UKZN Professor Appointed to International Editorial Board

Professor Shenuka Singh.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has welcomed the international recognition of one of its leading academics, Professor Shenuka Singh, following her appointment to the International Editorial Board of Brazilian Oral Research (BOR).

BOR is the official journal of the Brazilian Division of the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR).

The appointment, made by BOR Editor-in-Chief Professor Lucianne Cople Maia de Faria, recognises Singh’s distinguished academic trajectory, scientific leadership, and internationally acknowledged contributions to dentistry, dental public health and research ethics. De Faria highlighted that Singh’s participation would be instrumental in strengthening BOR’s global presence and advancing its strategic goal of becoming an increasingly influential and internationally engaged journal.

As a member of the International Editorial Board, Singh will advise the Editors on emerging research trends and strategic directions, support the journal’s international visibility by encouraging high-quality submissions and contribute to the development of special issues and thematic collections. Her appointment comes at a pivotal stage in BOR’s development where expanding international collaboration is key to enhancing scientific rigor, impact and visibility.

Singh, a Full Professor in the Discipline of Dentistry at UKZN, holds two doctoral degrees: a PhD in Clinical and Research Ethics and a PhD in Dental Public Health. Her leadership extends well beyond the University, as she currently serves as Deputy Chairperson of South Africa’s National Health Research Ethics Council (2023–2026) - a ministerial appointment - and as President of the IADR South African Division (2024–2026).

Her international footprint includes membership of the Ethics in Dental Research Committee at IADR and an invitation to participate in a joint working group of the World Health Organization, where she contributed to the development of a global benchmarking tool for research ethics oversight. She also serves as an Associate Editor for BMC Oral Health, further underscoring her standing in global scholarly publishing.

At UKZN, Singh was appointed Chair of the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee in 2024, a Senate-approved role, and continues her long-standing service on research ethics committees, including the Human Sciences Research Council. An NRF-rated researcher, she is actively involved in postgraduate supervision, international conference presentations - including keynote addresses - and extensive research ethics training across South African institutions.

Her academic excellence has been recognised through multiple awards, including the UKZN College of Health Sciences Teaching Excellence Award and the UKZN Certificate of Excellence in Teaching.

Dean of Health Sciences Professor Khathutshelo Mashige said: “Please accept my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved invitation. Being recognised by the editorial board of such a prestigious journal is a significant achievement and a clear testament to your scholarly standing, international collaborations, and the impact of your work. Your engagement with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the outcomes emerging from that collaboration reflect the calibre of research leadership within our School. We are indeed proud of this accomplishment. Wishing you every success in this new role.”

Words: MaryAnn Francis

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DRC’s Institutional Fragility and Economic Underperformance the Subject of New Book

Professor Gerry Bokana.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) academic Professor Gerry Bokana and colleague Dr John M Ulimwengu have authored a book titled: Rethinking the Democratic Republic of Congo: Anatomy of a State in Perpetual Reconstruction.

The work engages a central question frequently raised within Congolese academic and policy circles: “Why does the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), endowed with extraordinary mineral wealth and strategic assets, remain trapped in a condition of recurrent institutional fragility and economic underperformance?”

In the following short synopsis Bokana details a variety of interesting aspects in the book:

“Our analysis is framed by a dual premise: concern and hope. “First, concern about a country of immense and extraordinary mineral wealth and strategic assets that has nonetheless been persistently weakened by political instability, institutional fragility, governance failures, and recurrent national security crises.

“Second, hope because despite repeated economic shocks, protracted conflicts and structural constraints, we contend that the DRC is neither condemned to failure nor irrevocably bound by its historical trajectory,” he added.

From an economics perspective, the book situates the DRC experience within broader theoretical debates on state capacity, the political economy of sustainable development, and the ‘resource curse’. “We critically examine how colonial extractive institutions shaped a production structure oriented toward primary commodity exports rather than diversified, productivity-enhancing growth. We then assess post-independence governance from 1960 to the present, identifying persistent structural weaknesses: excessive centralisation of authority, weak regulatory and judicial institutions, systemic corruption, limited fiscal and budgetary capacity, and the marginalisation of citizens from effective participation in economic decision-making.

“Using macroeconomic indicators: GDP per capita trends, savings and investment ratios, trade composition, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, and aid dependence, we demonstrate how structural reliance on raw mineral exports, combined with low levels of productive investment and limited industrial transformation, have constrained sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.

The book also addresses the political economy of conflict, particularly in eastern DRC. Armed conflicts are examined not only as humanitarian crises but as manifestations of weakened state authority, contested control over natural resources, and regional geopolitical dynamics, including interference by neighbouring states such as Rwanda and Uganda. Institutional fragility and governance deficits continue to undermine both security and sustainable development outcomes.

However, the work is not intended as a catalogue of failures. It advances a normative and policy-oriented framework for reconstruction, grounded in economic reasoning and institutional reform.

They argue that sustainable transformation requires:

•    Credible, accountable, and rules-based institutions

•    Good governance oriented toward the provision of public goods and the protection of property rights

•    Economic diversification beyond primary commodity exports

•    Substantial investment in human capital formation

•    Effective decentralisation supported by meaningful fiscal and budgetary autonomy

“In this sense, the reconstruction of the DRC cannot rely on external interventions alone. It requires endogenous institutional reform, informed citizens, responsible leadership, and coherent long-term public policy design.”

The book is intended to contribute to a broader academic and policy debate, engaging decision-makers, researchers, faculty members, students, civil society actors, and members of the diaspora. “We view it as a platform to stimulate rigorous national dialogue on institutional reform, economic transformation, and intergenerational responsibility,” they said.

The publication is dedicated to Congolese youth, those who critically question prevailing narratives yet remain committed to the possibility of a DRC governed by reason, justice, and strategic vision.

A digital preview is currently available through our e-reader platform: https://liseuse.harmattan.fr/9782336588230

As a collegial and academically oriented suggestion for the 2026 calendar year, they encourage all colleagues to adopt the following professional resolution: to strengthen their proficiency in French and to engage critically with the book.

“We would be honoured if colleagues engage with the work and, where appropriate, incorporate it into discussions, seminars or research conversations related to economics, sustainable development, political economy and African state formation.”

* Bokana is a Research Fellow in the Discipline of Economics at the School of Commerce in UKZN's College of Law and Management Studies, while Ulimwengu is a Senior Research Fellow in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

To access the book, click here.

Words: NdabaOnline

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UKZN Student Awarded Allan Gray Fellowship to Advance Entrepreneurial Leadership

Ms Luyolo Nqala.Click here for isiZulu version

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is celebrating the selection of second-year Bachelor of Commerce student Ms Luyolo Nqala into the highly competitive Allan Gray Fellowship Programme - a prestigious initiative aimed at cultivating entrepreneurial-minded leaders across South Africa.

Currently pursuing a BCom degree in Finance and Economics, Nqala described the moment she received confirmation of the award as deeply emotional and unexpected.

“Honestly, I am still in disbelief,” said Nqala. “The way my university journey began… never in my wildest dreams did I think I would one day be awarded such a prestigious scholarship. More than the achievement itself, I am deeply grateful and relieved. Being able to make my single mother’s life a little easier has always been my greatest wish and through this scholarship, that wish has become a reality.”

The Fellowship selects a limited number of students annually based not only on academic excellence, but also on their demonstrated entrepreneurial potential and leadership capacity. While the programme provides financial support, its core focus is on developing high-impact entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to economic growth and social change.

“This fellowship will cover my tuition and residence fees, provide a monthly allowance, and offer psycho-social and tutoring support,” Nqala explained. “Beyond the financial assistance, I am gaining something even more meaningful; a community of like-minded individuals who share entrepreneurial ambitions and a commitment to growth.”

Through the programme, she will gain access to mentorship from a dedicated Foundation staff member and an experienced business mentor, a structured online entrepreneurial curriculum, and annual entrepreneurship conferences, seminars and workshops designed to develop both personal and business leadership capacity.

Reflecting on her aspirations, Nqala emphasised her commitment to using entrepreneurship as a tool for social impact.

“My biggest goal is to leave this experience with enough knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to pour back into the world through business. I truly believe entrepreneurship is not just a career path, but a powerful vehicle for impact and change. It creates opportunities, restores dignity, and transforms communities,” she said.

Nqala also believes her involvement in leadership-focused student organisations such as ABSIP and Enactus played a role in her successful application.

“I think what helped me stand out was the fact that I had been involved in a lot of societies that help shape a leader - but I also think it was because I was very confident in the way I carried myself throughout the interview, although it was very tough,” she added.

Encouraging fellow students who may feel discouraged in their academic journeys, she shared a message of hope: “Sometimes it may feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, but remember from there, the only way is up. Don’t stop believing in yourself.”

Executive Director of Corporate Relations at UKZN, Ms Normah Zondo, congratulated Nqala on the achievement, noting that the selection reflected strongly on the University’s reputation and the calibre of its students.

“This is indeed a remarkable achievement and a testament to the student’s potential and commitment,” said Zondo. “It speaks to the entrepreneurial promise of our students and the strength of the UKZN brand.”

The selection follows a rigorous multi-stage process, with just one of UKZN’s two finalists securing an offer this year. For UKZN, Nqala’s achievement represents more than individual success - it signals the growing culture of innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship being nurtured within the Institution, as it prepares future graduates to contribute meaningfully to society through enterprise and innovation.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied

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UKZN Strengthens National Collaboration to Advance Family Medicine Training

Leading Family Medicine specialists at the annual meeting.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has reaffirmed its leadership in postgraduate medical education following the successful EPA4FM-SA Annual Collaborative Planning and Evaluation Meeting in Johannesburg.

The meeting brought together academic leaders, clinical trainers and programme representatives from all nine Family Medicine training platforms in South Africa as part of the EPA4FM-SA national initiative. The project focuses on strengthening competency-based training through the implementation of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and enhancing Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) as key pillars of specialist Family Medicine education.

The annual gathering provided a structured forum for reflection, shared learning and strategic planning. Delegates reviewed findings from the 2025 self-evaluation questionnaires and formative assessment visits, which highlighted programme strengths, areas for improvement and system-level risks affecting the quality and equity of training. Through focused working-group discussions, participants identified high-impact educational practices that could be scaled nationally and developed practical strategies to address ongoing challenges.

Discussions emphasised the need to improve the consistency and credibility of WBA processes, strengthen feedback and supervision, and ensure that EPAs are embedded in everyday clinical practice rather than functioning as administrative requirements. The importance of national collaboration was underscored, particularly in addressing variability across training sites and supporting programmes operating in resource-limited settings.

By sharing innovations and learning from diverse urban, peri-urban and rural contexts, the group reaffirmed its collective commitment to improving the quality and fairness of specialist training for Family Medicine registrars across the country.

The meeting concluded with agreement on shared priorities for the 2026 formative assessment cycle. These include developing clearer national standards for EPA implementation, strengthening peer-review and moderation processes, expanding faculty development initiatives and deepening collaboration between universities and clinical training platforms. Participants also highlighted the potential of digital platforms to enhance learning, assessment and supervision, contributing to improved access and educational equity.

Speaking on behalf of UKZN, Professor Mergan Naidoo said the collaboration reflected a shared national commitment to excellence in training.

“This partnership demonstrates our collective responsibility to prepare competent, accountable family physicians who can respond effectively to South Africa’s complex health needs. Working together strengthens educational quality, clinical governance and equity across training programmes,” he said.

Family Medicine plays a central role in South Africa’s primary healthcare and district health systems, providing comprehensive, person-centred care across the lifespan. Strengthening postgraduate training in this discipline is therefore critical to health-system resilience, universal health coverage and improved patient outcomes. The outcomes of the Johannesburg meeting will guide the next phase of national implementation, with participating institutions working collaboratively over the coming year to translate agreed priorities into practice. This co-ordinated effort positions EPAs and WBA as important tools for educational transformation and reinforces Family Medicine as a cornerstone of high-quality, community-oriented healthcare in South Africa.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

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Rethinking and Unthinking Social Movements and Activism in South Africa

Highlights from the activist week at UKZN’s Howard College campus.

Activists from 17 South African civil society organisations were at the annual activist week themed: 'Rethinking and Unthinking Social Movements and Activism in South Africa' hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Centre for Civil Society (CCS).

Director of the CCS Professor Shauna Mottiar emphasised the importance of creating a space where activists learn with one another, build alliances and strengthen the collective power of social justice work across South Africa.

Mottiar said it was an extraordinary week in which critical social justice organisations came together in one space to dialogue, link and co-produce knowledge.

“Civil society is critical to the health of democracy and CCS’s role is to support the sector and train the next generation of civil society people through our post-graduate programmes,” said Mottiar.

The civil society organisations which attended the event all have a national footprint and work on areas including health rights, socio economic rights, education rights, land rights, environmental justice, disability and gender rights, and child and LGBTQI+ rights, as well as the right to fecal security and the rights of waste pickers.

Highlights from the week included ethical research methodology, strategies for civil society organisations, fundraising and digital literacy.

South African human rights and social justice activist Mr Mark Heywood facilitated a critical session on building solidarity and avoiding silos in the civil society sector. Heywood emphasised that civil society organisations needed find ways to collaborate as “silos stop us from amalgamating power”.

The activist week was guided by the Appreciative Inquiry Method to calculate the outcomes of the event as co-produced knowledge which will be published in an edited volume.

Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

Photographs: Simo Dlamini

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UKZN Webinar Features World-Renowned Qualitative Research Expert

Professor David Silverman, world-renowned qualitative research scholar.

The Discipline of Psychology in the School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted a webinar titled ‘Reimagining Qualitative Research’, with the highlight being an address by Professor David Silverman, a globally respected authority in qualitative methodology.

Silverman serves as visiting Emeritus Professor at the Leeds Business School in England and Professor Emeritus in the Sociology Department at Goldsmiths College, London, among other international appointments.

He has authored 15 books and more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles on qualitative research, ethnography and conversation analysis, and has supervised 30 doctoral students to completion, three of whom are now full professors.

Organised by senior lecturer in the Discipline Dr Adele Munsami, the event aimed to foster dialogue at a time when qualitative research continues to play a critical role in understanding the complex social realities of South Africa and the broader African context, while also marking the start of key research conversations for postgraduate students and supervisors for the 2026 academic year.

Welcoming participants, Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences at UKZN Professor Federico Settler, highlighted the importance of rigorous and contextually grounded qualitative scholarship in addressing complex social challenges. Said Settler: “Professor Silverman’s thought-provoking contributions during this webinar align with many of our decolonial ambitions in the School of Social Sciences, and his insights and observations would have been wonderfully empowering for postgraduate students.”

Professor Sumaya Laher of the School of Human and Community Development at the University of the Witwatersrand provided an overview of the evolution and current state of qualitative research, highlighting the pioneering academics whose work laid the foundation for the field in South Africa.

Professor Kaymarlin Govender, Director of the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal introduced the keynote speaker.

In his keynote, Silverman encouraged scholars to rethink conventional assumptions about qualitative research. He emphasised the value of naturalistic data, information generated through real-world interactions rather than interviews alone, and highlighted the importance of analysing sequences of social interaction to understand how meaning is constructed moment by moment. He also reflected on the active role of the researcher in shaping both data collection and analysis, urging emerging scholars to engage reflexively and analytically from the earliest stages of their projects.

The webinar attracted more than 350 participants, including postgraduate students and early-career researchers with a lively Q&A session creating meaningful engagement, enabling individuals to interact directly with one of the foremost voices in qualitative inquiry.

The event reaffirmed UKZN’s commitment to advancing critical, contextually relevant research while fostering sustained dialogue between students and scholars as they embark on their research journeys for the year.

Words: NdabaOnline

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GSB&L Launches 13th Champions and Young Researchers Programmes

Attendees at the launch of the 13th Champions Cohort and Young Researchers Programme at UKZN.

The Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative (RLEDi) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) has launched the 13th cohort of its Champions and LED Young Researchers Programmes.

Hosted at UKZN, the initiative welcomed 22 social entrepreneurs and six master’s candidates committed to advancing social and local economic development in KwaZulu-Natal.

The launch forms part of the KZN Social Economy Development Programme, a collaboration between UKZN and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). The initiative aims to strengthen social enterprises while supporting research-driven solutions to local economic development challenges.

Held at the GSB&L Training Facility, the event brought together stakeholders, funders, alumni and participants for a day of engagement and orientation. The programme included an overview of activities, a testimony from a Champions alumnus, participant introductions and an industry engagement session led by Absa Group Limited, the prize sponsor for the programmes.

The eight-month Champions Programme supports social entrepreneurs who are building sustainable, impact-driven enterprises that create employment and strengthen local economies. The 2026 cohort reflects a diverse group of innovators committed to inclusive economic growth across the province.

The Young Researchers Programme complements this work by assisting emerging development practitioners through hands-on research, skills development and exposure to real-world economic and social challenges. The six selected researchers will contribute evidence-based insights to inform Regional and Local Economic Development initiatives.

More than 400 applicants competed for placement across the two programmes, with successful candidates demonstrating strong leadership potential and a shared commitment to community upliftment.

RLEDi Project Manager Dr Mlondi Vilakazi said the initiative continues to nurture a new generation of changemakers. He noted that the programmes contribute to UKZN Strategic Goals 2 and 3: to achieve excellence and high impact in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and to promote high-impact societal and stakeholder community engagement.

“The UKZN 2026 cohort of Champions represents a dynamic group of social entrepreneurs driving meaningful change within society,” he said. “Through collaboration and shared learning, they will amplify their impact, create employment opportunities and strengthen the socio-economic landscape of the province.”

Welcoming all on behalf of EDTEA, Mr Patrick Mbokazi commended the partnership with UKZN and reaffirmed the department’s support for enterprises that positively impact society.

“We look forward to supporting you on your journey and helping you achieve your mission of growing your enterprises,” said Mbokazi.

The launch marks the beginning of an intensive learning journey focused on structured training, mentorship, research and innovation-driven social laboratories aimed at strengthening enterprise sustainability and developmental impact in KwaZulu-Natal.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

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Chemistry Lecturer’s Teaching Innovation Attracts Awards

Dr Vino Paideya with her LearnSci Teaching Innovation Award.

Dr Vino Paideya of the Discipline of Chemistry in the School of Agriculture and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is receiving local and international accolades for her pre-lab interactive resources, developed to help first-year students overcome barriers, build confidence and improve their conceptual understanding in chemistry.

Paideya was one of seven recipients of the 2025 Teaching Innovation Award from the United Kingdom-based LearnSci organisation, which supports technology-enhanced learning innovations that positively impact teaching quality and enhance student experiences.

After receiving submissions from more than ten countries, judges praised Paideya for a clear, inclusive and pedagogically grounded solution to a common challenge, intentionally aligning pre-laboratory activities with learning outcomes to create a structured and highly accessible environment for student success in first-year Chemistry.

She was also recognised with the Digital Curriculum Transformation Award from UKZN's Teaching and Learning Office at the 2025 Instructional and Learning Design Symposium for her development of these resources.

Paideya’s digital innovation, developed in collaboration with LearnSci, transforms pre-laboratory exercises through interactive online simulations. She developed the project to address the challenge of transitioning into first-year university chemistry, particularly in South Africa, where many students encounter a laboratory setting for the first time. This is compounded by unequal schooling, limited access to scientific resources, and language barriers, eroding students’ confidence, conceptual understanding, class engagement, integrated learning and performance in practical sessions.

The project introduces weekly online pre-laboratory exercises embedded directly into the University’s learning management system (LMS). The pre-lab exercises combine interactive simulations, guided prompts, conceptual questions and automated feedback to prepare students before entering the laboratory. Each activity mirrors the structure, safety requirements, and learning outcomes of the upcoming laboratory session, enabling students to practise procedures, test predictions and explore outcomes in a low-risk virtual environment and at their own pace. The design applies active learning principles, Universal Design for Learning, and aligns theory, experiment and assessment.

By shifting preparation into an interactive, student-centred digital format, the project strengthens readiness, increases autonomy and bridges the gap between lectures and laboratory work.

The project has achieved consistently high completion rates, indicating strong student engagement. Instructors observed reductions in procedural errors, fewer basic misconceptions, and increased laboratory participation. Students reported greater confidence, improved understanding and reduced anxiety. It also enabled more effective time use in the laboratory, thereby increasing focus on data interpretation, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Learning analytics provided insights that enabled targeted interventions and more responsive teaching, and the collaborative design process strengthened curriculum relevance and ensured contextual sensitivity for South African students.

Paideya sees potential for wider application of the innovation across other science modules, and plans for deeper integration of video demonstrations, peer discussion forums, multilingual support, and research-led refinement.

“This project demonstrates how thoughtful digital transformation can promote equity, strengthen scientific literacy, and enhance the first-year learning experience,” said Paideya. “It offers a sustainable, scalable model for modernising laboratory preparation and advancing teaching excellence.”

Paideya, an alumnus who has taught in various capacities at UKZN since 2007, holds a PhD in chemistry education and a certification as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Supervisor from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She has also served on the SI National Advisory Board (Nelson Mandela University) since 2025.

Her research interests are first-year student experiences, chemistry education, student academic support programmes (SI), and institutional research projects, including the identification of the roles and responsibilities of Academic Monitoring and Support Practitioners, the Tutor Development Project, and the Institutional SI Training Project. 

She has published journal articles and conference proceedings in her field of interest. Paideya has also presented papers at national and international conferences and seminars. In 2022, she was appointed South African Coordinator by the South African National Resource Centre for the National Survey of Peer Leaders, which was designed to gain a cross-national perspective on the structure of peer leadership experiences and their impact on academic performance.

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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UKZN Occupational Therapy Academics Shine at Global WFOT Congress in Bangkok

UKZN academics (from left) Professor Pragashnie Govender, Dr Nonjabulo Ndaba, Mr Luther Monareng, Professor Deshini Naidoo, and Dr December Mpanza.

Academics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Occupational Therapy Department made a significant impact at the 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress, held from February 9-12 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre.

The event, themed: ‘Inspiring Change, Innovating Futures’, attracted thousands of occupational therapists, researchers, educators and policymakers from all over the world to discuss innovative approaches to health, participation and inclusion amid complex global challenges.

The UKZN team delivered a series of oral and e-poster presentations featuring South African-contextualised research. Their work aligned closely with WFOT’s emphasis on occupation-centred practice and systems-level transformation, focusing on two key priorities: bolstering health systems for sustained recovery and enhancing economic participation for people with disabilities.

Academic Leader of Research in UKZN’s School of Health Sciences Professor Pragashnie Govender is a longstanding contributor to WFOT, having reviewed abstracts for the past four congresses. Govender, who chaired three sessions, represented South Africa on the Scientific Committee during a prior host year. At the 2026 event, she co-authored two presented papers.

Head of Occupational Therapy at UKZN Dr December Mpanza, who presented qualitative research highlighting the fragmented state of aftercare services for people with substance use disorders in South Africa. Mpanza’s multi-phase study called for a comprehensive, lifelong, recovery-oriented model integrated into the broader treatment system, better coordinated and responsive to users and families.

Mr Luther Lebogang Monareng shared his doctoral research introducing the Occupational Therapy Evidence-Based Framework on Self-employment for Persons with Disabilities (OTeSP). Developed through a scoping review, qualitative methods and Delphi consensus, the framework - rooted in empowerment and systems theories - positions individuals as active agents in their economic empowerment. It guides occupational therapists in facilitating inclusion across micro, meso, and macro levels for improved well-being.

Monareng also presented a complementary poster on systematically selecting and analysing microenterprises as vocational options, stressing considerations such as accessibility, funding, legal factors and individual strengths.

Former Head of Occupational Therapy at UKZN Professor Deshini Naidoo, who has also been a longstanding contributor to WFOT, having reviewed abstracts for the past four congresses, chaired three sessions. and presented two studies. One developed updated, evidence-informed standards of practice for South African occupational therapists through a mixed-methods approach involving international literature reviews, a national practitioner survey, and provincial focus groups/interviews. The second examined community reintegration challenges for stroke survivors in Limpopo’s Molemole municipality, revealing major disruptions in work and social participation, with less impact on basic daily activities.

Dr Nonjabulo Ndaba presented two studies addressing pandemic-era adaptations. The first analysed COVID-19’s effects on occupational therapy education in South Africa, leading to two proposed frameworks: one for flexible, student-centred online learning to support performance, and another for disaster-responsive education tailored to local socioeconomic and healthcare contexts. Her second study underscored the need for resources to maintain optimal occupational performance among educators and students during crises, prioritising well-being for sustained engagement.

These contributions collectively illustrated occupational therapy’s power to bridge systemic gaps, drive innovation and deliver inclusive, occupation-based solutions. By elevating African perspectives on the global stage, the UKZN academics reinforced the profession’s essential role in building healthier, more equitable futures.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

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National Government Oversight Visit to UKZN Ahead of 2026 Academic Year

From left: SRCE President, Mr Aphelele Ngcongo; Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube; Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nana Poku; and SRCE Secretary General, Mr Kwanele Thusi.Click here for isiZulu version

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube was at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recently as part of her oversight visit to institutions of higher learning across the province.

The visit was part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s ongoing efforts to assess institutional readiness for the 2026 academic year, with a particular focus on registration processes, infrastructure capacity and academic preparedness.

Following a series of presentations by UKZN management and the SRC, the Deputy Minister engaged with institutional leadership on the role of universities in driving national development through research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The presentation outlined the challenges and institutional renewal journey of the University, including financial difficulties, declining government grants, student debt, understaffing, gender imbalance in senior management, infrastructure issues and aging buildings.

UKZN Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nana Poku extended a warm welcome to Dube-Ncube, noting her longstanding relationship with UKZN. “Let me begin by extending a very warm welcome to the Honourable Minister, who is no stranger to this Institution. We are particularly delighted to welcome her back to UKZN.”

Poku thanked Dube-Ncube for her continued engagement with the University, adding: “We are pleased that she has chosen to spend time with us - we are grateful that she has graced us with her presence.” He further highlighted the significance of the visit as an opportunity for the University to reflect on both its progress and its ongoing challenges.

Emphasising the importance of purposeful scholarship, Dube-Ncube posed questions pertinent to the sector, such as: “Who are you teaching? We need to be doing research into who we are researching for and for what?” She further noted that government funding needed to be aligned with measurable impact, adding: “Money is given to universities for what? Just because they need money or because they are pushing the boundaries through STEM subjects and innovation?”

Highlighting the need for universities to contribute meaningfully to regional economic growth, she stressed the importance of digital transformation, the green economy and entrepreneurship within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system.

Dube-Ncube also underscored the importance of institutional stability, noting that instability within universities could not be normalised. “We are supposed to be the ones who provide solutions for the country. It can’t be that at this stage we are still struggling to provide solutions to some of the challenges,” she said.

She called for ethical and decisive leadership, transparent governance processes, constructive labour relations and effective risk management as key drivers of progress within the Higher Education sector.

Addressing student engagement, Dube-Ncube emphasised the importance of proactive collaboration between institutional leadership and student bodies. “We can’t meet only when there are problems. Let’s meet even if it’s just to say hello and goodbye… we are all part of the solution,” she said, encouraging student leadership to take responsibility for shaping institutional environments.

Infrastructure development and innovation also featured prominently in discussions, with Dube-Ncube urging the University to explore partnerships involving industry through innovation hubs and business incubation spaces. “We might want start-up companies to be based inside the campus so that we do direct research and collaboration with those companies,” she suggested.

She concluded by reaffirming the Department’s commitment to collaborative engagement with institutions across the country, noting that the development of an enhanced oversight model would ensure that national policies were informed by the lived realities of universities on the ground.

“We can’t be sitting in Pretoria while you are facing challenges here. We must work to the plan together if we are to be successful,” she said.

The visit formed part of a broader national initiative aimed at strengthening institutional stability, fostering innovation and ensuring that universities remain responsive to the developmental needs of South Africa.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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UKZN Research Chair Spearheads National Debate on GBV and Justice

Clockwise from left: Professor Rozena Maart, Professor Anthony Collins, Ms Philile Langa, and Professor Sarah Gibson.

The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in The Study of the National Question - officially launched in September last year - began the academic year with a two-day programme titled: ‘Gender-Based Violence and the National Question: Teaching and Learning Initiatives for Critical Research in the Next Decade’.

Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the event positioned gender-based violence (GBV) at the centre of South Africa’s broader struggle for justice, equality and meaningful nation-building.

At the forefront of the initiative is Professor Rozena Maart, SARChI Chair in The Study of the National Question and one of the country’s leading scholars in decolonial thought, critical race theory and Black Consciousness philosophy.

Maart reminded all those present that the ‘National Question’ is not abstract theory. It refers to South Africa’s lived history of land dispossession, racial inequality, forced removals, gender injustice and structural violence.

Her own life story, born in District Six in Cape Town and forcibly removed as a child, continues to inform her scholarship and her commitment to social justice.

“We cannot speak about building a nation,” Maart said during the launch panel discussions, “while ignoring the violence that structures everyday life, in our homes, in our communities, and in our institutions.”

She emphasised that teaching and research spaces are not neutral. “If we are not interrogating the roots of violence,” she said, “then we are reproducing it. Teaching and learning are sites of struggle. They must equip students to think critically about power, history and harm.”

Maart’s appointment as SARChI Chair cements her as one of South Africa’s foremost thought leaders. The SARChI programme, supported by the National Research Foundation, recognises research excellence and national impact. Under her leadership, the Chair is driving critical enquiry into land, identity, state power, inequality and now, urgently, gender-based violence.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Anthony Collins, an interdisciplinary scholar and former UKZN academic, who urged participants to move beyond seeing GBV as a series of isolated incidents.

“Violence is not only an event,” he said. “It is a structure. It lives in institutions, in policies, in the everyday assumptions we carry about whose lives matter.”

He challenged the audience to think critically about hidden forms of harm. “Some violence remains unrecognised because acknowledging it would demand deep systemic change,” he said. “And that is uncomfortable work.”

Collins’ reflections on trauma and the politics of violence resonated strongly with participants, particularly his warning that societies often lack the language to describe coercive control and long-term psychological harm. “Slow violence,” he noted, “can be just as devastating as physical assault.”

Also presenting at the seminar launch was Professor Sarah Gibson of UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society. Her contribution focused squarely on the teaching and learning dimension of addressing gender-based violence within the university space.

Gibson outlined several initiatives already underway, explaining how curriculum design, classroom practice and research supervision needed to intentionally create space for critical engagement with GBV. “We cannot treat gender-based violence as an add-on topic,” she said. “It has to be integrated into how we teach, how we research and how we engage with society.”

She emphasised the responsibility of universities to create safe but challenging learning environments where students can confront difficult histories and lived realities. Gibson noted that communication, media literacy and critical dialogue are essential tools in shifting harmful narratives and stereotypes.

“Part of the work,” she explained, “is helping students recognise how violence is normalised through language, images and everyday discourse.” Her presentation reinforced the broader message of the launch: that meaningful change begins in the classroom, where knowledge production and social transformation meet.

Doctoral candidate Ms Philile Langa added a powerful dimension to the programme with her presentation on gender-based violence during armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“Gender-based violence during conflict is not only physical,” Langa said. “It is also epistemic, it determines whose suffering counts and whose suffering is erased.”

Her research challenges dominant narratives that overlook violence against men during armed conflict. “If our theoretical frameworks cannot see certain victims,” she explained during the launch seminar engagement, “then those frameworks are complicit in the violence.”

The two-day launch programme was attended by staff and students across disciplines and moved beyond formal presentations into active dialogue.

Participants raised concerns about limited funding for GBV research, the emotional toll of trauma-focused scholarship, and the need for survivor-centred methodologies.

Maart returned to the theme of responsibility in closing the session. “We must push nation-building beyond criticism and complaint,” she said. “Our task is to develop creative and dynamic ways to transform our institutions and our society.”

She highlighted that the SARChI Chair’s work extends beyond academic conferences. Through the National Question Network, a platform she established, scholars, civil society actors, grassroots organisers and policymakers engage in transparent dialogue about inequality and justice in South Africa.

Support for the initiative has been strong within UKZN, with backing from the College of Humanities leadership and national stakeholders. Colleagues have praised Maart for building bridges between scholarship and lived experience, and for ensuring that research remains accountable to communities most affected by violence and exclusion.

Throughout the two days, one message was consistent: gender-based violence cannot be treated as a side issue. It is central to understanding the unfinished business of South Africa’s democracy.

Collins reminded the room: “If we do not address the systems that reproduce violence, we will keep responding to its symptoms.”

And as Langa affirmed: “Shifting the parameters of reason is part of the work. We must change how we think, if we are serious about change.”

Participants and presenters met at the end of the two-day programme, to formalise their individual written papers for a joint journal publication.

Words: Oliver Meth

Photographs: Supplied

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UKZN Honours Life and Memory of Zinhle Mchunu, Student Slain in GBV Tragedy

Many continue to mourn the tragic loss of student, Ms Zinhle Mchunu (left). Her memory was recently honoured at a University memorial, attended by her family, where Ms Nonzaliseko Madonsela (right) spoke on their behalf.Click here for isiZulu version

A sombre hall packed with family, friends, lecturers and others, mourned the loss of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student, Ms Zinhle Mchunu.

Her life was taken during a heinous act of gender-based violence. Scheduled to graduate in May this year, Mchunu had been looking forward to walking the Graduation stage in her black gown to receive a Bachelor of Education degree.

Family spokesperson, Ms Nonzaliseko Madonsela, said Mchunu had worked hard for her degree, only for it to be awarded posthumously.

Madonsela said learning of Mchunu’s passing a month after her disappearance had been traumatic, as they had stayed hopeful and prayed, she would be found alive and unharmed.

Describing their loss, Madonsela said it was like planting a tree and waiting for it to bloom, only for it to be violently plucked from the soil.

Her lecturer, Ms Mari van Wyk, described Mchunu as an individual full of positive energy who created engaging teaching aids, carried a boundless sense of curiosity, connection and direction.

As a student teacher at Sizakahle Public School in Ladysmith, her mentors described her as a well-prepared individual with excellent administrative skills who was a professional, always punctual and full of pride.

She was always well-dressed, built excellent rapport with learners, and made life and natural sciences enjoyable through a learner-centred approach.

The Dean and Head of the School of Education, Professor Emmanuel Mgqwashu, said Mchunu’s death must spark renewed resolve to fight the scourge of gender-based violence, and ensure sustained commitment to action in her honour.

Mgqwashu said that the call to action included communicating about the prevention of GBV, not remaining silent about abuse, establishing communities of safety, and men and boys carrying the responsibility of calling out harmful behaviour, even when masked as jokes.

Dr Ziphozonke Ntshangase, who read a speech on behalf of Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, said the University as a microcosm of society, was committed to taking stern action against GBV, wherever it occurred.

Mkhize said ending GBV required the rejection of silence and the challenging of harmful attitudes masquerading as entitlement, as women were not property that men could own.

Addressing Mchunu’s parents, Mkhize stated strongly: “Your daughter’s life mattered, her presence mattered, and her dreams mattered. She will be remembered not for the violence that ended her life, but for the promise, warmth, and hope she carried into the community. May we honour her by building a world and a campus where every young woman can live, learn, and graduate safely.”

Mr Andile Ntombela, Chairperson of the Student Representative Council on the Edgewood campus, recalled visiting the Mchunu home on 28 December to pass on their condolences. Ntombela thanked Mgqwashu for making that possible, even though it was during the student vacation, and thanked the Edgewood family for attending the memorial service.

Apologising for the wrongdoing of all men, Reverend Benjamin Khutsoane remarked that South Africa was a wounded nation and he prayed fervently that it would be delivered from the shackles of gender-based violence and femicide.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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UKZN Appoints New Head of Discipline of Medical Microbiology

Dr Nomonde Mvelase.

Dr Nomonde Mvelase is the new Head of Discipline of Medical Microbiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), bringing with her more than 15 years of experience as a specialist pathologist, researcher and academic leader.

Mvelase, who obtained her Medical degree in 2002 from the then University of Natal before entering the Microbiology Registrar Programme in 2006, qualified as a specialist in 2010 after obtaining her FC Path (Microbiology).

She also holds a Diploma in HIV Management from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, and a Masters of Medicine degree and a PhD from UKZN.

Her professional career boasts a range of key public health settings, including work in a regional laboratory, a provincial National Health Laboratory Service management office, and most recently, a provincial tuberculosis (TB) laboratory. Throughout this time, Mvelase has played an important role in strengthening diagnostic services within KwaZulu-Natal.

Mvelase’s research focuses on the diagnosis and management of drug-resistant TB, an area in which she has made significant contributions to TB control in the province. She was a key contributor to the rollout of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in KZN, providing essential scientific and technical guidance. She is also a founding member of the KZN Drug-Resistant TB Forum, which brings together stakeholders to address challenges related to TB management. In addition, she has led training initiatives for clinicians across the province, particularly in the management of complex TB and HIV-related infections.

An accomplished researcher, Mvelase has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and has supervised several postgraduate students to completion. Her PhD research examined challenges in diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis, with a particular focus on discrepancies between phenotypic and genotypic rifampicin resistance testing. The findings from this work contributed to the revision of the World Health Organization policy on rifampicin resistance testing in 2021.

Following the award of the National Research Foundation Thuthuka Grant (Post-PhD), Mvelase is now implementing her research findings, with the aim of integrating an improved drug-resistant TB diagnostic algorithm into routine laboratory practice. This work is expected to enhance diagnostic accuracy and support faster initiation of appropriate treatment, strengthening TB control efforts in South Africa.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Supplied

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Designing Dignity: Student Innovation for Sustainable Urban Environments

Dr Viloshin Govender (centre) with Architectural Studies students.Click here for isiZulu version

Under the leadership of third year co-ordinator Dr Viloshin Govender, a University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) senior lecturer in the School of Architecture, a studio project was conceived to explore architecture’s role in social responsibility.

The project aimed to redefine how design can contribute to sustainable urban environments through small-scale, high-impact interventions.

The task of students - to design an informal urinal for informal economies - perhaps appears modest in scale, but its implications were profound, addressing some of the most persistent and overlooked urban challenges: sanitation, dignity and access in marginalised urban spaces.

Situated within the realities of informal trading environments, the project challenged students to confront the everyday conditions experienced by those who live and work on the margins of formal city systems. Rather than treating sanitation as a purely technical problem, students approached it as a social, spatial, environmental, and ethical issue, recognising that access to safe, dignified sanitation is inseparable from human rights, public health, and urban justice.

Through collaboration with Asiye Etafuleni, a community-based organisation working directly with informal traders and vulnerable urban communities, students engaged with real users, real constraints and real urban complexity. This partnership transformed the project from an abstract design exercise into a participatory, community-informed process, grounding architectural thinking in lived experience. Students were required to listen, observe, test ideas, and respond to social realities rather than impose preconceived solutions.

The informal urinal became a micro-infrastructure project with macro-urban impact. Proposals addressed water efficiency, low-cost construction, durability, ease of maintenance, safety, accessibility and cultural sensitivity. Importantly, designs were not treated as isolated objects but rather as urban interfaces, integrated into pedestrian flows, trading networks and public space systems. Students explored how a single piece of infrastructure could support public health, improve environmental conditions, enhance safety, and restore dignity in everyday urban life.

The project demonstrated how architects can operate meaningfully within informal economies, working with, not against, informality. It challenged dominant top-down planning models and instead promoted bottom-up, adaptive, and community-responsive design thinking. Students learned that sustainability is not only about materials and energy performance, but also about social inclusion, economic resilience and spatial justice.

Ultimately, the project reframed sustainability as an ethical practice. By designing for sanitation in marginalised urban contexts, students contributed to a broader vision of sustainable cities -cities that are not only efficient and resilient, but equitable, humane, and inclusive.

The work shows that even the smallest architectural interventions, when grounded in empathy, collaboration, and critical urban thinking, can play a transformative role in shaping more just and sustainable urban environments.

Words: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph: Supplied

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Tough Love - Is it the Key to Financial Prosperity for SA?

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Tough love in the financial sense seems to be producing good outcomes for the South African economy and the Government will no doubt hope the approach continues to do so in 2026.

Following the official opening of parliament, earlier this month, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, tabled the national budget in the assembly and hopes are high it will produce positive outcomes for the economy, albeit at a very slow pace. The stubborn triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty remain thorns in South Africa’s side. Results from the latest labour force survey reveal that of the more than 63 million people in South Africa, only just over 17 million are employed.

Low levels of economic growth and persistently higher levels of debt dominate the key priorities in the South African fiscus and are also huge negatives in many developing countries. Dealing with high levels of debt may well hamper the government’s plans to invest sufficiently in the country and to alleviate poverty.

Instead of spending on much-needed infrastructure and social upliftment, revenue earned may be required to pay back government debt and servicing costs. Also aging infrastructure requires urgent upgrades, while climate change continues to expose weaknesses of the country’s outdated facilities.

Investing in infrastructure may be expensive for the government operating on its own. Obviously aware of this, it was made clear in the budget that government would welcome public-private partnerships. In this sphere it is hoped that amendments to the regulations of such partnerships yield good results.

Over the past three years there has been a steep increase in debt-to-GDP from 70.4% in 2022/23 to 77% in 2025/26. It is projected to rise this year to 78.9, before the country starts to experience a turning point. Notably this projection is higher than the 76.1% that was forecast in the 2025 budget. The increase in debt-to-GDP outlook is steep, while the decline is relatively flat. The current budget forecasts that it will take more than seven years to restore the debt-to-GDP ratio to 2022/23 levels.

Relative to debt-to-GDP are the debt-servicing costs. For every rand the government makes, South Africa pays just over 21c in debt-servicing - this is a steep increase from 17c three years ago. The forecast for the next three years is not projected to reach 20c per rand the government earns.

While the global economy is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2026, South Africa’s projected growth is 1.6% which is less than half of the global average. South Africa’s growth projection is insufficient to address the triple challenge of unemployment, inequality and poverty. Our growth projections, closely linked to those of the advanced economies, are far below those of our peers. This is despite the fact that our economic problems are not aligned with those of advanced economies.

We are way below the average when compared to emerging and developing economies, with a projection of 4.2%, and sub-Saharan Africa, with a projection of 4.6%. China and India (South Africa’s partners in BRICS) have projected growth rates of 4.5% and 6.4%, respectively. Nigeria has a projection of 4.4%. In the wake of geopolitical tensions, emerging countries appear to be resilient. South Africa urgently needs economic reforms which would help reduce vulnerability to external shocks and position itself to benefit from emerging global growth centres.

Notable economic milestones in South Africa include the country’s removal from grey-listing, which South Africa hopes will attract investors and create higher-than- expected net VAT, corporate income tax, and dividends tax collections. The gross tax revenue of R21.3 billion, more than the estimated, led Minister Godongwana to withdraw the R20 billion tax increase proposal taking pressure off the country’s fiscus. The minister lauded the current SARS Commissioner for the achievement.

More can still be achieved as the country strengthens its attack against illicit trade.

Rather than increasing VAT, improving efficiencies in the country’s fiscus has produced good results, but again more still needs to be done.

Two important items noted by the Minister were:

· about 35 000 grants were identified as incorrect or fraudulent

· a ghost worker audit flagged more than 4 323 high-risk cases on the government payroll system

As well as helping fund recovery, it would instil much-needed confidence in South Africans if perpetrators and fraudsters could be brought to book.

As a clear indication of the country’s intent to fight crime, law enforcement appeared to be the biggest winner in the budget. Over the next three years, an additional R23 billion will be spent on law and order - from R268.2 billion in 2025/26 to R291.2 billion in 2028/29.

A total of 738 people will be hired for positions at the Border Management Authority while R1 billion is earmarked for the SA Police Services and R3.7 billion for the South African National Defence Force.

Godongwana also said the Treasury was open to extend funding for commissions of inquiry should the need arise - another indication of the government’s intent to root out corruption in the country.

Increases in fuel levies - by 21c/l on petrol and 23c/l on diesel - will produce additional revenue.

As expected, there were the usual increases in in alcohol and tobacco duties which provide further significant contributions to the country’s revenue.

The President is expected to soon announce the date of South Africa’s local government elections. A trade-off appears evident as the minister has decided to cut the Home Affairs budget to fund the elections.

Overall, the minister's budget tabled highlighted much-needed structural reforms to our economy, which the country hopes will result in sustainable growth.

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Zoonotic Spillover and Pandemic Preparedness

From left: Dr Nokukhanya Msomi, Dr Nqobile Jaca-Phakathi, Professor Sabiha Yusuf Essack, and Professor Yunus Moosa.

A webinar panel of leading experts from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) examined the growing threat of diseases that spread from animals to humans and what the world must do to prepare.

UKZN’s College of Health Sciences hosted the high-level webinar which was titled: ‘From Outbreaks to Preparedness: Zoonotic Spillover in the Pandemic Treaty Era’.

Opening the discussion, Professor Sabiha Yusuf Essack, who holds the South African Research Chair in Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health, highlighted that more than 60% of emerging infectious diseases since the 1980s had been zoonotic. Referencing outbreaks ranging from Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to COVID-19, she described zoonotic diseases as a “double whammy” - simultaneously threatening public health while destabilising livelihoods, food systems and economies.

Panel members included the Head of Infectious Diseases, Professor Yunus Moosa; the Head of Virology, Dr Nokukhanya Msomi, and the Head of the Biomedical Resource Unit and veterinarian, Dr Nqobile Jaca-Phakathi, who unpacked the biological, clinical and structural drivers that allow pathogens to jump between species and spread rapidly across borders.

From a clinical perspective, Moosa stressed the importance of vigilance among healthcare workers, noting that outbreaks are often recognised only when clinicians detect unusual patterns or a sudden rise in similar cases. He also emphasised the critical role of laboratories and surveillance systems in identifying emerging threats early.

Msomi explained why viruses, in particular, were prone to spillover, citing their ability to mutate and adapt to new hosts, especially as human encroachment into wildlife habitats intensifies. She also emphasised the need for equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines and local manufacturing capacity - lessons reinforced by the global inequities experienced during COVID-19.

Addressing the animal health dimension, Phakathi highlighted vulnerabilities in both commercial and smallholder livestock systems. While intensive farming operations risked rapid disease spread, under-resourced rural systems often suffered from limited surveillance and underreporting, driven by fears of livestock losses without compensation. “Animal health systems are not peripheral to health security - they are central to it,” she said.

A key theme throughout the webinar was the importance of operationalising the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health. Panellists discussed practical measures such as strengthening veterinary services, expanding rural and environmental surveillance - including wastewater monitoring - and embedding One Health training into agricultural extension services.

The discussion was framed against the backdrop of the 2025 Pandemic Agreement adopted by the World Health Organization’s member states, which calls for legally grounded global cooperation in prevention, preparedness and response. Participants agreed that while the framework provided a roadmap, its success depended on implementation at national and community levels.

In closing, Essack reminded participants that preparedness is no longer optional. “Zoonotic spillovers are not isolated events,” she said. “They reflect deeper ecological, agricultural and societal changes. Investing in preparedness is an investment in global stability, food security and health equity.”

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photographs: Supplied

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Medical Law Expert Delivers Keynote Address on Digital Innovation and Reproductive Justice

At the conference are (from left): Professor Katherine Malan (Unisa), Professor Patricia Makoni (UCT), Ms Nomfundo Mthembu (UKZN), Mr Davy Rammila (Unisa), and Professor Safia Mahomed (Unisa).

A Medical Law expert from the School of Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Ms Nomfundo Mthembu, was a keynote speaker at the Unisa College of Law (CLAW) Digital Technology Conference held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria from 24 to 26 February this year.

Mthembu delivered a compelling keynote presentation titled: ‘Digital Innovation and Governance: Advancing Reproductive Justice and Equity in Health’. The conference, themed ‘Harnessing Inclusive and Transformative Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development’, provided a platform to discuss the regulatory, ethical and governance implications of emerging digital technologies. Appearing alongside distinguished academics, policymakers, and legal practitioners from South Africa and across the wider African continent, Mthembu delivered a keynote talk that addressed the potential of telemedicine and digital health technologies to improve access to reproductive healthcare in rural and underserved communities.

Mthembu highlighted the opportunities digital innovation presents, while cautioning against technological optimism divorced from structural realities. She emphasised persistent digital inequities such as poor connectivity, high data costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy, which continue to exclude vulnerable populations from accessing healthcare effectively.

She further framed the digital divide as not just a technological challenge but also as a governance and policy failure. Drawing on her expertise on serving on governance structures such as the Technical Advisory Panel of the Office of the Health Standards Compliance and the Health Ombud, a Board Member of the Hillcrest Advice Bureau and Bursary Fund, and the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Mthembu cautioned that “without targeted reform, infrastructure investment, and accountability mechanisms, digital technologies risk entrenching existing health disparities rather than reducing them.”

Her address also highlighted the importance of data governance and compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) to protect sensitive patient information and maintain public trust in digital health systems. Mthembu’s participation strengthened UKZN’s profile in national academic discourse, demonstrating the University’s commitment to research excellence, policy influence, and engagement on critical societal issues.

Mthembu called for interdisciplinary collaboration across law, policy, technology and healthcare sectors to ensure that digital health innovation serves as a tool for justice and equity. Her contribution not only advanced scholarly dialogue on digital health and reproductive justice but also reinforced UKZN’s leadership in addressing pressing legal, ethical, and health governance challenges in South Africa.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied

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International Voice Expert Shares Insights on Vocal Health with UKZN Students

Professor Baiba Trinite (fifth from left) with UKZN Speech-Language Therapy students and lecturers.

Speech-Language Therapy students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recently gained valuable insights into vocal health and voice ergonomics during a guest lecture by internationally recognised voice researcher Professor Baiba Trinite from the Liepaja Academy at Riga Technical University in Latvia.

Hosted by Dr Angela James of the School of Arts in the College of Humanities and Dr Urisha Naidoo of the College of Health Sciences, the lecture formed part of UKZN’s efforts to expose students to global research and best practices in speech-language therapy.

Trinite, a specialist in voice research and occupational voice disorders, introduced students to the concept of voice ergonomics - the study of how working environments and behaviours affect vocal health.

“Voice ergonomics is about awareness of work-related risk factors for voice disorders and learning how to improve voice production and speech intelligibility in different work environments,” she said. “The goal is to prevent occupational voice disorders before they develop.”

She noted that about one-third of the global workforce depended on their voice as a primary tool of communication, making vocal health an important consideration in many professions.

Trinite explained the distinction between professional voice users, such as actors and singers who receive formal vocal training, and occupational voice users, including teachers, coaches, customer service workers and clergy, who rely heavily on their voices but often receive little training on how to care for them.

“Occupational voice users are expected to use their voices intensively, yet many have never been taught how to protect them,” she said. “This makes them particularly vulnerable to voice disorders.”

Teachers, she explained, are among the groups most affected by voice-related challenges because of the demanding vocal environment of classrooms. Background noise, poor acoustics and long hours of speaking can significantly increase vocal strain.

Drawing on research conducted in Latvian schools, Trinite explained that classroom noise often originated from multiple sources, including outdoor traffic, corridors, nearby classrooms and equipment such as data projectors.

“The noise in classrooms has a cumulative effect,” she said. “When background noise increases, speakers naturally raise their voices. This is known as the Lombard effect, where we increase vocal loudness in response to noise.”

Studies presented during the lecture showed that average background noise levels in classrooms can reach around 57 decibels during lessons and increase to more than 70 decibels during lunch breaks, requiring teachers to raise their voices to remain audible.

Trinite also discussed the role of reverberation, the persistence of sound after it is produced, in shaping how voices carry in a room. Research suggests that the optimal reverberation time for speech in classrooms is about 0.7 seconds, allowing speech to remain clear without excessive vocal effort.

However, studies conducted in Latvian schools found that reverberation times can vary significantly, sometimes reaching levels that place additional strain on teachers’ voices.

Interestingly, relatively small environmental adjustments can significantly improve classroom acoustics. In one example, simply installing window blinds reduced reverberation time dramatically, demonstrating that effective solutions do not always require major financial investment.

“Sometimes we do not need big budgets to improve acoustic conditions,” she said. “Small adjustments can make classrooms much more comfortable for teachers’ voices.”

The lecture also highlighted the role of indoor air quality in vocal health. Dusty environments, often associated with chalkboards or poorly ventilated classrooms, can irritate the vocal tract and increase the risk of voice problems.

In addition to environmental factors, Trinite emphasised the importance of posture and body awareness when speaking. Poor posture, including excessive neck extension or shoulder tension, can place unnecessary strain on the vocal mechanism.

“Your body is the house of your voice,” she explained. “If the body is uncomfortable or tense, the voice cannot function optimally.”

She encouraged students to pay attention to their posture, particularly when working with children, where therapists may unintentionally adopt awkward speaking positions.

Trinite also highlighted the importance of healthy vocal habits, such as reducing speaking distance instead of raising one’s voice, allowing periods of vocal rest during the day, and staying well hydrated.

“If you have a break, give your voice a break as well,” she advised. “Come closer to the people you are speaking to instead of raising your voice. Every additional metre of distance increases vocal loudness.”

The lecture left a strong impression on students, many of whom described it as both educational and inspiring.

Third-year Speech-Language Therapy student Ms Namisa Nzama said the session broadened her understanding of the importance of vocal care within the profession.

“I found the lecture very informative,” she said. “It made me realise how important it is for speech-language therapists to protect their own voices while also helping others care for theirs. As future professionals who work with communication and voice every day, we need to lead by example.”

Fourth-year student Ms Asanda Ntshangase said the lecture was both engaging and reassuring, particularly as she prepares to enter professional practice.

“I found the lecture very calming,” she said. “It reminded us that taking care of our voices is part of taking care of ourselves as professionals, especially when we are working in environments where we have to speak for long periods.”

Fellow student Ms Sbahle Ncube said the session left her feeling optimistic about the future of the field and the role young professionals can play in promoting vocal health.

“I really enjoyed the lecture and it made me feel very excited about the future,” she said.

“Learning about voice ergonomics showed me how much impact speech therapists can have, not only with patients but also in workplaces and schools.”

Trinite also highlighted the importance of vocal training. Research involving choir conductors – who typically receive formal voice training - found that extended periods of speaking did not significantly affect their vocal parameters.

“This shows that when people are trained to use their voices correctly, even prolonged speaking does not necessarily damage the voice,” she said.

For this reason, she encouraged future speech-language therapists to prioritise vocal training and awareness as part of their professional preparation.

Trinite also urged students to see themselves as advocates for vocal health in the workplaces they will enter.

“You should be the role model,” she told students. “Speech-language therapists should be ambassadors of voice ergonomics in schools and healthcare settings.”

She outlined several foundations for healthy voice use, including vocal mindfulness, breathing exercises, stretching, voice warm-ups, hydration and maintaining a positive mindset.

Even short vocal warm-ups lasting just a few minutes, she noted, can help prepare the voice for extended speaking.

To reinforce these principles, Trinite gave students a creative assignment to design a voice ergonomics awareness flyer using landmarks from their own cities or countries to illustrate key messages about vocal health.

The project forms part of broader international initiatives to promote professional voice development programmes, which Trinite and her collaborators are sharing with academic and clinical communities worldwide.

Her visit to UKZN, together with colleagues Professor Gundega Tomele and Ms Zane Tumševica, also opened opportunities for future collaboration in voice research and speech-language therapy education between the institutions.

For UKZN students preparing for careers in speech-language therapy, the lecture offered both scientific insight and practical guidance on protecting one of the most essential tools of their profession – the human voice.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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UKZN Hosts University of North Carolina MBA Students and Academics

GSB&L and University of North Carolina representatives interact at a sustainability and social enterprise event.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), through its Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L), recently welcomed 26 MBA students and three faculty members from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School in the United States.

The visit took place on the Westville campus and focused on sustainability and social enterprise.

The group visited UKZN as part of their Global Immersion programme, which gives MBA students the opportunity to learn from different countries and understand how businesses operate within diverse social and economic contexts.

Welcoming the delegation, Executive Director and Dean of the GSB&L Professor Serestina Viriri reflected on the school’s commitment to responsible management education. Viriri emphasised that sustainability was embedded within the teaching, research and engagement agenda at the school, positioning business as a driver of inclusive growth and long-term societal value.

Said Viriri: “Today’s engagement session represents an opportunity for shared learning and dialogue. While our guests have come to learn from South African experiences, we recognise that meaningful partnerships are built through mutual exchange and collaboration.”

Professor Olga Hawn of UNC highlighted the importance of global partnerships and cross-cultural learning, saying engagements such as the current event prepared future leaders to work in complex and changing environments.

UKZN’s Dr Mlondi Vilakazi and Dr Simon Taylor presented on the KwaZulu-Natal Social Economy Development Programme under the RLED Initiative. They shared insights into the province’s growing network of social enterprises, cooperatives and community-based businesses. Their presentation showed how social entrepreneurship is helping to address unemployment and inequality while supporting local economic development. Several programme participants and alumni shared details of their business journeys, giving practical examples of lived experience as social entrepreneurs.

An interactive session led by Mr Mickey Wilkins of The Domino Foundation offered a practical perspective on sustainability. Discussions explored funding models, measuring impact, ethical leadership and the balance between making a profit and serving a social purpose. Students from both institutions actively participated, exchanging ideas and learning from each other’s experiences.

The engagement concluded with reflections from the Head of Master’s and Postgraduate Programmes at the GSB&L, Professor Job Dubihlela, who encouraged continued collaboration and the exploration of future partnerships between the institutions.

The visit reaffirmed UKZN’s role in fostering meaningful international partnerships. Through open dialogue and shared learning, the engagement strengthened academic ties and reinforced the importance of sustainability and social enterprise in shaping responsible business leaders for the future.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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UKZN ASRI Engineer Appointed to SA Council for Space Affairs

Dr Sarisha Harrylal assisting with the preparation of a Phoenix rocket avionics payload before launch.

High-flying engineer, Dr Sarisha Harrylal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI), has been appointed as a member of the SA Council for Space Affairs (SACSA).

The appointment was made by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, for the term 2026 to 2029. 

It marks a milestone achievement, not only for Harrylal but also for UKZN’s ASRI whose profile has grown considerably over the past few years through its work on liquid and hybrid rocket propulsion systems.

SACSA, South Africa’s regulatory authority for space affairs, is tasked with implementing the country’s space policy. In practice, this means that SACSA’s members advise the Minister on matters that influence space affairs, supervise and implement matters arising from international conventions, treaties and agreements related to the common use of space, and, importantly, issue licences for space operations, including launch activities.

ASRI Director Professor Michael Brooks said ASRI was enormously proud of Harrylal’s appointment to the SACSA council. “Dr Harrylal will carry significant responsibilities as one of the council’s 14 members, not least because the space regulatory environment is changing rapidly as countries throughout the world, including South Africa, ramp up their space engineering work,” said Brooks. “The South African satellite component manufacturing industry is going from strength to strength, and the government is placing increasing emphasis on the importance of developing an indigenous launch capability.

“ASRI is leading the way in this regard, however much work remains to be done to draft and enact the legislation that can facilitate commercially viable launches from South Africa. The new SACSA council will have its work cut out as it charts the way forward for regulatory processes that both protect the space industry as well as encourage commercial activity in a responsible manner,” he said.

Harrylal holds BScEng and MScEng degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UKZN, as well as an MBChB degree from UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. She will continue as a full-time engineer with ASRI where she specialises in rocket flight dynamics, stability and trajectory simulation. Always eager to get stuck into the practical side of rocketry, she participates regularly in vehicle flight tests conducted by the institute both in South Africa and overseas.

Visit: the SACSA website and Home - Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) for more information.

Words: Sejal Desai

Photograph: Supplied

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First-Year Students Set on Early Path to Academic Success

First-year students in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science attend the Academic Success Bootcamp.Click here for isiZulu version

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recently hosted its 2026 Academic Success Bootcamp, welcoming more than 1 200 first-time entering students (FTENS) across the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.

The three-day programme proved to be an outstanding success, offering a practical and transformative start to students’ academic journeys.

Conceptualised and organised by Dr Sahejna Bantho, Senior Academic Development Officer in the College, the Bootcamp introduced an innovative dual learning pathway that integrated academic literacy with digital literacy. The initiative was supported by presentations from various College units, including Academic Development Officers (ADO), Student Support, First-Year Experience (FYE) Mentors and Information and Communication Services (ICS).

Ms Zenelise Mbambo co-ordinated the programme on the Pietermaritzburg campus.

Approximately 850 FTENS attended the Bootcamp on the Westville campus, while about 350 students participated in Pietermaritzburg. The strong turnout reflected the growing reputation of the Bootcamp as a cornerstone of student success initiatives within CAES.

The 2026 programme was designed to equip students with essential academic skills while simultaneously strengthening their technological competencies. Workshops focused on foundational skills such as note-taking, time management and effective study strategies. In addition, the newly introduced digital literacy component provided practical guidance on navigating online platforms, accessing digital resources and developing confidence in technology-enabled learning environments.

Students described the digital literacy sessions as highly beneficial and relevant. The integration of digital literacy ensured that students were prepared to engage meaningfully with the demands of modern Higher Education.

Feedback from participants was positive. Many students reported that the Bootcamp enhanced their academic preparedness and eased anxieties about transitioning to university life. Beyond academics, the programme fostered a sense of belonging and community. Students formed new friendships and support networks, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and shared growth in their first year.

Bantho said the Bootcamp was intentionally designed to address both immediate and long-term student needs. “The Academic Success Bootcamp was created to empower our first-time entering students with practical tools, digital confidence and a supportive peer network. By integrating academic and digital literacy, we ensured that our students were not only prepared for the classroom but equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape,” she said.

The ADO team extended its sincere appreciation to Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College, Professor Naven Chetty, and Director of the Centre for Academic Success in Science and Engineering (CASSE), Dr Boby Varghese, for their dedicated assistance and invaluable guidance, which contributed significantly to the success of this event.

Words: Sally Frost

Photographs: Nqobile Mthuli

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