Uhlabene Ngemiklomelo Emibili Ehlonishwayo
UDkt Tivani Mashamba-Thompson othole ama-fellowship amabili omhlaba ahlonishwayo.Click here for English version
I-Academic Leader: Research in the School of Nursing and Public Health, uDkt Tivani Mashamba-Thompson, uhlabene ngama-fellowship omhlaba amabili.
Eyokuqala kwi-CTN Fellowship yengqalasizinda yocwaningo ngengculazi kuhulumeni; kwathi eyesibili wayigixabezwa yi-Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Medical Innovation (i-UCL-CASMI) yase-University College London.
I-CTN International Fellowship yowama-2019/20 ihlose ukuqeqesha ososayensi bomhlaba abazinikele ekuthuthukiseni izindlela zokwelapha ingculazi nesandulela sayo noma ukuyinqanda ezweni elinganothile ngezinto zokwelapha.
Umsebenzi kaMashamba-Thompson ukucwaninga amathuba empumelelo ekuzihloleni emphakathini kwamadoda asezindaweni ezisemadolobheni eNingizimu Afrika. Ubambisene noSolwazi Paul Drain, aseneminyaka emihlanu esebenza naye.
Umuntu ongumeluleki wakhe kuleli uDkt Dr Richard Lessells, ingwazi kwezezifo ezithelelanayo, phecelezi i-Senior Infectious Disease Specialist, eMnyangweni Wezifo Ezithathelanayo e-Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine e-UKZN.
Ongumeluleki wakhe ose-Canada uSolwazi Lehane Thabane, onoxhaxha lwezikhundla ezinkulu emazweni ehlukene.
I-UCL-CASMI, ephethwe wuSolwazi Sir John Tooke, inhloso yayo wukukhiqiza uxhaxha lwezifundiswa nosolwazi abazinikele ekuqondeni nasekuthuthukiseni izindlela ezisebenzayo nezongayo zokusabalalisa izindlela nezinto ezintsha zokwelapha. I-fellowship ye-CASMI ikhuthaza ukuxhumanisa ucwaningo oluhlukene nezikhungo zemfundo ephakeme ezehlukeni ukucwaninga nokwabelana ngolwazi, ihlele imihlangano efanele nokuba nomthelela ekushayweni nasekusebenzeni kwemithetho.
Ngale fellowship, uMashamba-Thompson unikwe ithuba lokucija ezingeni eliphezulu elikhokhelwa yi-UCL, okubalwa kulo ukuphokophela, ukujula ekucabangeni nobuholi. Uzokwazi ukubamba iqhaza ochungechungeni lwakwa-Lancet namakhomishini.
Kusukela aqala e-UKZN eyi-Developmental Lecturer ngo-2015, uMashamba-Thompson unevuso lokucwaninga. Wayengomunye wabacwaningi abayishumi abaseqhulwini okwashicilelwa amaphepha abo ocwaningo ngowama-2018, unamaphepha ocwaningo avunywa ngabalingani bakhe evile kuma-50 kanti useke wacija izitshudeni eziyishumi nesisodwa seziqu zobudokotela emkhakheni waso zaze zagogoda.
UMashamba-Thompson udume ngokuzinikela ekudlondlobaliseni ikhono locwaningo ngezithangami zokuhlela nokubuyekeza ezocwaningo.
‘Ngiyathokoza ukubona ucwaningo lwami luhlonishwa ezingeni lomhlaba kanti ngiyabonga ngokugixabezwa ngalama fellowship amakhulu emsebenzini wami. Ngiyabonga kakhulu ukucathuliswa ngabantu abanjengo Dkt Richard Lessells noSolwazi Lehane Thabane noSolwazi Paul Drain engibambisene naye kulo msebenzi we-CTN,’ kusho uMashamba-Thompson.
‘Njenge-Academic Leader: Research, kufanele ngikhombe indlela. Ngikholwa wukuthi ukuqeqeshwa kumakhono obuholi okuhambisana ne-fellowship ye-CASMI kuzothuthukisa amakhono ami obuholi. Sengiluqalile uhlelo lokucijelwa nokucijela ubuholi kanti ngikubheke ngamehlo abomvu ukusebenzisana noSolwazi Sir John Tooke nethimba lakhe,’ kuphetha yena.
Amagama: nguNombuso Dlamini
Isithombe: Sithunyelwe
author : .author email : .Ososayensi Base-UKZN Bathole Izigidi Zamarandi Zocwaningo
Kusukela phezulu kwesobunxele nguSolwazi Bonginkosi Chiliza noSolwazi Jonathan Burns, ngezansi kusukela kwesobunxele: uSolwazi Frank Tanser, uDkt Andrew Tomita, uDkt Saeeda Paruk noDkt Shamima Saloojee.Click here for English version
Ososayensi baseKolishi Lezifundo Zezempilo e-UKZN bahlomule ngesibonelelo sezigidi zamarandi eziyi-R12.8 sakwa-South African Medical Research Council nakwa-Medical Research Council UK/Newton Fund somkhankaso i-UK-South Africa Joint Initiative on Mental Health. Lo mxhaso uzokhokhela ucwaningo lweminyaka emithathu lwemikhakha ehlukene kwezempilo kuMasipala uMsunduzi Municipality wakwaKwaZulu-Natal.
Izifo zengqondo ziyizimo ezijwayelekile (kuvame ukwenzeka kane enkulungwaneni) ezinomthelela omkhulu enkingeni yezifo emhlabeni futhi zihambisana kakhulu nokugula, ukukhubazeka, izindleko zezempilo nokulahlekelwa komkhiqizo kwezomnthono. I-first-episode psychosis, ebuye ibizwe nge-early psychosis, ivame ukuthusa, ilethe indida nencindezi kumuntu obhekane nalokhu kanti futhi kubanzima emndenini wakhe. Abantu abaningi abavame ukuba nalezi zifo ngabasemazweni antulayo, lapho kusweleke khona izinsizakusebenza, nesimo sezempilo sintenga nokuqonda izindlela zosizo lwalokhu kugula kukuncane.
IPhini leSekelashansela EliyiNhloko Yekolishi Lezifundo Zezempilo, uSolwazi Busisiwe Ncama, lithe: ‘Ngifisa ukuhalalisela abaCwaningi Abakhulu, oSolwazi Chiliza no-Burns, nethimba lonke ngokuthola lo mxhaso. Isimo sengqondo ngenye yezinto eziseqhulwini esizicwaningayo. Ngakho-ke sijabule kakhulu ngendaba yomxhaso kodwa ngaphezu kwalokhu sibheke ukuthi imiphumela yalolu cwaningo izothini empilweni yabantu, ikakhulu esimweni semiqondo yabo. Imiphumela yocwaningo siyibheke ngabomvu. Silifisela inhlanhla leli thimba kanti lizothola ukwesekwa ehhovisi lePhini LeSekelashansela.’
Lolu cwaningo, olubizwa nge-PSYchosis MAPping in KwaZulu-Natal (i-PSYMAP-ZN), inhloso yalo wukuthola ulwazi oluzokwenza kuqondakale kangcono loku kugula ngengqondo ezindaweni ezise-sub-Saharan Africa ngokubheka ukuvama kwazo, ukwethulwa kwazo ngokwezempilo nezinye izingozi ezihambisana nokukhubazeka ngengqondo kanye nomthelela wakho kwezenhlalo, ezomnotho nezendawo yokuhlala, ukuqala nokwethulwa kwalokhu kukhubazeka endaweni enjalo. Luzohlola nezindlela zokuhlwaya usizo ezigulini nasemindenini yazo noma konompilo ababasizayo esimweni abakuso.
Locwaningo luzoba nabantu bakuMasipala uMsunduzi, okukhona kuwo izindawo ezisemadolobheni (uMgungundlovu), ezisemngceleni wasedolobheni (iYideni) nezisemakhaya (iVulindlela). Lokhu kuzokwenza ososayensi bakwazi ukuqhathanisa kahle phakathi kwezindawo ezihlukene ngokomnotho, okwenhlalo nokwamasiko, zonke ezigajwe wuguquko kwezomnotho nenhlalo nezingenwa wubudolobha.
InHloko yomNyango wakwa-Psychiatry e-UKZN, uSolwazi Bonginkosi Chiliza noSolwazi we-Psychiatry e-University of Exeter, uSolwazi Jonathan Burns, bangabaCwaningi Abakhulu baseNingizimu Afrika nase-United Kingdom.
Amanye amalungu ethimba ngo-Dkt Andrew Tomita wase-UKZN naKwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (umcwaningi owumlingani), uSolwazi Frank Tanser (ozimele), no-Saeeda Paruk no-Shamima Saloojee (we-Psychiatry). Lo mxhaso uzolawulwa yi-KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
Amagama: ngu-Gugulethu Mkhize no-Maryann Francis
author : .author email : .IT Industry Day an Eye-opener for Students
Professor Stephen Mutula (seated third left), staff, industry experts and students at the IT Industry Workshop.The IT Industry Day, hosted by the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance on the Westville campus, provided an opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate students to interact with players in this industry and enlightened them on future career prospects.
IT lecturer, Dr Sanjay Ranjeeth, welcomed the more than 50 delegates, while Dean and Head of the School, Professor Stephen Mutula, opened proceedings.
‘To the students, this is a good opportunity for you to engage with the experts here today and explore a career path you can take. To the staff, I urge you to explore more opportunities and look into ways we can improve our curriculum to better the chances of employment for our students and to benefit the industry when students graduate,’ said Mutula.
Industry partners gave detailed presentations on their companies and the skills they look for in prospective employees. They included Mr Rishi Birbal, a Digital Architect from Microsoft Corporation; Mr Terrence Naidoo and Ms Celia Chawan; IT consultants for the Business Systems Group (BSG); and Mr Wassem Mohamed, a Systems Analyst for First National Bank’s Mobile Banking Division. Naidoo and Mohamed are UKZN alumni.
Final-year IT student, Ms Teshanya Moodley, said, ‘As a student who is unfamiliar with the working world and what IT roles actually entail, this information was highly valuable. I learnt how the concepts and technologies taught at university play out in industry.’
Students were directed to internet sites where they can submit applications for the graduate programmes run by the presenting companies. A large cohort of UKZN graduates are currently employed by FNB.
An immediate outcome of the event is that the Business Systems Group has extended invitations to students to attend job interviews at its Johannesburg headquarters in July this year. The exercise will be at the company’s expense.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .eMIG Conference a Resounding Success
eMIG 2019 participants. The conference was held in Mauritius from 14 to 15 May. UKZN academics and postgraduate students presented their research at the Conference on Global Trends in Management, IT and Governance in an e-World (e-MIG 2019) held in Mauritius from 14 to 15 May.
The multidisciplinary conference is a joint initiative of the College of Law and Management Studies and the Open University of Mauritius. Its roots lie in a casual conversation between Dr Upasana G Singh of UKZN and Mr Govin Appavoo of the Open University in 2015.
The 84 delegates included academics, postgraduate students and representatives of business and government. They hailed from Mauritius, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe, making this an opportunity to promote African scholarship.
‘The presence of the Acting President of the Republic of Mauritius, His Excellency, Mr P Vyapoory, at the opening ceremony and his stimulating speech gave a great impetus to pursue our existing collaborations and partnerships to enhance research, innovation and scholarship on the African continent,’ said Singh. Acting Dean and Head of UKZN’s School of Management, IT and Governance, Professor Stephen Mutula presented a talk on Global Trends in Higher Education – An African Perspective.
The conference offered a multidisciplinary platform for collaboration, networking, and scholarship across the Disciplines of Law, Management, Governance, and Information Technology. This was evident in the interesting range of topics covered by the more than 75 presentations.
eMIG 2019 attracted 126 abstract submissions, of which 16 full paper submissions have been earmarked for potential publication in the peer-reviewed, Department of Higher Education and Training accredited cross-disciplinary journal Alternation. Another 36 full paper submissions have been accepted for possible publication in the conference proceedings.
The conference also offered an opportunity to young emerging academics to engage in debate with leading scholars, industry players and government officials.
One of the highlights was a spectacular dinner themed Mauritius – the Melting Pot. The UKZN delegation presented an African wedding scene in true Zulu fashion.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Supports UKZN Runners at Comrades Marathon
Some of the UKZN staff, students and alumni who took part in the Comrades Marathon. Higher Education Deputy Minister, Mr Buti Manamela (top left) was among the crowds that cheered on the runners. UKZN runners from the University Athletics Club, staff, students and alumni who participated in last Sunday's 2019 Comrades Marathon excelled; flying the UKZN flag high in their endeavours of excellence in sport.
Running his first Comrades Marathon and finishing in 11th position with a time of 5:53:22, third-year Education student, Mr Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, said he had a great race with everything going according to plan. He said when his body and legs stopped, his heart and mind carried him to the finish line. His results have put him in seventh position in South Africa and third in KwaZulu-Natal.
Howick-born Mhlakwana recently came third in the 10 000km USSA Track and Field Athletics Championships and has been running professionally for the past 13 years. He thanked his coach, Mr Prodigal Khumalo, who taught him everything during the training.
Chuckling, Mhlakwana said running the Comrades Marathon feels like a drug. ‘I feel like I can run another Comrades Marathon next week.’ He said he is taking advantage of his rest for the next two weeks. Thereafter, he will resume his training and running other races.
On Thursday, 06 June 2019, the University held a Pasta Evening event for the runners during which Mr Buti Manamela, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, was present to wish the runners well.
During the event, veteran runner and staff member, Mr Tony Singarum, who completed his 23rd Comrades Marathon race on Sunday also offered his advice on the do’s and don’ts of running the Comrades race.
He said his years of experience in running ultra-marathons and his determination to never give up is what carried him through to the finish line. Singarum said Team UKZN trains regularly and even though he had barely trained with the University team this year, he had a great run and respected it 100% throughout. He said: ‘My wish is for staff and students to join the team even if it is just to keep fit.’
Manamela reminded the runners, especially those doing so for the first time that everyone’s race is personal as it affects people differently. He added that should they feel like giving up, they should remind themselves why they are there.
Having run the race in 2018, Manamela said the discipline he gained from the experience has transferred to other areas of his life. Although he did not take part in this year’s race due to a knee injury, he thanked the UKZN Athletics team for helping him with his training.
UKZN alumna, Ms Nontuthuko Mgabhi, a Psychology master’s graduate who ran her fifth Comrades Marathon, will soon be the first African female to take part in the World Marathon Challenge which consists of seven marathons on seven continents, in seven days. She said she used the Comrades Marathon as part of her training for the World Challenge.
Mgabhi is running to raise R3,5 million to build a school for 657 children in rural Mtubatuba where more than 110 learners currently share one classroom. Her dream is to close the education gap between the rich and the poor.
She said coming from a tough school environment inspired her to give these children an equal opportunity to succeed.
Staff member, Mrs Khosi Mdladla who ran her second Comrades Marathon and her first up run, said she enjoyed this year's race more than the first time she participated. ‘The excitement at the starting line and the support we received all the way was really great,’ she said. The mother of three (two girls aged 17 and eight and a boy aged 11) said it has not been easy to balance running, work, studying and family but the sport has helped her immensely in all areas of her life. ‘If it wasn’t for running and God, I would have given up. I want to run and take part in the Comrades for as long as I can,’ she said.
Manamela said more support is needed for races at club level and for up and coming athletes at development level who show talent but might lack the resources to take part in the Comrades.
This year’s Pasta Evening was attended by runners from the UKZN Athletics team, alumni, staff and students who formed part of the 21 000 runners who took part in the Comrades Marathon. The evening was in line with runners’ strategy of loading on carbohydrates, popularly known as carbo-loading, which takes place a week before the marathon. Loading the body with carbohydrates before an endurance event lasting many hours fuels the body, thus reducing fatigue and improving performance.
During the Pasta Evening, Singarum reminded runners to make a list of all the gear needed on the day; sort out transport to and from the race; and to buy all necessities such as petroleum jelly, gel and plasters. He also urged runners to properly hydrate themselves without overdoing it; keeping healthy and avoiding getting sick; and most importantly, for runners to relax their legs, and to not try anything new on the day of the race.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Owayengumfundi wase-UKZN Uklonyeliswe nge-SAMA Record of the Year
Owayengumfundi wase-KZN u-Holly Rey ozuze i-Record of the Year kuma-SAMA.Click here for English version
Umculi we-House, uNks Holly Wasserfall, odume ngelika-Holly Rey, uthole indondo ye-Record of the Year ngengoma yakhe ethi Deeper kuma-25th South African Music Awards (ama-SAMA) e-Sun City Superbowl. Umklomelo ovotelwa ngabalandeli.
Ekhuluma emcimbini wama-SAMA, uHolly Rey uthe: ‘Sigqugquzele izwe lonke ukuba liqinisekise amaphupho azo zonke izingane ezinephupho. Le ndondo ngeyazo zonke izingane esengake ngahlangana nazo ezazingikhumbuza ubusha bami nalokho engakuqala eminyakeni eyishumi edlule. Kholwa! Ngiyabonga kubo bonke ngothi lwabo abakwa-Kumisa Artist Management Master Class yangowezi-2019 ngokweseka lo mkhankaso nokunqoba kwami. Eyethu sonke le mpumelelo!’
Ngaphezu kwalokho ugixabezwe nge-Platinum Certification yakwa-Recording Industry of South Africa ngenoni lakhe elithi Deeper, elifinyelele ezigidini ezi-3.5 zama-stream. Uqhube wathi: ‘I-House ayisilo uhlobo lomculo kepha iwusiko futhi engiziqhenyayo ngalo.’
Kumanje uhlanganisa amanoni amasha azowakhipha ezinyangeni ezimbalwa ezizayo. Okuhlalukayo uma ese-studiyo noma ebhala umculo wukuthi akenqeni ukwenza izinto ezintsha ngesigqi esithakaselwa ngabalandeli bazo zonke izinhlobo zomculo. ‘Angizami ukuzenza into engingesiyo,’ kusho yena. ‘I-Deeper kwakungesiyo indlela yokusebenzisa i-House kepha kwakuyindlela yokuzwakalisa engikuzwa ngaphakathi ngengoma yothando, eyisisekelo somculo wami.’
Uthe umculo we-House ungothando. ‘Ngizama ukubhala umculo ophikisana nemibono ejwayelekile ngothando nogqugquzela umqondo ozimele wabantu besifazane. Kulo nyaka ngizimisele ukuqhubeka nokuba ngumculi ozimele, ngiqhubeke nokuba yivulandlela lamaciko angabantu besifazane kulo mkhakha,’ kusho yena.
Amagama: ngu-Melissa Mungroo
Isithombe: Sithunyelwe
author : .author email : .ENT Specialist Graduates in Record Time
Elated ENT specialist, Dr John Kutsukutsa, who recently joined the ranks of the few specialists in this field.Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Registrar in the School of Clinical Medicine at UKZN, Dr John Kutsukutsa, has joined the ranks of the few specialists in this field, following his graduation at the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in Cape Town recently.
A supernumerary from Zimbabwe, Kutsukutsa passed his finals on his first attempt. He is the first supernumerary in ENT in Durban to qualify and did so before completing his stint as a registrar. In his time with UKZN, he has had three publications in different international journals.
Otorhinolaryngology involves the assessment, diagnosis, and management of diseases and conditions of the ears, nose and throat. It encompasses tumors of the head and neck, airway (voice box), balance and hearing as well as nose and sinus problems.
Kutsukutsa completed his undergraduate medical degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 2005 and worked in Bulawayo before joining the ENT department in Harare as a registrar in 2015. He joined the registrar programme at UKZN’s ENT Department in 2016 and completed his Master’s in Medicine (MMed) research module in 2017. His recent admission as a Fellow clears his way for MMed graduation at the next UKZN graduation.
‘God has been graceful and has led me all the way. He has never failed. Helping others and making a difference brings me satisfaction,’ said Kutsukutsa. He added that growing up poor taught him to make the best of opportunities that come his way.
His journey was not always a smooth one. He encountered financial challenges and found it challenging to be in a faraway land, away from family support. He is grateful to his teachers and everyone, including strangers, who offered their support.
The proud father of two daughters has organised two successful World Hearing Day awareness campaigns at the UKZN Medical School and King Edward Hospital VIII. These were meant to raise awareness about the growing and expensive problem of hearing loss - a problem he encounters every day.
Kutsukutsa’s long-term goals include pursuing a PhD, completing a Head and Neck fellowship and providing an ENT service back home in KwaBulawayo. He wants to venture into academia and hopefully become a professor in 10 years’ time if all goes well.
‘Success is a matter of attitude,’ he believes.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .Astronomy Expedition to Sub-Antarctic Region
Left: Mr Nivek Ghazi, Mr Scott Eyono, Ms Tankiso Moso and Professor Chiang at Marion Island. Pictured on the right is the first autonomous antenna station that will form part of the ALBATROS array.Astronomy Master’s students, Mr Scott Eyono, Mr Nivek Ghazi and Ms Tankiso Moso, recently returned from an astronomy expedition to Marion Island near the Sub-Antarctic region.
The expedition was led by Astronomer, Professor Cynthia Chiang, who, together with her students, upgraded and debugged the Probing Radio Intensity at high-Z from Marion (PRIZM) radio telescope, and deployed the first autonomous antenna station that will form part of the eventual Array of Long Baseline Antennas for Taking Radio Observations from the Sub-Antarctic (ALBATROS). The telescopes that were built by Chiang and her students, are being used to detect traces of the first stars that turned on in the universe.
Marion Island is notorious for high winds, rain and cold temperatures. Because of its extremely remote location, the island has an exceptionally clean radio-frequency environment, with almost no contamination from transmissions such as radio stations.
The expedition lasted approximately a month and a half. The team flew from Durban to Cape Town, where they boarded the SA Agulhas II for the four-day journey to Marion Island. The island is only accessible by ship for a limited time each year. Since there is no harbour infrastructure at Marion Island, the ship floated nearby until the weather permitted the passengers to be transported by helicopter to the island.
This was Eyono’s first sea voyage, first helicopter ride, and also his first visit to the island. While he suffered a short spell of sea sickness, this did not dampen his enthusiasm. ‘I was excited to visit the island and work on the telescopes. A little sea sickness was not going to stop me,’ he said. Eyono assisted with the electronics integration and debugging of the telescopes. A highlight of his trip was climbing to the top of a dormant volcano on a very windy day. While exhilarating, this however, did not compare to the excitement he felt when he and his colleagues plotted the first set of data from the ALBATROS telescope. ‘It was an important milestone for us and celebrating that milestone as a team was amazing,’ he enthused.
This was also Moso’s first sea voyage, first helicopter ride, and first visit to the island. While she did not experience any sea sickness, she twisted her ankle slightly. There is no transportation on the island and this hindered her mobility. Notwithstanding her injury and despite the cold, she said, ‘There is nothing that I would trade for the work, travel experience and adventure I gained from this trip.’ Most of her time was spent integrating the electronics and troubleshooting as well as repairing and testing the telescopes’ system components and modules.
Ghazi updated the PRIZM telescope to make it more robust during the severe winter, and assisted in deploying the first antenna for the ALBATROS telescope. He first visited the island in 2018 to assist with the installation of two additional antennae on the PRIZM telescope. On this latest expedition, he was proud and relieved to see that all the hard work from the previous trip survived the winter. ‘The weather on the island can be extremely harsh and unpredictable at times, which limits the time available to work outdoors. Through perseverance, late nights and hard work, we successfully achieved our goals. There’s no better feeling than seeing all our hard work come together when we switched on the telescope,’ said Ghazi.
In order to make up for time lost due to bad weather, the team had to be ingenious. ‘Working during snowy weather was no child’s play, so while we were charging the system batteries using a generator, we took breaks to warm our hands with hot water since most work needed to be completed with bare hands. We also boiled water in a kettle and took it with us to where the telescopes are installed, just so we wouldn’t need to go back to camp to warm our hands,’ said Moso.
Chiang is very proud of her students who worked tirelessly to achieve their goals. ‘Words are not enough to describe the phenomenal job that the students did. Because of their hard work, we were able to install, successfully integrate, and obtain first light on a brand new antenna system within eight days. That is truly a remarkable achievement for students who are so young and so new to the island,’ she said.
Chiang has also contributed to other telescopes across the world including SPIDER, Planck High-Frequency Instrument, South Pole Telescope and C-BASS. However, of all the locations she has worked in, she describes Marion Island as exceptionally challenging. ‘The work is both mentally and physically exhausting, and you have to operate in high gear non-stop in order to make the most of the precious and limited deployment window,’ she observed.
Words: Malishca Perumal
author : .author email : .UKZN Student a Finalist in Miss Teenager South Africa
Ms Zama Nyakatha in Johannesburg where she recently competed for the Miss Teenager South Africa 2019 title.Second-year Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting student, Ms Zama Nyakatha, recently travelled to Johannesburg to compete for the Miss Teenager South Africa 2019 title.
Durban-born Nyakatha’s love of modelling began in 2014 when Rolene Strauss, a medical doctor by profession, was crowned Miss World. ‘What inspired me the most about Strauss was that her Miss World title did not stop her from chasing her other dream of being a doctor. After her reign, she completed her medical degree.’
Miss Teenager SA is a pageant under Miss Teenager Universe. After going through auditions in April, Nyakatha was selected as a semi-finalist for KwaZulu-Natal.
‘The journey as a semi-finalist was very exciting and busy. I started my own campaign called #2000sTakeCharge which aims to encourage teenagers to take charge of their lives. I believe the first step in taking charge is believing in yourself and your dreams,’ she said.
Her efforts did not go unnoticed and she was selected as a finalist to represent her province in the national competition.
‘My journey has taught me that it always seems impossible until it’s done. I am very happy to have been a part of such a big competition and even though I did not win, I have grown as an individual. It was good to meet teenagers from all over South Africa. I feel empowered to do more and am grateful for the support of my family and friends.’
Titles won by Nyakatha over the years include Miss Teen Model Look 2016, Miss Wild Waves 2017, Miss eThekwini Teen 2017, and Miss Teen Catwalk 2018.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Law Student to Represent South Africa in India
LLB Student, Mr Sfiso Mbatha, who is set to represent UKZN at a youth leadership programme in India. Final-year LLB student, Mr Sfiso Mbatha, has been selected to represent UKZN and South Africa at a youth leadership programme in Maharashi Markandeshwar, Mullana, India, from 18 to 28 June.
The programme will bring together an eclectic mix of students from all over the world; providing a forum for meaningful exchange of cultures and ideas, networking and community-building activities. Attending students will also gain an understanding of leadership techniques, teamwork and effective communication.
Hailing from the rural town of Mzingazi near Richards Bay, Mbatha is the last-born of four siblings. Despite his parents being unemployed, they ensured that he received a good education, encouraging him to do his best.
He has held leadership positions throughout his life and aspires to be a senior partner in a Black-owned law firm. He also hopes to use his skills to empower the youth in his community. He said he is grateful to UKZN for this opportunity.
‘When I first got here, I told myself that I am here to achieve great things and that has been my mentality ever since.’
‘I believe that attending this programme will nurture my leadership skills and help me grow career-wise,’ he added.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Hosts Oliver Mtukudzi Memorial Lecture
Highlights from the Oliver Mtukudzi Memorial Lecture.As part of Africa Month celebrations, the School of Arts in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and uMsunduzi Museum hosted the inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi memorial lecture in Pietermaritzburg.
A drama production by UKZN students, a performance by Hip Hop duo, Lio X Tiger featuring UKZN alumnus, Mr Bongani “Tiger” Ndimande, as well as an exhibition at the Museum titled: Music as an Art Form: Building a Divided Nation, formed part of the celebrations. The programme was facilitated by Music lecturer, Dr Andrew-John Bethke.
‘This is one of the School’s community engagement projects. We wanted to honour Mtukudzi, one of the music legends of Africa, who passed on earlier this year and whose music transcended African borders. He is popularly known for his song Neria featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo,’ said lecturer, Dr Phindile Dlamini.
The lecture was delivered by accomplished South African writer and producer, Dr Duma Ndlovu, who is known for his work on many South African soapies.
Ndlovu paid tribute to Mtukudzi as a struggle icon who utilised music as a force to unite South Africa, Zimbabwe and the rest of the African continent. He also highlighted the role music can play in confronting xenophobia.
‘South Africa has lost the plot in terms of our African identity. Instead of welcoming our African brothers and sisters and all the possibilities they bring with them for our country, we are suspicious of them. We think we are better than them,’ said Ndlovu.
He believes that South Africans should be fighting inequality and that music is a means to change mindsets and bring people together. ‘People forget that music was the soundtrack of the liberation struggle and moved people to action. It can bring a divided Africa to a united Africa. Music is a unifying force. We must celebrate our Africanness through it.’
UKZN Drama students showcased a theatre experience that used dance, singing and chorus work to present an ode to the songs of liberation and their impact on our cultural construction as a society.
Said Drama and Performance Studies lecturer, Ms Pumelela Nqelenga: ‘The showcase was a way to understand the significance of African states as allies of the South African liberation movement. It celebrated the music of Mtukudzi and highlighted his cultural activism through his music. Students also used the many songs created in exile to carve a story of hope and freedom.’
Curated by Msunduzi Museum researcher, Ms Nosipho Gwala, the exhibition focused on music during the apartheid years, control and censorship of anti-government lyrics and the separation of radio stations into different language groups.
Ms Nadine Franzsen of the Museum said, ‘The exhibition highlights the different styles of music emerging in the townships of South Africa; how protest songs found their place in oppressed communities and how the world got behind South Africa with international concerts like the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in London. It communicates the importance of music to uplift and encourage the human spirit.’
In his address, Dr Rajendran Govender of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, noted that museums need to be transformed to reflect the changes in society. ‘A museum should provide a place for the fine arts that would foster friendly relations between artists and art lovers and would stimulate, promote and spread artistic interest among communities,’ he said. Govender believes that museums should also foster peace, promote the ideals of democracy and transparency in governance in their communities and be part of the larger communities they serve.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Itumeleng Masa
author : .author email : .School of Arts bids farewell to German Academic
Professor Bernhard Kytzler (seated) seen with UKZN colleagues and friends during his farewell tea.The School of Arts recently bid farewell to one of its longstanding academics in Foreign Languages, Professor Bernhard Kytzler, who will turn 90 in August. After working at UKZN for 27 years, Kytzler will now return to his home in Germany.
A celebratory tea was held for Kytzler on the Howard College campus which colleagues and close friends attended to say their goodbyes and well-wishes.
Said Kytzler: ‘I would like to thank all my colleagues for their continuous friendliness and support over the 27 years I spent at UKZN (former UND). I will miss the Departments of Foreign Languages and Classics, but hope to come back and visit them again many times. And everybody is welcome to visit me in Berlin.’
Kytzler is known in the international academic circles as a German classical philologist. He got his PhD at the Free University Berlin in 1956 with a thesis on the “Thebaid” of Statius. He was a fellow at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington D.C. He habilitated in 1970 at the FU Berlin and taught there as a professor until his retirement in 1992.
Some of his visiting professorships took him to the Universities of Frankfurt, Fordham, Changchun (People's Republic of China, the Institute for the History of Ancient Civilizations) and in 1990 to the University of Natal.
Kytzler deals with a broad range of topics in Classics and other related disciplines, especially with Neo-Latin and the afterlife of antiquity. He has also published numerous translations of ancient authors. In 1965, he published the first Latin-German edition of “Octavius” ??by Marcus Minucius Felix. In addition, he is a member of the Historical Commission for Silesia.
Words and photograph: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Humanities Staff and Students to Perform at National Arts Festival
From left: Professors Salim Washington and Christopher Cockburn and a scene (far right) from the drama production: The Blue Period of Milton Van Der Spuy.Music lecturers, Professors Salim Washington and Christopher Cockburn, and the UKZN Jazz Ensemble and Hexagon Theatre Director, Mr Peter Mitchell, will showcase their work at the 45th National Arts Festival in Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown) from 27 June to 9 July.
The festival opens with musical and social activist Washington, who was born in Tennessee and moved to South Africa a decade ago to follow his research interests and to teach at UKZN. His latest works are inspired by the idea of Sankofa, the mythical Ghanaian bird that has come to represent the return of the African diaspora. While Washington has been influenced by master composers like Andrew Hill and Stevie Wonder. He also credits artists such as skilful American rapper and songwriter, Kendrick Lamar, as well as Winston Monwabisi “Mankunku” Ngozi - who was revered for his saxophone skills - for inspiration.
Washington performs original compositions and homages to other revolutionary composers, with a jazz style that aims to ‘contemplate the state of life and culture in South Africa, while supporting Pan-African consciousness.’ For this special ensemble, he brings together musicians with a Durban background whom he feels share his sentiments about music and life.
The UKZN Jazz Ensemble, which consistently produces individual and authentic jazz voices from its young graduates, will perform at the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) Auditorium, Grahamstown.
Mitchell will be directing a drama production at the Princess Alice Hall called The Blue Period of Milton Van Der Spuy. ‘Milton van Der Spuy has a few problems – and they’re making him blue. He really wants to complete his next poem, but he’s hit a block with finding a rhyme for orange. He’s desperate to finish his current painting, except he can’t find a way to begin. And then there’s the constant danger that his head might explode. Named after the poet, Milton is an artist whose talents lie, um… elsewhere,’ explained Mitchell and playwright Mr Greig Coetzee.
Coetzee’s most simple, and yet most complex character is brought to life by award-winning actor, Mr Francis Mennigke. It is, at once, a whimsical celebration and a playful mockery of art in all its forms.
Milton’s not so intellectual brain has been filled with fantasies of being a great artist by his mother, who tries to live vicariously through her son’s meagre talents. Coetzee’s extraordinary talent for comedy and pathos brings out a character who is at once appealing and laughable, but draws one closer and closer.
Cockburn will be performing an organ recital titled: Toccatas, Adagios and Fugues at the Grahamstown Cathedral where he was Director of Music before moving to UKZN. The brilliant virtuosity of the toccata, the expressive lyricism of the adagio, and the formal complexity of the fugue make for a programme of strong contrasts by composers from different times and places.
Words: Melissa Mungroo;
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Kugqugquzelwa Ukusebenzisana Nempumelelo Kwababengabafundi
Abakade besemhlanganweni noDkt Sheri Seetal (okwesokudla).Click here for English version
Kusanda kuqiniswa ubudlelwano phakathi kwe-UKZN nababengabafundi, oningi labo lathweswa iziqu phakathi kowezi-2013 noMbasa walonyaka, obuqiniswe nge-Job Search Skills Workshop, ebihlelwe yihhovisi Lezababengabafundi.
Kulesi sithangami sosuku, ebesihlelwe nguDkt Sheri Seetal, bekukhona abafundi abaneziqu bakuwo womane amaKolishi ase-UKZN, oningi labo beliqhamuka ezindaweni ezehlukene zaKwaZulu-Natal. Uvo lwabo bonke lungasongwa ngamazwi ashiwo ngoyedwa obekhona, othe: ‘Ngikuthakasele ukuqeqeshwa futhi ngikholwa wukuthi kunjalo nakwabanye. Ukube besijwayele ukuhamba imihlangano efana nale, ngabe kade sayithola imisebenzi esiyifisayo. Asethembe ukuthi besingagcini ukuhlangana. Ngiyethemba buzoqhubeka ubudlelwano bethu neNyuvesi.’
Umhlangano udingide indaba yokufuna umsebenzi, izikhangisi zomsebenzi, izincwadi zokwendlalela uma ufuna umsebenzi, ukubhala i-CV, amasu enhlolokhono nezinye izinto eziphathelene nomsebenzi njengendlela yokuziphatha, ukuphatha amakhasimende nokubheka ihhovisi. Kuzoba nesinye isithangami esizolandela ngoMfumfu ngamakhono obuholi.
Lemihlangano ikhona minyaka yonke ohlelweni lwehhovisi Lezababengabafundi. Siyayithakasela imibono evela kwabaneziqu ngezinye izihloko abafisa ukuthi zidingidwe.
Amagama: ngu-Finn Christensen
Isithombe: nguNomcebo Msweli
author : .author email : .College of Humanities Launches Doctoral Academy
Highlights from the launch of the College of Humanities Doctoral Academy.The College of Humanities launched its Doctoral Academy with the first of four research seminars to equip PhD candidates with scientific writing skills. The seminar covered the writing process and producing a rigorous research proposal.
‘This is a historic moment for the College since it aims to equip new doctoral students with advanced knowledge and skills to conceptualise and write good quality and rigorous doctoral proposals for research in the Humanities and Social Sciences,’ said Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize. ‘As a College, we aim to produce PhDs of the highest quality that can compete at an international level and contribute to knowledge production on a global scale.’
College Dean of Research, Professor Pholoho Morojele, commended the students on striving to be part of the 3% of the global population with PhDs. Addressing the students, he said: ‘At the end of your PhD journey, you should have gained advanced research skills and be highly versed in the research methods in your discipline.’
Morojele announced that an online PhD communication portal will be established that will enable students to strengthen their research. It will also serve as a source of motivation and support to the students to complete their PhD on time.
Director of the Doctoral Academy, Professor Johannes John-Langba, advised students to apply the knowledge and skills gained at the doctoral seminars to develop good quality and rigorous PhD research proposals. He added that ‘at the next seminar, students will be given the opportunity to defend their proposal in an academic environment for critical feedback. The other workshops will focus on fieldwork, and data collection and analysis.’
Keynote speaker, Professor Andre Stevenson from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, said: ‘It is great to see so many PhD candidates being part of this pioneering group of the College Doctoral Academy.’ He shared 12 tips to successfully navigate the PhD journey and graduate. These include writing every day, networking, enjoying a healthy diet, presenting research at conferences and setting time aside for self-reflection.
PhD candidate in the School of Applied Human Sciences, Mr Bandile Khanyile, said, ‘The Doctoral Academy is a really great initiative by the College. We now have the support and motivation to complete. I have learned so much and cannot wait to get started. These research seminars are well thought out and fit into our academic journey.’
The first seminar covered the doctoral study and supervision process; formulating the research problem; review of related literature; theoretical frameworks; research designs and paradigms; qualitative and quantitative sampling procedures; data collection approaches; research data management and analysis; ethical considerations in research in the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as study limitations and reflexivity.
The sessions were facilitated by Professors Johannes Smit, Dipane Hlalele, Nirmala Gopal, Morojele, and John-Langba as well as Drs Nolwazi Ngcobo and Ehiane Stanley.
Words and photographs: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Nursing Peer Mentors Receive Training
Above from left: Peer Wellness Mentors with Mrs Wulli Thaver and Ms Noxolo Batembu at the Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit. Below from left are Peer Wellness Mentors with Mr Muzi Mthembu from the Campus Health Clinic.The Discipline of Nursing’s Peer Wellness Mentors (PWMs) benefitted from an extended training programme to equip them with skills to support first-year students.
The four second-year students: Ms Noncedo Mthethwa, Mr Mduduzi Mpunga, Ms Zamangcolosi Bhengu and Sbonelo Chamane, visited the Disability Support Centre, the Primary Health Care Clinic, and the Campus HIV/AIDS Support Unit (CHASU) on the Howard College campus.
‘They became aware of the facilities and support available and how beneficial these services are to students who require them,’ said student counsellor Mrs Wulli Thaver.
The resources offered by these facilities include specialised equipment, dedicated LANs and accommodation for students with disabilities. Among other services, they offer holistic healthcare; family planning; occupational health services; HIV/AIDS counselling, care and support; and support for the LGBTIQ and marginalised student population. The HIV/AIDS Support Unit has 30 trained peer educators and five forums to cater for students’ diverse needs.
‘In as much as these visits were to equip Peer Wellness Mentors with skills to refer mentees as per their needs, they themselves were pleasantly surprised and benefited from the experience as they were unaware of the extent of the services and resources available to help students succeed,’ said Thaver.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
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