unlike many of the other African states, South African has one of the most progressive laws around the non-discrimination of LBGTI individuals. However, the reality on the ground is still far removed, and extreme forms of violence against lesbians and homosexuals in the shape of horrific so called “corrective rape” crimes appears to be on the increase.’
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .UKZN Impi’s Outstanding Performance Celebrated
The UKZN Impi and supporters celebrate winning the FNB Varsity Shield.UKZN hosted a banquet in honour of the UKZN Impi’s outstanding performance in winning the FNB Varsity Shield rugby tournament.The Impi beat Wits University 29-24 in the FNB Varsity Shield final, clinching their first ever Varsity Shield!
UKZN’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, congratulated the team for their ‘tremendous efforts’ and said he was ‘amazed at the pace at which you play the game’.
He said the University planned to harness sport strategically in the future, and was committed to ensuring that other sporting codes were also prioritised. ‘From a University point of view, I am definitely going to push sport at UKZN as a strategic asset of the Institution.'
‘We want to make sure that in a few years time, all our sporting codes are up there, competing with the best across the country,’ said van Jaarsveld.
Executive Director of Student Services, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, acknowledged the rugby players’ sporting prowess and contribution to the University.
Chalufu thanked the team players, officials, support staff, the Sharks and the South African Rugby Union (SARU) for their support and encouragement. He paid tribute to the Impi captain, Lwazi Ngcungama, and the head coach, Ryan Strudwick. He also thanked the CEO of the KZN Rugby Union (KZN RU) Mr Pete Smith, and the President of SA Rugby Union (SARU), Mr Oregan Hoskins, for their attendance at the banquet.
Smith congratulated the UKZN Impi on behalf of KZN RU and The Sharks; and commended the University for celebrating the successes of the rugby team.
Smith said Gary Gold, Head of the Cell C Sharks, had committed to supporting the UKZN Rugby team going forward as they were ‘an important part of KZN rugby and The Sharks.
‘The message from Kings Park is well done to the players, the team, the coaches,’ said Smith.
Hoskins, who is also the Vice-President of the International Rugby Board, said it was with ‘warm pride that I stand before this victorious team. Rugby has the ability to unite people’.
Referring to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Win by the Springboks, he said: ‘Rugby was part and parcel of making the transition from an apartheid society to a democratic society possible.’
A UKZN alumnus, Hoskins commended van Jaarsveld’s commitment to sport.
Ngcungama thanked everyone who had played a role in the team’s success, including the coaches, the health professionals, Chalufu, the Student Services Division, the Sports Union, UKZN’s Mark Bashe, Colin Van Heerden, the team sponsor from Truda Snacks and the cheerleaders. ‘This is the most memorable season of my life. Thank you for supporting me every step of the way.’
Strudwick, also an alumnus of UKZN, acknowledged Mr Mark Schulze for his endless efforts in trying to get the Sharks involved with the UKZN Impi and for convincing him (Strudwick) to take up the position of head coach for the Impi.
Strudwick advised the rugby players to also focus on their academics, saying: ‘If you don’t pass, you can’t play for the team.’ He encouraged the Impi to recruit more rugby players to strengthen the team.
Bashe, UKZN’s Manager of Student Health and Sports, compèred the event. He highlighted the Impi’s achievements, saying this was the first time the team had received seven out of nine Player that Rocks awards!
According to Mark Schulze, UKZN rugby players are making their mark on the sporting world. Chris de Beer, Marne Coetzee, Johan “Mees” Erasmus, Inno Radebe, Johan du Toit and Marius Louw have all featured for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup in recent weeks, while Sanele Malwane, Matthew Mandioma, Adam Wessels and Ngcungama have been called up to the squad.
On a national level, Radebe was selected for the Varsity Dream Team, comprising top players chosen from all 13 Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield universities by the SARU national selectors. UKZN’s Ruan Kramer and Mzamo Majola are in the Junior Springboks squad currently preparing for the IRB U20 World Cup in Italy next month.
Meanwhile, Brandin Austin and Mark Barnard, both of whom play for Howard College, have been included in the SA Deaf Rugby squad for the series against Wales later this year.
PMB student Shayne Makombe played for the Zimbabwe Sevens team in the recent Hong Kong Sevens, and is now officially the first UKZN player to feature in the World Rugby Sevens and the Varsity Shield tournaments on the same weekend.
Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
author : .author email : .UKZN Study Investigates Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Mineworkers
Dr Kingsley Ngosi.A study which sought to determine the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among in-service underground mineworkers in Zambian copper mines, earned a Zambian medical doctor, Dr Kingsley Ngosa, a Master of Medical Science degree, specialising in Occupational and Environmental Health.
‘The overall aim of the study was to determine the risk of PTB among underground miners exposed to silica dust in Zambia’s copper mines, with the specific objectives of establishing the levels of silica dust at various work sites, determining the prevalence of PTB and investigating the relationship between PTB and cumulative exposure to the dust,’ said Ngosa.
His cross sectional study reviewed 360 in-service miners’ medical records and silica exposure data at the Occupational Health, Safety and Research Bureau (OHSRB) in Kitwe. The period reviewed was between 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010.
The results of the study indicated that after adjusting for age, gender and smoking habits, miners in a high cumulative silica dust category had a 6.3 fold greater risk of developing PTB than those in low cumulative silica dust category. Further, miners who smoked tobacco had a 4.5 fold greater risk of developing PTB than non-smokers.
According to Ngosa, several studies have been conducted into the risk of PTB in miners, but all were in the gold mining industry.
‘My study, to the best of my knowledge, is the first to be conducted in the copper mines. Exposure to silica dust poses a lifelong risk of developing PTB. By controlling the silica dust in the mines, PTB incidences among the miners can be reduced, and since miners live with their families in the communities, transmission rates from infected miners to the families in the communities can also be reduced,’ explained Ngosa.
Ngosa there was a need to intensify preventive and dust control measures in the mines and incorporate anti-smoking interventions into TB prevention and control programmes.
He conducted his retrospective chart review research study under the supervision of UKZN’s Occupational and Environmental Health HoD, Professor Rajen Naidoo.
Ngosa, currently working at the Occupational Health and Safety Institute in Zambia, said his studies had given him an insight into what Occupational Medicine was all about. He plans to further his studies in the Discipline.
Married with two daughters and two sons, he enjoys reading research articles, watching soccer, going to church and travelling.
Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .Minister of Higher Education Launches Property Development Degree Programme at UKZN
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande with students at the launch of the Property Development Programme held at the Howard College campus.The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, officially launched the Bachelor of Science in Property Development Degree, a three-year programme that will help meet a growing demand for more graduates in the Built Environment disciplines.
The programme was made possible through a partnership between the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and UKZN.
The degree programme was restored at the University last year with the support of CETA funding. Of the first intake of 73 students, 66 received bursaries from CETA. There are currently 113 students registered for the course.
Delivering the keynote address, Nzimande highlighted the important contribution the partnership had made in developing scarce skills. ‘This programme was phased out earlier because of lack of funding, yet it represents a critical need in our country. I am pleased that the CETA has committed to support this programme over the next five years.’
Chairperson of the Board of CETA, Mr Raymond Cele, announced the provision of new bursary funding. ‘The CETA has approved new bursary funding of R3-million for UKZN to implement the new degree followed by either an Honours in Quantity Surveying or an Honours in Construction Management.’
UKZN Vice-Chancellor Dr Albert van Jaarsveld praised the success of the partnership, ‘This will further cement the collaborative synergy between UKZN and CETA to enhance the quality of the programme and to support the sustainable growth of the construction and property industries.’
Programme Co-ordinator, Professor Theo Haupt, said the course was unique in its teaching method, preparing students for the forms of value creation essential in 21st century construction.
Haupt said while other universities offered similar qualifications, the instructional approach adopted in the programme at UKZN was unique and unmatched.
The programme is designed to prepare entry-level 21st Century Professionals for the disciplines of construction management, construction project management, construction health and safety, quantity surveying, and property development.
UKZN is now planning to introduce a suite of specialist BSc (Honours) degree programmes that will create more opportunities for graduates in the built environment disciplines.
Programmes to be introduced are:
- BSc. (Honors): Property Development
- BSc. (Honors): Professional Quantity Surveying
- BSc. (Honors): Construction Quantity Surveying
- BSc. (Honors): Construction Management
- BSc. (Honors): Construction Project Management
- BSc. (Honors): Construction Health and Safety Management.
Sejal Desai
author : .author email : .