Tackling Gender-Based Violence on University Campuses
Participants at the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Seminar at UKZN.The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of South African students took centre stage at a seminar on UKZN’s Medical School campus.
The seminar was an initiative of the HIV and AIDS Programme (Student Services Division) at UKZN, regional government bodies and a variety of institutions in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Speaking on behalf of the Medical School Women’s Forum, Ms Ayanda Khoza said new ideas were needed to address issues facing students at universities around the country. ‘Old ways won’t open new doors,’ said Khoza.
She called for sanitary/menstrual pads to be supplied to female students and highlighted the scourge of “Blessers” who prey on female students.
Referring to “Blessers”, she said: ‘We are born frees but at the end of the day, are we really free?’
Deputy-President of the Central SRC, Ms Lerato Ndashe, spoke about her harrowing experiences with Gender-Based Violence (GBV), advising all those present to ‘leave, run and never go back,’ when a man first raises his hand in anger. ‘Just run away my sister, you’ll get a better one,’ she said to thunderous applause.
The Director of Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS), Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia, discussed “Draft Zero”, a new policy geared at addressing rape, sexual harassment and all other forms of gender-based violence on South African university campuses.
Echoing speakers before him, Ahluwalia emphasised the importance of accessibility to GBV policies and affirmed the importance of the role of universities. He said the support of the youth was vital in transforming South Africa and called for champions to take up the fight against GBV. ‘If you miss this population group (the youth), the country will never transform,’ he said.
Issues highlighted at the seminar included GBV and Sexual Assault, Youth Friendly Services, Women’s Health, and Behavioural factors.
Representing the Women’s Forum on the Howard College campus, Ms Noluthando Khawula said GBV and sexual assault at UKZN could not be dealt with using the same rules as other “crimes”. ‘You can’t handle rape the same way you handle cheating in an exam,’ she said.
Khawula stressed the importance of having the correct measures in place at universities to deal with GBV and those measures should be accessible to all students. She added that security personnel needed to be trained to deal with victims of sexual assault.
Measures to address reporting crimes on campus included developing an app and ensuring proper case management.
The session on Youth-friendly services revealed the need for a clinic geared towards young people while the Women’s Health Track addressed contraception, termination of pregnancy, sanitary pads and pap smears.
The session on Behavioural factors focused on family, structural and social factors, which included poverty, and drug and substance abuse.
UKZN HIV and AIDS Programme Co-ordinator Mx Nomonde Magantolo spoke on the importance of creating a ‘conducive, enabling environment for students’.
In closing, the KZN Department of Health and the KZN Legislature pledged to partner with institutions in the province to tackle GBV among students.
Words and photographs by: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
author : .author email : .UKZN Classics Department Hosts Visiting US Professor
Professor Victor Castellani of the University of Denver in the United States.The Classics Department within the College of Humanities recently hosted Professor Victor Castellani of the Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Denver in the United States.
Castellani, an Associate Professor of Latin, spent a full week engaging with staff and consulting with students, while also presenting lectures and seminars on a variety of topics.
In one of his public lectures - titled: In the Cyclops’ Cave: Odysseus and his Gods (illustrated) - Castellani looked at Odyssey Book 13 which tells of how after 10 long years between victory at Troy and homecoming to Ithaca, the hero meets Athena face-to-face.
He also focused on Book 9 Odysseus, a boastful story told in the first person, about how Odysseus defeated and escaped the Sea-and-Horse God’s monstrous son. ‘By looking into otherwise perplexing details of his account we can see how he triumphed not without considerable inspiration and even material support from those children of Zeus,’ said Castellani. He used various illustrations to supplement his argument.
Castellani presented seminars on Lysistrata, Athens, and Athena (illustrated) in which the drama takes place at the approach to the lofty temple, the Propylaea. He described Athena as a public political patroness who, the men of Athens believed, endorses them and their warfare.
‘She really opposes the self-destructive battling of Greek against Greek; she is also Ergane, who practises women’s domestic “works” that include several actions on stage and in imagery of the play as she emboldens Panhellenic wives to join in Lysistrata’s campaign of Reconciliation.’
In his last seminar for the week, he touched on Death versus Doom in the Aeneid saying: ‘Whatever his private belief, in designing the Aeneid, Virgil adopted a stoic stance. Simultaneously optimistic and realistic, his poem argues that ultimately and at high personal cost (tantae molis, etc.) Roman imperium sine fine advanced to just rule, moral order, and pax-peace. We may regret, but not deplore, fated deaths for stoics recognise that certain deaths, even select suicides, are fated, leading ultimately to cosmic good.’
Words by: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Ziphezinhle Biyela
author : .author email : .Umfundi KwezokuPhathwa KwezokuThenga Uklomeliswe Ngomfundaze WezoCwaningo Ezifundweni ZobuDokotela
UMnu Mandla Mvubu (kwesokudla) emukela umklomelo wakhe.Click here for the English version
Umfundi esikoleni SezokuPhatha, EzobuChwepheshe NokuBusa uMnu Mandla Mvubu uklonyeliswe ngomfundaze wase-UKZN wezoCwaningo ezifundweni zakhe zobuDokotela emcimbini obuse-UKZN wokuklonyeliswa kwabafundi.
UMvubu wenza izifundo zeziqu ze-PhD kwezokuPhathwa KwezokuThenga.
‘Kubalulekile ukuthi ngiqhube lolu cwaningo ngenxa yokungathembeki kwezokuthenga okubhekene nezinkampani eNingizimu Afrika ngokwama-South African Third-Party Logistics (3PLs),’ usho kanje. ‘Lokhu kuzokhomba izinhlelomasu ezisetshwenziswayo ukuze kuhlonzwe ubungcuphe kulo mkhakha ngoba lolu cwaningo luyingxenye yolunye ucwaningo oluncane oselwenziwe olubhekana nalezi zinselelo,’ kusho uMvubu.
Ugqozi lukaMvubu ngokufunda lusukela eminyakeni esafunda imfundo yamabanga aphansi kwaze kwaba semabangeni aphezulu lapho wayephasa ngamalengiso namanje usaqhubeka nokuphasa ngamalengiso ezifundweni zakhe. Asehlabane ngakho kuhlanganisa izitifiketi ezimbili zokunconywa yiDini ngokwenza kahle kwezokufunda ngonyaka wezi-2012 nowezi-2013; umklomelo wesitifiketi i-Golden Key international Honours Society ngokusebenza njengoMqondisi Wezokuthuthukiswa Kwabasebenzi ekomidini eliphezulu lophiko lwenhlangano e-UKZN; isitifiketi sobulungu be-International Distinguished Scholars Honour Society, waphasa ngamalengiso ephothula iziqu zeMastazi KwezoMnotho ngonyaka wezi-2015.
UMvubu ukholelwa kakhulu ocwaningweni, ukholwa ukuthi luzomcija kahle ocwaningweni lwakhe futhi athole nokuzomlekelela ekufezeni iphupho lakhe, izinjongo nezinhloso.
‘Ngizinikele kakhulu ekuqhubeni izimisompilo, nokusebenzisa izinhlelomasu eziqondene ngqo nesimo sase-Afrika, amanye amazwekazi kanye nomhlaba jikelele. Ngizimisele ukuba isifundiswa ukuze ngikwazi ukwabelana nabanye ngolwazi enginalo nokukhuthaza abanye abantu abasha ukuthi bazethembe ngibe ngenza ngcono isimo sezemfundo eNingizimu Afrika,’ usho enezelela.
Amagama: nguReatlehile Moeti
Isithombe: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Masakhane Leadership Panel Event
Youngsters from Haythorne Secondary School and the SOS Children’s Village with their certificates.The Community Development Association on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus hosted a Masakhane Leadership panel event recently.
Special guests on the panel were Dr Shamla Rama, Ms Jane Quin, Mr Sizwe Sidaza, Mr Xola Mehlamakhulu, Mr Sanele Zuma and Mr Feruzi Ngwamba.
Young learners from the Haythorne Secondary School and the SOS Children’s Village attended.
The aim of the day was to equip learners with skills to be great leaders.
Organisers thanked guests and the learners for helping to make the event possible.
Words by: Knowledge Mqadi
Photograph: Philasande Mkhafane
author : .author email : .UKZN Alumni Lunch on the KZN South Coast
Alumni enjoying the selfie-boards.The Alumni Relations Office hosted alumni on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast at a networking and information sharing lunch at Selborne Golf Estate in Pennington.
President and Chair of Convocation Mr Fanle Sibisi, and representatives from Alumni Relations, Schools Liaison and the UKZN Foundation interacted with guests.
Acting Director of University Relations, Ms Hazel Langa, welcomed everyone and reminded them of the importance of connecting with their alma mater. Langa highlighted recent achievements at UKZN and encouraged everyone to make a meaningful contribution to the University in whatever way they could.
Sibisi, who was the guest speaker, provided a comprehensive overview of UKZN and highlighted current developments, planned initiatives as well as the importance of giving back to the University. Sibisi’s presentation was well received by the 60 graduates in attendance, with many requesting that the networking opportunity remains an annual event.
A lucky-draw was held and information packages distributed.
Alumni are encouraged to attend events presented in their areas to ensure they remain sustainable.
Words by: Finn Christensen
Photograph by: Nomcebo Msweli
author : .author email : .Best Paper Award for UKZN Academics from Grassland Society of SA
Professor Colin Everson (left) and Dr Terry Everson with their award from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.UKZN’s Professor Colin Everson and Dr Terry Everson received the award for the best paper published in the African Journal of Range and Forage Science in 2016 at the Grassland Society of Southern Africa’s (GSSA) 52nd Annual Congress in Hoedspruit.
Their paper was titled: The Long Term Effects of Fire Regime on Primary Production of Montane Grasslands in South Africa.
The authors investigated the effects of different burning regimes on primary production and quality of grasslands in the mountainous ecosystems of the Drakensberg.
According to the Eversons, natural grasslands deliver essential ecosystem services through plant production, which enhances water supply, nutrient cycling, soil retention and greenhouse gas mitigation.
‘Although the condition of the Drakensberg grasslands is maintained by regular burning to provide essential ecosystem services such as water supply, controversy exists over how often burning should take place,’ said Dr Terry Everson.
Their research involved the analysis of a historic 30-year dataset, which revealed that these grasslands can be burnt either annually or biennially at any time between winter and spring without adversely affecting productivity. They also noted that winter burning is considered important for the survival of antelope as it stimulates new plant growth in early spring.
The Eversons noted, however, that protected treatments where fire had been excluded for as little as five years had significantly lower live biomass.
‘With the prospect of major climate change as a result of increasing CO2 levels and depletion of the ozone layer, the productivity data of this study will become an important benchmark for monitoring future climate change,’ said Professor Colin Everson.
Words and photograph: Christine Cuénod
author : .author email : .From Curiosity to Conservation Chemistry for UKZN Wonder Woman in Science
Dr Brenda Moodley.To show support for National Science Week and National Women’s Month during August, the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science is honouring its Wonder Women in Science through a series of articles. These are passionate, pioneering and persistent heroines who are “making waves in the field of Science”.
This week we feature Dr Brenda Moodley who is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Analytical Chemistry in the School of Chemistry and Physics.
Moodley pinpoints her first science-related memory to an experiment she did as a child in which she burned a piece a paper using the sun’s rays through a magnifying glass and was intrigued by how she created fire. This simple experiment ignited her interest in Science.
At school, she enjoyed working with numbers and felt proud every time she figured out a complex problem. ‘Science challenges me and therefore it is very rewarding when I am able to find the solution to a problem,’ she said.
Moodley initially wanted to pursue a career in Biology but was put off by the thought of having to do rat dissections. She is now a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the School of Chemistry and Physics and currently supervises one postdoctoral, four PhD and four masters students.
Moodley is part of the Organic Environmental Research Group which focuses on the analysis of organic pollutants in different environmental matrices. Their projects include analysis of organic pollutants, development of adsorbents for the remediation of wastewater, analysis of indigenous oils, and the impact of reforestation on river and soil quality.
She is proud of her work because of its impact on communities. Owing to her expertise in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, she was approached by the 50/50 South African TV conservation series to contribute to one of its documentaries.
Her research group sampled water and sediment from an area surrounding a landfill, as residents were complaining about the nasty odours. ‘We found that samples contained nitrogen and sulphur compounds which were not present upstream of the landfill site. In addition relatively high amounts of various inorganic metals were identified downstream.’
She identifies two mentors who have shaped her career path. ‘Professor Dulcie Mulholland is a well-known researcher in her field, who provided me with excellent opportunities to share my research and develop holistically. Professor Catherine Ngila taught me how to supervise postgraduate students and was a great example of a female researcher.’
Moodley acknowledges that the hardest part of being a woman scientist is balancing her work and home life. ‘Being equally productive as my male colleagues in the workplace and also running a home requires good planning. Women, however, are more than capable of succeeding at both,’ she explains.
She believes that more female scientists are needed for their unique perspectives. ‘Women can see the colour in a black and white situation and therefore offer a unique perspective,’ she says.
She describes inspiring greatness as the ability to rise above challenges to give your best. This is also her advice for budding female scientists. ‘Young women make excellent scientists, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Persevere and make your dreams become a reality.’
Moodley believes that Science education is not up to standard in South African schools and that more skilled teachers are needed. ‘It all really begins at school because that’s where students get their grounding in Science and Mathematics. The government should make this a number one priority if we are to make South Africa’s economy sustainable for future generations.’
Moodley’s plans include continuing her research in environmental analytical chemistry and becoming a mentor to future female scientists.
Moodley’s story is one of a curious child who grew up to become a scientist, whose work adds value to society. By trusting her instincts at a young age, she followed her passion and ended up helping communities in the process.
We asked her to create a “Super Hero profile” for herself through question posed to her. This is what she came up with:
Q. What would you super power be and why?
A. Heat vision so that I could zap away any nasty pollutants in our environment and a few nasty people as well.
Q. What would be your theme song?
A. Ziggy Marley’s Dragonfly because it describes the state of our environment about which I am passionate.
Q. Who would be your sidekick and why?
A. My sidekicks would definitely be my two sisters. One is a Scientist and the other is an Attorney, who would be able to bail us out should we get into trouble.
Q. Where would your secret lair/ hide out be?
A. My hideout would be up in the mountains at the source of a river where the water is still crystal clear and free of pollutants.
Q. What is your kryptonite (weakness)?
A. Expecting everyone to be honest and truthful.
* Each week the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science presents an article on UKZN’s Wonder Women in Science. To read all the articles, visit: http://caes.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage/Wonder_Women_in_Science
Words and photograph by: Sashlin Girraj
author : .author email : .Student Wins Prestigious SAMRO Music Bursary
Second-year Music student Ms Slindile Dlamini wins SAMRO Special Undergraduate Bursary.Second-year Music student Ms Slindile Dlamini is the proud recipient of the 2017 Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) Special Undergraduate Bursary for study in Music performance.
The bursary falls under the Roodepoort International Eisteddfod of South Africa (RIESA) Special Undergraduate Bursary.
Dlamini described the award as ‘meaningful and an honour.’
The R20 000 bursary will enable her to pay her fees and buy costumes and instruments for her concerts and recitals. ‘I am sincerely honoured to have been selected as the winner of SAMRO/REISA Bursary. It is a blessing!’
She sees bursaries of this nature as important because they allow students to give of the best in their craft without financial worries.
Advising other students, Dlamini said: ‘Education is the key to success. Work hard and achieve your goals.’
Senior Lecturer in the African Music and Dance (AMD) Programme, Dr Patricia Opondo, commented. ‘We are grateful to SAMRO for awarding bursaries to seven UKZN students in 2017, and for recognising and supporting student achievement in universities throughout South Africa.
‘The RIESA is a special undergraduate award and we are proud that Slindile is one of three students nationally to receive it. She’s an inspiration especially to our undergraduate students in the African Music and Dance programme as she consistently does well in both the academic and performance fields.’
Words and photograph by: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .UKZN Professor a Runner-Up for Distinguished Young Woman Researcher Award
Professor Tricia Naicker.UKZN’s youngest Associate Professor in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Academic Leader for the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Tricia Naicker, is the second runner-up for the Distinguished Young Woman Researcher Award in the category of Natural and Engineering Sciences in the 2017 National Women in Science Awards (WISA).
‘I am very thankful for this recognition and hope my success encourages younger academics and students to pursue their goals in whichever subject they are passionate about,’ Naicker said.
She attributed her achievement to her innovative and supportive research team members at the Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit who she said were responsible for her nomination.
WISA recognises and rewards excellence and profiles notable women scientists in South Africa as models for the younger generation.
The theme for the 2017 WISA is Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World Of Work, which is the 2017 priority theme for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW).
Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the awards were held in Johannesburg, as part of the DST’s celebration of Women’s Month.
Following the ceremony, Naicker was invited to join the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor on the interview panel on SABC 2 Morning Live TV show for a debate on the topic of Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work.
She spoke about the world class facilitates at UKZN and some of her team’s recent work that has led to a patent of innovative new molecules targeting drug resistant bacteria. Drug resistance is currently a severe global problem compromising the gains previously made in the treatment of diseases and control.
CHS Research Dean, Professor Moses Chimbari congratulated Naiker, ‘In the context of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) I am excited and impressed that Tricia has excelled in a space generally dominated by males; the fact that she is young makes it even more phenomenal.’
Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr Panjasaram Vassie Naidoo also congratulated Naiker on her prestigious award, ‘You have really done us proud, and your interview with the Minister was really great. Well done. We hope you reach even greater heights.’
Words by: Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .UKZN HIV and AIDS Programme Members Deliver Presentations at Soweto Conference
UKZN HIV and AIDS Programme Staff with Peer Educators at the Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health.Staff members of UKZN’s HIV and AIDS Programme, including its Head Ms Nomonde Magantolo, delivered presentations at the 2nd Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SARSYC) hosted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on its Soweto campus.
The conference was titled: Building a Business Case for a Solid Future: Promoting Access to Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Services and Commodities.
The primary focus of the conference was on Sexual and Reproductive Health which encompassed a plethora of areas including Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS, ‘Blessers and Sponsors’, Stigma and Discrimination, Abortion, Sexual Determinants, LGBTIQ, and Gender-Based Violence.
The area of Sexual and Reproductive Health remains a critical one in South Africa and other African countries and the conference thus attracted delegates from Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.
Accompanying Magantolo to the conference were Dr Sachin Suknunan of the Student Services Division, who handles the research arm for the HIV and AIDS Programme, and student peer educators.
The UKZN team delivered two presentations. The first detailed results of an action-research study conducted by the Programme. The study examined perceptions and beliefs of students in relation to HIV and AIDS transmission and ways in which a student’s attitude, mindset and behaviour can be influenced through awareness programmes as a means to encourage more HIV testing and HIV prevention.
This tied in with the new UNAIDS 90 90 90 strategy for ending HIV and AIDS by 2030.
The plenary session for Day three of the conference was given by UKZN and the team presented a Best Practice Model which could be applied in a Higher Education setting. This model was seen as a strategic response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, taking into account KwaZulu-Natal being the HIV epicentre of the world.
The model consists of various key constructs including Social/Behavioural, Clinical, Research, Technological and the central dependant construct of Knowledge. Delegates were captivated by this model and its dynamism which stimulated thought-provoking discussions and feedback.
Delegates were entertained with activities such as a gala dinner event and a tour of Soweto and its historic sites.
The next SARSYC conference takes place in Zambia in 2019 and the conference committee is looking at UKZN’s HIV and AIDS Programme as a possible partner.
Words by: Thembani Ntobeko Khumalo
author : .author email : .Seminar on Gender Based Violence
Young people taking a stand against abuse.The School of Social Sciences in the College of Humanities hosted a seminar on Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Speakers included Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Crime Prevention Desk, Mr Lungelo Zulu; SRC President, Ms Kuhlekonke Ntuli; Human Resources Development Manager at UKZN, Mrs Busisiwe Ramabodu, and PhD Candidate in Criminology and Forensics, Mr Mandisa Makhaye.
After the panel had spoken, members of the audience were invited to ask questions.
Organisers found it relevant to create a platform where divergent views on GBV could be expressed and given the necessary attention.
One of the primary aims of this programme was to provide holistic education on GBV against women, men and homosexuals.
The goal of the awareness programme is to empower women and men and to strengthen the “University society’s” values, especially to those who are victims of gender based violence and to build good relationships between men and women within the University society.
The seminar will be an annual event from now on taking place on the various campuses.
Words and photograph: Ziphezinhle Silindile Biyela
author : .author email : .UKZN Professor Designs Research Wheel
Research Wheel designer Professor Michael Anthony Samuel.The School of Education’s Professor Michael Samuel has designed a research wheel for supervisors and postgraduate students.
The wheel is a pedagogical tool to be used as a pack of cards to assist students and supervisors to understand specific issues around different stages of the doctoral learning journey.
Samuel says an increasing number of new doctoral graduates and first-time appointed staff are being thrust into the responsibility of supervising doctoral candidates with little guidance or support.
‘Often this tasking is in response to the growing demand for schools at university to increase their enrolment of postgraduate students to offset the skewed undergraduate/postgraduate ratios.’
The tool to support novice supervisors is designed to develop an overt vocabulary among individuals sharing the doctoral supervision learning journey.
‘The aim is to generate a clear orientation for both supervisors and their postgraduate students about the hallmarks of a quality, coherent doctoral study and thesis report. Imaginative, creative and critical new directions should be the feature of doctoral education.’
More than 700 individuals have been tutored on the use of the research wheel during workshops conducted by Samuel at UKZN and other institutions.
Dr Angela James of UKZN’s School of Education said ‘the research wheel is absolutely awesome. For any researcher – novice and seasoned – it systematically details how and why research planning and action should be done in a particular style. It takes research to another level’.
James says she has shared it with international partners who were very impressed. Samuel has been invited to present this tool in the United Kingdom and in The Netherlands.
Words by: Nomcebo Mncube
author : .author email : .UKZN Christian Students Organisation Visits Schools in Mtubatuba
Learners of Nkodibe high school during questions and answers session.UKZN staff members and students belonging to the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ Student Organisation (TTACCSO) visited schools in the Mtubatuba area in KwaZulu-Natal to help uplift education in rural communities.
Schools visited included Nkodibe High, Sqiwini High, Nomathiya Technical, Mgwazeni High, and Syelulama Tech High.
Established in 2007 with the aim of promoting the teachings and doctrines of Christianity and spreading the gospel to students in tertiary institutions, TTACCSO is a recognised religious student organisation at UKZN.
The organisation aims to contribute to the development of youth inside and outside the church. About 800 Grade 11 and 12 pupils from the schools received brochures and information about applications and how to enrol at UKZN. There was also motivational session designed to inspire the youngsters.
Chairperson of TTACCSO on the Westville campus Mr Lindelani Mantengu thanked the Corporate Relations Division on the Westville campus for its assistance in making the visit possible.
The visit to Mtubatuba has inspired TTACCSO members to do more with plans being made to do further visits to the schools next year.
‘For more information telephone Mantengu on 082 691 5079 or email Mantengulindelani@gmail.com
Words by: Lindelani Mantengu
author : .author email : .School of Law Students Get Emma Smith Overseas Scholarships
Graduate School of Business & Leadership (GSB&L) academic, Professor Kriben Pillay congratulates his daughter Ms Siddharthiya Pillay (left) and Ms Claire Gillespie.Two School of Law students have won prestigious Emma Smith Overseas Scholarships.
Ms Siddharthiya Pillay, specialising in the Medical field, and Ms Claire Gillespie in the area of Business, are both Master of Law candidates.
The Emma Smith Overseas Scholarship is awarded to top-performing female postgraduate students living in the eThekwini Municipality region.
‘I am very grateful to UKZN and the Emma Smith Trust,’ said Pillay. ‘There are many people, including family, friends and mentors, who have helped me to get this far, and this scholarship is a testament to them.’
Pillay has completed two degrees summa cum laude in Biomedical Science and received numerous accolades during her studies including the Norma Beare Memorial Prize for the highest aggregate in third-year Biology and the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
She intends to pursue a doctorate in innovation models in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which will contribute to a career in the mindful transformation of society.
Gillespie said receiving the scholarship meant she would now be able to realise her dream of studying overseas.
Her accolades include the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2014, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2015/16, graduating summa cum laude for her Undergraduate Law (LLB) degree and participating in the Justice Wallis’ Clerkship Programme last year.
She plans to read towards a Masters in Law (LLM) degree at Cambridge University or a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Oxford University. Gillespie paid tribute to her parents who she says have supported and motivated her throughout her studies.
‘None of my achievements would have been possible if it was not for my parents, to whom I owe so much for all their love, support and motivation and for all the sacrifices made over the years to enable me to be where I am today and to my sister who brings so much positivity into my life,’ said Gillespie.
Words by: Reatlehile Moeti
Photograph by: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Zimbabwe Law Lecturers visit UKZN
The Zimbabwean delegate during their visit to the UKZN Law School.Six Law lecturers from the Midlands University, the Great Zimbabwe University and the Africa University in Zimbabwe were hosted at UKZN by the Director of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies on the Howard College campus, Professor David McQuoid-Mason.
The lecturers were on a knowledge exchange visit to learn about the academic and community service components of the LLB Clinical Law and Street Law programmes at UKZN as well as the services provided by Legal Aid South Africa.
In Pinetown and Durban the delegates - accompanied by McQuoid-Mason - visited the Pinetown KwaZulu-Natal Regional Legal Aid South Africa Office and the Office of the Durban Justice Centre.
The remainder of their Durban visit was spent on the Howard College campus where they held discussions on the Street Law course with McQuoid-Mason and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Street Law Co-ordinator, Ms Phumzile Xulu, followed by joining a Street Law class conducted by Lecturer, Ms Janine Hicks, and Xulu.
They then met supervising Attorneys at the UKZN Durban based Law Clinic, Mr Eben van der Merwe and Mr Rishen Badul Singh to discuss the academic and service components of the Clinical Law course. They also had the benefit of a feedback session with candidate attorneys serving their articles in the clinic.
McQuoid-Mason then took the delegates to Pietermaritzburg where they held discussions with UKZN’s Law Clinic Director Ms Chantel Badul, a Candidate Attorney and a student volunteer. They discussed the academic and service elements of the Clinical Law course at the Pietermaritzburg branch of the UKZN Law School and were given an outline of the course.
They enjoyed a light lunch hosted by the Academic Leader of the Pietermaritzburg Law School branch, Professor Ann Skelton, and interacted with the Pietermaritzburg Law School staff.
The day ended with a visit to the Centre for Community Justice and Development (CCJD) in Pietermaritzburg – a paralegal NGO that has its roots in, and is still associated with, the Pietermaritzburg Law School.
The Herbert Chitepo Law School at Great Zimbabwe University is keen to enter into a co-operation agreement with the UKZN School of Law – particularly in respect of developing its Clinical Law and Street Law programmes.
Words by: UKZNDabaOnline
author : .author email : .Medical Students Win Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarships
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the College of Humanities, Professor Stephen Mutula congratulates Mr Taahir Suleman and Ms Fathima Suleman.UKZN Medical students Mr Taahir Suleman and Ms Fathima Suleman have received Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarships.
The Scholarship is awarded to five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from the first year to their second-year study in each of the four Colleges at UKZN.
Twenty-year-old Taahir is extremely grateful for his supportive parents and the role they play in funding his education and providing a study-friendly home environment.
‘I think self-belief and a positive attitude is absolutely imperative when undergoing any kind of venture,’ said Taahir. ‘If you are optimistic and believe, you’ll find that most of your goals and aspirations will manifest themselves in your life.’
Said 19-year-old Fathima: ‘To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement! When I heard the news I was ecstatic.
‘In my first year at UKZN, my goal was to work to the best of my abilities. I am happy to know that this hard work has reaped benefits.’
Fathima says studying Medicine has been her dream since childhood and she hopes to continue to excel.
Words by: Lihlithemba Sosibo
Photograph by: Abhi Indrarajan
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