Distinguished Teachers’ Award for Dedicated “African” Academic

Professor Fayth Ruffin - an academic at the School of Management IT and Governance - received the Distinguished Teachers' Award.

Not many people would leave a successful career as an attorney in the United States for a lecturing and research career in South Africa but for Distinguished Teachers’ Award recipient, Professor Fayth Ruffin, the academic calling was too loud to ignore.

‘Even though I was born in the US, I always knew from birth that I was an African,’ said Ruffin. ‘My ancestors motivated the career change, telling me to move beyond the practice of Law, earn a PhD in Global Affairs and thereafter return home to Africa and carry out their work as I also wanted to be in an environment where scholarship is required.’

Ruffin says the 1870 United States census shows her ancestors were professionals in the education and justice sectors shortly after slavery was outlawed in that country.

Ruffin is known for being passionate about teaching and learning and providing an enhanced and challenging teaching and learning experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Her relentless drive and high performance earned her another feather in her cap last year when she was promoted to Associate Professor.

‘Any contributions that have resulted from me being me are on account of collaborations with students and their families, colleagues, professional services staff, executives, government officials, non-governmental organisation activists, industry representatives, ancestors, natural environment and all the forces of nature with which I work,’ said Ruffin.

As an academic at the School of Management IT and Governance’s Discipline of Public Governance, Ruffin is an expert in indigenous knowledge systems and public governance. She is constantly exploring and sharing the theoretical and experiential frameworks that demonstrate the dynamic interaction between indigenous knowledge systems, indigenous values and traditional governance and their role in modern society.

‘Although I have always had some awareness of indigenous knowledge systems all over the world, it was not until after my return to the African continent that the depth of AIKS resonated in my soul. My ancestors became so happy to be in an environment of “re-membering”, “re-creating”, and innovating. African epistemologies are empowering for everyone. After all, everyone is of African descent,’ said Ruffin.

Other areas close to Ruffin’s heart as a governance expert are decolonising and indigenising the curriculum to provide enlightening and emancipatory teaching and learning and research experiences for students. She finds ways to manifest this through community engagement and development, as well as law across the public, private and civil society sectors. Ruffin indicates that this will make it possible to create a fairer and more just society for all.

‘I find it so interesting, for example, that academia is so concerned about guarding against plagiarism but there is insufficient focus on crediting indigenous Africans for contributions to the global pool of knowledge across millennia,’ said Ruffin. ‘The dynamism of indigenous knowledge systems advances experientialism with 21^st century problem-solving mechanisms at its core in a way that is at once global and local yet centred by spirituality,’ she added.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Master’s Research Unpacks Needs of Differently Abled Employees

Master’s in Public Administration graduate, Mr Jerome Thokozani Mkhize.

Research by Master’s in Public Administration graduate, Mr Jerome Thokozani Mkhize, concentrated on the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the national issue of addressing the needs of differently abled employees.

The research was titled: The Assessment of Organisational Inclusion in the Employment of Differently Abled People (DAP) – A Case Study of the South African Social Security Agency in KwaZulu Natal.

The study, supervised by Professor Fayth Ruffin and Dr Sybert Mutereko examines how DAP are accommodated in the economic mainstream.

‘The important finding from this study was that SASSA in KwaZulu-Natal has policies in place but indications are that not all disabled employees are aware of or understand them,’ said Mkhize. ‘Some departments are not explicit when providing annual employment equity reports regarding DAP and I wanted to find out why.’

As a former manager at KwaMashu’s SASSA local office, Mkhize has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by ‘differently abled’ employees and their families.

‘I was appointed as the eThekwini Metro North Central sub-regional Chairperson for Operation Sukuma Sakhe between 2007 and 2011 and that project exposed me further to the challenges experienced by differently abled people and their families,’ said Mkhize.

The study was presented at the UKZN’s 5^th Business Management Conference in 2018 and Mkhize and his supervisors are now working on developing it into journal articles.

‘Mkhize excelled in this study,’ said Ruffin. ‘He took full ownership of his research in an innovative manner. Both examiners indicated that the dissertation should be accepted without revisions or corrections, which is very exciting. For him, his dissertation research involved more than obtaining a qualification.

‘I hope that this research will contribute towards the empowerment and employment of DAP so that they can be self-sustainable and support their families as well. I hope to establish a platform to be the voice for these people and proceed with my academic life until departments are also empowered and more is done and the issues of DAP are addressed,’ said Mkhize.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Doctoral Graduate Changes Focus Midstream and Still Succeeds!

UKZN PhD graduate, Dr Zelalem Gurmessa.

When the large Ethiopian PhD student cohort funding doctoral graduate Mr. Zelalem Gurmessa’s studies was abandoned by the Ethiopian government in 2016, after being intermittently funded by the same cohort since September 2014, Gurmessa was left with two choices, either abandon his PhD midway or continue his PhD journey and find ways to overcome the challenges.

‘The Project was designed to train about 250 PhD students in a wide spectrum of fields,’ said Gurmessa. ‘However, due to the turnover of officers who initially designed the joint project and poor co-ordination on both sides, I had to suffer because the funding was discontinued midway through my study. In order to overcome the funding challenges I had to develop a personal strategy to cope with the challenge instead of discontinuing my study.’

Deciding to not give up on his academic aspirations, Gurmessa cushioned the funding blow by taking up part-time lecturing in the School of Management, IT and Governance’s Discipline of Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations for a year. He also served as a postgraduate assistant in the same discipline for a period of two-and-a-half years.

‘These opportunities from the School helped me to cover some of my basic living expenses along with the support from my supervisors, Professor Henry Wissink and Professor Ignatius Ferreira. I would also like to thank the School and the College of Law and Management Studies’ Dean of Research, Professor Harold Ngalawa for providing me with a bursary of R6 000 for professional language editing of the thesis. Above all, I am most grateful for God’s grace which helped me to overcome all the bottlenecks,’ said Gurmessa.

Another hurdle Gurmessa had to overcome during his PhD journey was having to finish his study in three years as per the agreement between Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education and UKZN. Gurmessa still had to abide by this timeframe despite refocusing his research area from the effect of human resources management practices on organisational performance taking the Ethiopian public universities as the case for analysis to investigated factors contributing to academic brain drain at selected universities in Africa in the middle of his journey in 2016.

‘The decision to refocus the research area came after the tense political situation involving a strong protest movement which rocked Ethiopia resulting in the resignation of the former Prime Minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn. This unstable situation made data collection almost impossible and resulted in the presentation of the newly modified proposal in June 2016 and the submission of the final thesis in November 2018. Against all odds, the study was completed within two and a half years and I couldn’t have done it without the support of good people around me including my supervisors who were the key to my success,’ said Gurmessa.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship Recipient Graduates Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting summa cum laude graduate, Ms Sallihah Arbee’s dedication to her studies from day one of her degree was rewarded with a Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship.

Arbee says the scholarship helped remove the huge financial burden and stress from her family’s shoulders. ‘I am forever grateful to UKZN and its sponsors,’ said Arbee.

Learning that South Africa had been ranked number one in auditing and reporting standards at the World Economic Forum in 2012 inspired Arbee to pursue a career in Accounting. She said the ranking gave her confidence that she would be studying towards a well recognised and highly sought after qualification.

‘I enjoyed Accounting at school and learning about auditing spurred my interest. I am someone who cannot stand seeing corruption and do nothing about it. I believe I can be an asset to the Chartered Accountant profession,’ she said.

Arbee says it has been a tough journey but through the grace of God, she was able to graduate summa cum laude. The words of her mother - ‘it will all pay off - carried her through hard times.

‘My mom was and still is my anchor. She is my motivation and during my studies, she would walk with me every day to the taxi rank, always reminding me that it would be worth it in the end,’ she said.

Arbee is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and her goal is to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

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Road Safety – Her Job and the Subject of her Master’s Thesis

Public Administration Master’s graduate, Ms Edith Nompumelelo Moloi.

As a road safety practitioner at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Public Administration master’s graduate, Ms Edith Nompumelelo Moloi, has had first-hand experience of the carnage on the country’s roads.

Now Moloi aims to use her newly acquired knowledge to improve road safety strategies.

‘Part of my duties include organising and assisting in funerals of road accident victims. Having done this job for 10 years, I felt it was my duty to study issues which would assist me in carrying out those duties,’ she said.

Through her research titled: Assessing the community involvement in strengthening road safety strategies within uMhlathuze Municipality, Moloi ascertained that the Department of Transport and uMhlathuze Municipality have been working in silos in relation to road safety strategies, thus weakening attempts to involve communities in the process. The study was supervised by Professor Mogie Subban.

‘The study recommends that the two government entities set up community structures through public participation and provide a unified road safety strategy in their area.

‘In this way, it is hoped communities will take responsibility for their safety on the road and ensure compliance of the rules which in turn will reduce unnecessary accidents,’ said Moloi.

‘For the past 14 years, I have served the people of KwaZulu-Natal through managing the implementation of road safety projects in the Empangeni region. I am a fully committed public servant striving to serve communities with humility by getting involved with structuring road safety strategies,’ she added.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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High Achievers Receive Bachelor of Commerce Degrees Cum Laude

BCom cum laude graduates, Mr Nhlakanipho Mbhense and Ms Aadila Rahman.

Mr Nhlakanipho Mbhense received his Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics cum laude while Ms Aadila Rahman was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting cum laude.

Mbhense, who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Economics, said he did his honours to develop his research skills in economics and his economic thinking. ‘I needed extra skills as I hope to become a research economist and help inform economic policies beneficial in transforming the South African economy which is currently underperforming because of high unemployment and several other factors.

‘What keeps me going is a desire to better myself every day but my biggest motivators are my grandmother and the memory of my late mother,’ he said.

Rahman says she has always enjoyed subjects requiring logic and understanding coupled with application, while working with numbers and problem solving is her forte. Thus Accounting was the obvious career path for her to follow.

‘This was further confirmed when I spent a few days job-shadowing Chartered Accountants at PWC where I was exposed to the different aspects of the job and obtained an understanding of what the career would entail,’ she said.

‘While the road to becoming a CA is not an easy one, I believe that working smart and maintaining a balanced lifestyle are vital for success.

‘I am grateful to my parents for the role they have played. They have been my greatest support system and never failed to believe in me - even on days when I didn’t believe in myself.’

Rahman is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy and hopes to one day attain the letters CA(SA) behind her name.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Gugu Mqadi

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PhD Support Group Played Major Role in Doctoral Graduates’ Success

Professor Maxwell Phiri (left) with his PhD students, Dr Josphat Manyeruke and Dr Nelia Eta Marima.

Three UKZN PhD graduates were supported in their research and studies by a cohort initiative facilitated by Professor Maxwell Phiri of the School of Management, IT and Governance.

Dr Josphat Manyeruke of Zimbabwe and Dr Peter Kwasi Oppong of Ghana graduated with their PhDs in Marketing, while Dr Nelia Eta Marima also of Zimbabwe was awarded a PhD in Entrepreneurship after being part of a research community which met twice a month for dissertation writing and research supervision.

For Marima, being part of the cohort created a platform for her to meet other researchers, share experiences and engage with her supervisor face to face which enhanced her research.

‘My research focused on innovation as a strategy for survival and growth for SMEs,’ said Marima. ‘Challenges I faced included finance since some of the research was done in remote areas and there were time constraints since I also had a job as a full-time lecturer in Zimbabwe.

‘I am now going to focus on publishing articles and books as I aspire to be a professor one day.’

For Manyeruke, travelling from Zimbabwe to meet with the cohort in Pietermaritzburg was expensive in terms of time and money but the results were worth it.

‘Our Zimbabwean economy is not doing very well, thus it was not easy to raise finance and I also faced a challenge of lack of time as I am fully employed by Chinhoyi University of Technology. At times it was difficult to balance work and study commitments, however, the PhD cohort helped me a lot as it was a meeting point with peers who all shared ideas. Professor Phiri would sometimes bring professionals who explained certain concepts in a way I understood. The supervisor himself would lecture certain important research concepts,’ he said.

Manyeruke hopes his research titled: Customer Satisfaction with Electronic Banking Services in Zimbabwe: A Case of Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe will help businesses to improve their electronic banking service.

Oppong, a Ghanian researcher, says the results of his PhD research titled: The Influence of Packaging and Brand Equity of Over-The-Counter Herbal Medicines in Kumasi, Ghana, have already led to him having four research papers published.

‘Despite the advantages associated with packaging and brand equity, no empirical research had been done to uncover their significance in the traditional herbal medicine market,’ said Oppong. ‘My research established that brand awareness, associations, loyalty and perceived quality are key sources of value of herbal medicines sold at Kumasi.

‘Well-designed packaging and brand equity contribute to competitive distinctiveness that can boost the future growth of a company in the industry’ he said.

Commenting on the success of the PhD cohort, Phiri said he was proud of the graduates and looked forward to the cohort generating more graduates, more publications and getting the School to support the initiative as he was currently running the cohort from his own research funds.

Words and Photograph: Thandiwe Jumo 

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Doctoral Studies Involve “Driving for Data” Missions into Neighbouring Countries

Dr Edward Nondo with his supervisor, Professor Fayth Ruffin, and his wife, Judith.

Doctoral student, Mr Edward Nondo, travelled extensively - more than 116 000km - through Malawi, Zambia and South Africa doing research for his PhD in Public Administration which he received at the recent College of Law and Management Studies Graduation ceremony.

Nondo’s research into faith-based organisational management for strengthening church-led healthcare involved a multiple case study at two mission hospitals in Malawi and another two in Zambia.

Data-collection for the study led to Nondo covering more than 10 000 km during a four-week period of “driving-for-data” - sometimes in rough terrain between Malawi and Zambia.

Nondo also did 21 return road trips of 5 546 km each between Solwezi in Zambia and Durban plus two return flights bringing the total distance covered during his studies to 116 466km!

‘Full-time studies meant resigning from work and leaving my family so that I could concentrate on the research with the only finance being cash gained in a severance package from my former employers,’ said Zondo.

‘I got into serious financial difficulties but family always helped out and were there for me. Whenever, I seemed deviate from the study focus my supervisor, Professor Fayth Ruffin kept me on course and encouraged me.

Nondo says the idea for the research was derived from his involvement in the Management and Leadership Academy (MLA) of Zambia where he lectured with the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) delivering a systems strengthening intervention of training and mentorship in management for health workers in the Ministry of Health.

The qualitative study used multi-grounded theory and case study strategies in tandem with a design of meta-conceptual framework in stakeholder-congregational style to investigate the notion that hospital workers ‘perceive themselves to be minimised from participation in management decision making, and civil society members believe themselves marginalised from inclusivity in healthcare.’

Nondo’s investigations found there was a need to integrate secular management training with pastoral care approaches to enable hospital workers and community members through management capacity and stakeholder inclusivity.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Doctoral Graduate Explores Ways to Assist Young Entrepreneurs Start Their Own Businesses

Doctoral Graduate, Dr John Nyamunda and supervisor, Dr Thea van der Westhuizen.

Research on how to enable more young South Africans to start their own businesses was carried out by Doctorate in Management, Mr John Nyamunda.

Nyamunda said it has been a long and hard road to get his doctorate but the journey was made bearable by his supervisor Dr Thea van der Westhuizen who was there to challenge him when he was slacking and open doors for him when things got frustrating.’

‘Many students pursue entrepreneurship with the aim of one day starting their own businesses and yet the education system seems to keep producing entrepreneurship graduates who also join the long unemployment queues looking for jobs. This is mainly because they feel ill equipped to launch out on their own,’ he said.

‘South Africa’s unemployment rate is among the highest in the world, consistently measuring above 25%, and about 50% of the youth is unemployed. This is a national crisis that feeds three of the country’s big socio-economic challenges: poverty, inequality and crime.’

Nyamunda was driven by the unemployment figures and his research focused on how to transform young folk from a non-entrepreneurial background into being entrepreneurs.

The father of three, with his eldest being a third-year Engineering student, has worked hard and realised his dream of graduating with a PhD, partly to show his children that lots of things are possible with hard work.

‘Being awarded my doctorate is a dream come true. What matters is keeping your eye on the goal and developing habits which lead to success,’ he said.

Nyamunda is keen to work with people who want to realise better outcomes for entrepreneurs.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Double Celebration for Brainy Twin Brothers

The Adams family: Mom, Evet with Dale and dad, Moses with Dean.

For identical twins Dale and Dean Adams graduating together at this year’s UKZN Graduation ceremonies is the culmination of a memorable academic journey they walked side by side for the past four years.

Dale graduated with his Bachelor of Laws cum laude while Dean graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy following graduating with his BCom Accounting degree summa cum laude last year.

‘My brother and I have worked diligently and consistently over these past four years,’ said Dale. ‘As brothers, we are very close and during our studies, we never really competed to a rivalry level but we were competitive. To be graduating together is surreal and definitely a dream come true,’ said Dale.

Conscious of what the financial strain of having two children in university would mean of their parents, as their mom Evet is in housekeeping and their father, Moses is a small business owner. The pair did their best to excel in their studies so that they could secure scholarships to cover their tuition leading to both of them securing bursaries from Nedbank and also obtained scholarships from UKZN throughout their years of studying.

‘We are grateful to Nedbank and UKZN for their financial assistance,’ said Dean. ‘We are the only people in our family to obtain tertiary degrees. Even though it was difficult, our family motivated and encouraged us throughout the years of studying. Our main motivating factor for performing well in our studies has been to get our qualifications so that we can change our family’s lives for the better,’ said Dean.

Dale is currently doing his articles of clerkship at one of South Africa’s leading corporate and commercial law firms Werksmans Attorneys in Sandton. Once completed, he hopes to be admitted as an attorney and practise Law.

Dean recently passed his first Initial Test of Competence (ITC) board exam which is the first of two board exams set by SAICA in order for one to qualify as a Charted Accountant. He is serving his articles at Deloitte in Sandton.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photographs: Abhi Indrarajan and Thandiwe Jumo

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Cum Laude for Confident Young Woman

Cum laude graduate, Ms Serusha Pillay.

‘I chose HR because I consider myself to be an extrovert as well as an influential person and felt the degree would help bring out these characteristics.’

So says 21-year-old Ms Serusha Pillay, who received her Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Human Resource Management) degree cum laude.

‘I believe the qualification will help me make a difference in the lives of employees in a variety of areas including training, reimbursements and health insurance,’ said Pillay.

‘My studying experience was exciting, stressful, and a lot of hard work. The best part was the amazing people I met. I made a lot of friends from different backgrounds who I learned so much from.’

Pillay says university life moulded her into a more independent and responsible woman. ‘Responsibility is something that can be learned with or without attending university but the beauty of being at a university is that you are with other young adults making the same mistakes and learning from them. Learning by doing has proven to be the most beneficial way of growing up.’

Her short-term goal is to complete a human resource internship, which will help her gain valuable work experience, after which she wants to get a high-level job and build her career from there.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Bachelor of Business Administration Degree for UKZN Staffer

Ms Geshree Kannie graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Admissions Officer at the School of Education on the Pietermaritzburg campus, Ms Geshree Kannie, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, says her interest in the corporate world is what inspired her to pursue this qualification.

‘The experience was very rewarding, it has made me look at the world differently,’ said Kannie. ‘We had such a dedicated team of staff teaching this course. They were very knowledgeable about trends and technologies currently being used in the corporate sector. They made learning interesting and realistic.’

Being a wife and a mother meant balancing work and school - and it was her family that bore the brunt of her stress. ‘I worked diligently over the weekends so as a result, there was very little time to spend with my family,’ she said.

Through her family, she has learned the true value of support. ‘My husband has been my motivator, my source of encouragement and pillar of strength. There were many pressurising moments during this journey but his reassurance and support kept me going.’

Geshree says more than anything, she is happy to make her family proud and is also grateful for the sacrifices they have made for her benefit. ‘My husband, daughter, mom and sister have been my pillars of strength. This degree would not have been possible without their unwavering support and encouragement.’

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Gugu Mqadi

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“I Did it for My Daughter!” – Senior Academic on Graduating with Postgrad Diploma

Head of the Teaching and Learning Unit at the College of Law and Management Studies, Dr Anna Bengesai and daughter, Ruvimbo Mache.

Head of the Teaching and Learning Unit at the College of Law and Management Studies, Dr Anna Bengesai, who was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Management with a distinction, says she did it for her daughter.

‘My daughter, Ruvimbo Mache was starting her first year BSc Pharmacy and I wanted to motivate her and show her what it means to be a university student. I chose a qualification - PG Dip in Management - which is useful in my career being in a management position as I am,’ she said.

Bengesai said the experience was amazing. She and Ruvimbo wrote two exams on the same day involving them studying together and working towards similar deadlines. ‘What was unexpected though was how I got to better understand the challenges both students and academics face in regards to late submissions, lecture attendance, assignment deadlines, and even failing to grasp material.

‘I initially struggled with accounting so I had to work extra hard to pass. When I wrote my first semester exams, I was also depressed and I remember I could not even study for the first two exams. I literary walked into the exam room unprepared for the exam but because I had a very good DP, I knew that would carry me through.’

Bengesai completed the diploma with a distinction and says she will use the experiences in her management capacity to inspire students they work with at the Unit.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Supplied

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Aspirant Manager Graduates Summa Cum Laude

A joyful Ms Tebogo Darlynn Mabunda received her honours degree summa cum laude.

Hard work and the will to succeed paid off for Ms Tebogo Darlynn Mabunda who graduated with her Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Management summa cum laude.

Growing up in a child-headed home in which Mabunda had to care for her younger brother and her cousin from the young age of 12 - pushed her to work extra hard and be an inspiration to those around her.

Being the first person in her family to graduate from university, Mabunda says she always had opportunities to be in leadership roles from her high school days where she was selected as a class representative. Then at university, she was chosen as class representative in various modules as well as the team leader of a non-profit organisation which gave back to the children in her community.

Mabunda also co-founded a programme with her high school friends to assist matriculates in their community gain admission to a Higher Education Institution. Now she wants to use skills acquired in doing her degree to develop the programme further so it has greater impact.

‘I see myself climbing the corporate ladder and securing a managerial position in the next couple of years. I believe my degree has provided me with a stable foundation which will help me become a well-informed leader,’ she said.

‘I am very grateful to UKZN for recognising my academic achievements and awarding me with three bursaries during my studies.’

Mabunda is currently working at MANCOSA whilst pursuing a Master’s degree in Commerce and hopes to go on to do her PhD. ‘With hard work, discipline, prayer and dedication, anything is possible - I am a living testament.’

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Thirst for Knowledge Motivated Two BAdmin Honours Cum Laude Graduates

Mr Sphamandla Gumede (left) and Ms Nompilo Mchunu celebrate after receiving their honours degrees cum laude.

A desire to acquire more knowledge and additional higher qualifications were motivating factors for Mr Sphamandla Gumede and Ms Nompilo Mchunu who were awarded their Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration Honours degrees cum laude.

Gumede says the need to make a difference in other people’s lives and being around successful and educated people encouraged him to seek a higher qualification after his first degree. 

‘It has always been my wish to make a difference in society and this qualification will assist me in that cause as well as with job opportunities.’

Mchunu who is currently employed by the Government Communication and Information System to co-ordinate and provide communication oversight within the Amajuba District in northern KwaZulu-Natal says his motivating factors were hunger for growth and knowledge of the public sector.

‘This qualification will hopefully open doors for me to develop and grow within the public sector. I plan to make a meaningful contribution in terms of creating innovative techniques of enhancing and accelerating service delivery within the sector,’ she said.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga 

Photograph: Rogan Ward

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Master’s Research Explores African Customary Law Regarding Children Switched at Birth

Medical Law Master’s graduate Ms Samukelisiwe Jali with her father Dennis (left), her eldest sister Ms Zama Sibiya and her mother, Bongiwe on her right.

The Application of African Customary Law in relation to children switched at birth was explored by Medical Law Master's graduate Ms Samukelisiwe Jali.

The research, supervised by Dr Annie Singh, was titled: In the Best Interests of Whose Child? An Examination of African Customary Law in Matters Relating to Children Switched at Birth.

Highlighted was the African perspective on a predicament faced by two parents whose children were switched at birth at OR Tambo Hospital in Boksburg, Gauteng.

‘I felt it was important to bring to the fore the African narrative that is very easily discarded when the court considers matters that involve African customary law,’ said Jali.

‘As an African - and a South African - this perspective remains very close to my heart and spurred me on to complete my research. Thankfully children being switched at birth is not something that occurs often in our country.’

The study’s findings reveal that when using African Customary Law to interpret the best interests of the child, children switched at birth should be returned to their biological parents. This is because in African Customary Law it is presumed that the child’s interests are best served by ‘belonging’.

Jali, who is an admitted attorney and an ad hoc lecturer at UKZN’s School of Law, loves teaching and research and hopes a career in academia will allow her to explore these passions further.

‘I have always wanted to teach so pursuing my master’s degree became very important. Now I am able to enter academia and lecture at a university I consider home - so PhD here I come!’ said Jali.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo 

Photograph: Supplied 

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