Humanities Academic wins Nicolás Cristóbal Guillén Batista Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Rozena Maart. Click here for isiZulu version
Academic within the College of Humanities Professor Rozena Maart has won the 2021 Nicolás Cristóbal Guillén Batista Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to literature and philosophy, awarded by the internationally renowned Caribbean Philosophical Association (CPA).
The committee, headed by CPA President Dr Hanétha Vété-Congolo, said: ‘Professor Maart was selected for this award for the philosophical, political and literary richness of her writings and her contribution as an institution-builder in education and her work as a psychoanalyst and social worker.’
Maart has always acknowledged the influence of Adam Small, who during her interdisciplinary undergraduate study at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), invited her to study philosophy with him in Social Work where he was the chair and from which she obtained her first degree.
She later went on to study towards her masters’ degree, courtesy of a British Council scholarship, at the University of York in the UK, and later her doctoral degree in philosophy and psychoanalysis from the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCS) at the University of Birmingham, UK.
This is Maart’s second lifetime achievement award. Her first was awarded in 2016, “The William R. Jones award,” by Philosophy Born of Struggle. She has also won several awards internationally, including, the 1992 award, “The Journey Prize: Best Short Fiction in Canada,” along with a monetary prize for her short story, No Rosa, No District Six.
Professor Maart has been at UKZN for almost 10 years and is also an International Research Ambassador at the University of Bremen, in Germany.
‘The award came as a big surprise. I woke up just after 6am on January 1st to the news. Later as I was getting ready to start my day, I had to ask myself whether the phone call was real. None of us live in this world alone. We are all the products of the communities in which we were raised and nurtured. This award belongs to District Six, to Lavender Hill, to Steenberg High, and to UWC,’ said Professor Maart.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .A1 NRF Rating for UKZN Scientist
A1 rated scientist, Professor Steve Johnson.Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN’s Professor Steve Johnson has obtained an A1 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF). This is the highest rating that the NRF awards to ‘researchers who are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their field for the high quality and wide impact (ie beyond a narrow field of specialisation) of their recent research outputs.’
Johnson is a professor in the School of Life Sciences on the Pietermaritzburg campus and the Director of the UKZN Centre for Functional Biodiversity. He also holds the South African Research Chair (SARCHI) in Evolutionary Biology.
Johnson’s research is aimed at understanding the reproductive ecology and evolutionary diversification of plants. He has a keen interest in the role of volatiles (chemical elements and compounds that can be readily vaporised) in mediating plant-animal interactions and has established a state-of-the-art laboratory for the study of chemical signals deployed by plants to attract pollinators.
He has a Google Scholar h-index of 73 and has published more than 330 peer-reviewed scientific papers and four books. He has also served as an Associate Editor for five international science journals.
‘The School of Life Sciences is particularly proud to have such a high calibre researcher in our team,’ said Dean and Head of School, Professor Ade Olanarin. ‘His continued contribution to the School, especially in the areas of mentorship and capacity building, through the activities of the NRF-funded community of practice linked to the Centre for Functional Biodiversity is very much appreciated. We wish Steve an ever more successful academic career as he continues to inspire and motivate all of us.’
Dean of Research in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Professor Neil Koorbanally concurred: ‘Steve, we are proud to have you in our College. You are truly an inspiration for younger researchers.’
‘Being A-rated is a goal achieved by few of us as researchers and academics,’ said College Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Modi. ‘The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers. Steve, congratulations on this brilliant success! You worked hard with a great team and you deserve this recognition and admiration.’
Words: Sally Frost
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN High Achiever to serve as President of Golden Key International Honour Society Chapter
High achiever, Mr Mohamed Hoosen Suleman.Click here for isiZulu version
Third-year Medical student at UKZN, Mr Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, has been selected by the Golden Key International Honour Society to serve as President of the UKZN Medical School Chapter.
Suleman’s passion, persistence, and perseverance for academic excellence and community service earned him the opportunity to serve in the leadership position.
The Society, whose mission is to enable members to realise their potential through advancement in academics, leadership, and service, is currently affiliated with 530 Higher Education Institutions globally. The UKZN Medical School Chapter is among 15 active chapters in South Africa.
Golden Key remains committed to scholarship, career development, leadership, and community service to its members. Suleman has been recognised for his academic achievements and leadership roles. He graduated summa cum laude in Pharmacy and has since received multiple awards and honours. Suleman is currently engaged in research in the Medical field.
Suleman’s role as President is to organise, plan, and implement membership-driven initiatives in line with the Society’s objectives. He will engage with the Executive Committee, honorary members and alumni to discuss innovative strategies and plans to ensure community upliftment.
Suleman intends to uphold the Society’s core values of integrity, innovation, respect, diversity, excellence, and engagement. He is committed to embodying both the University and the Society’s values and mission statements.
‘I am honoured and humbled to be selected to serve as President of this prestigious society. Together with my team, we will engage with other university chapters to contribute to the advancement of the Society’s mission. I aim to meet and perhaps exceed the Society’s goals in my capacity as President. I look forward to a year of collaboration and growth, both personally and academically,’ said Suleman.
Regional Director of Golden Key Southern Africa, Dr Elmie Castleman said, ‘Being a member of Golden Key and serving as a leader allows you to know your world view, reaffirm your vision, define success, and proactively take control. Above all, live and abide by your values.’
Honorary members and national leaders of the Golden Key International Honour Society include the late Mr Ahmed Kathrada, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Professor Ahmed Bawa, Dr Lis Lange, and Dr Max Price.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN-Stellenbosch Team Wins International Cyber Security Competition
Team members presenting their video address at the awards ceremony. From left: Dr Brett van Niekerk, Dr Trishana Ramluckan, and Ms Noelle van der Waag-Cowling.Click here for isiZulu version
A joint UKZN and Stellenbosch University (SUN) team took first place in the Global Cyber Challenge 2.0 in the Strategy and Policy track. The team comprised of Drs Brett van Niekerk and Trishana Ramluckan from UKZN, and Mrs Noelle van der Waag-Cowling and a master’s candidate from SUN.
Participants from 55 countries competed across the three tracks of the challenge.
The team was multi-disciplinary, with van Niekerk (senior lecturer in Computer Science) leading the team and bringing technical experience. Ramluckan recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the School of Law, specialising in International Humanitarian Law related to cyber security. Van der Waag-Cowling is a researcher at the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) at SUN, specialising in strategy.
Twelve teams were shortlisted from an initial assessment to compete in the semi-finals on the first day, and four progressed to the finals on the second day. The teams were presented with an evolving international cyber-attack crisis, and each team represented a specific country. They had to present a holistic incident response strategy based on technical, policy, social and economic factors. The UKZN-SUN team represented the German response.
Globally and nationally, cybersecurity skills have become imperative for every industry. Internationally, information security and cybersecurity have been recognised as scarce skills, with reported shortfalls in the number of skilled individuals for the global security workforce. In particular, there are shortages of skills capable of dealing with the complex challenges of international policy with respect to cyber-attacks. Internationally, cyber security is traditionally associated with technical disciplines such as computer science, and it is often the technical experts that help fill the skills gap when it comes to policies. However, the UKZN-SUN team illustrated that a truly multi-disciplinary team has the ability to excel compared to teams comprising of purely policy experts or technical experts.
The Global Cyber Challenge is organised by the CyberPeace Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in India that focuses on promoting five United Nations sustainability goals with respect to the Internet. Its primary activities are advocacy, policy engagement, and capacity building.
Words: Sally Frost
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Bels Gym Supervisor Wins Gold
Ms Zamile Nduli.UKZN’s Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (Bels) gym supervisor, Ms Zamile Nduli was crowned a wellness fitness champion at an IFBB LIVING Legends at the Station Urban Event in Durban.
This qualified her for an invitation to Arnold Classic Africa 2021 – Multiple Sport Festival, Art and Lifestyle Expo, scheduled to take place from 14 to 16 May.
‘My mission is to qualify for a pro card at the Arnold’s Classic 2021 because I want to take my bodybuilding to the next level,’ said Nduli.
‘I am grateful for this amazing achievement. I am a product of my hard work, discipline, commitment, and people who believe in my passion for fitness and bodybuilding,’ she added.
She thanked Bels Academic leader, Professor Rowena Naidoo for everything she does to make sure that she does not miss her shows.
‘The amazing bikini that I wore on stage was bought by Rowena for my first show in 2019 and I will be forever grateful for her support and kindness.
‘I draw inspiration from different individuals: Joe Roggan, Myles Munroe, Shanique Grant, Dana Bailey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Goggins’ mother and my late father. These people have shown me that discipline combined with hard work turns a dream into reality,’ she said.
Nduli works out every day of the week. ‘Some days I go hard, and, on some days, I take it easy. I am my own personal trainer. All thanks to the knowledge I acquired when I was pursuing my Sport Science degree. I simply apply what I was taught in an effective way and I do so passionately. I eat right and exercise effectively.’
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Alumnus a Finalist in the Accenture Rising Star Awards
Miss Precious Sinethemba Zondi.Alumnus Miss Precious Sinethemba Zondi (27) was a finalist in the Accenture Rising Star Awards.
An account manager at an advertising agency, she was nominated for her outstanding skills in Media and Marketing/Advertising.
‘I know everyone says they feel honoured to have either won or made it to the semi-finals or finals but there is really no other way to describe it. This opportunity has reminded me of what I am capable of; it will allow me to capitalise on my abilities whilst doing all that I can to take my career to the next level,’ she said.
Zondi, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours summa cum laude, chose a career in Communications as she was passionate about it. Completing her Bachelor of Arts and then doing a double major in English Studies and Media & Cultural Studies opened the way to numerous career opportunities within the industry and allowed her to successfully develop her skills in her department.
The Rising Star journey as well as being recognised at such an early stage of her career has laid a good foundation for growth in her field.
Zondi said, ‘The whole process tests your leadership capabilities as you are judged according to certain criteria and standards by a panel of judges and seasoned professionals.’
She believes in self-affirmation and encourages her peers to think positively of themselves and work hard towards their own goals. ‘You have to believe in yourself more than anybody else. You are your own bet.’
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Propelling Africa’s Rocket Systems Forward
Mr Thabang Mdhluli with his final-year project, a pressure vessel for a water rocket demonstration kit.UKZN’s Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) in the School of Engineering is developing the talent of the next generation of rocket scientists to drive South Africa’s space industry forward.
Master’s candidate Mr Thabang Mdhluli, from the village of Phiring in the Limpopo Province, is one of those furthering the ASReG’s mission through his research on developing an injector test rig for gel propellants, supported by a bursary from the Department of Science and Innovation. The rig will be used to visualise and quantify the flow characteristics of several gelled propellant analogues, important work as gel propellants are increasingly being applied to rocket and ramjet propulsion systems and offer advantages over conventional liquid and solid fuel variants.
Mdhluli said gelled propellants will enhance the performance of future propulsion systems and provide improved handling and storage safety. His work will assist in generating useful quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate an optimum injector design for a flight vehicle using gel propellants.
An early fascination with the workings of vehicle engines was helped along by an introduction to the fundamentals and principles of mechanical engineering through his diesel mechanic brother’s textbooks. Taking engineering graphics and design as a subject in high school further developed Mdhluli’s interest in mechanical engineering.
While Mdhluli acknowledges that the intensive mathematics necessary for engineering makes it daunting, he finds its principles straightforward; although it requires higher order thinking and retention and understanding of intricate concepts and ideas, translating the science into engineering and producing designs is where the challenge ultimately lies.
Aiming for a career where he could work through the engineering process from design to development and assembly, Mdhluli enrolled for a degree in mechanical engineering at UKZN. His interest in rocket science and propulsion systems was stimulated in his second year on meeting postgraduate students in ASReG who were presenting one of the Phoenix sounding rockets at the annual Mechanical Engineering Open Day. This led to him enrolling for a master’s with the group after completing his undergraduate degree in the minimum time with four certificates of merit.
His final year group design project involved designing a pressure vessel for a water rocket demonstration kit for use in explaining rocketry principles to high school learners and encouraging an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This work was supported by the Department of Science and Innovation.
Mdhluli advised high school students interested in rocket science to work hard at their STEM subjects and to try and gain an understanding of the applications of their work while also seeking more information about the industry and participating in as many additional engineering education programmes as possible.
The work he put in over his four-year degree has been a source of pride to his family, and the demanding course with its considerable workload required focused commitment, discipline and strict time management from Mdhluli, a keen rugby player who spends time on the pitch to balance his physical and academic activities.
‘The ASReG helped me to see that conducting research on aerospace systems, while it seemed farfetched, was attainable,’ said Mdhluli. ‘I hope that the work we do will one day add South Africa to the list of countries excelling in space activities and help it develop its own launch capability.’
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Rehabilitated Yellow-Billed Kites the Focus of Novel Scientific Mercy Mission
Dr Dave Ehlers Smith with a rehabilitated and tagged yellow-billed kite.UKZN’s Centre for Functional Biodiversity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) have teamed up for a scientific mercy mission.
Postdoctoral researcher Dr Dave Ehlers Smith and Ezemvelo colleague Mr Brent Coverdale, recently released three rehabilitated yellow-billed kites at a Crocodile Farm outside Wartburg, KwaZulu-Natal – a location that sees hundreds of the scavengers feeding from the croc food each year. The birds were ringed and fitted with GSM transmitter devices supplied by Chinese company, Druid, just in time for their annual migration.
Yellow-billed kites are migratory birds and take off on their long flight to central-east Africa around March every year. The transmitters and rings will help to track the birds on their flight path, adding valuable data to research on these incredible birds.
The three individuals were brought in to CROW around the same time, one with a concussion after being clipped by a car, while the other two were juveniles who had failed on their first flights.
After a few months at CROW, with rigorous flight practice and a protein-rich diet, the birds were ready to take to the skies again.
A crucial part of rehabilitation happens after an animal is released back into the wild, and post-release monitoring will help the researchers to track the progress of the former patients and establish how they are faring in their new environment.
Said Ehlers Smith: ‘It will be extra interesting to track them as, in addition to monitoring their migration (which to our knowledge hasn't been done in this species, except one rehabbed bird we released two years ago), we can monitor the success of rehabilitation and hopefully promote scientific support for it.’
The logistics for the release were greatly facilitated by the Ford Wildlife Fund who sponsored a research vehicle.
To watch a video of the release, click HERE.
Words: Sally Frost
Images: Supplied
author : .author email : .Driven to Engineer South Africa’s Aerospace Future
Mr Vulinhlanhla Mchunu.UKZN’s Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) in the School of Engineering is developing the talent of the next generation of rocket scientists to propel South Africa’s space industry forward, and the young engineers moving through its ranks are making their own dreams, and those of South Africa’s burgeoning space engineering industry, a reality through innovative research, hard work, and a passion for the skies.
One of these individuals is Mr Vulinhlanhla Mchunu who hails from the small, rural town of Maphumulo in north-west KwaZulu-Natal. As a Grade 9 pupil, while listening to a radio feature on the shortage of engineers in South Africa, Mchunu’s career path was instantly set. Selecting mathematical, scientific and engineering-oriented subjects from Grade 10 in his drive to be an engineer, he first completed a diploma in Civil Engineering at Mangosuthu University of Technology before enrolling for his BSc in Mechanical Engineering at UKZN. He described the subject as the ‘mother of engineering’ as it incorporates aspects of multiple engineering fields.
His undergraduate years were marked by accomplishments; he achieved Dean’s Commendations for six of his eight semesters of study and thanks to serious effort and determination, graduated cum laude. During his undergraduate studies, a conversation with Dr Jean Pitot piqued his interest in the work being done in the ASReG to develop sounding rockets to address Africa's launch needs; with no current launch satellite capability, Africa relies on expensive foreign launch services, necessitating programmes like those underway in the ASReG to bridge that gap.
Mchunu decided to pursue his Master of Science in Engineering under Pitot’s supervision. Now in his second year of research and supported by the Department of Science and Innovation and a bursary from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), he has been working on the design of propellant tanks and airframe components for a liquid propellant suborbital rocket that the ASReG hopes to build.
The complex subject is perceived to be difficult and inaccessible, said Mchunu, because it is mathematically intensive, but for him, the fact that rocketry covers almost all engineering concepts or principles has provided a unique opportunity to apply the skills he has learnt as an engineer.
‘Engineering consistently requires one to have answers or solutions to every problem, which often does not have mathematical solutions,’ he said.
He advises learners seeking to follow in his footsteps to study for understanding rather than just passing, because this yields the benefit of ending up in a field like rocket science that enables the use of science for tangible, physical solutions.
The sacrifices made to get to the point he has reached in his academic career, and the focus, hard work and consistent determination he has had to apply have all been worth it, says Mchunu. His parents are proud of his achievements while for him, the highlight of his work has been the strong footing it has provided to contribute to the growth of South Africa’s nascent aerospace industry.
He credited the ASReG, particularly Professor Mike Brooks, Dr Jean Pitot and Professor Glen Snedden for the exposure to this fascinating field and the strong professional relationships they cultivate with their students, and said that the ASReG is unique in the research opportunities it provides in rocket science and in the development of sounding rockets.
‘ASReG is doing great work for the country, inspiring students to pursue postgraduate studies and generating interest in rocket propulsion, flight dynamics, and airframe design in South Africa by providing students with exposure to something they may be interested in but would otherwise not have heard of,’ said Mchunu.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph:Supplied
author : .author email : .Sustainable Food for Thought in Fountainhill Estate’s Second Online Biodiversity Seminar
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi (left) and Professor Tilahun Seyoum Workneh presented at the Fountainhill Estate online seminar on the topic of “Food”.At the second of four online seminars hosted by Fountainhill Estate (FHE), UKZN, the Institute of Natural Resources (INR) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), two researchers from UKZN contributed their expertise to the topic of food as part of the seminar series’ foray into the fundamentals of the Food-Water-Energy (WEF) nexus and biodiversity.
Joined by more than 170 participants, Research Associate Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi, Co-Director of the Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems in the School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Professor Tilahun Seyoum Workneh from Bioresources Engineering spoke about linking WEF and biodiversity for sustainable food production and livelihoods, and sustainable engineering technologies for food production, respectively.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Professor Albert Modi hosted the seminar, which drew representatives of more than 10 countries and half of South Africa’s universities. He thanked FHE for facilitating the collaboration between itself, UKZN, the INR and SANBI for the successful series of seminars, and introduced the focus of the debate, namely whether or not the current food system is sustainable.
Mabhaudhi began by explaining the WEF nexus as a holistic, analytical, systems approach to the governance of WEF resources for improved human well-being and health, considering that the three are interlinked and issues of one can be transferred to another.
‘These systems are intricate and need to be carefully managed for sustainability, which is especially important in a country like ours where these finite resources are scarce and the population is increasing,’ he said.
An integrated WEF nexus approach to issues affecting South Africa’s food system, especially given its dichotomous, unequal formal and informal sectors, could be instrumental in formulating knowledge to effectively inform policy and translate science into implementation for achieving sustainable human outcomes.
Mabhaudhi emphasised the need to build resilience in vulnerable food systems, advocating for the strengthening of local food systems by sustainably maximising use of the treasure trove of agro-biodiversity, saying there were potentially thousands of crop species well-adapted to local environments that could withstand the threat of climate change, providing food and nutrition security. He also addressed the importance of expanding cultivation into urban areas, harnessing technological solutions, tapping into renewable energy, and mainstreaming traditional and indigenous underutilised crops.
With the majority of food producers in Africa being small-holder or small industrial enterprises making use of traditional techniques, Workneh highlighted that emerging food production technology needs to be extensively applied on the continent to deal with increasing demand and ensure sustainability through a complex network of activities.
This emerging, integrated agro-technology includes controlled environment technologies such as indoor farming, advanced “smart” greenhouses with efficient energy input, vertical farming, building-integrated agriculture, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics and aquaculture. Workneh discussed the advantages of these technologies, and offered insight into future perspectives such as increased investment, increased opportunities for adoption, opportunities for collaboration, the establishment of specialised industry, and training and employment opportunities.
Modi concluded the proceedings by saying that the work presented by Workneh and Mabhaudhi was contributing to changing attitudes towards agriculture in South Africa, while the question and answer session yielded discussion on the cost of new technologies, the impact of climate change on water, and temperature extremes which make planning and management more challenging.
A subsequent seminar on 18 February focused on water, with the final seminar – a panel discussion on the topic of energy – scheduled for 4 March.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Hosts Webinar on Ivermectin Debate
Panellists at the webinar (clockwise from top left): Mr Andrew Gray, Professor Colleen Aldous and Dr Warren Parker.What the Ivermectin Debate has revealed to us in a Time of Pandemic, was the title of a webinar facilitated by Professor Colleen Aldous, from UKZN’s College of Health Sciences. It featured panellists Professor Anisa Mosam Associate Professor: Dermatology; Mr Andrew Gray Senior Lecturer: Pharmacology, and Dr Warren Parker, public health and communication specialist.
Introducing the webinar, Aldous remarked that, ‘The Ivermectin debate has polarised both the lay and the scientific communities and damaged the relationship between science and society.’
Mosam noted that, as a drug initially used for veterinary purposes to treat parasitic activity, Ivermectin earned the title of being a blockbuster drug due to its success and was later introduced to humans to treat cases of tropical dermatosis. Labelled as an ideal drug by some because of its affordability, safety, and tolerance and the fact that it has proven effective against drug resistance, Ivermectin has been listed as one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) essential medicines, with more than four billion doses administered worldwide.
Mosam described some of Ivermectin’s properties, including its anti-parasitic, antibacterial, anti-cancer and antiviral functions. She noted that, ‘based on its antiviral capabilities and anti-inflammatory activities it has come up as an agent that can be active or might be useful in the fight against COVID-19.’
Gray focused on the selection and regulation of medicine in South Africa and explained the drug management cycle.
He noted that the selection of essential medicine has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and that attempts were being made to fast track reviews of evidence. ‘This entire process started because of the demand that was being felt in the country for access to chloroquine early in March 2020 and when that evidence was reviewed a recommendation was made not to include chloroquine in the public sector.’
Gray said that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is ‘an independent national medicines regulatory authority responsible for medicine for both humans and animals, medical devices and clinical trials.’ He noted Section 21 which allows access to unregistered medicines for individual patients if motivated by their physician or for clinical trials and observed that SAHPRA’s assessment of medication is centred on quality, safety and efficacy.
Drawing a link between his experience in ensuring that the wearing of face masks became public policy and looking at Ivermectin as a possible therapy for COVID-19, Parker examined the context of the drug in South Africa and added that the public’s uncontrolled usage of Ivermectin was evidence of their lack of trust in the state’s epidemic response.
He reviewed evidence on the use of Ivermectin in COVID-19 treatment and argued that it includes a high safety profile; fits the rationale for repurposing and the bioethical rationale for COVID-19 treatment; has confirmed positive effects from numerous peer reviews; and has been approved for compassionate use by the SAHPRA.
Considering how exceptionalism (where Ivermectin has been set at a higher bar than other therapies), elitism (dismissal of research not from Western universities or funded by drug companies) and conservatism (the lack of critical thinking in a severe epidemic) have hindered the use of Ivermectin, Parker said, ‘Taking all factors into account, the urgency, uncontrolled use, new variants, third wave, vaccine challenges, risks and the totality of evidence, we need to seriously consider Ivermectin.’
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .College of Humanities hosts Academic Writing Workshop
Some of the Writing Place tutors that facilitated the academic writing workshop. From left: Mr Patrick Nyamruze, Mr Lindani Maphumulo, Mrs Nombuso Gabela, Dr Thomas Gumbo and Dr Stephen Phiri.The College of Humanities in partnership with the Writing Place hosted a virtual academic writing workshop for its students, facilitated by its tutors.
The workshop focused on the different aspects of academic writing such as structuring an academic essay, content and paragraph writing, and covered both intext referencing and compiling reference lists using various referencing styles.
The workshop was presented in isiZulu and English. It targeted first-year students who are not familiar with academic writing requirements and basic styles and was also a refresher for returning students.
Academic Development Officer in the College Mr Lindani Sthembele Maphumulo, who spearheaded the workshop, said, ‘Academic writing is a skill that you learn and acquire. Transitioning from high school to an academic environment can be a stressful process. These workshops ensure that regardless of the student's background, everyone is prepared and transitioned to the academic space. It also paved the way for online learning.’
He believes that the workshops are important because they give students an opportunity to ask questions, to have live interaction with facilitators, and to gain skills to excel academically.
‘During the course of the year, we will be working with various structures such as Student Support Services, Academic Monitoring and Support and the Writing Place, amongst others. We will also continue with student orientated workshops, focusing on ensuring that no student is left behind, fails, or faces difficulties in excelling academically. We will do this by providing all the necessary tools to excel in their studies,’ said Maphumulo.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Fountainhill Estate Symposium Series Explores the Food-Water-Energy Nexus and Biodiversity
This year, the Fountainhill Estate Symposium is taking place as a series of online seminars.Fountainhill Estate (FHE), a conservation and agriculture enterprise in KwaZulu-Natal that facilitates environmental and agricultural research in the uMngeni catchment by partnering with many organisations, including UKZN has moved its annual research symposium online for a series of seminars.
Cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual two-day research symposium has seen four previous successful iterations where various presenters shared their multi-disciplinary academic research, observational studies and surveys and citizen science efforts that cover research underway at FHE and in the catchment.
Adapting to pandemic conditions, FHE partnered with UKZN, the Institute of Natural Resources (INR) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to host four online seminars over a period of seven weeks on the fundamentals of the Food-Water-Energy (WEF) nexus and biodiversity.
Drawing interest from more than 500 individuals from a wide range of organisations, the first in the four-part series featured a keynote address by Dr Morné du Plessis, the CEO of the WWF South Africa. He discussed the impacts of land use and management strategies on biodiversity with more than 150 participants.
Executive Director of the INR Dr Sershen Naidoo welcomed attendees, noting that the event was being co-hosted for the first time.
‘Compromise gave birth to the theme for this symposium, and it was also inspired by the nexus thinking that is developing internationally in an attempt to understand and deal with the interdependencies that exist in complex natural and human systems,’ he said. ‘This nexus thinking is becoming increasingly important as we push against planetary boundaries of resource use and emerging resource constraints.
‘The nexus becomes even more relevant when we think about managing resources within a pandemic.’
Du Plessis’ presentation began by exploring why biodiversity and ecosystems matter and questioning if biodiversity has been effectively foregrounded. He spoke about the drivers and threats to biodiversity and offered insight into how it is changing while detailing possible solutions for curbing biodiversity loss and looking to the future.
‘Nature underpins our entire existence by providing provisioning, regulatory, cultural and supporting systems, and its services are under severe threat,’ he said.
Du Plessis called for increased focus on the biosphere in achieving human well-being, as opposed to focusing on achieving well-being through the economy at the expense of nature.
He emphasised that indicators of biodiversity loss consistently point to a downward trend.
‘Wherever you come from, there is a role to play in one way or another,’ said du Plessis.
‘We simply have to aim higher; we cannot keep producing good science and statistics to show how the ship is sinking; we need to make science mainstream.’
Du Plessis concluded with a discussion on the New Deal for Nature and People, and said the pandemic had presented the opportunity to refine some thinking around these goals and solutions.
Subsequent seminars held on 4 and 18 February, respectively focused on the elements of food and water, with the final seminar – a panel discussion on the topic of energy – scheduled for 4 March.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Alumnus Appointed Director of Top Legal Firm
Mr Ugendran Odayar.Law graduate Mr Ugendran Odayar has been appointed a Director at global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright.
Odayar who holds a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in economics and legal studies and an LLB, joined the firm as a candidate attorney in 2014. He was promoted to Associate in 2016 and Senior Associate in 2018.
‘From the day I joined the firm it was always my dream to one day be appointed as a director and this is a massive achievement. It also is a great example of Norton Rose Fulbright’s ability to grow lawyers within the firm, largely due to the emphasis placed on continuous training and development,’ said Odayar.
Having graduated with both his UKZN qualifications summa cum laude, Odayar says hard work, dedication and building relationships are his recipe for success.
‘As a commercial attorney, I strongly believe that my undergraduate BCom degree contributed to my ability to carefully balance my career needs. Obtaining a legal degree is just the start; practical application of the law is where it becomes interesting as clients are more interested in practical solutions as opposed to you simply telling them what the law says,’ he said.
Specialising in Mergers and Acquisitions, Odayar is also an admitted Attorney and Notary Public of the High Court of South Africa.
‘I am a commercial lawyer by practice and I get involved in a number of multijurisdictional mergers and acquisitions of both listed and non-listed companies. This means that I have to carefully balance clients’ legal needs with their commercial needs to ensure practical solutions. My plan is to continue to develop as a Director at Norton Rose Fulbright and to grow a successful commercial law practice,’ he said.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
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