UKZN Collaborates with The Conversation Africa to Host Writing Workshop
Speakers at the webinar from left: Ms Xoliswa Zulu, Ms Pfungwa Nyamukachi and Dr Candice Bailey.UKZN in partnership with The Conversation Africa, an independent source of news and analysis from the academic and research community, hosted a workshop on writing for popular media for academics, and post-doctoral and PhD candidates.
The workshop aimed to help researchers understand how to refine the way they communicate their research findings to non-academic audiences to promote broader societal engagement and impact. It included a session on how to pitch and publish on the platform.
In her welcome address, Ms Xoliswa Zulu, Director for University Relations noted that research needs to be accessible and easily understood in order for it to be meaningful and relevant. ‘The media seeks comment and opinion from academics on topical matters; healthcare providers, research institutions, and individual scientists have all discovered that using the media wisely is an effective tool in educating and informing the public.
Zulu added: ‘It is important for academics to gain the ability to write for lay audiences as an increasing number of journals now publish non-technical summaries of peer-reviewed articles as part of their commitment to keeping the public informed.’
Strategic Partnerships Manager at The Conversation Africa Ms Pfungwa Nyamukachi explained that the platform is dedicated to publishing academics and scientists’ work in an accessible format in order to bridge the gap between academia and society.
The criteria for publication on this unique platform are: (1) an academic who has been teaching for five years or longer; (2) a post-doctoral candidate attached to an accredited institution; and (3) a PhD student who is far along in their research. The PhD student would need to co-author with their supervisor or an expert in the field.
Nyamukachi highlighted that The Conversation Africa services the whole continent and is also part of a global network called The Conversation. Its motto is “academic rigour meets journalist flair”; thus, academics are expected to write analytical articles that centre on their research, which are published under a Creative Commons Licence - allowing other media platforms to republish their work.
The research themes include: arts and culture; business and economics; education; the environment and energy; health and medicine; politics; and science and technology. Editors are assigned to each theme and work with academics to edit the article’s language and angle. ‘Only when you are happy with your edits and approve your article do we publish it, which makes this a safe place to start your science communication journey,’ said Nyamukachi.
She shared some of the benefits of publishing with The Conversation Africa which include global reach and the ability to track this through an analytical dashboard, as well as networking and research collaboration.
Dr Candice Bailey Strategic Initiatives Editor at The Conversation Africa unpacked the types of articles on the platform, namely: news analysis; research; book reviews; podcasts; explainers; Q&As; academic interviews; and curious kids. Academics should pitch their article by explaining their research idea, their findings, its importance and/or why they think the story matters. The point of the pitch is narrowing down the angle.
Bailey offered some pointers on writing for the media which include a journalistic approach that encompasses the why, what, who, when, where and how of a subject. She encouraged academics to avoid jargon and acronyms, an overly formal tone, the tendency to write academic essays, rhetorical questions and long sentences. They should stick to the angle of the story, uncover the hook and what’s new, and meet deadlines.
In an interactive session academics received feedback from Bailey on mock pitches they had submitted prior to the workshop.
Nyamukachi closed the session by encouraging academics to consider the feedback received and refine their pitches before submission. She added that, ‘As The Conversation Africa, we are aware that you hold the knowledge and insights, and we want to work with you.’
She thanked UKZN for partially funding the platform, academics for attending and the Corporate Relations Division for making the event possible.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Humanities Academic Launches Book
Dr Jayanathan Govender and his book.Senior lecturer in Industrial, Organisational and Labour Studies in the School of Social Sciences Dr Jayanathan Govender has launched a book, Exploring the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social, Cultural, Economic, and Psychological Insights and Perspectives.
Co-edited by Dr Usha Rana of the Dr Harisingh Gour Central University in India, it assesses COVID-19’s impact on various aspects of human life. With chapters by researchers from several countries, it provides insight into the challenges and impacts of the pandemic on mental health, health care, gender issues, education, social institutions, etc. Topics include community responses and challenges such as social protection, the state’s responsibility to its citizens, and human rights abuses.
The volume also examines the role of different organisations and professions and their reactions to the health crisis, including the police, educators, journalists, and the media, while addressing the closure of schools and colleges and remote learning.
Govender said, ‘There is a need to review many aspects of culture and institutions. The lessons from historical epidemics and pandemics must be understood and referenced for a post-COVID-19 world. As a starting point, the University should emphasise inter-disciplinary study, with a focus on food, health, and the environment. The quest for equality should guide scientific and medical research. A new philosophy of science, embracing a meta-methodology should be developed to ensure a human future beyond the canons of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.’
The President of the International Sociological Association, Professor Sari Hanafi commented in a review: ‘This book presents the real picture of the situation the whole world has gone through. I recommend adopting a few chapters as a course at my university. I congratulate the editors for their excellent work.’
The book is published by Apple Academic Press, Inc. and is available online at: http://www.appleacademicpress.com/title.php?id=9781774638644.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Westville Residence Assistants’ Team Building
Westville campus RAs enjoying their teambuilding activities.Click here for isiZulu version
Much is expected of UKZN’s Residence Assistants (RAs) who are called upon to attend to the diverse needs of students from different backgrounds. This can be mentally and emotionally demanding and it is important that they have an opportunity to de-stress.
With this in mind the Westville campus Department of Student Residence Affairs Residence (DSRA) Life Co-ordinator (RLC) Ms Lerato Khoadi organised a teambuilding programme for her residence life team.
The RAs engaged in various activities to boost their morale and mental health, and foster social cohesion and creativity. The event also aimed to refresh their minds given the hectic schedule they face at the beginning of the semester when new and returning students come into residences and house committees are elected. The emphasis was on teamwork in organisational or personal settings and the activities included Indiana Jones Challenges of war cries, spear throwing, paintball target shooting, Nyami-Nyami and an art challenge and go-kart construction.
‘We ask a lot of our RAs and it is vital that we also give them a platform to de-stress,’ said Khoadi. ‘They are the Department’s eyes and ears on the ground as they are the first people to attend to student matters in residences. It could be any time of the night but they still do their best.
Dealing with students from different backgrounds requires the RAs to constantly shift their critical thinking abilities and this can take a physical and emotional toll on them. Some of matters RAs face in residences are beyond their scope and they might not be prepared for them, but they still do their utmost to ensure that no student is left unattended. The teambuilding event enabled them to have fun and de-stress and also share their different problem-solving techniques.’ Two of the most important shared lessons learnt are co-ordination and being attentive to detail.
Residence Life Officer (RLO) Mr Siyanda Ndlovu said: ‘The event helped me to better understand the people I work with outside of their work zone. Most importantly, I was able to see that one should not just lead and not listen; other people’s opinions are also important in order to complete a task.’
The RAs found the teambuilding relaxing, therapeutic and educative. They reported that it helped them learn more about one another, and improve their teamwork, communication, listening and problem-solving skills. It also highlighted the importance of being responsible and building trust.
The activities required participants to trust that they were working towards a common team goal. For some RAs, the activities enabled them to explore their creativity and test their strengths and weaknesses. The fact that the RLOs and RLC participated in all team building activities showed that, regardless of the titles held by staff, it is possible to communicate and work together.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photographs: DSRA
author : .author email : .Medical Alumnus Passionate about Diabetes Management in Limpopo
Dr Mabowa Makhomisane graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes.Dr Mabowa Makhomisane recently graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes from the University of South Wales (USW), United Kingdom.
A UKZN Medical graduate (Class of 2005), he also received the Dean’s Commendation to pursue an MSc in the sub-speciality of diabetes at USW.
Makhomisane who runs a general practice in Limpopo also offers specialised clinics to the community on diabetes mellitus, asthma in children, maternal health, and cardiovascular disease. He has a special interest in non-communicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He recently co-authored a peer-reviewed article in the World Family Medicine & Middle East Journal of Family Medicine (MEJFM) on the Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Analogs in Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes.
A South African Health Products Regulatory Authority approved, Principal Investigator, he is involved in numerous clinical trials and the supervision of sub-investigators and other clinical trial staff. He holds a higher certificate in travel medicine from the University of the Witwatersrand and a higher certificate in practice management from the Foundation of Professional Development. Makhomisane is the chairperson of the Limpopo Independent Practitioners Association comprising of 120 general practitioners and an executive member of the Alliance of South African Independent Practitioners Associations (ASAIPA) and member of the ASAIPA parliamentary task team that advises parliament on National Health Insurance.
Makhomisane is also passionate about community outreach. He served as the resident doctor for CapriCom FM from 2010 to 2013, hosted a medical show called “The Dr Energy show” on Energy FM and is a regular contributor to the Phalaphala FM health corner and Thobela FM. He is also a regular commentator on COVID-19 for SABC TV News [The Agenda] and for Dr Pru Ezempilo on Soweto TV.
On graduating with a diploma in diabetes, Makhomisane commented, ‘One of the key benefits of being a general practitioner is the opportunity to conduct disease mapping in one’s community. The incidence of diabetes has been growing in the Polokwane area and the Limpopo province in the past 10 years. Previously patients suffering from type 2 diabetes tended to be much older; however, we are now starting to see it in younger children. This is in keeping with global trends; worldwide, more than 460 million people suffer from diabetes and it is predicted that this will increase to 580 million by 2030. I decided to further my studies in diabetes because of the impending catastrophe facing our community. As a front-line worker in diabetes management, I wanted to equip myself to prepare for what is coming.
‘Furthering my studies at one of the world-renowned universities in the field of diabetes and being a diabetologist not only equips me, but also my colleagues and junior doctors through master class programmes that we will be implementing locally.’
Turning to future plans, Makhomisane said, ‘In 2023, we will be launching a state-of-the-art diabetic centre of excellence in Limpopo with a team of experts including dieticians, podiatrist, a biokineticist, physiotherapists and psychologists. The team will focus on community engagement including outreach to rural areas to educate patients on the risks of diabetes using radio, newspapers, social media and television. In keeping with global standards of care for diabetes, the centre will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies. The focus will be to ensure that all diabetic patients are well managed.’
Makhomisane is married with three children and enjoys playing tennis, travelling and spending time with his family.
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Academic Presents Paper on Dealing with Natural Disasters
College of Law and Management Studies academic, Professor Vannie Naidoo.Professor Vannie Naidoo of the College of Law and Management Studies presented a paper at a workshop hosted by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria Apwen Benin Chapter on Mega Project Scheduling During Natural Disasters.
Naidoo noted, ‘Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes have been on the rise in the past few years. This is attributed to increasing temperatures and melting polar caps. A topic of major importance to engineers, who are often in charge of a project team is how to handle natural disasters during mega-projects.’
Naidoo added, ‘When natural disasters occur, a country normally declares a state of disaster. KwaZulu-Natal was hard-hit by floods a few months back, and the president declared a provincial state of disaster.’
She observed that the following steps can be followed during a natural disaster to safeguard a site:
• When a mega-project is affected by a disaster, a set of events should take place to recover and rebuild the site.
• The first step is a plan put together by the project management team to establish whether there were any injuries/deaths, and loss of property and equipment.
• The disaster site needs to be made safe to prevent further injury or loss of life. Thereafter, the relevant authorities need to be called on site, namely medical teams, firefighters and law enforcement.
• Injured or deceased staff should only be moved after assistance on site by the medical and law enforcement authorities.
• The project manager also needs to be notified of the damage and the public relations department should issue a press release.
• Debris is removed from the site during the recovery phase.
• Staff on site need to take proper care and preventative measures to ensure that hazardous waste is removed in the correct manner to avoid contamination of the site.
• Staff on site must stay out of the way during removal of debris, as accidents can occur during this stage.
• Maintaining site workers’ safety and preventing further loss of life or injuries takes precedence during this stage.
• Thereafter, steps should be taken to recover the loss of equipment and property.
• Insurance brokers need to be notified so that photographs can be taken of the damage.
• Claims need to be submitted to the insurance company.
• In times of disaster the two-stage disaster recovery model can be followed. Pardede and Tetsuo’s (2007) two-stage model involves a short-term stage where reaction to the disaster occurs, and a long-term stage that involves all activities that recover the organisation’s operations or the project.
• These two stages overlap and their initiation and duration are not fixed.
• Fourth Industrial Revolution technological innovations can be harnessed to monitor natural disasters, enabling steps to be taken to protect buildings, equipment, and more importantly, personnel on mega-project sites.
Naidoo stressed that, ‘It is never an easy task to work as an engineer or project manager during a natural disaster. Many challenges impact the daily functioning of mega project schedules. However, since natural disasters are on the rise, engineers should be aware of and trained to deal with them. Preparedness is important. Disaster management is a reality, especially in light of when dealing with the effects of climate change and global warming.’
In recognition of her expert support for women engineers in Nigeria, Naidoo was presented with the Honour Code on behalf of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Financial Education is Crucial to Curb Financial Illiteracy and Related Challenges among Low-Income Earners in South Africa
.The COVID-19 pandemic has had unprecedented socio-economic effects that have negatively impacted the livelihoods of most households. Due to the lack of appropriate financial education, low-income earners in South Africa are susceptible to signing up for financial services that they do not understand and end up being over-indebted.
Financial education enhances financial consumers’ understanding of financial products, services and concepts. It is vital to improving their knowledge of saving, budgeting, investment, financial planning, financial risks and responsible borrowing. Financial education is also essential to assist financial consumers to make well-informed decisions regarding the management of their finances for both short- and long-term financial goals.
Educated and well-informed financial consumers improve their resilience to financial fragility, taking into consideration changes in economic and related situations. Poor and/or a lack of appropriate financial education has contributed to low-income earners being financially excluded since they do not understand how to access and utilise the basic financial services and products offered by financial institutions.
This scenario calls for regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders to offer adequate and appropriate financial education programmes and initiatives to strengthen financial consumers’ financial resilience, especially low-income earners in South Africa. Together with the government, they should consider developing a policy framework for financial education during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic to empower low-income earners financially and economically.
Financial education is crucial in the ever-changing economic climate in which low-income earners now shoulder greater personal financial responsibility in the face of increasingly complicated financial products. Such education could also curb consumer over-indebtedness which is often a result of poor money management choices by low-income earners.
A robust financial education regulatory framework to promote financial education is essential to curb financial illiteracy and related problems among low-income earners in South Africa. The relevant provisions of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCA) as amended, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) as amended and the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 (FSR Act), among others, that deal with the provision and promotion of financial education in South Africa are not sufficiently robust to promote and regulate financial education as they only make partial provision for it without imposing an obligation on financial consumers to undergo such education.
South Africa could draw lessons from Botswana, Australia and the United Kingdom that have made significant and commendable strides in developing and adopting robust financial education measures for financial consumers.
For instance, Botswana has a relatively high level of financial education compared to other African countries, including South Africa and is ranked as the continent’s leading country in terms of financially literate adults. In Botswana, financial education is viewed as an important intervention to secure citizens, especially young people’s future finances.
The United Kingdom has also made positive strides in promoting financial education for all its financial consumers. Its financial regulatory body, the Financial Conduct Authority, established The Money Advice Service to raise awareness and understanding of the financial system. The Service provides guidance on building household financial resilience during crises that negatively impact the economy, livelihoods and Gross Domestic Product such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian government provides grants for financial education and stakeholders such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), non-governmental organisations and banks play an active role in providing such education.
Successful implementation of financial education in South Africa would require the establishment of capacity building programmes and initiatives, with financial and logistical implications. Moreover, the government, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders should consider adopting consistent, progressive savings incentives to promote financial education through savings. Lastly, policymakers should consider enacting a statute that specifically addresses financial education in the country.
* Financial Education is Crucial to Curb Financial Illiteracy and Related Challenges among Low-Income Earners in South Africa: This opinion piece was influenced in part by Magau’s LLD thesis entitled A Comparative Legal Analysis of the Promotion of Financial Education for Low-Income Earners in South Africa submitted to North-West University.
Dr Phemelo Magau is a lecturer in UKZN’s School of Law. He holds a Doctor of Laws (LLD) in Mercantile Law.
Photograph: Supplied
*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
author : .author email : .Fashion Designer Lands BSc Honours Amidst Expanding Business
Ms Nombuso Khanyile wore footwear from Afrikan Passion Designs to her graduation.Click here for isiZulu version
Ms Nombuso Khanyile, the talent behind the Afrikan Passion Designs eco-friendly brand that was selected as Design Indaba’s Emerging Creative 2020 and exhibited at the Dubai World Expo 2020 and at Africa’s Travel Indaba, graduated this year with her Bachelor of Science honours in biochemistry after juggling her studies and business activities.
Khanyile’s interest in science was sparked during her childhood in Ulundi where she witnessed the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and felt motivated to contribute to identifying a cure. Losing her sister to cervical cancer in 2020 also motivated her to pursue studies in the prevention and treatment of disease, and she enrolled at UKZN to explore the use of natural solutions.
An outgoing person, Khanyile demonstrated an entrepreneurial and innovative inclination from a young age, starting her first business while in high school.
While a student, she and Mr Nisbert Kembo co-founded Afrikan Passion Designs. Inspired by the Nguni people’s culture and the climate crisis, they create environmentally conscious unisex handmade leather accessories.
Her business excelled; in 2019, Khanyile won the Durban Youth Connect Innovative Business Competition, and in 2020 exhibited her designs at the Design Indaba Conference at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre. She was named among the top 50 Design Indaba Emerging Creatives and one of the top nine in Durban, leading to the company’s selection by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Design Indaba to exhibit at the Dubai World Expo’s digital showcase.
Afrikan Passion Designs was also among the exhibitors at Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban in 2022, one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and voted Africa’s best travel and tourism show.
‘Exhibiting at the Dubai World Expo and Africa’s Travel Indaba gained us an international clientele as well as trust and a reputation for reliability among our new local customers,’ said Khanyile. ‘We are beyond grateful for such opportunities.’
She credited Design Indaba, SA Tourism, Durban Tourism, Synergy Business events, the Department of Sports Arts and Culture and Durban Small Business Support for making this possible, and thanked Ikhono Thrive Global for business funding that propelled Afrikan Passion Designs forward.
The company now offers its products at three physical locations in Durban: Vittoria and Co at the Watercrest Mall, the Social Gallery at The Pavilion Shopping Centre, and DFF at the Midway Crossing mall.
Her honours studies enabled her to explore nanoscience, and she completed her project on media modification for improved nanoparticle synthesis and yield using Magnetotactic bacteria. This falls within green nanoparticle synthesis and has applications in both industry and research, including in targeted drug delivery, drug development, and waste water treatment.
While navigating the challenging post-graduation world of rejected job application and their impact on mental health, Khanyile is applying herself to full-time leather artisanship in Afrikan Passion Designs, working alongside other creatives in Durban to hone her entrepreneurial skills.
‘I am learning to apply and merge my science and entrepreneurial abilities to create opportunities for myself as well as other graduates in the same position,’ she said.
Khanyile has earned recognition for both her scientific and entrepreneurial pursuits; in 2020 she was congratulated by UKZN Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Poku for being a Wonder Woman in Science, and her business has been featured in Forbes Africa, SAfm radio, Sibizi Magazine, Isolezwe, CNA, YOCO, Eyethu Community Newspaper, UKZNdabaOnline, Bizcommunity and Twyg Magazine.
She advised students interested in entrepreneurship to develop solutions-oriented businesses, do extensive market and business relevance research, ask for assistance when needed, market themselves confidently, network, prepare documentation in advance and enter competitions, and use their unique traits as selling points. She added that students should prioritise their mental health in balancing studies and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Interested in pursuing master’s studies in the future and inspired by women like Dr Yanga Mdleleni working in human papillomavirus research, Khanyile hopes to undertake research combining nanoscience and immunology to contribute to the control or even eradication of cervical cancer.
She dreams of contributing professionally to an inclusive, diverse and safe space that promotes mental health and the absence of racial politics and microaggressions where her work will be valued.
Khanyile thanked her family, friends, Kembo and UKZN PhD candidate Mr Femi Olawale for their support, and the late Ms Ndoni Mcunu for enhancing the visibility of Black women in science. She also thanked her honours supervisor Dr Karen Pillay for her academic guidance and assistance.
Afrikan Passions Design’s progress is documented on their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Alumnus Nominated for The Book Behind Awards
Author and UKZN graduate, Mr Thembalethu Mahlangu.College of Law and Management Studies alumnus, Mr Thembalethu Mahlangu’s book, I believe, Letter To The Youth has been nominated for the prestigious The Book Behind Awards taking place in October this year.
The annual awards acknowledge young authors and celebrate their efforts. They also aim to encourage a culture of reading and writing.
Mahlangu’s book explores four facets of life that young people face every day - dreams, obstacles, failure, and contentment. It aims to help the youth overcome drawbacks and focus on chasing their dreams.
‘Today’s youth suffer from hopelessness and demotivation. Most motivational books are written by older people who don’t relate to our preferences which is why many young people aren’t interested in reading them. This book, which is a message from youth to youth aims to fill this gap,’ he said.
This 24-year-old from Umlazi township said finding a writing style to suit him took almost two years and finishing his book took him four months as he was also studying towards his undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies and served as the Chairperson for the One Love feeding scheme and a mentor for first-year students.
‘Publishing while I was still a student was no walk in the park, and I am grateful for the support of Mr P Ndaba from Student Governance Leadership and Development who mentored me throughout my journey.’
While his book has already been recognised and used for a book review competition, Mahlangu said that winning this award would help him to empower students who want to become authors.
‘Winning this prestigious award will inspire others to keep their heads up and focus on chasing their dreams. Being an author is something that was not previously associated with Africans, particularly young Africans from rural areas and townships. If I win this award, I will not only win it for myself but for all young people.’
To vote for the book, SMS BMB300 to 34877. The voting window period is open until the end of August. Copies are available from Adams Bookshop or contact Mahlangu at Ibelievebook1@gmail.com or 084 857 6216.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Inspiring Impact Challenge Second Instalment Showcases Greatness
Scenes from the UKZN Inspiring Impact Challenge.UKZN’s Inspiring Impact Challenge, which showcases initiatives by students and alumni who inspire greatness, recently held its second instalment.
The first live event of the annual challenge was held on the Howard College campus, with eight participants going head-to-head for the coveted title of first place.
The finalists were given five minutes to “elevator pitch” their initiatives and three minutes for a Q&A session in front of a panel of esteemed judges from fields in academia, business and social impact.
Managing Director of Kulisha Group (Pty) Ltd and alumnus Mr Kwazini Zulu said he was excited to be part of the live event after the virtual fatigue brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘We are here to celebrate the change-makers who continue inspiring all of us through their projects, and cementing the reason why this challenge exists.’ As the consulting agency partnered with UKZN to conceptualise and implement the challenge, the Kulisha team spent over six weeks training and preparing these social entrepreneurs for the main event, covering aspects such as design thinking, business model, sustainability and pitch readiness.
The winner of the challenge was Ms Weliswa Kunene a third-year Pharmacy student and founder of the Mini Habitable Planet Workshop, an outreach programme run by UKZN students that aims to inspire learners, especially young girls in the townships to pursue science-related fields through live science experiments, career guidance and educational workshops. Based in the townships of Clermont and KwaDabeka, the programme was established in 2019 and also addresses the social ills confronting learners.
Kunene who won R25 000 for her initiative said she was excited to go back to her students with these winnings, as they were currently competing in a debating competition. She also won the Most Inspiring Impact Award valued at R5 000.
Alumnus and Global Forum 4 Literacy (GF4L) founder Ms Fiona Khan who placed second, said her project aims to promote language, literature and literacy for children and the youth through books at a global level. Working under the Creative Commons Licence, the project creates USA based kindergarten through to grade 12 (K-12) and the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) - aligned educational material, distributes digital and print literature, and provides training and development workshops. GF4L already has a global reach impacting hundreds.
Khan who won R15 000 partly sponsored by Icebolethu Group said the money will be used to procure digital artists in order to publish manuscripts for the global community.
Coming in third, student and UKZN Enactus member Mr Lehumo Makgalo presented MyDigiTutor, an online tutoring platform for middle and high-income matriculants that is offered at a fee. The platform, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic seeks to address three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): good health and wellbeing - with its mental health programmes; quality education - with the tutoring service; and partnership to achieve goals - through collaboration with various high schools and organisations.
Makgola who won R10 000 partly sponsored by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, said he was excited to take MyDigiTutor forward to reach more learners in lower quintile schools.
Other prizes included the Most Sustainable Initiative sponsored by the Icebolethu Group worth R5 000, including mentorship, won by Ms Sphesihle Mavimbela for her Sibuyiselwe Foundation; the Most Potential for Growth Initiative funded by UKZN InQubate worth R10 000 to Ms Thobeka Khubisa for her Thobeka Khubisa Foundation; and the Judges’ Award worth R5 000 to Mr David Zezai for his Zimbabwe Youth Sustainable Development Goals Trust programme.
Aside from contributing to the main prizes, UKZN’s Student Governance and Leadership Development (SGLD) also sponsored WiFi tablets to Ms Alande Mbokazi for her Be Kind initiative; and Ms Adelia Singh for her Motivate to Inspire project.
In her closing remarks, Ms Normah Zondo, Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division (CRD), said that the participants inspired the judges to add more prizes. She congratulated the winners and remarked on how she looked forward to seeing how they progress, spend their winnings, and implement what they learned during the training sessions facilitated by their partner Kulisha Group.
Zondo also thanked the judges and expressed gratitude to all the sponsors for their generosity, the CRD team and the Kulisha team for implementing and managing the project.
‘It’s exciting to see the growth and support for the Inspiring Impact Challenge that is an initiative so close to my heart because we’ve seen how our students and alumni go the extra mile to impact their communities,’ she said.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Sethu Dlamini
author : .author email : .Webinar Explores Autonomous Navigation by Looking at the Legal Issues Facing Ships and Crews of the Future
Attendees of the Unit of Maritime Law and Maritime Studies stakeholder engagement with the Unit’s Acting Director Dr Dusty Donnelly (first row, second from left) and Professor Massimiliano Piras (first row, first from left).Interesting legal issues that will arise in the future as unmanned and autonomous ships begin to traverse our inland waterways and high seas were explored at a maritime law webinar hosted by the Unit of Maritime Law and Maritime Studies.
Presented by Professor Massimiliano Piras from the University of Cagliari, Italy as part of his short teaching visit to the Unit. The webinar was part of a hybrid event and marked a milestone for the Unit which turned a decade this year.
The other part of the event was a stakeholder engagement between Piras and the Unit’s Acting Director Dr Dusty Donnelly with key representatives of the province’s maritime sector held at the Unit located on the Howard College campus.
In his presentation, Piras argued that when there is no Master or crew on board the legal justification for a defense of nautical fault may fall away. He further envisages a future in which independent companies are likely to oversee vessel navigation for multiple owners.
Piras also added that autonomous systems running on board the ships will be controlled from remote pilot stations, and it will be an interesting question whether the owner of a ship is vicariously liable for the fault of the remote pilot. There may be complex disputes about where liability for damage caused by such a ship must fall. He highlighted several international conventions that will need to be modified to regulate the safety of navigation on unmanned ships.
School of Law’s honorary professor and judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, Justice Malcolm Wallis supported Pira’s observations and remarked that even local rules such as the compulsory pilotage regime applicable in South Africa’s commercial ports may need to be revisited.
Master Mariner and alumnus of the Unit, Captain Ian Rosario of the Mediterranean Shipping Company also highlighted the difficulties mariners will face navigating congested waterways such as the Malacca Straits if small fishing crafts, conventional manned ships and unmanned and autonomous ships share the same waters.
Dr Donnelly is leading a small research group for students studying the impact of automation on the shipping industry. Anyone interested in this research may contact her via email: Donnellyd@ukzn.ac.za for further details.
Words: Ndaba Online
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
author : .author email : .AORC Hosts Webinar on Storing and Archiving Documents
Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka.The African Ombudsman Research Centre’s (AORC) most recent webinar on 12 July focused on storing and archiving documents. The AORC is the resource and archive centre of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the research and training arm of which is housed in UKZN’s School of Law.
The webinar was facilitated by Ms Marion Adonis of the AORC assisted by Mr Franky Lwelela. The panel of high calibre guest speakers included Honourable Edouard Nduwimana, Ombudsman of Burundi; Honourable Endale Haile, Ombudsman of Ethiopia; and the deputy Ombudsman of Angola, Mr Aguinaldo Guedes da Costa Cristóvão, on behalf of Honourable Antónia Florbela Rocha Araujo, Ombudsman of Angola.
Acting Public Protector of South Africa and Acting Chairperson of the AORC Board Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka welcomed the participants. She highlighted the importance of a good record management system to promote good governance as well as enable future generations to access historical records and learn from them. The webinar focused on the internal, legal and regulatory requirements for the storing and archiving of documents; protection and processing of personal data; how long information should be kept and how to dispose of it when it is no longer required.
‘Archiving information is an act of good management without which organisations will suffer,’ said Honourable Nduwimana. He added that it promotes transparency and good governance and improves administration. Stored and archived information can prevent certain activities and help scholars to conduct research on institutions.
Europe is currently leading the way in terms of harnessing technology to protect personal information using advanced systems to store and archive data. Honourable Haile noted that some countries have regulatory bodies that ensure the availability and security of information and authorise the use of data for research and study purposes. ‘However, countries like Ethiopia do not have a national data protection authority. Indeed, United Nations statistics show that some countries have no legislation on data protection and privacy,’ he said.
Artificial Intelligence has been identified as a viable option to manage citizens’ complaints and to facilitate an Ombudsman’s processing of such issues. Cristóvão observed that, it is thus important for him/her to understand document management and archiving techniques. Document management consists of three phases, namely, production, utilisation and storage. He noted that, ‘in certain instances, access to documents may be restricted or denied, such as when they are being processed, or for reasons of confidentiality or organisational and security issues.’ Public institutions should not destroy archived documents without the Board of Directors considering the relevant legal obligations.
The next AORC webinar will be held in August and the details will be communicated in due course.
Words: Samukeliswe Cele
Image: Franky Lwelela
author : .author email : .Workshop on Developing a Teaching Portfolio
Professor Shenuka Singh facilitated a workshop on developing a teaching portfolio.The College of Health Sciences Teaching and Learning Office hosted a workshop on developing a teaching portfolio to prepare academics for self-reflection and self-evaluation of their teaching practice and academic career development.
Hosted by Professor Sinegugu Duma, College Dean of Teaching and Learning, the workshop was facilitated by Professor Shenuka Singh who received the 2018 College of Health Sciences Teaching Excellence Award (in the category: Outstanding Contribution to Teaching) and the UKZN Distinguished Teachers’ award in 2019.
Singh emphasised that a teaching portfolio is not simply a collation of teaching material but a “living document” that provides insight into an academic’s outlook and teaching practice. It should thus focus on why a particular teaching strategy or approach was adopted.
‘An academic should show a sound grasp of the assumptions, beliefs and values that underpin his/her teaching practice, and that his/her teaching practice is informed by current educational theories, research, changes, and debates in the affected discipline at a local, national and international level,’ said Singh.
The live interactive session provided a platform for participants to share their challenges and experiences in formulating a teaching portfolio. They were invited to reach out for additional guidance where necessary.
Duma highlighted the need for all the components of a teaching portfolio to form a coherent whole, from the teaching statement or the philosophy that underpins one’s teaching to the methods used as well as supervision of students and peer and student evaluations. She also emphasised the need for mentorship in developing one’s teaching practice.
In closing, participants were encouraged to consider making nominations for the 2022 UKZN Distinguished Teachers’ Award and reminded of the criteria.
Words: Mandisa Shozi
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Veteran Academic’s Book Published in the United Kingdom
Emeritus Professor Donal McCracken with his recently published book, Napoleon’s Garden Island: Lost and Old Gardens of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean.Click here for isiZulu version
Emeritus Professor Donal McCracken’s book on the botanical and garden history of the island of St Helena off the West African coast has been published by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in Britain.
The book - Napoleon’s Garden Island: Lost and Old Gardens of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean - is the culmination of research work stretching back to 2006 which includes two trips to the island, where he lectured at the St Helena Museum as well as spending many hours in the African and Asian archive section of the British Library and in the extensive archives of Kew Gardens.
McCracken says the book is about the plants which were brought to St Helena from the 17th century by British East India Company fleets on their journeys from Africa and Asia. ‘Because plant mortality was great, plants were rested on St Helena with many later being shipped on to Britain, Europe and the West Indies.
‘The famous Captain William Bligh of the mutiny on the Royal Navy’s vessel HMS Bounty-fame is in the story as it was breadfruit Bligh was carrying back from the south Pacific in 1789,’ said McCracken. ‘St Helena became a botanical hub - a botanical Dubai - and as such, alongside the interesting and threatened indigenous plants on the island, is a cornucopia of trees, shrubs and flowers from China, India, Indonesia and especially South Africa. The South African arum lily was for many years the island’s floral emblem.’
In the book, McCracken has detailed a list of Cape plants sent from Cape Town to St Helena as a gift for the former Emperor of France, Napoleon, who was an enthusiastic gardener while a captive on the island from 1815 until his death there in 1821.
The book tells of the saga of the arrival of exotic plants on the 122-square-kilometre St Helena and also investigates what plants grew in the botanically diverse plantation gardens on the island. The skilled gardeners were either enslaved Africans or indentured Chinese gardeners and McCracken delves into the lives and work of these forgotten people, identifying them where possible.
‘Today most of St Helena’s 4 000 population is descended from enslaved Africans and Asians brought to the island during the colonial era either as slaves or later as enslaved people who had been liberated from slave ships attempting to transport them across the Atlantic,’ said McCracken.
Making use of 18th and 19th century manuscript sources, McCracken has also compiled lists of the locations where both indigenous and exotic plants were found. He says in this way he hopes to have contributed to the preservation of the island’s local flora and has called for the establishment of an indigenous botanic garden on the island similar to those found in South Africa.
The foreword to the book was written by leading botanist on St Helena’s flora, Dr Colin Clubbe of Kew Gardens. The work is lavishly illustrated with colour plates of the island’s flora and old gardens - many never reproduced previously.
This is the second scholarly work McCracken has published recently. ‘During the COVID-19 lockdown, I decided to salvage something from the situation, so I put my head down and wrote and wrote and wrote!’
Napoleon’s Garden Island: Lost and Old Gardens of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean is available at £35 sterling from the Kew Garden’s online bookshop https://shop.kew.org/napoleon-s-garden-island
• McCracken is an Emeritus Professor at UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society in the School of Applied Human Sciences at the College of Humanities. He has been an academic at the University for more than 40 years.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Academics Develop Visual Display Book on Social Cohesion in Public Higher Education
The visual display book on social cohesion in public Higher Education.Click here for isiZulu version
Academics in the School of Education Professors Daisy Pillay (Project Leader), Inbanathan Naicker, and Dr Lungile Masinga have developed a visual display book as a creative contribution to social cohesion in public Higher Education.
They worked alongside Professors Theresa Chisanga of Walter Sisulu University; Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan of the University of Nottingham, UK; and Dr Anita Hiralaal from the Durban University of Technology.
The beautifully illustrated book of photographs showcases the three-day research symposium on Object Inquiry for Social Cohesion in Public Higher Education, held in Durban in 2019. Participants were invited from local and international Higher Education Institutions. They engaged in different activities which stimulated and provoked deep conversations about academic identities and fostered social cohesion across diverse contexts.
‘In the visual illustrated book, we document the range of activities and present them publicly as a photo-rich coffee table book showing in full colour the power of object inquiry to evoke and provoke us to think about who/what we are as academics,’ explained Pillay.
This research project on Object Inquiry for Social Cohesion in Public Higher Education: Exploring Academic Identities and Fostering Shared Values Across Diverse Contexts has been funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) for the past four years.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Francophone Academics Attend Post-Doctoral Workshop in Réunion
UKZN academics Drs Philip Awezaye (fourth left) and Alexandra Stewart (fifth left), and Professor Bernard De Meyer (sixth left) with workshop participants.Click here for isiZulu version
Two staff members from the School of Arts, Drs Philip Awezaye (French/Academic Learning in English) and Alexandra Stewart (French) participated in a post-doctoral workshop at the University of Réunion (Le Tampon campus).
This workshop brought together invited young researchers from universities within the Indian Ocean region to develop their skills in research, postgraduate supervision and teaching at university level.
The week-long training session was funded by the Erasmus+ International Mobility Programme and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). It covered a range of topics which aimed to equip young researchers with the skills required in an academic milieu. These included the implementation of research projects (a publication of collected works or a conference), pedagogy for university level, establishing and reinforcing one’s research profile, supervision of postgraduate theses and dissertations, and approaches to data analysis.
Said Steward: ‘This was a very helpful workshop as it provided personalised mentorship and enabled us to acquire concrete skills that we will be able to mobilise in our careers as academics. Collaboration is vital because it allows us to create ties with other scholars in the Indian Ocean region, reinforcing the notion of la francophonie, the idea that the French language exists across many cultures and nations and is a way of connecting people.’
The workshop resulted in an exciting collaborative research project involving the publication of collected works on the subject of feminine resilience in Francophone literature with the University of Antsiranana in Madagascar, and has led to further staff development in the School of Arts.
UKZN’s Professor Bernard De Meyer (French) was one of the facilitators of this workshop, alongside professors from Réunion Island, Madagascar and Kenya. He was also involved in a doctoral workshop that was part of the same programme.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Enactus UKZN Makes National Finals
Enactus UKZN, impacting livelihoods by connecting people to prosperity.“Winning has a price”, is a sentiment shared by the Enactus UKZN team and it has given them the tenacity to rise above any hurdles.
The team competed against 14 other institutions at the Enactus ZA 2022 National Competition on 14 July.
The journey to reach this milestone called for intense focus, a tenacious work ethic and a collective commitment to produce work of the highest standard.
The national preparation camp brought the team closer together and members dedicated long hours to produce a display of their entrepreneurial action and commitment to serving communities.
The team represented the Institution well on stage in the competition presenting two of their community-based projects, MyDigiTutor, which is an innovative digital tool connecting tutors and learners through our web-based platform, providing job opportunities, expanding access to education through quality tutoring and other support programmes and iVendor, which aims to uplift, upskill, and impact informal entrepreneurs, especially women by providing them with additional streams of income to improve their livelihoods.
Enactus UKZN was placed third nationally.
The team acknowledged UKZN for supporting them all the way, with special thanks to Executive Director: Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo for being present on the day of the competition to show support.
Words: Nqobile Nguse, Lehumo Makgalo and Nolwazi Nzama
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Football Team Draws One-All Against Wits
UKZN battles Wits University at the Varsity Men’s Football League.The UKZN football team’s game against Wits University on 28 July at the Peter Booysen Sports Stadium on the Pietermaritzburg campus ended in a draw.
The match, which was part of the second round of the Varsity Men’s Football League saw the two teams battle it out to emerge champions.
In the first half Mr Anele Nxumalo created a chance at goal with Mr Njabulo Mkhize nearly scoring in the 21st minute but being blocked by Wits keeper, Mr Daniel Shapiro. Wrapping up the first half with the scoreboard still at nil-nil, the second half saw Wits score in the 48th minute.
Under pressure, Nxumalo, Mkhize and Mr Sabelo Nyameka created more chances for UKZN. Wits who fired back were met with a tight defence, as Mr Senzo Mkhabela was able to deny them their second goal.
A penalty awarded to Mr Thulani Ndlela in the 78th minute saw UKZN miss, but Mr Phumlani Mkhize quickly came to fore, scoring the equaliser goal.
The match ended in a one-all draw.
UKZN football coach and retired player, Mr Delron Buckley said he was proud of the players for putting their hearts into the game. ‘This game showed my team’s character, as they were able to come back and score the equaliser. We created so many opportunities but unfortunately in football if you don’t score, you don’t win.’
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photograph: Andile Ndlovu
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