SADTU Honours UKZN Education Leadership, Management and Policy Discipline
Professor Inba Naicker is presented with a SADTU Shield of Appreciation award, while (right) UKZN Education Leadership, Management and Policy Discipline staff are seen with the award and a certificate.Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN’s Discipline of Education Leadership, Management and Policy (ELMP) has been honoured for collaborating with the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in developing school leaders and managers in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Discipline was awarded a shield and certificate of appreciation in recognition of its excellent contribution by the Provincial Secretary of SADTU in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomarashiya Caluza.
The presentations were made during the union’s 6th Annual Excellence Awards at the Station Urban Event Space in Durban. The function honoured educators in the province who have significantly contributed to the excellent performance of learners and schools in the National Senior Certificate Examination in 2022.
Professor Inba Naicker attended the function on behalf of the ELMP Discipline and more than 400 educators were present, including the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Mbali Frazer; the Director General of Basic Education, Mr Hubert M Mweli; school leaders, and district and provincial education officials.
In presenting the award, Caluza thanked the Discipline for its sustained efforts since 2018 in assisting with school leadership and management development. She expressed a desire to grow the partnership with ELMP so that more school leaders and managers in the province would benefit.
Accepting the award, Naicker indicated that ‘as a Discipline, we are humbled by SADTU’s kind gesture. We believe that the quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teaching and its school leaders. Hence, our partnership with SADTU which is aimed at raising the bar regarding school leadership practice, especially leadership in teaching and learning.’
The Discipline is formalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SADTU KZN for the rollout of school leadership development programmes for early career school principals and women in school leadership.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Social Work Day Celebrated at UKZN
Staff and students during World Social Work Day celebrations at UKZN.Click here for isiZulu version
The Social Work Discipline within the School of Applied Human Sciences hosted a series of events at the Denis Shepstone Building on the Howard College campus to mark World Social Work Day.
The theme: Respecting Diversity Through Joint Social Action stems from the People’s Charter for a New Eco Social World, recognising that change happens locally through diverse, “leader full” communities.
UKZN Social Work students and staff wore green ribbons for their march around the campus, vowing to be the best social workers that they could be and to contribute to the betterment of communities and South Africa.
First-year students put on a song and dance item.
Academic Leader of the Discipline of Social Work, Professor Johannes John-Langba said: ‘Social Work Day is important for both social work staff and student social workers and practitioners as it seeks to promote and maintain the profile for the profession, ensuring its significance to communities worldwide. On this day, the social work family gets recognised for all its efforts as a profession and is encouraged to do more.’
Said fourth-year student and acting chairperson of the Social Work Student Association, Mr Emmanuel Barnes: ‘Through this event, we as social work students and future practitioners hope to facilitate discussions around relevant and important issues we face in the profession.’
The Association is responsible for meeting needs and addressing issues related to social work students.
Barnes is confident that social work graduates from UKZN will be able to uplift communities and be a beacon of hope and strength for those in need. The Association also donated clothes and toiletries to an organisation in need to commemorate the day.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Andile Ndlovu
author : .author email : .UKZN Collaborates with KwaZulu-Natal Universities for SASUF Research and Innovation Week
UKZN participates in the SASUF Research and Innovation Week. Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN, together with Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), participated in the South Africa Sweden University Network (SASUF) Research and Innovation Week.
SASUF hosted numerous satellite events across the country during the week, with the KwaZulu-Natal student network hosting a hybrid seminar themed: Characteristics of an African University, which was held at UNIZULU and attended by South African and Swedish participants.
President of the SASUF Student Network in South Africa Mr Andile Mthembu said the event aimed to encourage students to interact and find solutions to daily challenges facing African universities.
Keynote speaker, Dr Tshepo Moloi of the University of Johannesburg, highlighted the importance of understanding the history of universities in order to understand the modern-day university. Colonisation was a recurring theme in his presentation as he emphasised the importance of being rooted in an African perspective for a true transformation in the Higher Education community.
He highlighted the issue of African history being told from a Eurocentric perspective. ‘What I want students to take from this event is the fact that African universities predate European universities and Western universities and they (students) need to take responsibility and propose programmes that will make their universities relevant,’ he said.
UKZN student and the event's programme director, Ms Yolokazi Malangeni, opened the floor for students to engage on the topic and share their views.
Mr Menzi Mthethwa of UKZN said, ‘African universities lack African cultural and educational roots; they are not afro-centric but rather an extension of Eurocentric thought.’
Ms Nonhlanhla Vezi of MUT highlighted the need to decolonise education not only at the Higher Education level but at the basic level as well; while Mr Ayanda Zikhali of UNIZULU spoke on the complexity of the term “colonisation”.
In closing, UNIZULU International Relations Manager, Mr Zenzele Mdletshe, thanked representatives of partner universities who attended and emphasised the importance of such gatherings for the university community.
Words: Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Digital Arts Student Lands Research Scholarship to Antwerp
Ms Bhavna Pather. Click here for isiZulu version
Master's in Digital Arts student, Ms Bhavna Pather, has been awarded a research scholarship from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
Said Pather in reaction, ‘I hope this leads to brighter and greater things in my career, knowing that the experiences I receive from this opportunity are once in a lifetime.’
The scholarship is part of a collaborative two-year project between Digital Arts in the School of Arts, the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) and the Artesis Plantijn University of Applied Sciences in Antwerp. The project is funded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR).
Pather will be involved in ‘researching ways of developing and improving open-source software to be introduced into our own curriculum in South Africa. The skills and knowledge I gain from this experience will assist with my studies. I feel honoured to represent the Discipline of Digital Arts and look forward to the experiences I will gain from my time spent abroad.’
Digital Arts senior lecturer, Dr Michelle Stewart is the South African research team leader.
With the support of the CCA, Digital Arts along with the Belgian team will be taking part in some exciting events in South Africa over the next two years. The project theme is: Collaborative Drawing Technology: A Step Towards “Digitisation for Development” in Urban Communities through the Creative Arts.
The first of these events will take place during the CCA’s Artfluence Human Rights Festival in May.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Researcher Presents in the US on Ceramic Art in SA
Dr Mathodi Motsamayi. Click here for isiZulu version
School of Arts postdoctoral researcher, Dr Mathodi Motsamayi, delivered a presentation at a conference organised by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in the United States.
The conference, held at the Duke Energy Convention Centre in Cincinnati, promotes the ceramic arts through education, community-building, research, creative inspiration, programmes, events, and publications to support the field and communities.
The NCECA awarded Motsamayi an honorarium for his presentation, while he also received free registration to attend the 2023 conference and a Standard Membership to NCECA for the 2023 calendar year.
In 2018 he was invited to give a lecture at the NCECA Annual Conference convened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Motsamayi’s latest presentation examined indigenous African narratives and visual designs made by men and women in relation to their cultural representation. He examined Rorke’s Drift ceramics of the 1970s donated to UKZN by the Bernstein family. The historic collection of Rorke’s Drift ceramics is on display in the foyer of the Malherbe Library on UKZN’s Howard College campus.
Motsamayi incorporated documentary processes where ceramics have been photographed and conducted a physical inspection of the actual ceramic works to identify and determine key aspects of their material ceramic construction, clays, construction, firing, motifs and to deduce their stylistic attributes and iconographic features in comparison with available comparable studies.
Visits to the pottery workshop at Rorke’s Drift Art and Craft Centre provided him a first-hand overview of this Pottery Workshop and historical site.
He said the Bernstein Collection comprised mainly cylindrical vessels with a plate as an exception. The indigenous vernacular forms and motifs on vessels were loaned from local traditions (isiZulu and Sesotho), domestic mats, beadwork, and basketry. Styles and genres at Rorke’s Drift were based on local and international cultural mediations, and hybridity formed by abstract motifs and patterns.
During his presentation, he revealed that ‘the Bernstein Collection may be seen as a form of cross-cultural expression that facilitates harmonies of visual expression within artistic communities. The display of Rorke’s Drift ceramic works in the UKZN Library shows local indigenous vernacular, myths, legends, idiomatic narratives, and izinganekwane/stories. The University platform has given artists visibility to our local academic community, in promoting awareness of their work and a continuing artistic legacy.’
Motsamayi recommended that ‘UKZN acknowledges its vast rich art heritage and significance of all undocumented works by methodically accessioning, fully researching and digitising all collections in its custody to provide an updated inventory of historic collections. The electronic database of the University Collections should form part of collection management.’
He is hopeful that his presentation will advance scholarship about indigenous knowledge and material culture in public collections. He thanked the School of Arts for its financial support for travel expenses to attend the conference and his colleagues for their academic support.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Webinar on Local Economic Development
Presenters, Dr Vuyolwethu Nkohla (left) and Professor Isaac Khambule.South Africa has made remarkable progress with constitutional democracy, however, there are concerns about the general lack of trust in the administration and government capabilities due to non-accountability, inefficiency and corruption within leadership departments.
With the above in mind, UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) hosted a webinar to explore ways to promote efficient administration, good governance, agile leadership, and a conducive business environment to overhaul Local Economic Development (LED) on 30 March.
Taking part in the webinar were Dr Isaac Khambule, an Associate Professor of Political Economy at the University of the Witwatersrand, a research specialist at Allan and Gill, and Dr Vuyolwethu Nkohla, Deputy Director of LED in the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The session was facilitated by Dr Mlondi Vilakazi, a lecturer within the LED Discipline at the GSB&L.
In his welcome address, Vilakazi said ‘It is our responsibility in academia, business, communities, and government to co-ordinate and converse about these issues in order to bring about change in our system and charter a way forward.’
Khambule said municipalities needed to examine integrated approaches that would focus on what small businesses were delivering and other investments available while ensuring that there was co-ordination between institutions that supported local development.
‘So formal institutions are mainly government, municipalities, small business development agencies, as well as any other regulatory institutions. They play an important role in designing a particular landscape for entrepreneurship to exist in that ecosystem,’ said Khambule.
One issue he noted within LED is financing being looked at from the side of what government will provide while there is support from small businesses.
‘We need to inform our LED offices about where businesses can source funding from the private sector as well as philanthropies and other non-governmental organisations,’ he said.
While examining the LED context within the national framework, Nkohla highlighted that municipalities are responsible for facilitating the development of businesses based within their jurisdiction. They should capacitate and shift into a formal setup where they can partner with universities in order to assess the effectiveness of LED agencies.
‘This partnership is important because as a government we cannot implement this development alone. We need to bring the private sector on board. Another key challenge is that most municipalities outsource the LED review and strategies which become non-executable,’ she said.
Nkohla suggested an in-house approach where the private and public sectors unite to learn about and gain a similar understanding on what LED is.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Keeping Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Alive!
Speakers at the 67 Blankets drive (clockwise from left) Ms Linda Zama, Ms Susan Eslick, and Ms Normah Zondo.UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division (CRD) hosted a webinar in support of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day campaign.
Established to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the 67 Blankets campaign which has a global footprint, seeks to help those less fortunate through various community engagement initiatives.
Executive Director: CRD Ms Normah Zondo said the University was proud to be involved in the initiative and the impact it has had on communities in need. She recalled the history of the event - held in honour of Mandela’s birthday - which sees individuals spend 67 minutes of their time doing something good for others on 18 July.
‘The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative has inspired thousands of volunteers across South Africa and around the globe to unite in contributing their time and resources to knit and crochet blankets for individuals facing extreme poverty, illness and/or difficult circumstances. These blankets not only provide warmth and comfort, but serve as a symbol of hope and solidarity for those who may feel alone or forgotten,’ said Zondo in her welcome address.
Campaign Ambassador Ms Linda Zama highlighted how the 67 Blankets movement celebrates the greatness of a global icon. Started by Mrs Carolyn Steyn, ‘the initiative reflects some of Mandela’s attributes including love, caring and sharing through crocheting and knitting, which also happens to be very therapeutic,’ Zama said.
KwaZulu-Natal convenor Ms Susan Eslick reflected on her journey with the 67 Blankets drive that started eight years ago and told of some of the highlights which include being part of the Guinness World Record for the “The Largest Crochet Blanket in the World” held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Emphasising how the initiative had brought the country and the world together over a common thread, Eslick said beneficiary request forms were available for any organisations in need of blankets and listed some of the organisations which had already benefitted including iKhethelo Children’s Village in Hillcrest, old age homes and associations for the disabled. She also highlighted how there would be a bid to collect 670 blankets at the Holy Family College in Durban on 10 June.
Campaign Ambassador Ms Frankie Hills called on all individuals to start crocheting or knitting and to contact the organisation for beginners’ sessions.
In closing, Zondo appealed to UKZN staff and students to look out for various crocheting and knitting sessions on University campuses. ‘Each and every one of us is needed to create a better world for all - even if it’s through a single act of kindness - so continue to be kind and make sure you lend a hand where it’s needed.’
For more information on the 67 Blanket event on 10 June contact Zama or Eslick at lczama@gmail.com and seslick65@gmail.com.
Learn more about the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day organisation here.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Image: Supplied
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