Professor Part of Book Publishing Project
Professor Mogie Subban.Professor Mogie Subban (School of Management, IT and Governance, College of Law and Management Studies) was invited to be part of a European Union (EU)-funded project to produce a book of evidence-based case studies to assist public servants to become proficient in statecraft whilst enhancing their skills and expertise to serve the public more efficiently, and contribute to building a capable and developmental state.
The project was co-ordinated by Professor Jacobus Wessels (Unisa), Professor Thean Potgieter, National School of Government (NSG) and Ms Thevan Naidoo (consultant) in conjunction with Dr Andries Wagner representing the EU. Twenty-five researchers from five South African universities, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and Particip@Germany contributed.
Subban said that the case study methodology offers viable tools for research, as well as new modalities for teaching and learning. Although it is widely used within the context of leadership and management development, there is a lack of contextualised, South African case studies on local challenges and solutions. The project aimed to fill this gap by developing a repository of complex, multi-layered case studies on various transversal issues in public service delivery in South Africa, and selected African perspectives in real-life contexts.
Subban worked with postgraduate students under her academic mentorship to contribute the following case studies to the book project:
• Employee Wellness and Performance Management (Dr Sanoosha Badul, recently graduated)
• Co-operative Financial Governance (Mrs Heyjyothi Bhikshu Krishnan, doctoral scholar)
• Sustainable Risk Management, TVET (Mr Amil Nundkumar, doctoral scholar)
• Implementation of a National School Nutrition Programme in Selected Schools (Mrs Predeshni Govender, master’s graduate)
Words: NdabaOnline
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Student Entrepreneur a Finalist in Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Competition
Ms Trianne Amarchund, owner of LaeltheLabel crayons.UKZN student entrepreneur, Ms Trianne Amarchund, has made it to the finals of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) national Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Challenge to be held in Pretoria in November where she will be competing with her counterparts from other provinces.
The Intervarsity Challenge is an initiative of the EDHE, a programme of the University Education Branch of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The competition is funded through the DHET’s University Capacity Development Programme and is supported by Universities South Africa (USAf) and its partners, the Allan Gray Orbis and SAB Foundations.
Amarchund was placed first in the Existing Social Impact Category at the KwaZulu-Natal rounds from 23 to 27 August where she competed with students from sister universities, Durban University of Technology, Mangosuthu University of Technology and the University of Zululand.
‘Reaching the finals for the EDHE competition feels surreal,’ said Amarchund. ‘I’ve always wanted to represent my university and province at a national level, I just never thought it would be business-related.’
Currently enrolled for a master’s degree at UKZN’s Centre for Communication and Media Studies, she is the owner and creator at LaeltheLabel, the first novelty crayon business in South Africa. The non-toxic, textured crayons have unique educational value in that they are not just for art, but can also be used as learning and teaching tools for imaginative play, learning through play and cognitive development activities.
Amarchund is one of the student entrepreneurs on the ENSPIRE Enterprise Accelerator Programme, an initiative of UKZN InQubate aimed at incubating UKZN students who own businesses.
She said: ‘The support I’ve received from the InQubate team has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have been on the ball with communication, care and insight. They have pretty much been “the village” I need to help me navigate the business world. I feel honoured and privileged to be part of this programme and look forward to giving back in every way I can.’
Words: Khutšo Ramontja
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Webinar Places Emotional Intelligence Under the Spotlight
Ms Charity Molefe explored EQ at UKZN’s online wellness session for staff. Client Development Manager at Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (ICAS) Ms Charity Molefe delivered a presentation on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as part of the UKZN-ICAS Topic Talks 2021 to promote staff wellness.
Molefe, who hold qualifications in social work and counselling psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand and Unisa, examined the hallmarks of EQ, its potential effect on workplace performance and ways to enhance one’s EQ.
She cited psychologist Dr Daniel Goleman who identified the five elements that make up EQ:
• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills
Molefe outlined a number of ways to enhance one’s EQ, including listening actively, self-reflection, journaling and knowing when to walk away.
She advised staff on the best ways to handle conflict (including choosing one’s battles wisely) and strongly advocated for breaks during the day, vacation leave (even though many are working from home) and practicing mindfulness. ‘Be present - take a bath or shower and let it be your alone time,’ she said.
She also recommended that mobile phones are put away during dinner or while watching TV to ensure one is able to relax fully, and invited the audience to do a quick quiz to gauge their EQ: www.mindtools.com/pages/article/ei-quiz.htm
The session was well-received by participants whose questions included, ‘how do you let go?’ and ‘how do you handle conflict?’
UKZN’s Mrs Busisiwe Ramabodu highlighted the importance of the series of discussions hosted by the Human Resources Division (HRD) in conjunction with the University’s wellbeing partner, ICAS.
Ramabodu emphasised the importance of EQ for how staff relate to one another as colleagues, especially during this time when they are working remotely. ‘Although the remote work environment comes with a lot of advantages, it also comes with a lot of disadvantages. If we were having this session in a physical environment, we’d spend about 15 minutes just mingling and meeting each other,’ she said. ‘How you understand yourself, how you respond to things and how you relate to your colleagues are all part of emotional intelligence.’
HRD’s Dr Gulshan Sugreen thanked everyone who contributed to the informative session and welcomed feedback from participants.
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .InQubate Webinar Discusses Plant Variety and Plant Breeders’ Rights
Patent Attorney Mr David Cochrane. Plant Variety and Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Registration was the title of a webinar hosted by UKZN InQubate in collaboration with Spoor and Fisher, a specialist intellectual property (IP) law firm established in 1920.
Facilitated by Principal Innovation Officer, Ms Nonkululeko Shongwe from InQubate, UKZN’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), the webinar focused on the national and international legal requirements for PBR and was presented by Patent Attorney and Partner Mr David Cochrane from Spoor and Fisher.
With 24 years’ experience in domestic and international patent matters, including the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, Cochrane specialises in filing applications in the pharmaceutical, nuclear medicine, chemical, petrochemical, agrochemical, explosive, metallurgical and biochemical fields, as well as PBRs.
Cochrane began by explaining that Plant Breeders’ Rights aim to encourage the development of improved plant varieties for economic yields, drought resistance, and food security or simply to introduce new flowers. He said that South African plant breeders spend about R7 to R10 million to develop and bring a new cultivar to market.
Cochrane noted that the South African Patents Act No. 57 of 1978 is part of the TRIPS Agreement exceptions, which require member countries to provide for the protection of plant varieties either by patents or by an effective sui generis system or a combination thereof. However, ordinary plants produced through normal plant breeding techniques are not patentable while those that are genetically modified can be patented.
He added that, given that South Africa does not provide protection for plants by way of patents, the Plant Breeders Rights Act No. 15 of 1976 provides the required protection for normal breeding techniques, and South Africa is a signatory to the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV) Convention.
‘Genetically modified plants can be protected in two ways in South Africa, namely, by way of patents, because they are patentable and also by way of PBR. If someone is working with genetically modified plants, it’s always a good idea to get protection both ways,’ he said.
Cochrane further elaborated that the basic requirements for plant breeders to obtain a PBR are: (1) To make sure that the plant is on the PBR list. If not, it is possible to request the Department of Agriculture to include it; (2) The person applying must have a right to apply. They must either be the breeder of the plant or a successor - a person or company who obtained the rights from the breeder; and (3) The plant must be new, distinct, uniform and stable.
For the latter requirement, it must be a new plant that has not been sold in South Africa for more than a year before applying, while for an application for another UPOV country - in the case of trees and vines - the duration must not exceed six years, and not more than four years for other varieties.
The procedure includes lodging the application with the Registrar of Plant Breeders Rights, an officer of the Department of Agriculture by submitting an application form, a technical questionnaire explaining what is distinct about the plant, proof of a right to apply, and payment of both the application and examination fees. He said it is important that the material for testing is supplied to the Department within a year of submitting the application.
Cochrane advised applicants to select a different name for the denomination and the trademark, because, once the PBR expires, other people will be able to sell your variety but they will not be able to use the trademark. In South Africa, the PBR lasts for 25 years for trees and vines and 20 years for other types of plants.
The South African PBR Act No. 12 of 2018 which is awaiting promulgation will introduce several changes which include a new advisory committee, while the prescribed list of plants will not be applicable, the duration of protection will range from 20, to 25 and 30 years, there will only be one extension of the Examination of Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability tests, different conditions will apply to different categories of farmers, and a fine or imprisonment of 10 years will be imposed for infringement of PBR.
Shongwe thanked Cochrane for sharing the information with the webinar participants. She advised those needing more information to submit their queries to the UKZN InQubate.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Harnessing Labour Law for Harmonious Workplace Relationships
Harnessing labour law for harmonious workplace relationships.Before the government promulgated specific labour laws, employers’ ethics guided workplace practices, sometimes resulting in unjust treatment of employees. The implementation of labour laws means that employees’ workplace rights are protected and that they are treated fairly with respect.
UKZN Extended Learning’s Certificate in Labour Law and Certificate in Advanced Labour Law programmes were designed to develop skills in labour law. By accessing such training, companies can ensure that they comply with the regulations. Delegates will learn to handle legal matters in their respective fields and improve their understanding of issues that may arise. Understanding labour law protects both the company and employees.
Labour laws aim to create a harmonious relationship between employees and employers and thus enable all parties to collaborate to achieve the company’s objectives. A fair, respectful work environment enhances productivity and produces better results to promote the company’s success. When labour laws are implemented correctly, all parties feel secure. Issues can be resolved effectively with minimal conflict. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that treats them fairly and appreciates their efforts.
UEL is offering a sales promotion for selected programmes in October. Delegates that register for the Certificate in Advanced Labour Law programme, which starts on 25 October will qualify for a 25% discount.
For more details, click here or contact:
Thobeka Malinga
T: +27 31 260 1234
E: MalingaT1@ukzn.ac.za
Words: Nkosingiphile Ntshangase
Photograph: Adobe Stock
author : .author email : .Colloquium Examines Online Remote Assessment due to COVID-19
The College of Humanities hosted a colloquium on assessment through digital platforms within Higher Education studies.The College of Humanities’ Office of the Dean of Teaching and Learning recently held a virtual colloquium titled Assessment through digital platforms within Higher Education Studies.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize delivered the welcome and opening address while Professor Sandile Songca, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning gave a thought-provoking presentation titled How Can the Fourth Industrial and Educational Revolutions take Assessment to the Next Level?
The colloquium focused on quality assurance risks of online assessment; barriers to and the security of online assessment (eg participation gaps; mobile devices, and authorisation of such assessment); inclusivity to accommodate diverse groups of students (eg disability), and more theoretical/philosophical approaches to assessment. It was well attended, with presenters and participants from local and regional institutions.
Presenters shared their experiences and reflections on online remote formative, summative and integrated assessment from March 2020 when all Higher Education Institutions in South Africa were forced to shift from contact teaching, learning and assessment to the online mode. There were striking similarities in the experiences of academic staff and students across institutions and disciplines.
Colloquium convenor Professor Labby Ramrathan gave a short address to frame the colloquium, including the opportunities and challenges of online assessment, the need to be sensitive to context and for a new way of doing things in line with Education 4.0, engendering a collaborative attitude, and addressing the fears of academics (loss of control) and students (what do I need to do to pass?).
Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College Professor Ruth Hoskins noted that the colloquium provided an indication of what needs to be done to ensure that the necessary guidelines, policies and frameworks are put in place to facilitate assessment through digital platforms. She added that the colloquium on online assessment would be an annual event at UKZN.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Graduate Thrives in the Entrepreneurship Space
Entrepreneur Ms Thandazani Zulu.Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate Ms Thandazani Zulu used her research on how Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) can survive during a crisis to launch her new range of cold-pressed juices, Nourish.
As the owner and director of Pietermaritzburg-based catering and events company Food by the Gift, Zulu used the lessons learnt from being a small business owner during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand her business in order to survive.
‘The pandemic taught me to quickly adapt to changes and come up with a solution such as introducing daily meals and pre-ordered lunches and having them delivered to our customers work and homes. COVID-19 affected us so much but more than anything, it forced us to think outside the box,’ she said.
This resulted in the birth of Nourish, which is manufactured by Food by the Gift. Diversification was integral to the company’s surviving the pandemic as lockdown regulations restricted the hosting of events and resulted in catering companies not trading for months.
‘The aim of this venture is to be different from our competitors. We do this by promoting healthy living through healthy and nutritious products. Our cold pressed juices contain no artificial colours, flavours, chemicals or preservatives,’ explained Zulu.
The entrepreneur also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UKZN.
‘The qualifications gave me confidence in my journey and so much information to grow as an entrepreneur. They opened many opportunities and exposed me to places where I was able to pitch my business and get clients,’ she said.
She added that her entrepreneurial journey as a student selling muffins on campus motivated her to start her own business and contributed to her growth and success.
‘UKZN was not just a place to study, but also a place where my business started and grew. My Bachelor of Business Administration lecturers were always willing to help and support Food by the Gift, which started with the sale of platters for small functions. Then I put in the work, did my research, never stopped learning and it is paying off,’ said Zulu.
Looking to the future, Zulu hopes to own eateries around KwaZulu-Natal to sell and serve her products while creating job opportunities and contributing to economic development.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Webinar Reflects on the Lives of Nokutela and Angelina Dube
Professor Heather Hughes (left) and Dr Deborah Mindry.The College of Humanities hosted a webinar titled Unsilencing Nokutela and Angelina Dube as part of a four-day event celebrating and commemorating the life of Dr John Langalibalele Dube.
Nokutela and Angelina were strong leaders in their own right as well as supporting the successes of Dr JL Dube.
The event was facilitated by Professor Simangaliso R Kumalo with guest speakers, Professor Heather Hughes of Cultural Heritage Studies at the University of Lincoln, UK and Dr Deborah Mindry, a Research Anthropologist based at the University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI).
The late Dube’s first wife, Nokutela was born in Inanda, the place that was to shape much of her life. They married in 1894 and were the most prominent Christian family in Inanda.
‘Hers was truly an amazing life, a leader in her own right as well as supporting JL’s momentous achievements. To improve their mission work the Dubes travelled to the USA in 1895. They based themselves in Brooklyn at the Union Missionary Training Institute (UMTI) and set about acquiring further education and travelling extensively to raise funds,’ said Hughes.
According to Hughes, it was rare for Black Africans to undertake such activities in the 1890s - and rarer still for a woman like Nokutela. By all accounts, she spoke with poise and conviction, and also sang.
In 1899, the Dubes returned to South Africa and began to build an industrial school at Inanda. From the start, Nokutela played a leading role. She headed both the domestic and music departments, and under her leadership Ohlange became famous for the musicians it produced, including Reuben Caluza, as well as for her choir, the Inanda Native Singers. Nokutela was the first published African woman composer and also played a role in founding Ilanga lase Natal, the newspaper closely associated with JL Dube’s name.
Hughes said that the process of reclaiming the memory of Nokutela began in earnest in 2011. She was acknowledged in Hughes’ book, The First President: A Life of John L. Dube, Founding President of the ANC and the exact site of her burial was identified. In 2013, many of her relatives, together with the direct descendants of Angelina and John Dube, gathered to unveil a proper tombstone to reclaim her role in South African history and reinsert her memory into South African public life.
‘It is very satisfying that Nokutela’s journey to occupy a proper place in our national memory has taken such huge strides,’ she said.
Mindry noted that very little is known about Dube’s second wife, Angelina Kumalo Dube. ‘The only recording I know of in her voice is a 38-minute interview conducted on 3 March 1979 by A Manson and D Collins with R Mngomezulu as interpreter, archived in the Killie Campbell Museum in Durban.’
Mindry described Angelina as someone who brought about change in the lives of many South African women. She was an active member of the Bantu Purity League, and was involved in the founding of the Association of Bantu Parents as well as the Durban Bantu Women’s Society which focused on the economic upliftment of African women.
‘She was determined to empower African women and push the agenda for African independence. Angelina stood alongside her husband, supporting his mission and advancing the cause of her people in the face of injustice. She continued Nokutela and John Dube’s legacy and was his companion in cementing African independence and working to claim the rights of her people.’
Mindry lamented that very little has been written about Angelina’s role in organising women.
‘Angelina Dube’s name comes up as one of the African women leaders engaged in efforts to advocate for African women and their families. Again, we have little information on the exact nature of her role. We know she played a vital role in linking the political endeavours of African women and African male leadership.
‘It seems that Angelina Dube did not claim the limelight. Although she claimed that she was not political and left such matters to her husband, she was intimately involved in the politics of the day,’ added Mindry.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .International Mathematical Fellowship Award for PhD Candidate
Mr Abd-semii‘ Oluwatosin-Enitan Owolabi from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science.Click here for isiZulu version
Mr Abd-semii' Oluwatosin-Enitan Owolabi, a PhD candidate in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (SMSCS) has received the International Mathematical Union (IMU) Breakout Graduate Fellowship Award, one of three awardees pursuing mathematical doctoral studies in the developing world.
Supervised by UKZN’s Professor Oluwatosin Tope Mewomo, Owolabi’s PhD research involves further investigation of the split generalised mixed equilibrium problem, monotone inclusion problem and fixed point problem in Hilbert and Banach spaces. Hoping to expand, generalise and improve existing results in this area and produce new knowledge in mathematical sciences, Owolabi chose this topic as very few researchers have worked on the problem.
The three-year Fellowship from the IMU supports PhD candidates in their research and is made possible by donations from winners of the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics, with support from the IMU and Friends of the IMU. It recognises highly motivated and mathematically talented students who aim to pursue a career in research and teaching mathematics, thereby extending the benefits of the Fellowship to their home countries.
Owolabi is the second PhD student under Mewomo’s supervision to receive the award through his supervisor’s nomination; the first was Dr Adeolu Taiwo, now a postdoctoral researcher at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
‘I am proud that two of my PhD students are recipients of this Fellowship,’ said Mewomo. ‘This is indeed a great achievement for the School, the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, and UKZN.’
‘I feel very glad receiving this prestigious award which is highly competitive,’ said Owolabi. ‘It provides motivation for my future ambition.’ He added that the award enables highly qualified researchers to publicise their research, thereby promoting mathematical sciences that are key to advancing science and technology in Africa.
Owolabi completed his bachelors’ degree with first-class honours at the University of Ilorin in his home country of Nigeria before proceeding to complete his master’s at UKZN, drawn to the University by its reputation as one of the best universities on the continent, the prospect of assisting with teaching, and its supportive and conducive learning environment for postgraduate students. He graduated with his master’s summa cum laude.
After completing his PhD, Owolabi is aiming at a career in academia, hoping to lecture and develop his professional and research skills to eventually attain a professorship in his area of specialisation at a research-oriented institution. He aspires to contribute to the growth of mathematics in society, and impart knowledge of the subject to students.
Owolabi acknowledged his parents, wife and siblings for their support and encouragement, and expressed gratitude to Mewomo for his support throughout his postgraduate studies.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN to host 25th Poetry Africa Festival
Poetry Africa will run from 11-16 October.Click here for isiZulu version
The Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) within the College of Humanities, in partnership with the National Institute for Humanities, French Institute of South Africa, and Total, will host the 25th Poetry Africa International Festival from 11 to 16 October 2021.
The theme for this year’s festival is Unmute: Power to the Poet.
South African poet, playwright and producer, Ms Siphokazi Jonas will be the featured poet during the festival while another poet Dr Stella Nyanzi, a multiple award-winning medical anthropologist specialising in sexual and reproductive health, sexual rights and human sexualities in Uganda and The Gambia, will deliver the keynote speech during the opening of the festival on Monday 11 October at 11h00.
CCA Director Dr Ismail Mahomed said, ‘As the festivals presented by the Centre for Creative Arts continue to be celebrated for being defenders of democracy, social justice and social transformation, we are proud to have Stella Nyanzi and Siphokazi Jonas headline our festival programme this year.’
Ms Siphindile Hlongwa, curator of the Poetry Africa Festival added, ‘Both Stella Nyanzi and Siphokazi Jonas represent the strong women voices who have been a feature of the festival for a quarter of a century. They are fearless and unambiguous in letting their voices inspire hope. The poems give agency and impetus to the continued struggle for social justice.’
Due to COVID-19, most of the programme will be presented online, with two live events in Durban. More than 35 poets from South Africa, Africa, and the rest of the world will participate in the six-day programme presented in five daily slots, with feature performances, online engagements, competitions, book launches, seminars, and workshops.
The festival is also proud to host the following French-speaking poets from the African continent: Roi Bokon from Togo, Aziz Siten’k from Mali, Kissy Abeng and W Charly from Cameroon, and Tarik Ben Larbi from Morocco.
The Poetry Archive, a charity based in the UK that is dedicated to the production, acquisition and preservation of a unique digital collection of recordings of poetry read by the poets who created it, have collaborated with Poetry Africa to speak about the importance of protecting legacy and being aware of poetic lineages.
Other international partnerships are with Quay Words in the UK, supported by The British Council, the Lviv International Book Forum from Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine to the Republic of South Africa and the Brussels Poetry Fest.
The Poetry Africa Festival also recognises the importance of entrepreneurship in the industry and will present Let’s Publish NOW in collaboration with imphepo press.
‘It is a major milestone for the festival as well as all the poets who have blessed the Poetry Africa stage over the past 24 years. We pride ourselves on being an uncensored space for poets to engage, question and inspire. We are grateful for the support we have received from many partners over the years who continue to support the voices of our poets,’ said Hlongwa.
The Imbiza Journal for African Writing will publish a special edition during Poetry Africa. Other exciting initiatives include a documentary about Slam Poetry and an anthology that will be launched with support from the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences.
You can catch Poetry Africa free on Facebook and YouTube.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .Mafika Gwala Annual Lecture to be Presented at 25th Poetry Africa Festival
The 2021 Mafika Gwala Annual Lecture will take place on Monday 11 October at 17h00.The 2021 Mafika Gwala Annual Lecture will be presented as a live-streamed panel discussion on the opening day of UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) 25th Poetry Africa Festival on Monday 11 October at 17h00. The lecture was launched in 2015 as a collaboration between the College of Humanities, South African History Online and the National Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS).
CCA Director, Dr Ismail Mahomed said, ‘The annual Mafika Gwala Memorial Lecture celebrates and highlights the extraordinary work of this literary legend, public intellectual and defender of social justice. He was one of South Africa’s finest poets who was known for his writings in both English and isiZulu. He used his pen to speak out against the injustice of apartheid, actively served in the Black Consciousness Movement and was a member of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) as well as the Black Communities Project in Durban. This year’s Poetry Africa festival is inspired by the line, “talk, should we not talk with deep open voices” from his poem Bonk’ahbajahile.’
The theme for this year’s Poetry Africa Festival is “Unmute: Power to the Poet”.
The keynote address titled: What the Left forgot about the Left since Mafika Gwala, will be delivered by ProfessorImraan Coovadia, a writer, and scholar who has served as the Director of the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Creative Writing since 2011.
Author and academic, Dr Betty Govinden and professor emeritus at UKZN, Dr Michael Chapman, will join the panel, moderated by Mr Omar Badsha, the founder and director of South African History Online (SAHO).
‘Since the inaugural Mafika Gwala Annual Lecture, activists from the community of Mpumalanga Township near Hammarsdale (where Gwala spent most of his adult life) have organised a number of literary projects with schools in the township and in Pietermaritzburg. SAHO has also published Gwala’s collected works,’ said Badsha.
Poet, writer and editor, Mafika Pascal Gwala was born on 5 October 1946 in Verulam outside Durban. He was a member of the Black Consciousness Movement and contributor to the Black Review and Staffrider. He produced two collections of poetry and collaborated on a third with Liz Gunner. Gwala performed at the 10th Poetry Africa Festival in 2006. He passed away on 6 September 2014.
The Poetry Africa Festival will be presented by the CCA with the support of the National Institute for Humanities, The French Institute of South Africa, and Total. It is freely accessible and can be watched via www.facebook.com/poetryafrica and www.youtube.com/centreforcreativearts
The Mafika Gwala panel discussion will take place at 17h00 on Monday 11 October. RSVP here to join the Zoom Room: Please click the link to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85840058230?pwd=WGYycVYzUkhlKzBRZHN5OHYvc2dRUT09
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .Doctoral Candidate and Supervisor Present Paper on Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life of School Educators
Dr Anisha Ramsaroop (left) and PhD candidate Ms Prashanti Maharaj.School of Management, IT and Governance academic Dr Anisha Ramsaroop and PhD candidate Ms Prashanti Maharaj presented a paper titled: Assessing Emotional Intelligence and the Quality of Life of School Educators in the Reservoir Hills Precinct, KwaZulu-Natal at the International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics.
The conference, which was co-hosted by UKZN, was themed: COVID-19: Reshaping Sustainable Development Goals Implementation in the World.
Ramsaroop and Maharaj’s paper highlighted that emotional intelligence is a crucial skill in the 21st century workplace as well as for a balanced life. The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need to build and sustain emotional intelligence in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper focused on the following SDGs:
• Goal 3: Good health and well-being
• Goal 4: Quality education
• Goal 5: Gender equality
‘The South African basic education system confronts several new challenges, including amendments to the curriculum, adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, poor educator development and Coronavirus stressors,’ explained Ramsaroop.
‘Such changes contribute to physical, psychological and emotional distress among educators, thereby hindering the achievement of the SDGs,’ she added. Professional and personal concerns have an adverse influence on educators’ quality of life. To remain on track in achieving the SDGs, educators must focus on emotional intelligence.
The quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 108 educators from a population of 154 drawn from six schools in Reservoir Hills.
Maharaj said the findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and the quality of life of school educators.
‘We recommend that the key stakeholders in the educational fraternity focus on the emotional aspects which are depicted in our self-developed research model in order to enable educators to thrive in the new normal and to support the achievement of the SDGs.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Unemployment, Poverty and Social Unrest during COVID-19 the Focus of Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial Lecture
Webinar panelists from left: Professor Mosa Moshabela, Mr Buck Whaley, Mr Joe Mhlanga and Mr Lukhona Mnguni.UKZN and the Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre hosted the 2021 Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial Lecture in a webinar on Unemployment, Poverty and Social Unrest during COVID-19.
Facilitated by Mr Joe Mhlanga a Geopolitical Analyst and the founder of Behind the News Network, the keynote speaker was PhD candidate in Political Science at UKZN Mr Lukhona Mnguni.
In his welcome address, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Professor Mosa Moshabela said the University was honoured to host the lecture during such a challenging time: ‘With so many societal issues, as academic leaders, we find ourselves asking questions like what should be our role, how should we respond, how should we position ourselves and who is responsible to solve this?’
Naidoo’s grandson Mr Buck Whaley thanked the hosts for honouring the memory of his late grandmother. He reminisced on his fondest memories of her and shared some of her scrapbooks left to him and his brother which informed their consciousness. Noting that Naidoo rejected all offers of national positions when the African National Congress came to power post 1994, Whaley explained that his grandmother always wanted to interact with people at grassroots level - a quality he deemed a legacy tool.
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying lockdowns, and job losses, the July unrest and government corruption, Mhlanga posed the question of whether politics is the best route to address South Africa’s problems. He urged citizens to stop normalising the abuse of politics, to change the way they look at political parties and to start looking for leaders other than politicians. He also called for a change in the political system in order for society to work better.
Mnguni highlighted Naidoo’s ability to use her pen, words and deeds to speak loudly for herself and others. He acknowledged the University’s recognition of Naidoo by naming one of the state-of-the-art facilities on the Edgewood campus after her.
Mnguni examined Naidoo’s autobiographical work in order to avoid “diluting interpretations”. He reviewed the subthemes of the lecture as experiences that Naidoo lived through. She grew up in a poor household where her teacher father’s salary fed him and his wife’s 10 children, as well as numerous other family members. Later in life, Naidoo lost her job when she was banned by the South African government. In terms of social unrest, Mnguni noted that she experienced oppression, dehumanisation and brutality at the hands of the colonial and apartheid systems. She was also affected by a pandemic, having been born 10 years after the Spanish flu which claimed thousands of lives in the country.
Mnguni identified the following four persistent problems that confront South Africa:
• The large number of youth that are unemployed and not in education or training; high levels of attrition in the secondary school phase; the poor architecture of post school education and training systems; and the prevalence of social ills such as drug and alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.
• A lack of social cohesion due to the failure to reconcile the intersectionality between race, gender, sexuality and class in society, which has led to permanent conflict. This has exacerbated social exclusion ‘and, unfortunately, in our society the excluded are the majority, a continuity with the times of Naidoo.’
• Irresponsible politics where politicians benefit from persistent divisions in society and factional wars within political parties.
• Poor governance and statecraft due to a lack of competence and the lack of leaders with a compelling vision for society.
In concluding, Mnguni said: ‘the concept of justice should haunt us when we remember Dr Phyllis Naidoo. We may not belong to the same organisation, but the pursuit of a just society should make us belong to a collective solidarity front that is committed to the restoration of humanity.
‘Ultimate liberation from the bondage of unemployment, poverty and social unrest will not be achieved in our lifetime; however, we have a generational mission to make a significant breakthrough that builds on the gains accomplished by Naidoo’s generation.’
Portfolio Head for UKZN’s Special Collections, Dr Roshini Pather added that the University is proud to host Naidoo’s collection of books, letters, legal documents, photographs, recordings and memorabilia at the Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre and said that the Centre is in the process of digitising it.
Closing the lecture, Chairperson of the Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre, Miss Zandile Qono-Reddy thanked those that attended.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Education Student Launches Suspense Thriller
PhD in Education student, Ms Jennifer Sheokarah with her new book The Intruder. Click here for isiZulu version
PhD student in Education Ms Jennifer Sheokarah has launched her new book, The Intruder, a suspense thriller inspired by living through the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘I was stuck indoors during the first lockdown last year and it was therapeutic to write. I wanted to write about the pandemic in ways that people would be able to grasp so I personified the virus - the Intruder in the novel,’ she said. ‘It is easier to deal with a person than a pandemic. There are numerous references to the pandemic in a different form, a metaphor, throughout the novel. However, the book is a work of fiction.’
The novel follows a young woman, Jen who finds her relationship with doctor boyfriend, Wren, strained to breaking point as he is repeatedly called out to deal with victims of the Intruder’s merciless attacks. The death toll rises to a level where the South African government places the country under a state of emergency and lockdown. Spurred by a desire to return to normality, Jen undertakes her own investigation to uncover the hooded man.
No one is safe from the Intruder.
The book began as short pieces that Sheokarah submitted to UKZN’s Creative Network Magazine. Comments from readers and their desire for more led to the story’s development into a novel.
‘The Intruder is about how the main character grapples with life while the hooded, masked man lurks, stopping her plans and making her question everything. She conducts her own investigation to find out who the Intruder is and hidden connections from the past reveal themselves. Working on the novel made me realise that writing is my escape. I believe you need some place to go when you can’t move your feet,’ said Sheokarah.
The book is available on Amazon as a paperback and on Kindle. The list of bookstores that will stock it will be announced shortly. Signed copies are available from the author: jennifersheokarah@yahoo.com.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Knowledge Tree Award for Sanitation Specialist
Dr Santiago Septien Stringel.Dr Santiago Septien Stringel, a research engineer at UKZN’s Water Sanitation & Hygiene Research & Development (WASH R&D) Centre has received a Knowledge Tree Award from South Africa’s Water Research Commission (WRC) as an Emerging Researcher in Human Capital Development.
In line with the WRC’s strategic planning approach for research impact, the Knowledge Tree Awards recognise excellence in the domain of water science in seven categories. This award recognises projects that support training of postgraduate students as part of its focus on training and mentoring new research leaders, and this year’s awards coincide with the celebration of 50 years of the WRC’s contribution to building a resilient water sector.
Septien Stringel joins the late Professor Chris Buckley and Dr Alfred Odindo as a Knowledge Tree Award recipient within the WASH R&D Centre. In his work with the Centre, he has supervised more than 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students, around half of them on WRC projects, particularly in the Disciplines of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
‘It was a surprise to receive this award, but it is a great motivation and a welcome recognition of hard work,’ he said.
His approach to developing students is to mentor them closely, and ensure that they remain motivated and receive support to grow their expertise. Septien Stringel believes in getting students to take ownership of the projects they work on through providing assistance at key points. He aims to ensure that they develop their professional skills and graduate successfully, and that they also create useful new knowledge.
Septien Stringel joined the WASH R&D Centre in 2014 following his doctoral studies and a postdoctoral fellowship in France at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission research centre and the Engineering School Mines-Albi. This grew his expertise in thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis, gasification and combustion, and biofuels.
Keen to experience South Africa and acquainted with Buckley, Septien Stringel applied to join UKZN. He said that South Africa is a good place to learn when it comes to sanitation technologies because it is a developing country, but it aspires to be the African leader in the implementation of innovative sanitation technologies. He described the beauty of the country, the positive and stimulating working environment in the WASH R&D laboratory, and the extensive international interaction as highlights of his time here so far.
In his more than seven years with the WASH R&D Centre, Septien Stringel said he learned a lot from Buckley and has supervised several projects funded by the WRC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
‘Through institutional support from organisations like this, we are developing knowledge that can be applied everywhere,’ he said.
His role is to provide leadership on research related to decentralised sanitation treatment systems, supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students, and offer advice to sanitation practitioners.
Septien Stringel’s expertise has expanded to focus on thermal processes for sanitation applications and the characterisation of faecal sludge, and he has ventured into research areas such as activated carbon, photocatalysis, sludge dewatering and membrane technologies. He has also worked on testing reinvented toilet prototypes with designers.
Of South Africa’s sanitation landscape, Septien Stringel says there are gaps everywhere, particularly a lack of local people interested in research, with laboratories populated by international researchers. While this provides opportunities for international contributions, he believes that recruitment of more South African researchers in sanitation, and science more broadly, is necessary to grow and retain these skills in the country, and hopes to contribute to growing such researchers in his field.
Septien Stringel looks forward to attaining more international experience, and in the short-term is focusing on supervising more students with increased support that will enable him to focus on the dissemination of research results, and attract more funding to develop new research topics.
He acknowledged several people for contributing to his success, including Buckley, Acting Director Mrs Susan Mercer, Ms Kerry Philp and the administrative team, Ms Merlien Reddy and the laboratory team and the workshop team at the WASH R&D Centre, as well as his current and former students. He thanked colleagues from other institutions and disciplines at UKZN, and at the WRC: Dr Valerie Naidoo, Mr Dhesigen Naidoo, Mr Jay Bhagwan and Dr Sudhir Pillay.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Water Research Commission
author : .author email : .Alumnus Placed Second in Unisa National Strings Competition
Mr Bethuel Tshoane.Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN alumnus Mr Bethuel Tshoane (lead guitar) won second place at the 3rd Unisa National Strings Competition that showcases the talent and experience of young South African classical and jazz string players.
The competition, held at the Z K Matthews Great Hall in Pretoria, had two categories: classical (violin/cello) and jazz (guitar/bass). Tshoane took home a prize of R50 000.
‘It feels surreal to win. Competing with fellow musicians on its own has been a great achievement. This motivates me to continue working on my craft. I entered the competition to not only expand my learning experience but to use this opportunity to showcase my music talent,’ he said.
Tshoane competed in four rounds from performing jazz ballads to contemporary jazz and original compositions. ‘I went out of my comfort zone and strove for my best performance in every round. Competitions like these are vital to every aspiring musician because they are exposed to the educational spectrum, and the music industry as a whole,’ he added.
His advice to aspiring musicians is, ‘to encourage fellow performers to work hard on our crafts and stay positive in all that we do.’
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Inaugural Lecture Explores the Importance of Computational Thinking in the 21st Century
Professor Irene Govender.Click here for isiZulu version
Computational thinking as a 21st century skill was the focus of School of Management, Information Technology and Governance academic, Professor Irene Govender’s Inaugural Lecture titled: Life in the Digital Era: Enhancing Computational Thinking.
Inaugural lectures form part of UKZN’s Public Lectures series and may only be presented by newly-appointed full professors. This milestone in an academic’s career is an opportunity to showcase exciting and ground-breaking research and teaching.
Govender’s research explores how students learn programming with a view to improving pedagogy in this field and enhancing problem solving and logical thinking skills.
‘Ten to 15 years ago, one would not have thought that computational thinking would become so pervasive. This trend is growing across every industry and thus has implications for our students and the labour market and, in turn, our education and curriculum,’ explained Govender.
Her lecture unpacked what computational thinking is, its importance and relevance to programming and artificial intelligence and how computational thinking can be enhanced.
Govender said that many prominent public organisations like Microsoft, Facebook and the world of technology in general support the proposal that all students should learn some aspect of programming or coding.
‘As research advances, algorithms are improving. This, in turn, leads to improved learning. Just as high school students are expected to know about photosynthesis and how the digestive system functions, every 21st century student should also have the opportunity to learn about algorithms, how to make apps and how the Internet works. Currently, there’s little expectation in our schools that students will even have a basic understanding of these concepts even though they are driving a large part of our society,’ commented Govender.
She added that in the new global economy, digital technology is central to the labour market. Solving unusual problems is hence a key competence in a world that is constantly changing. Today’s students will go on to live a life greatly predisposed to IT and many will work in areas that involve or are impacted by IT.
Govender acknowledged her colleagues in the Discipline of Information, Systems and Technology, Professor McArthur, Professor Mutula, her family, her husband Professor Desmond Govender, two sons Stanton and Joash, daughter-in-law Sherece and granddaughter Ariella.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the College of Law and Management Studies Professor Brian McArthur said that the world we live in today calls for constant upskilling, re-skilling and new modes of thinking, particularly in the digital realm and saluted Professor Govender for her contribution in this field.
The full inaugural lecture can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M58zsX1IBc.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN hosts South African Sign Language Interpreters Seminar
Some of the presenters from left: Ms Asanda Katshwa, Mrs Ingrid Parkin, Dr Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst, and Ms Nokuthula Khumalo.The evolving role of South African sign language interpreters (SASLi) in Higher Education: Reality vs. Established Practice was the theme of the 3rd Annual SASLi Seminar hosted by UKZN’s Disability Support Unit (DSU).
The seminar, that attracted delegates from the Higher Education and public sectors, focused on the interpreting profession and the delivery of interpreting services to students in the Higher Education environment. Key focus areas were inadequate preparation of learners for the transition from basic to Higher Education, interpreters’ experiences of providing academic interpreting services at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and recommendations for the development of a national strategy to improve the delivery of such services.
In her opening address, UKZN’s Interim Senior Director, Student Services Division, Professor Ntombifikile Mazibuko reflected on the significant efforts made by the University to develop a more inclusive and transformative environment, thereby attracting more deaf students. She highlighted initiatives to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in delivering interpreting services by transitioning to a more digital framework.
Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Provincial Languages Committee (ECPLC), seasoned language practitioner and a sign language interpreter for the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Ms Asanda Katshwa’s keynote address highlighted the need for SASLi to constantly upgrade their education and research, and to expand their terminology and understanding of nuances in the field of Higher Education. She made special reference to the established practice and the evolving role of SASLi in mastering linguistic competence in the source language as well as the target language (SASL). Katshwa added that providing high-quality interpreting services in a Higher Education landscape requires SASLi to participate in sign language interpreting training programmes that ensure continuous professional development.
Deficiencies in the basic education system with respect to preparing deaf learners to be autonomous in the demanding Higher Education environment, and to be able to connect concepts that are signed to the printed word, were highlighted by Ms Ingrid Parkin (Principal, St Vincent’s School for the Deaf). Mrs Martie Miranda, Head of the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support at the University of the Free State and chairperson of the Higher and Further Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA), added that HEIs’ shift towards online learning presents students with opportunities for greater independence through the use of modern technologies to bridge the gap between educators and students. Miranda emphasised that the role of the interpreter remains integral but in this changing landscape, SASLi need to adapt to incorporate more fluid methods to deliver interpreting services to meet students’ diverse needs and preferences.
Experienced practicing SASLi in Higher Education, Ms Sandile Mngadi (Durban University of Technology), Ms Mpho Teme (University of the Witwatersrand), Mr Gavin Oberholzer (Belgium Campus ITversity) and the UKZN SASLi team, represented by the seminar chair, Ms Nokuthula Khumalo highlighted the significant challenges in delivering effective interpreting services in the Higher Education environment, particularly in terms of sign development for subject-specific terminology and jargon.
They concurred that the transition to online teaching and learning, and greater reliance on modern technologies such as digital speech-to-text engines, offer opportunities for the progression of the interpreting profession and delivery of more dynamic interpreting services to equalise access to information for students. The video presentation developed by the UKZN SASLi team was praised for its content which exhibited some of the innovative strategies employed in the transition towards a more digital framework adopted for the delivery of interpreting services in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disability co-ordinator on UKZN’s Howard College and Medical School campuses and Vice-Chairperson of HEDSA, Mr Nevil Balakrishna, chaired the panel discussion. He provided an in-depth historical account of the evolution of interpreting services and highlighted students’ constitutional right to receive these services at HEIs. The panelists outlined the challenges faced by these institutions in terms of funding and sourcing SASLi to deliver interpreting services of a suitably high quality. Embracing technology, particularly to aid students’ transition to more independent learning, and thinking broadly with respect to the adoption of remote services in areas where SASLi are difficult to access, were suggested as avenues to explore further in developing a more dynamic national strategy. Dr Lolie Makhubu-Badenhorst, Acting Director in the UKZN Language Planning and Development Office (ULPDO), emphasised the need to cater to individual student preferences in designing this strategy that accommodates a spectrum of learners from varied socio-economic backgrounds, with differential exposure to digital resources and interpreting services at the basic education level. The panelists also stressed the importance of effective and competent co-ordination of interpreting services to achieve successful progression and retention of students.
Mazibuko and Katshwa called on the organising committee to collaborate on resolutions emerging from the seminar.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Alumnus Becomes Self-Published Author
Ms Kaylah Boyce and her book, The Exposition.UKZN alumnus, Ms Kaylah Boyce has self-published an anthology of poetry titled, The Exposition on Amazon Kindle.
Boyce who obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Media and Cultural Studies and an Honours degree in English Literature said that her journey to become a writer started at a very young age. ‘I developed an immense passion for reading and writing during my teenage years and I decided to pursue my dreams in the world of literature wholeheartedly after matric.’
Boyce, who started this project in her third-year of study at UKZN, said that the book is a compilation of poems written and edited over a few months.
It was inspired by her personal experiences and those closest to her, as well as the literature she studied during her postgraduate year. The book explores issues of growth, self-love, empowerment and healing which she hopes will impact the lives of many, giving them hope, comfort, a new perspective and the strength to face new challenges.
Boyce shared her sense of accomplishment and excitement at becoming a first-time author, ‘I’m in a state of bliss about becoming a published author. It has been my dream from a very young age and I feel blessed and grateful that it has come true, especially in my youth.’
Her plans for the future include publishing another anthology of poetry as a sequel to The Exposition. She currently works as a social media content writer for a creative agency called Muse Libra and in her spare time enjoys blogging and crafts.
Boyce thanked her lecturers at UKZN for nurturing her writing skills and her family and friends for helping her at different stages of the book and encouraging her to fulfil her dreams. ‘I am very grateful and blessed to have such an amazing support structure,’ she said.
To access The Exposition on Amazon Kindle click here.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Human Trafficking Awareness Month
For more information on human trafficking or to report a case, contact 10111 or 0800 222 777.Trafficking in Persons (TiP) involves the act of selling, recruiting, transporting, delivering, transferring, exchanging, leasing, harbouring or receiving a person and occurs over international borders as well as within a country.
This act- committed for thepurposeof exploitation- is done by means of threats, force, coercion, abuse of a person’s position of vulnerability, abuse of power, fraud, abduction, kidnapping, deception and payments.
South African legislation distinguishes between children and adult victims of TiP. In the case of adults, all three “elements” of the offence, ie the act, means and purpose, need to be present. However, in the case of a child only the act and purposeare necessary for an offence to have been committed. Therefore, if a child is found on the street and is involved in commercial sexual exploitation and “consents” to this exploitation by another person, the child would still be a TiP victim - there does not have to be any force, coercion, or deceit etc present. No child can consent to being exploited by another person.
TiP is a crime that ruthlessly uses women, children and men for numerous types of exploitation, including all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labour, child labour, servitude, the removal of body parts and the impregnation of a female person against her will for the purposes of selling the child once it is born.
In addition to the above, the crime of TiP occurs where a person adopts a child - whether this is facilitated or secured through legal or illegal means or concludes a forced marriage with another person - for the purpose of the exploitation of that child or other person.
The trafficking of human beings can be described as one of the greatest scourges facing the world today and is fuelled by greed and corruption. It is increasingly due to the prevailing socio-economic conditions, porous borders, immigration patterns and flourishing organised criminal activity in South Africa.
For more information on TIP or to report a case contact 10111 / 0800 222 777 or go to:
• www.0800222777.org.za
• www.a21.org
Words: NdabaOnline
Image: Shutterstock
author : .author email : .