UKZN Music Alumnus Wins Prestigious Grammy Award
From left: Wouter Kellerman, Nomcebo Zikode and Zakes Bantwini are Grammy Award winners.Click here for isiZulu version
South African House musician, Mr Zakhele Madida known onstage as Zakes Bantwini, recently won his first Grammy award.
He shares the award with flautist, Wouter Kellerman, and vocalist, Nomcebo Zikode. The trio won the Best Global Music Performance award for their hit Bayethe at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
The song, which is a fusion of maskandi, Afro-pop and dance music, was released in 2022.
Madida thanked all those who supported him on his journey and praised God for the win. ‘It’s difficult to find the words to truly express how this moment feels and what it means. This is the most important awards show in the world and for us to be recognised on such a big stage means we’re doing something right,’ he said. ‘I’m going to be Zakes Bantwini the Grammy Award winner for the rest of my life. That’s insane! It’s something I could’ve never imagined growing up,’ he said.
Madida said winning an award at a prestigious ceremony like the Grammys showed that anything was possible. ‘Every dream is valid. For every child in a ghetto, in a village, or studying Music at a university like my alma mater, UKZN: just know it’s possible.’
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Student Wins Young Linguist Award
PhD in Linguistics student, Mr Peter Tshetu.Click here for isiZulu version
PhD in Linguistics student, Mr Peter Tshetu, won the Young Linguist Award for his oral presentation on A Compendium of Dangerous Speech: A Case of Twitter-Discourse between Zimbabwean Political Actors at the annual conference of the Southern African Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Society (SALALS).
‘To be recognised and honoured by experts in my field is incredibly gratifying and I am thankful to all who participated in the conference, particularly my supervisor, Professor Heike Tappe. Without her input and guidance, I would not have made it this far. I also belong to a cohort within our Linguistics department where each of us always tries to contribute to each other’s work. I dedicate the award to my amazing team,’ said Tshetu.
His study creates a compendium of the dangerous speech terms used on Twitter by Zimbabwean political actors. The data utilised was Twitter interactions which were captured via screenshots and analysis done through critical discourse analysis.
‘The continued use of dangerous speech in Zimbabwe has been blocking the chances of having harmonious co-existence between political opponents. In turn, this has led to the loss of social capital which emerges out of peaceful cross-pollination of ideas between political opponents,’ said Tshetu.
He believes that it is important ‘to bring about awareness of certain speech which can be considered dangerous and how it is considered so, in the hope that interactants can avoid utilising it.’
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Doctoral Candidate Mrs South Africa 2023 Semi-Finalist
Mrs South Africa 2023 semi-finalist, Mrs Thobeka Zondi.PhD in Public Administration candidate, Mrs Thobeka Zondi has been selected as a Mrs South Africa 2023 semi-finalist.
The beauty pageant is open to married women between the ages of 25 and 55 and is committed to diversity and celebrating women of all races, religions, cultures and abilities.
Zondi - who recently attended a two-day Mrs South Africa National Casting event held in Johannesburg which saw semi-finalists take part in motivational talks, workshops, upskilling sessions, socialising, and networking opportunities - says she entered the pageant to network and connect with like-minded women.
‘Mrs SA gives women a platform to gather and uplift each other and I am hoping to use these new-found connections to pursue my goals of making an impact in society,’ said Zondi.
The social sciences researcher, who works at the Human Sciences Research Council’s Developmental, Capable, and Ethical State division, is not only a wife and a mother, but also the founder of her own company; Wordy Academic which has evolved into a foundation. Through her company, Zondi offers free consultations and mentorship to students pursuing higher academic degrees.
Wordy Foundation participates in various local economic development initiatives which are a response to locality-specific development problems,’ said Zondi.
She added that this year (2023), the foundation aims to contribute positively to improving South Africa’s declining literacy rate through various community engagement initiatives.
‘There is a reading crisis in South Africa, whereby only 18% of children in Grade four can read for meaning, and it’s estimated that this cohort is a full year behind same-age children from 2019. This is why the Wordy Foundation is embarking on an initiative to help learners read for meaning through book drives and donations (of books) in different localities within Durban. There is a need to build capabilities of the young; they are the future and will participate in development matters and the transformation we wish to see. We are hoping that sponsors and brand partners collaborate with us so that we can achieve more.’
To vote for Zondi follow and like the Mrs South Africa Instagram page: @ mrs_south_africa and Facebook: MrsSouthAfrica/ or sms Thobeka Zondi to 47587.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .A Successful First-Year Orientation 2023
UKZN recently hosted a virtual Orientation for first-year students.UKZN’s first-year students for 2023 were recently welcomed with a comprehensive action-packed virtual orientation week from the University’s four Colleges.
Successfully held from Monday, 6 February 2023, to Friday, 10 February 2023, the event aimed to empower first-years with the necessary skills for the best university experience - academically and socially.
The College of Law and Management’s (CLMS) programme was championed by its Teaching and Learning Unit; and featured a variety of activities, including an extended four-week orientation, workshops, and social activities. Professor Msizi Mkhize, College Dean of Teaching and Learning, said the transition from high school to university is never easy and encouraged students to take advantage of the support resources available to them.
‘We have put together a number of programmes that will assist you to navigate this transition. These include academic support, the First Year Experience to help you deal with transition challenges, and the Writing Place to assist you with academic writing. Please use these tools on your journey of independent learning and to have the best university experience,’ he said.
Students had the opportunity to ask questions about registration, financial aid and residence. Ms Diya Bhagwandeen, a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting first-year student, said the sessions were informative and helpful. ‘I’m glad that I also learnt more about my course and the career paths it entails. Everyone not only explained in great detail the important topics and subjects regarding the University, but they also gave us brilliant advice,’ she said.
The College of Humanities’ virtual sessions provided its first-year students - placed across its three campuses in Pietermaritzburg, Edgewood, and Howard College - with vital information on career paths, their academic degrees, the online registration process, and other relevant information. Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize; Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Ruth Hoskins; as well as Sociologist within the School of Social Sciences, Dr Sharmla Rama, were part of the sessions. Mkhize assured students that assigned College employees would assist in addressing some of their queries. ‘As the College of Humanities, we are aware that knowledge is interdisciplinary and interconnected, and hence cannot advance scientifically if the human element is neglected, which is the key to our survival as well as the survival of the national environment,’ he said. Added Hoskins, ‘It is through the College of Humanities that you will have the opportunity to make a difference in South African society and in the world - make sure you take advantage of this golden opportunity today.’
College of Humanities students are encouraged to visit its website as well as Facebook and Instagram pages to stay informed and connected.
Professor Busisiwe Ncama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), welcomed the College’s first-year cohort. She said, ‘This year, the CHS received 87 653 applications for 1 036 first-year places. You are the cream of the crop and we are excited to have such young, shining stars join us. We have a proud history of producing some of the world’s prestigious health scientists and clinicians, many of whom will be teaching, mentoring and guiding you through your years with us. I wish you strength and wisdom on your journey to becoming a health professional.’
The CHS programme, which takes place over a four-week period starting in January and including postgraduate students and medical registrars, was co-ordinated by its Student Support Services (SSS) unit which provides students with the tools to assist in the transition from high school to university life, with a particular focus on mental health and wellness. Said CHS SSS Manager, Dr Saloschini Pillay, ‘Students presenting with mental health issues are a concern as they are expected to register with professional councils and ensure fitness to practice. First-time-entering students often times struggle with adjusting to the transition from school to university and those with pre-existing mental health issues sometimes do not cope with the transition and the absence of a familiar support network. We are of the view that the Academic Orientation and Integration programme is an opportune and ideal space to destigmatise mental illness, promote positive mental health and share accurate information on support and services.’
The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science focused on giving first-year students practical tips and assistance for this exciting, if slightly overwhelming new stage of their lives. Amongst other topics, students were talked step-by-step through the online registration process, fee payments, the ins and outs of getting an email address, campus access, permits and student cards, and how to access timetables.
The First Year Experience programme was also explained. Daily afternoon interactive Q&A sessions were held throughout Orientation Week, both in English and isiZulu. Five individual TEAMS rooms - one for each School in the College - were also open throughout the week and manned by academic staff so that concerned students could access individual help with module choices and other registration queries. ‘As a College, we are committed to doing everything in our power to assist our students succeed in their academic career. We are here to help,’ said the Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College, Professor Naven Chetty.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele, Maryann Francis, Sally Frost and Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .Post-Pandemic - the Way Forward for Teaching and Learning
From left: Professors Msizi Mkhize and Purshottama Reddy, Associate Professor Liza Jaarsveldt, Dr Upasanga Singh and Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu were panellists during the roundtable discussion.After successfully hosting a three-day conference of the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management (ASSDPAM), the Discipline of Public Governance in the UKZN’s School of Management, Information Technology, and Governance (SMITG) reflected on experiences and lessons learned from online teaching and learning in Higher Education.
ASSADPAM is a professional network for Higher Education and departments in the Discipline of Public Administration, Management, Governance, and Development Management.
The conference was attended by academics and senior postgraduate students from different institutions and delegates from various public administration and management departments who presented their research findings under different sub-themes.
The roundtable discussion panel comprised esteemed academics UKZN’s Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Msizi Mkhize, and Academic Leader from SMITG, Dr Upasanga Singh; director for the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University, Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu; Associate Professor Liza Jaarsveldt of UNISA and Professor Reckson Thakhathi of the University of Fort Hare, who interrogated and presented different perspectives while reflecting on institutional experiences during the COVID-19 period.
Subnational governance specialist and lecturer at UKZN Professor Purshottama Reddy, who facilitated the discussion, said knowledge and expertise gained during the pandemic could be used to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution while attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) given the impact COVID-19 had on teaching and learning.
‘Some of the benefits we noted was a learning-centered approach adopted online. The support and cooperation from the students, and the staff; both academic and support was empowered technologically, demonstrating passion and taking the required initiative in terms of the new normal, universities must develop new digital platforms, online teaching strategies, and e-conference models for knowledge generation and dissemination,’ said Reddy.
Some of the challenges the panel highlighted were limited communication with students while the recording of seminars was deemed a violation of intellectual property. A significant number of students came from homes with environmental backgrounds that were not conducive to the situation or there was no electricity.
Mkhize said the reflective discussion was an eye-opener allowing them to learn from other universities’ experiences.
‘Paradigm shifts in teaching and learning brought about by COVID-19 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution were shared with the audience. This assisted academics to use this information to decide on the way forward for teaching and learning,’ said Mkhize
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Higher Education Activation Lab-HEAL Series Launched at UKZN
Participants of the inaugural HEAL Series, from left: Professors Craig Blewett, Romeela Mohee, Dick Ng’ambi and Jo-Ansie van Wyk.The Discipline of Information Systems and Technology at the UKZN School of Management, Information Technology, and Governance (SMIG) collaborated with the institution of the Higher Education Commission, Mauritius on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, hosting its first Higher Education Activation Lab (HEAL) series webinar which coincided with International Day of Education.
UKZN Academic Leader for Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), Dr Upasana Singh, unpacked the rationale for the HEAL initiative, saying, ‘The focus of the Higher Education Activation Lab is to explore where we are and, importantly, what we should now be doing to step forward. The focus is on activating change - shifting from discourse to doing, from idea to implementation. As such, the fundamental question we seek to answer is “now what?”
Hence, the inaugural webinar was aptly themed: University 4.0-Now What?; attracting leading international researchers, students, and academics from a number of Higher Education Institutions with the aim of exploring and sharing ideas on how best Higher Education Institutions can navigate and prepare to align their future with the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) using the technologically advanced approach in teaching, the “University 4.0”.
The webinar was facilitated by Professor Craig Blewett from UKZN’s IS&T. The panel comprised of Professor Dick Ng’ambi, Educational Technology programmes Head at the University of Cape Town’s School of Education; Professor Romeela Mohee, Commissioner of the Higher Education Commission; and Professor Jo-Ansie van Wyk, International Studies Lecturer at Unisa, who discussed how the future of Higher Education has moved at an incredible pace from prognostications to predictions to practice.
Looking deeper into the future of Higher Education, Mohee explained why higher learning institutions must adopt micro-credentialing which is seen as a way of recognising students’ knowledge, skills and competencies without requiring these students to complete a full qualification. She said, ‘Experts have proposed less structured education and a wider array of credentials so people can reskill. Learners need constant upskilling in order to be adaptable to the future of work and be useful to society.’
Van Wyk, whose presentation addressed challenges and opportunities presented by technology in order for Higher Education Institutions to align with the curriculum; teaching and assessment 4.0; and the way forward during the 4IR, also highlighted the requirements for this new era of Higher Education. ‘There is a need for us to shift from reality to Edutopia. Appropriate Higher Education teachers and assessment techniques, as well as technological infrastructure which is accessible and adaptable, will be required. We need to meet the demands of university 4.0 with an instant and on-demand education.’
Explaining the Open Educational Resources of indigenous Games in Africa (ERiGA) project, which seeks to document indigenous games in Africa and openly share them (digital, virtual) as an Open Educational Resource (OER), Ng’ambi said this will empower young people to design digital indigenous games and inspire a generation of citizen developers in the 4IR. ‘The project aims to use indigenous games to decolonise the curriculum and implications of university 4.0 and to have active documentation and preservation of these games on open resources for educators to use in order to determine which games will be appropriate to teach computational reasoning,’ he said.
To watch the first session, go to: https://smitg.ukzn.ac.za/webinars/
Upcoming sessions to diarise:
Session 2
Date: Tuesday, 4 April 2023
Theme: University 4.0 - How do we teach and assess?
Session 3
Date: Monday, 17 July 2023
Theme: University 4.0 - What’s the business model?
Session 4
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Theme: University 4.0 - What’s the curriculum?
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Sought-After Scholarship Award for UKZN Academic
Dr Lindokuhle Thela, Head of Psychiatry at King Edward VIII Hospital. Click here for isiZulu version
Neuropsychiatrist and honorary lecturer at UKZN’s School of Medicine, Dr Lindokuhle Thela, was awarded the prestigious Professor Bongani Mayosi Netcare Scholarship for 2022.
The scholarship is awarded to a clinical specialist or subspecialist for doctoral or post-doctoral research in South Africa and includes a three-year salary for full-time doctoral or post-doctoral research work in a chosen field.
‘I am humbled and honoured to be awarded this prestigious scholarship that has produced world-class academic leaders in South Africa. The Professor Bongani Mayosi Netcare Scholarship is the most prestigious PhD scholarship in South Africa awarded to medical specialists and subspecialists,’ said Thela.
According to Thela - whose research interests lie in psychiatric biomarkers - schizophrenia requires clinical diagnosis, which often means that the patient must be sick for over a month to diagnose. Thus, he said it is imperative to identify biomarkers that can be used at the point of care to improve diagnostic, treatment, and outcome accuracy.
Among his many achievements, the Discovery Foundation awarded him a scholarship to study Neuropsychiatry at the University of Cape Town Medical School. He also holds a Certificate in Neuropsychiatry and a Master of Philosophy in Neuropsychiatry.
Thela continued to thank the Psychiatric department and his mentor, Professor Bonga Chiliza, for their support and encouragement throughout his journey.
The Highflats-born doctor is currently the Head of Psychiatry at King Edward VIII Hospital and will be embarking on a PhD project focusing on the role of neuroinflammation in patients presenting with new-onset psychosis.
Words: Mandisa Shozi
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN’s Clinical Anatomy Hosts Annual Cadaver Cremation Ceremony
UKZN Anatomy staff with the donors’ families.The Discipline of Clinical Anatomy held its annual dedication ceremony which pays homage to donor families and highlights the significance of body donation.
The programme started off with a prayer from Rev Dr Mathibe Lehlogonolo. Lecturer, Dr Pamela Pillay, gave the welcoming address and a brief background on the study of Anatomy and the benefits of this course to Medical students.
‘In South Africa, donors are critical components in the study of anatomy. Cadavers not being allowed for dissection has made anatomy stagnant. Through the body donation programme, students are able to get first-hand interactions with humans,’ said Pillay.
The UKZN body donor programme is in line with the National Health Act 61 of 2003 which aims to advance medical education, training and research.
Postgraduate student, Mr Steven Okiki, and second-year Medical student, Mr Brindley Stanley, acknowledged donors and their families for their contribution in advancing their careers as future doctors.
‘The way everything was handled was mind-blowing. We could never thank you enough for your respect and kindness. We will task ourselves in creating awareness and getting more body donor signatures as this is for a good purpose,’ said one of the donor families.
Led by second-year student, Miss Zinhle Msomi, the programme ended with second-year Anatomy students taking an oath.
Words and photograph: Mandisa Shozi
author : .author email : .Humanities Academics Publish The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Africa
Professors Radhamany Sooryamoorthy (left) and Ernest Khalema with their new book.Click here for isiZulu version
Professor Radhamany Sooryamoorthy from the School of Social Sciences and Professor Ernest Khalema, the Dean and Head of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, recently edited a timely volume: The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Africa, published by Oxford University Press, New York.
‘The volume originated as there is a gap for a book on the sociology of Africa that compiles a range of sociological areas pertinent to the study of African societies. No book on African sociology that covers different key areas of sociology written from a decolonial mindset is currently available on the market. Publications on the sociologies in some countries exist on the continent, which is not enough either to develop sociology of Africa or to gain a sociological understanding of African societies,’ explained Sooryamoorthy.
‘The volume for the first time compiles the works of social scientists that make a significant contribution to the advancement of African sociology. The volume incorporates the sociological contributions made by scholars across other disciplinary backgrounds and (is) influenced by sociological thinking on the continent and its diaspora around the world towards understanding African societies. The volume is significant for both Africa and for sociology as a discipline by presenting current debates, perspectives, and approaches to the study of African societies in major realms,’ said Khalema.
The Handbook comprises a series of scholarly and interdisciplinary perspectives on current debates over how best to unpack sociological imaginations in the African context. It illuminates the particularity of African lives, the unique contextual challenges, and the resourcefulness with which challenges are being negotiated and mitigated.
The book is structured into seven sections covering themes such as the context and perspectives; race, ethnicity, and religion; gender, sexuality, and intersectionality; medical sociology: political economy and development; crime and violence; and the family and education.
The online version of the book is available at: https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/44004?login=false.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Marine Biologist Participates in Bilateral South Africa-Norway Conference and Sea Cucumber Symposium
From left: Mr Gan Moodley, Dr Gyda Christophersen and Dr Jan Sunde of Norway, Professor Ahmed Thandar, Dr Moses Okpeku, Ms Cassandra Upton, Mr Jethro Broughton, Ms Jahnavi Persadh, and Ms Neyaksha Maharaj at the Sea Cucumber Aquaculture Symposium in Durban.Mr Gan Moodley of the Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Conservation Education and Ecophysiology Laboratory (MACE Lab) at UKZN was one of two Principal Investigators (PIs) invited to participate in a conference on board the Norwegian tallship ‘Staatsraad Lehmkuhl’ during its docking in Cape Town as part of the South Africa/Norway Joint Research Programme on Ocean Research (SANOCEAN).
Moodley joined Dr Gyda Christophersen from the Møreforsking “aksjeselskap” or AS, a research institute in Norway, to deliver a seminar, and joined several other experts on a panel for a project that forms part of SANOCEAN and focuses on “Emerging species for sea cucumber aquaculture”.
The seminar culminated in a reception hosted by the Research Council of Norway for all PIs of South Africa-Norway bilateral projects, postgraduate students, government officials, representatives of non-governmental organisations, and representatives of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), among others.
The tallship was on its global voyage, the One Ocean Expedition, which aimed to create awareness of and share knowledge about the role of the ocean in sustainable development from a global perspective. The expedition is recognised as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
While in Cape Town, the South Africa-Norway research team, including Dr Dale Arendse of the DFFE, visited the research aquarium and discussed research issues with personnel in aquaculture farms and facilities in Saldanha Bay, Paternoster, and Jacobsbaai.
Following the conference, Moodley organised and hosted a Sea Cucumber Aquaculture symposium in Durban, which was attended by the two Norwegian research collaborators, UKZN staff and postgraduate students in the MACE Lab in the School of Life Sciences (SLS).
Included in the programme was Emeritus Professor Ahmed Thandar in the SLS who spoke on Some Commercially Important Sea Cucumbers and Their Relative Scarcity in the Shallow Waters of South Africa. Moodley presented a talk entitled: South African Contributions to the SANOCEAN “Emergent Species for Sea Cucumber Aquaculture” Project.
Thandar, who is recognised as the only established sea cucumber taxonomy/systematics specialist in South Africa, said he was honoured and delighted to be invited to give a presentation.
‘I was impressed by the Norwegian-South African bilateral initiative led by (Moodley) and his Norwegian team to study aquaculture techniques in sea cucumbers; he and his fellow researchers must be congratulated for their efforts to date and for the organisation of this symposium,’ said Thandar.
Christophersen’s address at the symposium involved Spawning and Larval Development in Sea Cucumbers while Dr Jan Sunde spoke on Feeding and Growth in Captivity/ Fishing and Legislation in Sea Cucumbers. Postgraduate students in MACE Lab also delivered presentations based on their research.
Thandar complimented the MACE Lab’s postgraduate students for their insightful contributions to the biology of what he called a neglected group of echinoderms.
‘I was much impressed by the quality of the presentations and the dedication of the presenters and learned a lot about various aspects of the biology of this group, especially aspects of their feeding, biochemistry, and reproductive biology, and hope this initiative will continue well into the future,’ said Thandar.
‘The symposium was a huge success and provided a great opportunity for South African scientists and postgraduate students to not only showcase their research, but to also discuss matters of mutual interest and challenging research issues with our Norwegian research collaborators,’ said Moodley.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .College of Health Sciences Hosts Master of Medicine Orientation
First-year Master of Medicine registrars attended an orientation session recently.The College of Health Sciences recently hosted an orientation session for first-year Master of Medicine (MMed) Registrars (medical specialists in training), during which the cohort familiarised themselves with the requirements of the course, learn more about University resources and acquire skills on learning, research and self-care.
Registrars enter into a four to five-year intense training that enables them to become medical specialists. The Masters in Medicine is one of the most sought after courses across the world and few medical doctors are privileged to be selected for this opportunity.
Dr Kimesh Naidoo, Head of the Clinical Unit in Paediatrics (King Edward VIII Hospital) and Academic Leader for the Registrar Programme in the School of Clinical Medicine, hosted the first session.
In her welcoming address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Busisiwe Ncama, spoke highly of the College’s achievements and raised concerns about the diminishing number of registrars over the past years. ‘This is a competitive programme, consider yourselves lucky to be a part of it. The Medical School has produced prestigious health scientists and specialists, so we shape leaders. We need brave men and women who are selfless and have a higher calling to shape and serve our communities,’ she said.
Dean and Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Ncoza Dlova, provided a background to the Medical School and urged Registrars to pay back by contributing to disadvantaged Medical students by donating and creating awareness on the Professor Ncoza Dlova Medical Student Fund which aims to assist Medical students with historical debt.
Department of Health representatives informed registrars of the Department’s employee rules and requirements. Topics ranging from working hours to annual leave and allowances were covered during the session.
School of Clinical Medicine Manager, Ms Nomakhwezi Khanyile, provided an oversight on the admission requirements and introduced Registrars to the academic staff.
Dr Kimesh Naidoo provided information on the Master of Medicine degree and the intensive monitoring and support systems that these future medical specialists are provided with and reiterated the responsibilities expected of them in this gruelling course.
Currently there are 358 Registrars in training and working on the Department of Health subsidised posts at UKZN. The government provides a National Tertiary services grant to pay registrar salaries for these four to five years. There are also a number of registrars from across the world who self-fund this course and work as supernumerary Registrars.
In dealing with the transition from work to academic life, Ms Suzanne Stokes gave various coping mechanisms to ensure a fruitful journey for registrars.
Professor Mergan Naidoo, also from UKZN, spoke on the importance of developing a learning plan and the necessary competencies needed by each registrar.
Registrars in the various medical disciplines in addition to a 60-hour week which includes on-site-night calls also have to pass two to three external board exams and produce a research thesis /manuscript.
The second session, led by Professor Veena Singaram, placed emphasis on this research. ‘Developing a research timeline, research methodology, finding a suitable research supervisor and the need for constructive feedback are crucial components for any thesis,’ she said.
Towards the end of the session, registrars were taught how to manoeuvre research tools such as the Ignitiated App, Research Space, Google Scholar, etc.
Words: Mandisa Shozi
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Ma’at Institute Co-Hosts EWTAP Conference
Highlights from the Conference.The Ma’at Institute within the College of Humanities, together with the History Partnership Engagements and Developments consortium (HPEDC) of Higher Education Institutions, Government Municipalities and Community Organisations, hosted the Engaging the World Through the African Perspective (EWTAP) conference. The EWTAP conference was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The event was held and broadcast amongst six main sites: Edendale in Pietermaritzburg; Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT); the Durban University of Technology (DUT); Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State; UKZN’s Ma’at Institute; and Clermont in Durban.
The EWTAP conference brought together partners, community members, students, and academics to seek innovative ways of setting up collaborations and the recovery, documentation and preservation of local history. Furthermore, EWTAP aimed to explore and engage with transformative research methodologies and community interventions rooted in the Afrocentric paradigm.
Academic Leader in Social Work and Ma’at Institute Project Specialist Dr Sibonsile Zibane said, ‘Universities cannot continue to be ivory towers, but they should contribute to and be participants in the humanisation project of local people. The traditional power differentials should be challenged, and local communities should have access to universities, not only to be students in academic programmes but to have the ability to access facilities and resources and share their knowledge in enhancing teaching and learning contexts. Ultimately, this will contribute to a decolonised university and society.’
Delivering the conference opening address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize reflected on engaging the world through the African perspective and the importance of history, responsible research and community engagement. He asserted that indigenous knowledge systems, organic Afrocentric knowledge and communities are at the centre of knowledge production to foreground history. ‘We need total emancipation from all forms of bondage and restrictions - mental, spiritual, cultural, epistemological and economical. Our University syllabi should include history modules that focus on great historical significance to influence identity and scholarship amongst students. We should also build long-lasting partnerships with communities to preserve history,’ he said.
The Ma’at Institute, as co-hosts, used this opportunity to showcase a unique African-centred conferencing method. This unique method involved escaping the stringent elements of classism that exist in the academic field where barriers to entry to conference events are purely on academic grounds.
At the Ma’at site, the conference was attended by both academic and non-academic community leaders and members. On each day of the conference, Ma’at had a unique theme and activities targeting a specific community audience that was transported to the Ma’at EWTAP conference site. The first day of the event saw students, academics, and community scholars participating in an interactive exhibition of books and research paradigms advancing Afrocentric thought and debates. African music and poetry were also part of the day’s activities.
The next day teachers and learners from the township and rural high schools participated in storytelling (izinganekwane) and showcasing of traditional attire and communication skills. These activities were facilitated by older women from the Muthande Society for the Aged.
On the third day, Ma’at various presentations were done and broadcast to all six conference sites by the Institute’s registered intern social workers and psychologists. The presentations were on: African-centered trauma debriefing and resilience-strengthening tools; negotiating entry, establishing relationships, and building rapport through the ways of Ma’at; and African-centered principles, ethics, and values. These presentations inspired robust dialogue from the EWTAP conference attendees.
At the Ma’at site, the attendees were community-based organisations, NGOs and NPOs that are in partnership with Ma’at in their service rendered to the community. The highlight was the handover of Christmas toys to a rural children’s home and a creche that was affected by the KZN floods. This toy drive was an initiative of the Community Engagement Office in the School of Applied Human Science. They were donated by the School staff.
The conference brought many lessons and opportunities, particularly for the interns at Ma’at. They were involved in the planning and leading of all sessions. They also developed and sharpened their leadership, conferencing, information and technology, organising, and marketing and communication skills. Ma’at is grateful to the HPEDC, NRF, and the conference partners: MUT; DUT; CUT; Queens University, Canada; Msunduzi Municipality; eThekwini Municipality; Sausage Films; and Sinomlando Centre for Oral History.
Words: Melissa Mungroo and Skhanyiso Mthethwa
Photographs: Siyabonga Ngcobo
author : .author email : .Webinar on Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Panel member of the AORC Webinar, Honorable Chijioke Nnanna Ibeku.The African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC), in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), hosted a successful webinar to provide skills on resolving complaints through mediation or alternative dispute resolution on Tuesday, 17 January 2023.
The AORC, which is situated at UKZN, is the resource and archive centre of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), which advocates and promotes the use of the ombudsman as a provider of mediation and alternative dispute resolution in appropriate circumstances.
The webinar which explored the values and guidelines for interest-based negotiation in resolving disputes, procedures of mediation as a means of resolving disputes, and guidelines for conciliation as a means of resolving disputes comprised Honourable Chijioke Nnanna Ibeku, Founder/Principal Partner of Three C’s Met International Institute of Mediation Negotiation, Counselling, and Conciliation in Nigeria, Honorable Gabriel Savino, Ombudsman of Santa Fe, Honourable Chidy Martins Lasbery, Vice President in charge of Marketing and Membership Drive of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC)in Nigeria as well as Honourable Commissioner Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi who is the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).
Advocate Kholeka Gcabeka, the Public Protector of South Africa and AORC Board Chairperson, highlighted that ombudsman institutions have increasingly used specific Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) skills and mediation to handle disputes. ‘Ombudsmen has become a common feature for complaints and resolving of conflicts that most countries use within their framework and for dealing with complaints against the public administration,’ she said.
Ibeku who gave a full understanding of how the mediation works, also emphasised the importance for both parties (involved in a dispute) to understand what they want (as the outcome) as this is key to settling the conflict. He reminded the ombudsmen that even though there are many different approaches to resolving disputes in the context of mediation, good negotiation skills should be applied in the interest of both parties. ‘We may assume that the definition of negotiation is well known by all but it may surprise us that some people mistake negotiation for bargaining. Bargaining is what one or the other party wants,’ he said.
Lasbery explained how conciliation works as an alternative dispute resolution process, providing parties with a safer space for reviewing options and enabling them to develop their settlement terms in a mutually agreed format. ‘The process is also often compared to mediation as it involves similar situations where two parties have to resolve a dispute with a neutral third party. However, in the process, the conciliator has a stronger role, can suggest settlement terms to the parties, and can carry on with his assignments to a reasonable extent based on documentary evidence.’
Giving insight on the new restorative approaches in mediation as one of the means of dispute resolution in Human Rights Protection Institutions, Savino explained how the Ombudsman Office in the Province of Santa Fe on how they have set up the mediation and offers training within their institutions. He also highlighted the use of the restoration intervention approach for resolving conflicts.
‘Because mediation is a formal methodological procedure, certain conditions must be met. When the intervention is more informal, facilitation or a friendly composer is used. When the situation is more complex and involves children and adolescents, “restorative interventions” are carried out with great success,’ he said.
Click here to view the recording of the webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kB2U85wzZU&t=176s
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Law Academic Speaks at the 2022 U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit
Dr Sheetal Soni.Bioethics and genomics expert Dr Sheetal Soni spoke on the challenges and opportunities for human rights in the postgenomic era at the U.S - Africa Leaders Summit 2022 hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.
The three-day hybrid summit took place in Washington, DC in December and is part of continued efforts by the United States to strengthen ties with African partners based on principles of mutual respect, shared interests and values.
Soni was invited to speak in a session on human rights in the postgenomic era, which formed part of a dialogue engaging policymakers, members of industry, academics, scientists and civil society from both regions offering a unique learning environment as well as exclusive networking opportunities.
‘The session also generated concept input for a House Resolution concerning genomics, which is going to be advanced, and which aims to establish a stronger enabling policy and regulatory environment for scientific collaboration between the US and African nations. I am grateful for the opportunity to be included with great speakers from across Africa and the US! It was a great way to close off 2022,’ said Soni.
Soni was also an invited speaker at Midlands State University in collaboration with partners at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (USA) and TReND in Africa at a course Gene Editing: Theory and Practice Gweru, Zimbabwe. She delivered a lecture on the ethical and legal considerations of human genome editing.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .The GSB&L Hosts Successful Virtual Postgraduate Orientation
The GSB&L welcomes new postgraduate students.The Graduate School of Business and Leadership Studies (GSB&L) hosted a successful virtual orientation for students who have registered for postgraduate studies for the year 2023.
This comprehensive programme was facilitated by GSB&L lecturer, Dr Nomkhosi Luthuli, who provided guidance on university services available to postgraduate students as well as other helpful information for a smooth transition to university.
Professor Ana Martins, Interim Dean and Head of the GSB&L, congratulated and welcomed new students, emphasising that the School regards them as the center of its operations. She also encouraged students to refine their skills which will help them enhance their employability, which is considered when the School reviews academic programme curricula.
‘Your experience here and your success are important to each member of staff at our School. You will master the demands of university learning and will further have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge, while at the same time encountering new bodies of knowledge to which you were not exposed to during your undergraduate studies,’ she said.
She said the School continues to embrace digital transformation with agility when delivering its academic programmes and reassured the students that the academic staff members will help them understand the advantages of multimodal learning modes that have been brought up.
Professor Jobo Dubihlela, Head of Masters and Postgraduate programmes at the GSB&L, delivered the keynote address and applauded students for choosing to advance their studies at GSB&L, saying that there is an incremental demand in the areas of leadership, particularly in the areas of technocrats. ‘Organisations are continuously looking for graduates who have strong business acumen and who are innovative. Our programmes are designed to equip your bright minds with solutions and skills that will help you to become exactly that. We are here to make sure that you are empowered, confident, innovative, and able to analyze complex problems and participate in providing solutions not only within your organization but beyond your organisation,’ he said.
Mr Dhashen Naicker, GSB&L Operations Manager, said his Unit not only supports the total learning experience for students but also promotes and enhances an efficient working environment for lecturers. He shared important information with students such as contact details for administrative staff, important academic calendar dates, assessment procedures, and guidelines for postgraduate programmes. Information on library services, information and communication services, and student support services was shared with students.
Dr Nishani Harinarain, a second-year student in the Master of Business Administration programme, and qualified Quantity Surveyor and Construction Project Manager, shared her inspirational journey to encourage postgraduate students who attended the orientation. She said her first year was a transformational and enriching experience where she acquired useful skills for her career.
‘The programme has provided me with a deeper understanding of economics, strategic marketing and sustainability, and supply chain management. An important aspect of the MBA is teamwork. You will be in teams with people from diverse fields and different insights are useful together,’ she said.
The Orientation programme was well received by students who are looking forward to their year ahead at the GSB&L.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .International Study Gives The “Thumbs Up” for the Safe Use of PrEP in Pregnant Women
From left: Professor Daya Moodley, Dr James Rooney and Professor Glenda Gray.An international study led by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor Dhayendre Moodley confirmed the safe use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnant women not living with HIV.
Until December 2019, pregnant and lactating women were excluded from the PrEP roll-out in South Africa due to the absence of safety data for its use in pregnancy. The novel study, published in The Lancet HIV, is a pioneering approach providing much-needed safety data to allow for a more informed choice during pregnancy to protect mother and baby from the long-term effects of HIV.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) is the leading cause of death worldwide among women of reproductive age. In countries of sub-Saharan Africa with a high burden of HIV - where women represent 56% of new adult HIV infections - fertility rates are also high, and women spend a significant proportion of their reproductive years pregnant or breastfeeding. A 2018 study found that women in two prevention studies were more likely to contract HIV while pregnant (three times higher), and during the six months after giving birth (four times higher), compared to any other period.
Increased HIV risk may be due to unprotected sex as well as physiological changes that accompany pregnancy, including immune and hormonal alterations and shifts in the vaginal microbiome. According to the World Health Organization, PrEP is a promising intervention to prevent HIV acquisition. Therefore, determining the safety of PrEP during pregnancy is vital. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are frequent and may be due to several factors including poor antenatal care and other infections such as undiagnosed and untreated sexually transmitted infections.
The CAP016 PrEP study was conducted in Durban, South Africa, between 2017 and 2019. Initially, 693 pregnant women were screened and 540 were randomly assigned to immediate PrEP (n=271) or deferred PrEP (n=269). The study aimed to assess pregnancy outcomes and frequency of maternal and neonatal adverse events in pregnant women randomly assigned to initiate PrEP in the second trimester of pregnancy (14-28 weeks) or initiate PrEP after cessation of breastfeeding.
The study assessed if the early start of PrEP was associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth or for small gestational age infants. Moodley commented, ‘Our findings suggest that initiation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine PrEP in pregnancy does not increase the occurrence of preterm birth, small for gestational age, or any adverse pregnancy outcome (preterm birth, low birthweight, small for gestational age, or stillbirth). Moreover, this study is likely to be the last clinical trial comparing PrEP with no PrEP, and provides a valuable benchmark for adverse pregnancy outcomes for future planned studies of novel PrEP strategies.’
Funded by Gilead Sciences and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the collaborative team included scientists from UKZN, Stellenbosch University, Wits, the University of Southampton (UK), as well as the South African Medical Research Council, the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, and Gilead Sciences (USA).
Vice-President of Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences, Dr James Rooney, said, ‘Gilead is proud to be a part of this research as we work collectively to study PrEP options for all those who may benefit.’
SAMRC President and CEO, Professor Glenda Gray, who was part of the study team said, ‘HIV and AIDS remain a significant problem in South Africa, where women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. We need to double down on interventions that can work. PrEP in pregnancy is the first step in preventing HIV in women and critical in our battle to eradicate HIV in children.’
Go to: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(22)00369-1/fulltext to read the full study.
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Blood Stem Cell Donor Encourages Others to Follow Suit
First-time blood stem cell donor, Mr Kwazinkosi Mhlongo.Click here for isiZulu version
Master of Commerce student Mr Kwazinkosi Mhlongo, who has become a blood stem cell donor, says he was driven to do so after reading about a patient in desperate need.
Mhlongo registered to be a first-time donor through DKMS, a blood stem cell registry operating in eight different countries, including South Africa.
Always keen to help others, he grew up in KwaMaphumulo in rural KwaZulu-Natal. ‘As the head boy of my school I was tasked with being at the forefront of helping others,’ he said. ‘Currently, I run a non-profit organisation that equips artists to earn a living through their craft.’
With dreams of becoming a medical doctor and assisting others, Mhlongo said he was disappointed when he was not accepted into the MBChB programme at UKZN, but knew he would make his mark in other ways. Twelve years later, he says he has done just that by becoming a blood stem cell donor.
Mhlongo, who did research and reached out to medical practitioners for advice prior to becoming a donor, said the process of registering involved an online application, and a tissue swab in the mouth to get his unique human leukocyte antigens (HLA) - which are proteins or markers on most cells in your body. A few weeks later, he was contacted as a match for a patient in need and flown to Pretoria with all expenses paid for the donation process.
He admitted to being terrified during the procedure, but said he found comfort in knowing he had given someone else a chance to live and spend time with their families and loved ones.
Encouraging others to become donors, Mhlongo said: ‘I strongly believe that together, doing what we can, our society can become a better place to live in. We all deserve an enhanced quality of life and it’s not solely the responsibility of the government to provide it as it’s a shared responsibility. Society is already wounded and heavily bleeding from societal ills so we need to show kindness to everyone.
‘Let’s talk less and do more…become a blood stem cell donor today because it’s the right thing to do.’
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photograph: Supplied
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