UKZN Conducts Medical Male Circumcision on Site

Guest speakers and staff from the UKZN’s HIV and AIDS and Wellness Programme.

UKZN’s HIV and AIDS and Wellness Programme recently hosted and organised a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) and Health Awareness Day, providing on-site circumcision and health screenings to staff, students and surrounding communities.

The Programme, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, held at the Westville campus not only encouraged health awareness but social, financial, emotional, spiritual and environmental awareness.

Ms Thenjiwe Manana from DramAidE advised students to scrutinise whatever they do before they engage into it. She encouraged female students to encourage their boyfriends to get circumcised, as this reduces their chances of cervical cancer.

Manana advised students to take ownership of their sexual life, and to remember that abstinence is the only method to ensure there were no new infections. She added that sexual gratification and finance were huge contributors to new HIV infections.She told students that sexually transmitted diseases can stay in your body for 20 years.

Manana said research has shown that people were not using condoms when the relationship progressed.  

Poverty and Social cohesion activist, Councillor Mr Dumisani Ngema, said stigmatisation compounded the problem and prevented people in declaring their HIV status.

He added that HIV was previously associated with promiscuity and poverty.

Ngema said education and shifting of policies helped, adding that even though MMC does not act as a a prevention but it minimises your chances of infection.

He advised students to play it safe, circumcise, condomise and to educate others. 

Students were advised to study hard towards their degrees.

Sithembile Shabangu

author : .
author email : .

College of Law and Management Open Days a Roaring Success

Law School academic Mr Norman Mpya informing the audience that filled the venue at the College's Open Day in Westville why Law is not just for lawyers.

Hundreds of prospective students expressed great interest in pursuing courses offered by the College of Law and Management Studies at its Open Days held on the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.

The annual information events provide an opportunity for academics and staff from the College to engage with prospective students, their parents and school teachers about various study opportunities, entrance requirements and scholarship possibilities.

School of Law academics, Mr Norman Mpya and Mr Khulekani Zondi, who spoke on the topic: "Law is not just for Lawyers" told audiences about how Law School equips students with knowledge that does not limit them to a legal career but rather opens up endless opportunities, pointing out that the School has produced politicians, policy makers, leaders in society and entrepreneurs.

‘Former South African Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and the current Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng are products of UKZN’s Law School and walked the same corridors that we hope to see you walk on as part of your path to achieving greatness. I enjoy law, especially international law because I love knowing about the laws of other countries and studying law has allowed me to be an expert in that field and it can do the same for you. You can explore environmental law, family law and even tax law if you enjoy working with numbers, the possibilities are endless,’ advised Mpya.

Ms Nomalizo Dyili, Ms Lindiwe Kunene and Mr Nigel Chiweshe of the School of Management, Information and Governance spoke about the various academic programmes offered within the school and careers in the business industry. 

Becoming a Chartered Accountant in South Africa was the topic of School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Senior Lecturer, Mr Leo Deodutt and the School’s Coordinator of the SAICA Accounting Programmes, Professor Phil Stegen who highlighted the benefits of pursuing a career in chartered accountancy and why students should strive to be the future leaders of South Africa’s economy.

Mr Joseph Jere, who is the Co-ordinator of the BCom Foundation Programme within the College's Teaching and Learning Unit emphasised why it is important for students to be aware of the support structures available to them so that they could benefit from enhancing their proficiency and academic performance through these programmes.

Participants also enjoyed a video presentation about a student’s perspective of studying at UKZN while College staff were on hand to offer career guidance, answer questions and supply marketing material.

Khulula Dladla, a Grade 12 pupil from Wyebank Secondary School, said the event helped her in finalising her career choice.

‘When I walked into the university I was not sure about what I wanted to do but thanks to the speakers I am now know without doubt that my future is in chartered accounting.  The event is very useful because choosing the right career is vital and you can only do that if you have the knowledge,’ she said.

Thandiwe Jumo

author : .
author email : .

Iqembu Lekhilikithi Lase-UKZN Liqokwe Njengompetha Beligi I-Castle Challenge

Emcimbini wokunikezelwa kwemiklomelo (kusuka kwesobunxele): Umdlali ovelele esifundazweni kuleSizini, u-Senuran Muthusamy; uKaputeni weqembu i-UKZN 1 – ompetha beLigi i-Castle Challenge ne-Castle Challenge 20/20, uSumnath Sunkari, onguKaputeni weqembu i-UKZN 3 elingompetha besigaba sesi-2, u-Divesh Sookdeo.

Click here for English version

Iqembu lase-UKZN lekhilikithi limenyezelwe njengompetha beligi iCastle Challenge yama-ova angama-50 kanye ne-Castle Challenge 20/20 emcimbini weKwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union wokunikezelwa kwemiklomelo wezi-2014/2015 obuseThekwini.

USihlalo we-UKZN Cricket Club uSumath Sunkari, ongumfundi weSayensi yezamaBhizinisi oqedela izifundo zakhe ze-Honours kwezeziMali, uthe: ‘Iqembu le-UKZN 1^st XI aligcinanga nje ngokunqoba imincintiswano yama-ova angama-50 neye-20/20 kodwa liqede isizini lingakaze lihlulwe kuzona zombili izinhlobo zalomdlalo.’.

U-Sunkari uyaziqhenya ngempulelo yeqembu ngesizini edlule. ‘Impumelelo ibe umphumela wezinhlelo ezithathe izinyanga, amalungiselelo nokusebenza kanzima kwabadlali, ikomdi eliphezulu nabaphathi bezemidlalo,’ kusho u-Sunkari.

‘Ukuzimisela, ukuzikhandla nokusebenza okusezingeni eliphezulu kwamaqembu kube ngokwedlulele kokwebengikulindele futhi ngithokoze kakhulu ngezinga lentuthuko eyenzeke ezinyangeni eziyi-12’ 

Kuningi okunqotshiwe kulo mcimbi we-KZN Cricket Union wokunikezelwa kwemiklomelo lapho iqembu i-UKZN 3^rd XI limenyezelwe njengompetha ngokulingana esigabeni sesi-2.

UFabian Lazarus, ongumqeqeshi we-UKZN 1^st XI uklonyeliswe njengoMqeqeshi weQembu Ovelele kuleSizini kanti u-Richard Wissing uqokelwe umklomelo we-Castle Challenge League Batsman of the Season no Senuran Muthusamy naye oyilungu le-1^st XI uthole umklomelo wokuba yi-Provincial Player of the Season.

Abadlali beqembu bamatasa benza izifundo zeziqu ezinhlobonhlobo ezifana nezobuNjiniyela, iSayensi yezeNhlalo kuya kwezeBhizinisi, ezeSayensi yamaKhomputha neyekweLapha.

USunkari uthe uhlelo lwekhilikithi lwakhiwa ngendlela evumela abadlali ukuthi bakwazi ukufeza izidingo zabo zokufunda nezemidlalo, obekuba izifundo emini nokuzilolongela ikhilikithi ebusuku obekuvamise ukuba izinsuku ezintathu ngesonto.

‘Ukuzilungiselela kwabadlali ngamunye elekelelana nomqeqeshi bekwenziwa ngaphezu kokuzilolonga okujwayelekile kweqembu ukuze ukuqinisekiswe ukuthi abadlali bakulungele ngokufanele ukudlala emidlalweni yangempelasonto. Kwakhiwe uhlaka olubhekelele intuthuko yabadlali ezifundweni nasenkundlelni yezemidlalo,’kusho u-Sunkari.

Okuvelele kwisizini yezi-2014/2015:

-        URichard Wissing wenze amarani angama-539 ene-avareji yangama-44.9 emidlalweni ayidlalile kulesizini namarani angama-109 emdlaweni owodwa. Ubengumshayi marani ophezulu kulesizini.

-        USahil Bissoon uthathe amawikhethi angama-31  ne-avareji engama-9.42 emidlalweni ayidlalile kulesizini  namawikhethi ayi-5/33 emdlalweni owodwa. Ube ngumthathi wamawikhethi wesibili kwabaphezulu kwiligi

-        USenuran Muthusamy ube ne-avareji engama-72.3 emidlalweni ayidlalile kulesizini namarani angama-127 emdlalweni owodwa waphinde wathatha amawikhethi angama-22  kulesizini lapho ethathe amawikhethi ayi-5/16 emdlalweni owodwa.

-        USumanth Sunkari ube ne-avareji engama-69.3 yamarani emidlalweni ayidlalile kulesizini lapho eshaye amarani angama-93* waphinde wathatha amawikhethi angama-13 enezinga lokuvuza amarani elingama-2.93

-        UCmeron Gordon, oyibhowla ephambili ye-1^st XI, uthathe amawikhethi angama-27 okubalwa ukuthatha amawikhethi amahlanu emidlalweni emithathu lnezibalo ezingama-7/26.

Iqembu libonge abaphethe ezemidlalo ngokwesekaiqembu isizini yonke. ‘Impumelelo yethu enkundleni emaqenjini ethu wonke beyingeke yenzeke uma bebengasebenzi ngokuzikhandla.’

‘Okunye futhi ukubonga nabaqeqeshi bethu bonke ababambe iqhaza elikhulu ekwakheni isimo esivumelana nokudlondlobala,intuthuko nempumelelo emaqenjini wonke.’

USunkari ubonge abazali, ikomidi eliphezulu nabadlali ngokuzibophezela okukhulu ekuqinisekiseni ukuthi benza konke okudingekayo ukuze iqembu liphumele.

Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

author : .
author email : .

Students Support Children in Need in Umlazi

Students from UKZN’s Edgewood campus residences handing over food and clothing hampers for children at the Umlazi Place of Safety.

Students from Fieldswood and Pinewood residences on the Edgewood campus organised an outreach, community development project at the Place of Safety orphanage in Umlazi.

The project idea was the brainchild of Life Assistant at the residences, Mr Mthobisi Mthembu, who identified a need to educate students about giving back to communities in Durban.

Residence Life Officer, Mr Julian King, said: ‘UKZN is not enclosed by the four walls which surround us while teaching and learning activities take place. The University extends to all communities in South Africa and across the world because we have vast numbers of students from all corners of the globe studying and working here.’

King said it was important to educate residence students about the needs of communities and the importance of responding to those needs.

Students at Edgewood residences donated food parcels and items of clothing which were handed over to the home on arrival. About 60 students who took part in various indigenous games with the children, said it had been a life changing experience for them.

The children performed a traditional skit for their UKZN visitors with day’s events culminating in a braai and hand over of gifts for the kids.

Staff at the home thanked students for their involvement and wished them well in the future.

Julian King

author : .
author email : .

PhD Student wins Fellowship from Social Science Research Council

Mr Kester Onor.

PhD student in the School of Social Sciences Pastor Kester Onor of Nigeria was overjoyed after being awarded the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa: Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship from the Social Science Research Council.

Onor applied for three years before finally receiving the Fellowship for his doctoral dissertation: "United States African Command and Human Security in Africa."

‘I am very happy to receive this Fellowship - 200 applications from 60 universities and my paper was chosen! I thank God for this landmark achievement,’ he said.

The Fellowship provides a stipend of up to R144 000 to permit the completion of a dissertation that advances research on peace, security, and development topics.

The thrust of Onor’s work is to explore the promise, prospects and challenges of USAFRICOM for human security in Africa from a critical and empirical perspective. The study seeks to assess critically the military-driven and state-centric security approach of USAFRICOM in addressing the human insecurity challenges facing the African continent.

Onor’s research work is both feasible and timely, holding great promise for understanding the central issues that drive not only important aspects of the global security dynamics but also the peculiarities of its African subsets, especially with respect to regional (in)human security.

Onor decided to major in Peace, Security and Development on the basis of his experiences in Liberia and Sierra-Leone when he served with the ECOMOG Peacekeeping Force. He served in the Nigerian Army in various capacities for 17 years.

‘Being exposed to international conflict, I discovered that the crises of human security in Africa can be ameliorated by good governance and development and I resolved to go back to University to complete my studies to pioneer a revolution in human security and development scholarship in Africa.’

He chose UKZN to do his PhD after receiving a tuition-free scholarship and believes that a degree from the University would give his education an international perspective and a better academic standing.

He is grateful to his Supervisors Dr Alison Jones and Dr Sadiki Maeresera and his Mentor and father-figure, Professor Ufo Okeke Uzodike.

‘As a security Scholar, I plan on peace advocacy and creating awareness through scholarly writings.  I may gravitate away from the classroom and into politics in Nigeria and to one day open an NGO that advocates for peace and operates as a charitable organisation.’

Melissa Mungroo

 

author : .
author email : .

Law and Management staff members Honoured

College of Law and Management Studies staff at the event.

The College of Law and Management Studies acknowledged and recognised excellence at a celebratory lunch for 13 staff members who graduated with PhDs in 2015 at UKZN as well as those staff members who graduated at other universities in the past few months.

The aim of the event was to not only reward the staff PhD graduates, Drs Cecile Gerwel-Proches, Mohamed Hoque, Farai Kwenda, Gavin George, Roger Salisbury, Ashika Maharaj, Upasana Singh, Sulaiman Atiku, David Holness, Cheryl Mohamed-Sayeed, Indira Padayachee, Annie Singh and Sophia Mukorera for their achievements, but to also highlight the success of staff working in union on the project to increase the number of academics with doctorates in the College.

In his address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College, Professor John Mubangizi, applauded staff for their dedication as well as the people behind the scenes who worked hard to ensure goals were achieved.

‘Having 13 staff members graduating with PhDs is a huge achievement and that is why we decided to host this event to say "thank you" to everyone who worked tirelessly to make it possible,’ said Mubangizi.

‘A PhD is a qualification which makes you an expert in your field and also opens up opportunities for career growth and development. Now we want you to go out there and turn your PhD theses into research papers for publication with the help of your Supervisors.  Next year, we aim to double the number of staff PhD graduates we had this year for the 2016 Graduation  and I have no doubt that target is achievable,’ he said.

Speaking from a Supervisor’s perspective, Professor Darma Mahadea acknowledged that balancing teaching and learning duties with supervisory responsibilities was difficult, but said the rewards outweighed the challenges as publishing research and graduating doctoral students were two of the most important drivers for the College’s success.

College Dean of Research, Professor Marita Carnelley, congratulated the staff members and urged them to share their newly acquired knowledge with their colleagues by encouraging Fellow Academics to register for, and complete their PhDs and engaging in College research initiatives such as the upcoming Research Days on 27 and 28 August.

 Thandiwe Jumo

author : .
author email : .

Choosing the ‘Right’ Career Vital, says UKZN Alumnus.

Mr Dean Joubert de Villiers.

Choosing to pursue a degree that suited his strengths and personality has led to a successful career in Law for UKZN alumnus, Mr Dean Joubert de Villiers.

De Villiers who is an Associate in Shepstone & Wylie’s Litigation department says studying Law at UKZN was the right decision as its broad application presented him with endless opportunities.

‘I did not begin my Law degree with the ambition of being an Attorney or an Advocate. My passion for Law came later in the degree when I was able to weave the different modules into one larger picture which I could apply to a set of facts. I enjoyed that,’ he said.

When he completed his studies in 2012, de Villiers began the search for a Law firm where he could do his articles - an experience that introduced him to the reality of how competitive the job industry is and why it is important to have an academic qualification.

‘I remember the stresses surrounding my applications to Law firms and horror stories of how bright, young law graduates were unable to find a place to do their articles. Let me say that the job market is tough so proactive steps and good marks are important for getting off to the right start,’ said de Villiers.

‘I started my articles in January 2013 and served two years, starting in the Litigation department at Shepstone, which I believe is the only place to test your mettle as a junior attorney. It is where the law starts and ends so it is, in my opinion, the best place to begin a legal career,’ he added.

Fast forward to 2015 and his career as a litigator sees de Villiers representing various corporate and individual clients in the magistrate’s courts and high courts.

‘My daily tasks include preparation of legal documents for court and appearing in the magistrate’s courts. My areas of practice include banking and finance, debt collecting, construction disputes, insolvency and insurance and property disputes. I have recently started some immigration work which is something different.

‘Currently I am in the process of building a client base of my own while running various matters for other professionals within the firm. I look forward to growing a successful practice within Shepstone & Wylie,’ said de Villiers.

 Thandiwe Jumo

author : .
author email : .

UKZN Lecturer Receives Prestigious Fellowship for African Scholars

Mrs Tivani Mashamba-Thompson.

UKZN’s Public Health Medicine Lecturer, Mrs Tivani Mashamba-Thompson, is one of 20 recipients in Africa of the prestigious African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF) for 2015.

The ADDRF Programme supports the training and retention of highly-skilled, locally-trained scholars in research and academic positions across the region.

Mashamba-Thompson - who is within two years of completing her thesis titled: "Evaluating the Accessibility and Utility of HIV-Related Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnostics for Maternal Health in Rural South Africa" - said she was honoured and humbled to be a recipient of the award.

Her study explores the cultural norms, knowledge, skills, biomedical and management issues which need to be addressed prior to the implementation of the new POC diagnostics in rural resource limited settings to ensure applicability and sustainability of these diagnostics.

Mashamba-Thompson said it was estimated that the deployment of new POC diagnostics could prevent more than 1.2 million deaths in the developing world, including deaths caused by HIV and AIDS co-infections such as Bacterial Pneumonia, Syphilis, Tuberculosis and deaths caused by Malaria.

She said: ‘Barriers and challenges associated with the implementation of POC diagnostics in South Africa as a result of the complexity and diversity of the diagnostics have been clearly demonstrated in previous studies.’

According to Mashamba-Thompson, little attention is paid to factors which ensure successful implementation of new POC diagnostics.

‘The applicability and sustainability of these diagnostics require the involvement of all stakeholders during implementation. I also believe that the implementation must be performed within a given context and culture to ensure the utility of technologies that have been generated in high-income countries for use in low income countries.

‘Coming from a practical applied Medical Science background, I have always been interested in innovation in scientific diagnostics. While I was working as a Biomedical Scientist in the UK, one of my duties was to carry out quality assurance of hospital ward-based point-of-care diagnostics. I also had an opportunity to undergo postgraduate training on point-of-care-testing at the University of Greenwich in London,’ she said.

‘It became apparent to me that POC diagnostics will revolutionise laboratory and diagnostic services for patients and health providers globally. A major advantage of POC diagnostics over the standard laboratory testing is the ability to provide rapid results, permitting timely initiation of suitable therapy as well as facilitating linkages to care and referrals.’

Mashamba-Thompson said appropriately used POC diagnostic services also had the potential to improve healthcare services by enabling improved delivery of pathology testing in settings which have limited access to laboratory infrastructure which is usually the case in rural communities of South Africa.

She grew up in Limpopo Province and left the country in 1998 to explore career opportunities in the United Kingdom, returning in 2012.

Mashamba-Thompson received the 2014 UKZN Golden Key Merit award in recognition of her community work and academic achievements; the 2015 South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis Scholarship and obtained full BREC approval in less than a year after registration for her PhD.

Inspired by the death of her mother who suffered from an untreatable and incurable type of neurodegenerative disease known as motor neurone disease, her masters research – supervised by the Dean and Head of the School of Health Sciences and Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Mahmoud Soliman – comprised molecular modelling studies on selective enzyme inhibitors such as anti-neurodegenerative diseases.

‘I believe I have made a significant contribution to the search for an effective treatment and cure for neurodegenerative diseases,’ said the Masters summa cum laude graduate.

Mashamba-Thompson said she was also privileged to receive research support from highly skilled supervisors and mentors Professor Benn Sartorius (UKZN); Dr Paul Drain (Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School); Miss Cynthia Shi (Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health) and the SACEMA team. She also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the Department of Rural Health in nurturing her from a Medical Laboratory Scientist to an international recognised public health Researcher.

‘I am also very grateful to have a wonderful and supportive husband and three healthy children who are beside me through thick and thin.’

Lunga Memela

author : .
author email : .

Internal Medicine Welcomes new HoD

Dr Nombulelo Magula.

UKZN’s College of Health Sciences welcomed Dr Nombulelo Magula as the new HoD for the Department of Internal Medicine.

Magula says she has mixed emotions about her promotion having worked happily for the Department of Health (DoH) for the past 18 years.  ‘I feel though that I am at a point in my career where I have to take leadership for the greater good of others even if I have my own personal fears and reservations.’

Her goal is to contribute to making the process of attaining academic achievement less painful. ‘I hope to serve as a role model to young people and champion the value of life-long learning.’

She says her first task is to revitalise the postgraduate training programme which has an impact on both undergraduate training and the health care service. She also plans to establish a strong research programme for her department.

Magula has been working in the field of TB and HIV since qualifying as a Specialist Physician in 2002. In the past 10 years she led the Adult HIV clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital.

He research interests lie in the field of TB and HIV, ‘I am passionate about conducting research that will eradicate the HIV epidemic in South Africa. Eradication of the HIV epidemic in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa will translate to a significant global impact as the largest burden of disease lies in this province.

‘Non-communicable diseases are also a huge burden and as people who are infected with HIV live longer on treatment, the burden of non-communicable diseases is expected to increase further. Integration of efforts to manage both communicable and non-communicable disease epidemics is crucial and as a physician, I am strategically positioned to lead efforts that address both communicable and non-communicable diseases.’

Asked what made Medicine her chosen career, Magula said she loved helping people. ‘Assisting people has always been the force that drives me, coupled with the challenging nature of the discipline.

‘As the new HOD in the Discipline, I would like to see graduating students who are passionate about the work they do, who have a strong work ethic and go beyond the call of duty.

‘Through teaching I believe we are able to reach many people that we would otherwise not have been able to. I feel teaching gives me an opportunity to harness talent, motivate, encourage and contribute to helping others to reach their full potential. I believe teaching also affords me a platform to be a role model, particularly, to students who share my background.’

Magula recently graduated with a PhD in Medicine following her thesis titled: "Metabolic Complications of Antiretroviral Therapy in a South African Black Population". Her study investigated the prevalence of metabolic complications (dysglycaemia and dyslipidaemia) and body fat distribution patterns associated with HIV infection and compared this with HIV negative controls

A member of Council of the College of Physicians of South Africa, Magula received an award for best Clinical Oral Presentation at the 2014 49th Congress of the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa.

She also received an award at the 16th International Congress on Infectious Diseases and was invited to present her PhD work at the Emerging African Investigators Symposium. The Medical Research Council of South Africa has granted her funding to pursue further research on Metabolic Complications beyond her PhD thesis.

Magula - who is also supervising several masters students including a PhD student - enjoys running and swimming.

She said her three daughters dictate how she spends her time. She lives by her personal motto: "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."

Nombuso Dlamini 

author : .
author email : .

Moroccan Post-graduate Student doing Drug Addiction Research at UKZN

Dr Oualid Abboussi (centre) welcomed by Human Physiology postgraduates, Mr Khayelihle Makhathini and Ms Lihle Qulu.

Moroccan Neuropharmacologist, Dr Oualid Abboussi, is conducting drug addiction research at UKZN’s School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (LMMS).

Abboussi of the Université Hassan 1er in Settat was awarded the UKZN Postdoctoral Fellowship to join the Discipline of Human Physiology where he will collaborate with the Dean and Head of School, Professor William Daniels, in studying the mechanisms involved when users get drawn to more toxic substances than the often "soft" drugs they usually start out using.

Of particular interest is cannabis – commonly known as marijuana – which remains illegal yet widely available on the streets of both Morocco and South Africa. 

According to Abboussi, drug addiction persists as a global challenge hence it is important to conduct research on its consequences, especially on the brain.

UKZN became the institution of choice for Abboussi after he read results of research Daniels did on drug addiction.

Abboussi said in Morocco cannabis had become increasingly recognised as a ‘gateway drug’ to others such as cocaine and heroin. Most addicts reportedly started out consuming alcohol and smoking cannabis before getting hooked on stronger substances.

Abboussi’s previous work focused on Moroccan youth and their exposure to drugs as well as drug effects on brain development. His postdoctoral research will also explore the hereditary effects drug addiction has on the children of users.

While he has fond memories of the Laboratory of Integrative and Computational Neuroscience nestled within the Faculty of Sciences and Technics-Settat at his home university, Abboussi said there was a lot for him to see and look forward to in Durban.

Lunga Memela

author : .
author email : .

Outreach Consultants important in Rural Health Care, Study finds

Dr Robert Caldwell with staff from the Church of Scotland hospital in Tugela Ferry.

UKZN researchers have found that the appointment of a dedicated outreach consultant for a particular Discipline, together with a capable transport system, was successful in providing access to specialist care and that this strategy could be recommended throughout South Africa.

The researchers analysed the appointment of a dedicated Internal Medicine Outreach Consultant, Dr Robert Caldwell, in western KwaZulu-Natal from 2007-2014.

The research team comprised Caldwell, Dr Colleen Aldous and Dr Bernhard Gaede.

Funded by the KZN Department of Health (DOH) and facilitated by the Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS), Specialist Physician Caldwell was appointed from 2007 as an Outreach Consultant for the Pietermaritzburg (PMB) Department of Internal Medicine, to provide specialist cover for peripheral hospitals in western KZN.

During the period 2007 to mid-2014, Caldwell made 481 hospital visits, which included visiting seven hospitals (out of 21) more than 40 times each. A total of 3 340 medical personnel contacts were made, and 5 239 patients were seen. This involved almost 200 flights and 500 road trips.

Other internal medicine specialists from Pietermaritzburg undertook an additional 199 visits, during which they made 1 157 personnel contacts and saw 2 020 patients.

The planned visits to hospitals took place on a specific day of the week and were designed not to coincide with visits from other specialties. Visits were occasionally cancelled because of bad weather when travel took place in single turbo-prop Swiss Pilatus aeroplanes. An AMS road vehicle was provided where no suitable airstrip was available.

A typical visit to a remote hospital would include an early morning meeting which incorporated a teaching session, followed by a booked outpatients clinic, where doctors from the local hospital and a nurse/interpreter were required to be present.

A further component included a problem ward round of selected cases presented by the doctors concerned, where diagnosis, management and the need for referral were to be covered. In the seven and a half years, Caldwell was fortunate to be able to focus on this outreach work and attributed this to the large consultant numbers in Pietermaritzburg’s Department of Internal Medicine which afforded him the opportunity to concentrate on this field rather than to be involved in clinical work at the tertiary hospital.

Since his appointment was initially a full-time one, he was required to contribute to the running and welfare of the department and therefore was on the call roster, did ward rounds at Edendale Hospital, a PMB regional/district hospital, initiated a telemetry link to peripheral hospitals, and became co-ordinator of the elective medical student programme for internal medicine, such students often attending outreach visits.

Patients seen on outreach were those who might otherwise have required referral to the relevant regional or tertiary hospital. Only a minority of patients seen were referred, indicating that the intervention itself obviated the need for referral.

The researchers proposed that the appointment of a dedicated outreach consultant for a particular discipline, together with a capable transport system, was successful in providing access to specialist care and that this strategy could be recommended throughout South Africa.

In reflecting on his years working as an outreach specialist, Caldwell said: ‘The partnership between the KZN DOH and Red Cross AMS was inspirational and far sighted. One sincerely hopes that it continues, and that all consultants are encouraged to contribute to the outreach programme, in accordance with their job descriptions.’

author : .
author email : .

PhD Education Student Awarded African Pathways Scholarship

Mr Christopher Ndlovu.

PhD Education student Mr Christopher Ndlovu has been awarded the African Pathways Doctoral Scholarship from the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), in association with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

The aim of the scholarship is in line with the mandates of the Institute and Council to promote and facilitate research in the humanities and social sciences as well as to explore new vistas in Pan-African scholarship.

‘Being awarded a scholarship of this magnitude by this organisation feels great and l am humbled by the gesture. This scholarship means that people see great value and potential in my research study and that puts a lot of positive pressure on me to do my very best with it. It also means I am now able to complete my studies with no financial strains and do all the planned research activities.’

His study, supervised by Dr Angela James and Dr Nadaraj Govender, is titled: "Integration of Agricultural Indigenous Knowledge in the Agricultural College Curriculum in Zimbabwe". It focuses on the integration of indigenous Knowledge Systems in the formal education system.

‘For many centuries the Indigenous people have relied so much on the western forms of knowledge at the expense of the locally generated forms,’ he said.

‘This study aims to demonstrate that there is great hidden potential in the indigenous knowledge systems that could lead to the betterment of the local communities. The research indicates that this integration will make the study of agriculture relevant to indigenous learners thereby encouraging them to learn and after that they will become very instrumental in the development of their communities,’ added Ndlovu.

‘The relevancy of the study areas chosen by the committee cannot be over emphasised for the developing countries in this century as we try a paradigm shift from the western models of development to benefit the developing world. I am very grateful for the award and pledge to fully apply myself to this study.’

author : .
author email : .

College of Humanities hosts successful Integrated Student Support Workshop

At the workshop are (from left) Ms Angeline Stephens; College Dean for Teaching and Learning, Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa; Professor Diane Grayson and Mr Kishore Gobardan.

The College of Humanities recently hosted its first Integrated Student Support Workshop at the UNITE Building in an effort to ensure its students are given the best possible support in all facets of the College structure.

The workshop series has been funded by a Teaching and Learning Innovations and Quality Enhancement Grant received by Student Support Services Manager, Ms Angeline Stephens.

The project is closely based on a collaborative model of student support proposed by Professor Diane Grayson, Director of Institutional Audits at the Council on Higher Education (CHE), who imparted her thinking and use of the proposed model at the workshop.

Project Leader Stephens said the overall aim of the project was to develop a student support programme that integrated the functions of all offices within the academic, administrative and support sectors in the College in order to provide efficient and effective support to students at strategic points in the student "life-cycle", thus contributing to student success and throughput. 

Project Leader Mr Kishore Gobardan said the project was one of several initiatives by the College to aid in effective student support. ‘This is one of the ways to improve how things work within the College through the collective engagement of staff and students.’ The project includes consultative workshops with staff, focus groups with students and the completion of an online student survey.

Grayson said due to a massification of Higher Education and a diverse student body, the provision of support to students was paramount. ‘Once a University admits a student, it has a moral obligation to do everything within its power to create an environment within which the student has a good chance of succeeding.’ She emphasised the importance of career counselling and the quality of support provided in the first year of study.

She highlighted that the learning environment could make a significant contribution to students’ learning experiences through the provision of suitable teaching and learning spaces and a variety of resources.

‘There should also be continual monitoring to improve student progression and constant career guidance and upon graduation, links to employers, work experience programmes and postgraduate support.’

Sharing her tips and suggestions on how best to improve student support, Grayson added that once students who were not coping with their studies had been identified by an early warning and referral system, they should be given the necessary support through the various avenues.

Grayson believes long-term, large-scale student success will require sustained will, effort, commitment, courage and imagination, monitored and co-ordinated within coherent, collaborative endeavours at both institutional and national levels.

The project leaders are confident that the project will allow for the provision of targeted, needs-based and evidence-based academic, administrative and psycho-social services as part of an integrated and collaborative student support programme.

Melissa Mungroo

author : .
author email : .

College of Humanities Hosts Open Day

Prospective UKZN students attend the College of Humanities Open Day.

Prospective students from Durban and Pietermaritzburg attended the 2015 Information Open Day to learn more about degrees and programmes on offer at the College of Humanities.

Some of the youngsters attended with their parents and teachers, obviously eager to make an informed decision about future academic career choices.

Seatides Combined School learner, Ms Shameemah Nabi, who is keen to study Psychology at UKZN, was grateful the College hosted an Open Day. ‘I heard about the Open Day from my teachers who suggested I come to find out more about what I plan on studying. And it has really been helpful. I now have a clear understanding of what I need to do to get into UKZN. It has motivated me to work harder at my studies.’

One of the parents and UKZN alumnus, Mrs Lucy Govender, praised the College for having such an informative event. ‘The University is really doing a wonderful job and it has always been a first choice for my daughter. Kelsey. We have been going to each of the Schools and getting advice and now Kelsey has an idea of what career and academic options are available at the University for her to pursue after matric.’

Information sessions were presented by various Deans and Representatives of the six Schools within the College. Also discussed at the Open Day were application and selection criteria for admission into any of the programmes on offer at the College. Housing and financial aid issues were also discussed.

Busana High School pupil Slindile Mbatha believes that the Open Day has armed her with enough information to make an informed decision about her career path. ‘Being here and getting to know about all the degrees and admission requirements has made me realise that I want to study here. I want to study Architecture and be the best at my job.’

Her teacher Mr MN Mhlongo believes that the event hosted by UKZN is essential for learners. ‘This Open Day is vital for our learners because they get to know more about possible career paths and I commend the University for giving us this opportunity for our learners.’

Miss Maureen Jones, a Teacher at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Verulam echoed Mhlongo by stating that the Open Day assisted her learners to make informed career choices.

author : .
author email : .

UKZN Occupational Therapists Reach out to Refugee Children

Given a chance to be children again at a refugee camp in Chatsworth.

The quality of life for refugee children at a Chatsworth camp in Durban is improving weekly thanks to UKZN occupational therapists  (OT) and students committed to alleviating harm caused by xenophobic attacks.

The team of staff and final-year students led by OT Senior Tutor, Ms Chantal Christopher, said the camp was chaotic.

While there had been outreach from companies and non-governmental organisations at the site, the team noted that not all children responded well to mass interventions.

The children needed aid more geared towards optimising their well-being and functioning through alternate experience and recovery of roles. Successful interventions needed to prompt a positive response within the children.

‘All their thoughts, hopes and dreams have been slashed,’ said Christopher.

With the primary goal of occupational therapy being to enable individuals to participate independently in their activities of daily living, UKZN’s OT team aimed to reinvigorate and remind the victims of the joy of being children again.

‘The kids need educational stimulation ad maybe even reintegration into school,’ she said. ‘It is important to build their resilience and allow them to be children within their developmental levels.’

The team, which visits the site every Wednesday, has also strengthened its focus on youngsters between the ages of eight and 15 whom they said are often the forgotten minority because they are not considered young children or adults.

All the work has been done on a voluntary basis with very limited resources. It has proved to be an invaluable opportunity, however, because it allowed students to broaden their scope of practice and become social activists and agents of change.

Christopher said she was passionate about the intervention because she had conducted OT research three years ago on refugees. ‘When the xenophobia arose we knew we had to step in to help.’

Christopher and her colleagues are also writing chapters for an upcoming book compiled by the organisation: OT without Borders.

author : .
author email : .

Medical Student Headed for Conference in the US

Ms Shimol Andhee.

Second year Medicine student Ms Shimol Andhee has been accepted to attend the International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP) Delegation on Medicine and Science in the United States in July.

The eight-day conference runs from 11 July  to 18 July and is followed by the Cultural Extension Programme which ends on July 21.

Andhee was nominated by the Golden Key International Honour Society in recognition of her exemplary academic performance. ISLP partners with Golden Key to provide this unique opportunity to students, who have demonstrated academic achievement.

Andhee said she felt honoured and privileged to be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage and interact with world renowned health care professionals. ‘I also feel blessed and content as my hard work in my degree has paid off in terms of taking the first step towards a brighter future as a future medical doctor,’ she said.

The Golden Key International Honour Society’s Leadership Council President, Ms Harriet Watson, said by taking part in this forum, Andhee would gain an impressive head start towards accomplishing her goal.

Watson said Golden Key Members who attended the ISLP in the past reported the experience had a profound impact on their lives. ‘It gives them a chance to expand their horizons in the medical field.’

Watson encouraged Andhee to take this opportunity to represent her school and country, experience the travel adventure and interact with peers from around the world who share similar career interests.

The 20-year old, who completed her matric at Verulam Secondary School in 2012, said her family always supported her and were extremely proud of her achievements, ‘They have given me all the support and encouragement to further my studies and to achieve my goals.’

Andhee has appealed for financial aid to help her attend the conference. ‘This programme will give me immense knowledge and experience which will enable me to give back and uplift my community.’

Anyone wanting to assist should telephone Andhee’s parents on 082 578 9956 or 082 469 2758 or 032 533 0703.

 Nombuso Dlamini

author : .
author email : .

UKZN Academic Re-appointed to CoMMiC

Dr Bernhard Gaede.

UKZN’s Family Medicine Head of Department, Dr Bernhard Gaede, has been re-appointed to serve on the Ministerial Committee on Mortality and Morbidity in Children (CoMMiC) by the National Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Gaede said it was an honour to be requested to serve on the committee once again although the re-appointment came as no surprise. ‘There was some discussion at the end of the previous term regarding whether I was available to stand again.’

In a letter to Gaede, Motsoaledi said Gaede’s contribution to improving the health of South African Children through his ongoing involvement in the committee was highly appreciated.

Gaede said while the majority of members were paediatricians, there was an increasing recognition that district level care and primary health care had an important role to play in ensuring service delivery.

He said there was also recognition that a lot of the mortality and morbidity in children was driven by social determinants of health.

The Committee is instrumental in tracking the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and now the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

‘I think my background in rural health, health systems work and advocacy contributed to being identified to serve on the committee,’ he said.

CoMMiC reviews information regarding morbidity and mortality in children in South Africa and has an important role in clinical governance and oversight.

As part of the oversight role, the committee also has an advocacy role of raising critical issues pertaining to factors that influence child health. It reviews policies and guidelines and makes proposals for critical areas that require attention. 

The committee is made up of very committed and dynamic people in the field of child health: ‘It is exciting to see the link between research, service provision and impact of the policies and be part of the discussions that shape this kind of agenda,’ said Gaede.

Gaede trained as a family physician and holds a PhD in Family Medicine. He worked for more than a decade in rural settings of South Africa with a wide scope of clinical and organisational experience including HIV medicine, primary health care and rural district level services.

Nombuso Dlamini

author : .
author email : .

PhD Graduate’s Lovebird Research featured on BBC

Dr Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa doing her work on site.

The BBC News Africa page has featured research by UKZN PhD graduate Dr Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa on incidents of waterhole poisoning affecting Lilian’s Lovebirds in Liwonde National Park in Malawi.

The BBC became aware of Mzumara’s study after results from it were published in the African Journal of Ecology in March this year.

The study, titled: "The Drinking Habits of the Lilian's Lovebird and Incidents of Poisoning at Waterholes", is co-authored by Mzumara’s supervisor, Professor Colleen Downs, and co-supervisor, Professor Emeritus Mike Perrin.

Mzumara’s study revealed that almost a third of the endangered Lillian’s Lovebird population in Malawi was at risk of being poisoned annually because of the illegal activity of subsistence hunters poisoning waterholes in the region to capture larger animals for food.

The Lilian’s Lovebird population in Malawi accounts for about 20% of the species’ global population. Mzumara’s research showed that this poisoning caused the deaths of five to 50 of the small, colourful parrots every year between 2000 and 2012.

In her study she acknowledged the recent decline of poisoning incidents but called for the Malawian government to put further measures in place to prevent the deadly activity in protected areas. According to Mzumara, about 32% of the lovebird population in Malawi is in danger of encountering a poisoned waterhole, some of which are near to their breeding areas.

The lovebirds, which were observed to fall prey to poisoning primarily in the dry season, were not the only creatures affected by the poisoning, with vervet monkeys, a hippo, baboons and a warthog being found dead near the pools.

Park scouts recorded 31 cases of waterhole poisoning between 2000 and 2012, with cheap, widely available pesticides being used. Mzumara’s work will contribute to the currently scarce body of knowledge about the poisonings as well as to the conservation of this important species. She hopes she can encourage increased patrols and camera traps in the area where repeated poisonings have been observed.

With this increased international coverage, Mzumara hopes news of her work will reach people who can assist with the problems the park is facing.  She says many of the primary problems stem from a lack of funding for law enforcement activities.

‘My love for nature and Malawi drives my passion for this work,’ said Mzumara. ‘I cannot imagine Malawi without its amazing biodiversity thus I take it on me to play my part to ensure that never happens.’

Having been awarded her PhD, Mzumara is currently working on two projects on parrots. The first is in collaboration with the World Parrot Trust, the FitzPatrick Institute and BirdWatch Zambia, and aims to understand the distribution of Lilian's Lovebirds in Zambia, which is the core of the species range.

‘We hope to understand how much suitable habitat is remaining and also investigate if incidents of poisoning are also taking place in that country,’ she explained. Her work is funded by a British Ecological Society research grant.

Mzumara is also working in Liwonde National Park on a project that developed whilst she was completing her thesis. She is investigating how Brown and Grey headed Parrots are being affected by elephants destroying Baobab trees in which they breed.

Mzumara is inspired in her endeavours by a quote from World Wildlife Foundation founder Sir Peter Scott, who said: ‘We shan't save all we should like to, but we shall save a great deal more than if we had never tried.’

Mzumara hopes her efforts will save a great deal more, and has already made a name for herself in her home country and overseas as a passionate researcher, having been awarded the International Young Conservationist Award by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature - World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN/ WCPA) in 2014.

She has shown extraordinary commitment to her conservation work and has played a key role in contributing knowledge to and increasing interest in bird conservation in Malawi. She is also heavily involved in initiatives to get more young people interested in birds through student involvement, school visits and citizen science.

Christine Cuénod

author : .
author email : .

UKZN Students Unite against Cancer and Xenophobia

UKZN students march on the Howard College campus to raise awareness about cancer and xenophobia.

Members of Together Against Cancer (T.A.C) and the International Student Organisation (ISO) joined forces to heighten awareness about cancer and xenophobia at an event held on the Howard College campus.

 T.A.C is an organisation which strives to educate and empower students about cancer with the involvement of the UKZN Health Clinic, the South African National Blood Service, the Sunflower Fund Foundation and Netcell Bioscience.

The ISO is an international students’ body which promotes the establishment of a culture of embracing diverse African heritage and instilling a sense of pride in being an African while raising consciousness about the intertwined history of people on the continent. 

Founder and Chairperson of the T.A.C, Ms Mahle Myaka, said: ‘We have previously done a survey on campus which revealed how uneducated our students are about their health, thus we have piloted this awareness campaign. We provide students with vital information about cancer and encourage them to become blood donors.’

Myaka, a second-year Bachelor of Social Science-Geography and Environmental student, said the event was aimed at “supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, and honouring the taken’, while celebrating all African countries and expressing opposition to xenophobia.

Candles were lit in memory of people who have died or suffered in xenophobic attacks as well as those who have died from cancer. The ceremony was also a symbol of the hope that the light of humanity and prosperity will once again shine on Africa.

Cancer survivor, Ms Lucinda Johns, who is a UKZN Lecturer, spoke about her experiences in overcoming the disease. She encouraged students to take charge of their destinies.

Mahle Myaka

author : .
author email : .

UKZN Part of Masihambisane, A Walking City Personified

UKZN Humanities students engage with the public who use the footpath from Umkhumbane (Cato Manor) to Warwick Junction.

Masihambisane, A walking city Personified is an innovative interdisciplinary research action engaging place with a community in motion that took place recently in Berea.

This project further expands the research findings from the first inter-disciplinary study undertaken in 2014 between UKZN Architecture and UKZN Drama and Performance Studies to conscientise students to "other" ways of learning.  

The area that was chosen was the footpath from Umkhumbane (Cato Manor) to Warwick Junction (Durban inner-city) which is traversed by approximately 7 000 people daily, connecting the township to the place of work and transport in the city. 

The footpath is along King Dinuzulu road (formerly Berea road) along the southern side of the freeway. It is a harsh exposed footpath that is not acknowledged in any formal way along its entire length as a mobility route by city authorities. There is limited lighting, limited walkway space, poor surfaces, and congested crossing points, no pick up points or ablutions.   

This route is however acknowledged by the NPO, dala: art and architecture for social change, who have engaged this space and the people who use it (inhabitants and traders) for 14 years. 

Working with Mr Doung Jahangeer of dala and UKZN Lecturers Ms Bridget Horner from Architecture and Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer  from Drama, Masters 1 Architecture Students and Applied Theatre students, they conceptualised creative interventions built and performative, to highlight the significance of the route and the daily practises that occur along it.   

‘The interventions highlighted the lack of public amenities and encouraged people to make use of the "new" in site amenities the students had provided.’

‘The day proved to be a highly successful engagement exercise with the transient and fixed community as well as an insightful learning exercise for the students who engaged directly with the people who traverse the space through their daily practice,’ said Horner.

This project is supported by the SANTAM and Blue Skies grant from Urban Futures at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

author : .
author email : .