Professor Nompumelelo Zondi Appointed Mazisi Kunene Research Chair

Professor Nompumelelo Zondi.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has appointed Professor Nompumelelo Zondi as the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair in the School of Arts, marking an important moment for UKZN’s College of Humanities and for African-centred scholarship more broadly.

Zondi’s appointment comes during a milestone year as in 2026 the University marks 20 years since the passing of Professor Mazisi Kunene, South Africa’s Poet Laureate and one of the most influential scholars of isiZulu literature and African intellectual traditions. The Chair honours his legacy while advancing new research rooted in language, cultural memory and community engagement.

For Zondi, the appointment carries both institutional and personal meaning. “Being appointed as the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is a profound honour and a tremendous responsibility,” she said. “Particularly as we mark 20 years since Mazisi Kunene’s passing.”

A long-standing UKZN alumnus, Zondi completed all her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Institution before building a distinguished academic career nationally and internationally. Her return to this leadership role reflects both continuity and growth.

“In many ways, it feels like I have never truly left,” she said. “I am eager to share my expertise with the next generation and give back to the Institution that nurtured my early and mid-career development.”

Kunene’s contribution to African literature and language scholarship remains central to the vision of the Research Chair.

A poet, scholar and intellectual whose work foregrounded African historical memory and oral traditions, Kunene helped shape global understanding of the depth and sophistication of African language scholarship. After years in exile during apartheid, he later returned to teach at the University of Natal, now UKZN, strengthening the Institution’s role in advancing African literary studies.

The Mazisi Kunene Research Chair builds on that legacy by supporting research in African languages, indigenous knowledge systems, literature and interdisciplinary humanities scholarship. It also reflects an ongoing partnership between the College of Humanities and the Mazisi Kunene Foundation, which is aimed at preserving his archive and expanding access to his work.

Zondi said Kunene’s intellectual vision would remain a guiding influence. “His intellectual and creative work was marked by a profound commitment to social justice, a celebration of African culture, and a fusion of traditional and modern artistic forms,” she said.

She identified storytelling, cultural identity, language innovation and social engagement as key elements shaping her priorities in the role. “I aim to draw inspiration from these aspects of his work to drive research and creative outputs that explore and amplify marginalised voices and stories.”

Zondi brings significant scholarly international experience to the Research Chair. She has delivered keynote addresses in more than 10 countries and was selected as a South African Fulbright Research Scholar (2022 to 2023), where her research engagement in the United States further strengthened her academic profile and global networks.

Her participation in senior leadership development programmes has also shaped her strategic approach to academic leadership. This includes completing a prestigious leadership programme through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), which included visits to universities in Singapore recognised for their high-performing Higher Education systems.

Together, these experiences support her vision of positioning the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair within international conversations on African languages, cultural heritage and humanities scholarship.

The Research Chair represents the first position of its kind in the School of Arts and signals a strategic commitment by UKZN to expand research leadership within the humanities.

Zondi sees the Chair as a platform for collaboration, mentorship and creative scholarship. “I see the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair as an engine for innovation and excellence in the School of Arts and the College of Humanities,” she said.

Zondi’s plans include strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships across disciplines, supporting creative production in literature, music and performance, and mentoring emerging scholars and artists. “By building on Mazisi Kunene’s legacy, I aim to drive impactful research, creative output and community engagement that elevates the School of Arts and the College of Humanities.”

A central focus of Zondi’s academic work has been the relationship between African languages, literature and gender. She intends to extend this work through the Chair. “I will be exploring new avenues of research that highlight the intersection between African languages, literature and gender, with a focus on how these intersections shape our understanding of identity, culture and power,” said Zondi.

As a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher, her work contributes to strengthening the national research profile of African language scholarship and supports the development of emerging researchers working in related fields. She also emphasised the importance of strengthening the place of indigenous languages within Higher Education.

“The intellectualisation of African languages is crucial,” she said. Zondi noted that UKZN’s decision to make isiZulu language study compulsory for undergraduate students reflects the University’s commitment to advancing indigenous knowledge systems and linguistic diversity in South Africa.

Mentorship will be central to the work of the Chair. Zondi has played an active role in national mentorship programmes supporting emerging academics and doctoral researchers across institutions. “Mentorship is now a natural part of who I am,” she said. “I am excited to see my mentees excel.”

Through the Chair, she plans to expand opportunities for postgraduate supervision and research development, helping to strengthen the pipeline of future scholars in African languages and humanities research.

Zondi’s recent work includes contributions to the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences Hidden Voices series, which documents overlooked cultural figures and oral traditions. Her co-authored publications on royal praise singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe highlight the importance of preserving cultural memory through scholarship accessible in both English and isiZulu.

“In the current South African context, this kind of scholarship is crucial for reclaiming and celebrating indigenous knowledge systems,” Zondi said.

The Chair is also expected to strengthen collaboration between the University and cultural institutions, including the Mazisi Kunene Foundation. Potential areas of collaboration include research partnerships, community engagement initiatives and mentorship opportunities for students interested in African languages and cultural heritage.

By working with artists, historians and traditional leaders, Zondi hopes the Chair will support projects that document and promote indigenous knowledge in ways that remain accessible to communities.

Looking ahead, she sees digital preservation as a key priority.

Words: Lee Rondganger

Photograph: Tisetso Nhlapo

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UTLO Hosts First Annual Academic Advising Imbizo to Help Improve the Student Experience

Delegates at the Academic Advising Imbizo.Click here for isiZulu version

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Teaching and Learning Office (UTLO) held its first annual academic-advising Imbizo at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre.

The extensive programme included opening remarks by the Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College of Humanities (COH), Professor Ruth Hoskins highlighted the importance of establishing a university-wide student advising network which includes all key stakeholders who play a role in the student’s journey at UKZN.

Speaking on defining student success, Student Support Services Manager in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dr Saloschini Pillay, said it is important to note that there are many factors that contribute to student success, including factors external to academics. Pillay’s presentation noted that student success is best informed by a situational analysis, recognising the different realities and circumstances students face.

A panel discussion consisting of staff members who have participated in the Academic Advising Professional Development (AAPD) programme, focused on how the AAPD certification has enhanced their academic advising approach. The panellists shared how the programme has helped in building a rapport with students and helping them find the right path by identifying their passions. Additionally, Mr Ashwin Manival spoke about a course that UKZN is developing to equip the academic advising staff.

Having a student voice in discussions that involve them was noted as a key factor in enhancing the student experience. In keeping with that, the programme included a student panel discussion which aimed to shed light on students’ experiences with academic advising within each of the four Colleges. This segment exposed the gaps that exist within the existing processes and offered an opportunity for discussing best practices moving forward.

Additionally, the day included a segment that focused on a ground-up approach to student academic advising. An Instructional Designer within UTLO, Dr Zwelisha Mfishi, shared that in order to improve academic advising, the everyday life of a student should be taken into consideration. He further stated that it is this data which informs how academic advising should be approached.

The Director of the Teaching and Learning Unit in the College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS), Professor Annah Bengesai spoke on referral pathways and the importance of confidentiality. The programme also featured a practical exercise which required participants to form groups and interact with different scenarios and come up with the best ways to advise the students in their respective scenarios.

The Imbizo marked a valuable opportunity for reflection, dialogue and shared learning, while reinforcing UKZN’s commitment to placing student success and the student experience at the centre of its teaching and learning practices

Words: Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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Researcher in Urban and Regional Planning Delivers Presentation to Environmental Law Students

Professor Hangwelani Magidimisha-Chipungu with Mr Siphesihle Mbatha and Law students.

A highly rated scholar in the sub-discipline of Town and Regional Planning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Professor Hangwelani Magidimisha-Chipungu, delivered an impactful lecture to Environmental Law students in the School of Law.

As a rated National Research Foundation (NRF) scholar at UKZN holding the Chair in Inclusive Cities, her expertise supports the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to climate change issues and urban planning.

The lecture, titled: ‘Are South African Cities Ready? Urban Planning in the Face of Climate Change’, offered insightful perspectives on the intersection between climate change and urban planning.

Commenting on behalf of the students, the Environmental Law class representative Mr Vuyo Ndlovu said: “We learned a lot about climate change and realised that Law graduates can also specialise in urban planning owing to their knowledge and critical analysis skills. The lecture further made us appreciate the link between poor urban planning and environmental disasters such as floods that often affect KwaZulu-Natal.”

Magidimisha-Chipungu emphasised the importance of integrating spatial planning, environmental law and socio-economic justice to respond effectively to climate change pressures such as flooding, heat stress and infrastructure vulnerability.

The lecture called for a new generation of legal professionals able to interact with land use management, regulatory and compliance aspects, and climate accountability in rapidly urbanising contexts. A key focus was placed on the need for transformative urban governance, where law is not merely reactive but actively drives sustainable development, protects vulnerable communities, and enables cities to transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient features.

The session formed part of ongoing efforts to bridge disciplinary divides between law and built environment studies, ensuring that graduates are better prepared to navigate the complex realities of climate change in South Africa and beyond.

Magidimisha-Chipungu said she was grateful for the invitation to attend which was extended by colleagues within the School of Law, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary engagement between law and built environment studies.

She said she looked forward to strengthening collaboration across a range of shared research and teaching interests in the future.

Environmental Law lecturer, Mr Siphesihle Mbatha, noted that the lecture resonated deeply with him and his colleagues. He said he believed it marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the School of Law and the Discipline of Architecture, Planning, and Housing.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied

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Opinion: Recent Legal Research on Workplace Cannabis Testing Reveals Practical Solutions

Mr Thato Lentsoe.

Recent research provides a stepping stone for cannabis testing in the workplace, and a solution for South African employers in response to the longstanding issue of workplace drug testing.

In post-decriminalisation South Africa, employees are permitted to use cannabis for private purposes but may face disciplinary action at work for testing positive. Most notably, the issue emanates from the urine testing system, often used by South African employers. Urinalysis has the fundamental flaw of detecting inaccurate cannabis impairment.

Although the 2018 groundbreaking judgment of the apex Court in Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development v Prince, was good news for cannabis users, the implications of drug testing are far-reaching.

The aftermath of cannabis decriminalisation was followed by a series of dismissals where employees tested positive through the use of the urine testing methodology, despite their guaranteed constitutional right to privacy, which accepts the use of cannabis in private.

For instance, urine testing which is widely used, has the fundamental flaw of detecting cannabis that was used days or weeks prior to the work occasion. Meaning if someone smokes cannabis on a Friday night at home, and undergoes cannabis screening at work two days later, the results thereof will reflect a positive test, although such a person is not ‘stoned’ at the time of the test, nor is his or her capacity to perform duties impaired to such an extent that workplace safety is compromised.

The question of whether such an employee may be dismissed became a controversial topic after the Prince judgment. However, in another ground-breaking judgment of the Labour Appeal Court in Enever v Barloworld, the court ruled that the urine testing methodology used by the employer was irrational, and discriminatory. Thus, the court ruled that a dismissal for testing positive for cannabis was automatically unfair, and ordered reinstatement of the employee.

The court reasoned that urine shows past drug consumption. Additionally, cannabis and alcohol users are not treated equally, which is in fact an unfair discrimination. While alcohol users are permitted to consume the substance while driving (except where the levels of intoxication exceed the prescribed limits), this was not the case for cannabis users. In other words, while alcohol intoxication is a matter of degree, the levels of cannabis impairment were not interpreted according to cut-off levels.

Thus, the Enever judgment recommended that employers develop and implement rational drug testing systems.

The recent study I conducted together with Professor Marthinus van Staden seeks to resolve the competing interests between employers and employees. On the one hand, employers have the duty to ensure workplace safety through putting in place drug testing systems, while on the other hand, employees have a constitutional right to use cannabis for private purposes.

Notably, urine testing does not strike a fair balance between the interests of employers and employees because of the fundamental flaw pertaining to the window period.

South African employers may shift from urine to saliva drug testing as a rational testing system for workplaces. Employers’ adoption of a saliva testing system would be fairer because it shows current drug impairment, such as a substance taken a few hours before the screening.

Where safety is the aim, then drug testing policy should focus on accurate impairment, that is, one which detects cannabis at the time of the test - the saliva testing method does have this advantage.

Such conclusions are drawn from countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Although saliva testing is recommended as a better indicator of drug impairment, it draws further findings that the saliva testing systems may lead to incorrect results if not interpreted with caution.

The research I conducted reads as follows:

“The rationality of saliva testing is further supported by its adoption in various jurisdictions. For instance, the Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard for oral fluid testing provides clear guidelines for interpreting results based on specific cut-off concentrations (Australian/New Zeal and Joint Standard ‘Procedure for Specimen Collection and the Detection and Quantification of Drugs in Oral Fluid’ AS/NZS 4760:2019).

This standardised approach enhances the reliability and fairness of the testing process. With regard to saliva testing, section 1.3.17 of the Joint Standard defines a ‘confirmed positive test’ as the drug-testing outcome at or above the cut-off concentration. On the other hand, ‘cut-off concentration’ is defined under section 1.3.19 as ‘[a] value at or above which the drug and/or metabolite is deemed to be a confirmed positive and below which the drug and/or metabolite is deemed to be a negative.”

Expressed differently, the Joint Standard provides that a drug test is deemed harmful where such a result is above the relevant cut-off concentration or limit of reporting. This is stipulated in section four, which explains the ‘interpretation of the result’. Table 1 below provides a cut-off concentration limit of 15 ng/mL for cannabis tests through a ‘laboratory’. If the specimen contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) below 15 ng/mL, the employee is deemed to have tested negative. According to scientific experts, levels below 15 ng/mL of cannabis metabolites do not impair the employee’s capacity to undertake a job. On the other end of the spectrum, an oral drug test above the 15 ng/mL threshold is deemed positive.”

The main point is that cannabis impairment is a matter of ‘degree’ and the level of traces in cannabis must be interpreted as such. When using a laboratory, an employee with traces of cannabis in saliva below 15ng should be deemed negative. An employee with traces of cannabis at or above 15ng should be declared to have tested positive. The above standards are being verified through scientific studies, and have been approved by the Australian government and courts. Perhaps, South African employers may adopt drug testing policies that comply with these standards.

The saliva testing system has the advantage of protecting the right of employees to smoke in private, while maintaining the employers’ interests of ensuring workplace safety through drug testing. The STEALTH Cube - six panel saliva test (a box of 25) is the recommended testing tool verified by the Australian/New Zealand Standard.

In addition to saliva screening, it is important to consider other circumstantial factors that may indicate cannabis impairment beyond drug testing systems. For a fairer assessment, observable signs of impairment, such as co-ordination, speech and behaviour, may be taken into cognisance.

Fairer drug testing policies are important to prevent unfair dismissals, because job security is foundational, especially with the unemployment rate on the rise in South Africa. To achieve this aim, the author is driving a national movement to influence South African employers to adopt rational drug testing systems through the review and drafting of policies.

· This article is an Opinion piece, which presents the writer’s personal point of view.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

· Mr Thato Lentsoe, is a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal’s (UKZN) School of Law, where he teaches Labour Law, Constitutional Law and Human Rights. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Labour Law at Wits University.

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UKZN Unites Against GBV Through Awareness Walk and Pledge Campaign

United in solidarity against gender-based violence. Together, we walk, speak up, and pledge for a safer campus community #StopGBV #UKZNAgainstGBV.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted an impactful Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Walk, bringing together students, staff and various stakeholders in a united stand against the scourge.

The campaign was organised by the Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA) Residence Life Team on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus, supported by the Human Resources Development: GBV Office.

The event was led by the Residence Life Co-ordinator for the Pietermaritzburg campus Ms Nonjabulo Ntombela, in partnership with the HRD: GBV Office under the leadership of Dr Manoshni Perumal, Director: Human Resources Development, and Ms Rebotile Letsoalo, GBV Manager. The programme formed part of the University’s ongoing commitment to creating safer and more supportive spaces for students within residences and across campus.

Head of DSRA, Mr Mdukhy Mabaso, officially opened the event and warmly welcomed all guests and stakeholders. In his opening remarks, Mabaso emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing and preventing GBV within Higher Education Institutions and society at large.

The Interim Director of DSRA, Ms Sisana Machi, addressed the audience, encouraging students and staff to work together in reducing GBV cases across campuses. Machi urged students to refrain from engaging in any form of violence and highlighted the importance of consent and respect in all relationships, saying: mabeyifuna abayicele.

GBV Manager Ms Rebotile Letsoalo, provided an overview of the realities of GBV within university spaces and surrounding communities and encouraged students to reject all forms of GBV, emphasising the importance of reporting incidents to ensure appropriate support and intervention.

The University Proctor, Mr Daniel Selamolela, spoke about the consequences of committing GBV-related offences. Selamolela warned students that involvement in GBV could result in serious disciplinary and legal action, including possible exclusion from the University.

The event was also supported by representatives from the South African Police Service, the Thuthuzela Care Centre, and Lifeline, who shared valuable insights into the GBV cases they had encountered and the support services available to victims and survivors.

Following the formal programme, students and staff participated in a symbolic awareness walk around campus. During the walk, participants observed moments of silence in honour of GBV victims. A special dedication was made to Ms Simphiwe Zinhle Mchunu, a UKZN student who died in 2025, just weeks before graduating as an educator. The tribute served as a painful reminder of the devastating impact of GBV and the urgent need for continued action.

The programme also featured moving poetry performances by students, who used their voices and creativity to raise awareness about the emotional and social impact of GBV.

At the conclusion of the walk, students and staff gathered around a pledge board leaving their fingerprints and a commitment not to participate in any form of violence or abuse.

Reflecting on the success and significance of the event, Ntombela said: “This was not just about raising awareness for one day or simply ticking a programme off the list, but rather about building long-term change and ensuring that every student feels safe and supported within the University environment, especially in residences, where we have a mandate to create homes away from home. Students should always feel at home and protected.”

The campaign was described as a meaningful and beautiful event that demonstrated unity, compassion, and a shared commitment towards ending gender-based violence and fostering a safer university community for all.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photographs: Supplied

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UKZN’s Third KZN Nephrology Update Hosts Inaugural YK Seedat Memorial Lecture

Highlights from UKZN’s third KZN Nephrology Update.

‘Honouring the Legacy, Advancing Renal Care in KZN: From Basic Access to Excellence’, was the theme of this year’s third KwaZulu-Natal Nephrology Update.

The Update also launched the inaugural YK Seedat Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Emeritus Professor, presented by his peer, Professor Sarala Naicker, titled: ‘Burden and Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)’.

Nephrology is a medical subspeciality that deals with the diagnosis and management of kidney diseases.

Delivering a gracious and compelling tribute to her colleague, underscoring Seedat’s achievements and influence, Naicker said numerous studies had been conducted. These examined the impact of early intervention in order to identify those likely to progress rapidly and refer them for appropriate care.

This results in less progression to kidney failure, improved functional status, and decreased mobility and hospitalisation, as well as fewer urgent complications.

Naicker said South Africa and the entire continent would be wise to institute screening, early diagnosis and prevention as part of universal health coverage. “We should ensure sustainability and I think that is where we are failing - we may have clinics but they are not sustainable because they lack trained staff. We also don’t have diagnostic materials and we have stock-outs with key medications not being available. So how can you tell a patient to be compliant if you are going to turn around and tell them that ‘we are out of stock this month’. Education is critical, point-of-care testing and screening are crucial and we need to ensure proper referral pathways,” he said.

The Update, a premier academic and multidisciplinary clinical event dedicated to advancing kidney care across KZN and South Africa, took place in April at Mount Edgecombe Country Club, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), under the leadership of Professor Alain Assounga, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (KZN DoH), and Astellas.

The gathering brought together leading nephrologists from KZN and across South Africa, alongside hospital leadership and key stakeholders, including representation from the National Department of Health, particularly in the areas of dialysis, transplantation services and promoting kidney donation.

The scientific programme featured an array of insightful multidisciplinary presentations during the sessions chaired by industry giants, spanning kidney disease and complications, kidney replacement therapy, glomerular disease, and matters related to kidney transplants.

The event convenor, Acting Head of the Nephrology Clinical Unit at the Victoria Mxenge and St Aidan’s Hospitals in Durban, Dr Leann Guruvadu, said the Update was designed to engage both the public and private healthcare sectors, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and aligning strategies to improve access to high-quality renal care for all South Africans.

“The meeting represented a critical step in uniting the public and private sectors to address the growing burden of kidney disease in South Africa. By working together, we can build a more equitable, innovative, and sustainable renal care system for our patients,” Guruvadu said.

She added that the introduction of the memorial lecture marked a significant milestone in the province’s academic and clinical nephrology landscape. “Professor YK Seedat is internationally recognised for his contributions to nephrology, hypertension research and medical education.”

Guruvadu said: “As part of honouring Professor Seedat’s legacy, the meeting also marked the revival of the KZN Kidney Association. A key initiative under this revival will be the provision of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) for a defined period to selected patients who would otherwise face preventable mortality due to lack of access to renal replacement therapy.”

The programme highlighted strategies to increase donor utilisation, including paired donor exchange programmes and ABO-incompatible transplantation (where the recipient and donor blood types are mismatched). These innovations were said to be critical to expanding access to transplantation, which remains the only definitive cure for kidney failure.

Said Assounga: “The 3^rd KZN Nephrology Update was an opportunity to assess progress made in the development of nephrology in KZN, and to learn the latest innovation in that field. In the next year, all the role-players are invited to address the challenges in the delivery of nephrology care in the province”.

· UKZN’s Nephrology discipline provides nephrology teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students, clinical care for patients and offers teaching and research in immunology, including transplantation immunology, and molecular biology.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photographs: Albert Hirasen

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UKZN Webinar Explores Business Rescue Strategies in Challenging Economic Times

From left: Business Rescue Practitioners Mr Peter van den Steen and Mr Gerhard Albertyn of Metis Strategic Advisors.

An insightful webinar examining the realities of navigating financial distress in an increasingly fragmented global economy was hosted recently at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

The event was facilitated by the Business Rescue Unit in the School of Commerce within the College of Law and Management Studies at UKZN.

Presented under the theme: ‘Business Rescue Under Pressure: Navigating Financial Distress in a Fragmented Global Economy’, the webinar brought together academics, students, business rescue practitioners and industry professionals for robust discussions on the evolving business rescue landscape in South Africa.

Welcoming participants, Business Rescue Unit co-chair Dr Kajal Ramnanun described the engagement as an important platform for dialogue on the growing pressures confronting businesses amid economic instability, global fragmentation and financial uncertainty.

Dean and Head of the School of Commerce, Professor Stephen Mutula, highlighted the significance of the webinar in addressing critical issues affecting the South African business rescue environment. Mutula noted that global conflict in Eastern Europe and the Middle East continues to disrupt international trade, supply chains and fuel costs, placing immense pressure on businesses and economies worldwide.

Mutula emphasised the vulnerability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for the majority of businesses globally and play a vital role in job creation and economic development. “There is a need for business rescue interventions to support industrial growth, preserve employment and strengthen business resilience through collaborative partnerships between government, industry and financial institutions,” he said.

The keynote presentations were delivered by leading business rescue practitioners Mr Peter van den Steen and Mr Gerhard Albertyn of Metis Strategic Advisors. The pair shared practical insights from their extensive experience in corporate restructuring, turnaround strategy and business rescue.

A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the importance of early intervention in preventing business collapse. Van den Steen explained that businesses often delay seeking assistance due to optimism bias, fear of reputational damage or reluctance to engage external advisors.

“Early intervention preserves options, trust and value,” he said, adding that businesses which seek help sooner are better positioned to implement structured recovery plans and avoid destructive financial crises.

The speakers unpacked the ‘distress spiral’ commonly experienced by struggling companies, where declining liquidity, tightening credit conditions, loss of stakeholder confidence and operational instability progressively reduce the organisation’s ability to recover.

Using high-profile case studies including Tongaat Hulett, Hernic Ferrochrome and Stefanutti Stocks, the presenters illustrated the contrasting outcomes of late versus early intervention strategies.

The Tongaat Hulett case was highlighted as an example of a late intervention, where restructuring efforts became increasingly difficult due to mounting creditor pressure, operational instability and declining stakeholder confidence.

In contrast, the Hernic Ferrochrome business rescue demonstrated how early intervention, collaborative stakeholder engagement and adequate post-commencement funding enabled the preservation of jobs, continuity of operations and the successful sale of the business as a going concern.

The presenters also reflected on the successful turnaround of Stefanutti Stocks through an informal restructuring process that avoided formal business rescue proceedings altogether. Through proactive engagement with lenders, operational restructuring and transparent communication, the company was able to stabilise operations and restore investor confidence.

Throughout the webinar, transparency, trust and decisive leadership emerged as central pillars of successful restructuring efforts. Albertyn noted that distressed businesses require objective and often difficult decision-making informed by experience and timely action.

The webinar concluded with an interactive discussion session, where participants engaged the speakers on topics ranging from governance and lender relations to the future of business rescue practice in South Africa.

Professor Paul Francois Muzindutsi, the Chairperson of the BRU Unit, provided the closing remarks and the engagement reaffirmed UKZN’s commitment to advancing scholarship and professional dialogue on economic resilience, corporate sustainability and innovative approaches to business continuity in uncertain global conditions.

The webinar was part of the build-up to the 4^th International Conference of the UKZN Business Rescue Unit on Business Resilience, Continuity and Regeneration, scheduled to take place from 17-19 June 2026 at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani hotels in Durban.

Words: Hazel Langa

Photograph: Supplied

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Global Foundation Donates Mobile Eye Clinics to Strengthen UKZN Optometry Programme

Together, we are advancing healthcare access, education and social impact - one community at a time.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Discipline of Optometry has received a major boost to its community outreach and student training initiatives through the donation of two mobile eye clinics by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation (OSELF) in partnership with the Transnet Foundation.

The initiative marks the first time a university in Africa has been selected by the OSELF to implement its container-based graduate optometry programme.

Sponsored by the Transnet Foundation, the two fully branded shipping containers have been converted into functional optometry clinics, with one established at UKZN’s Edgewood campus and the second on the Howard College campus. Transnet’s engineering team ensured that the clinics are fully functional to provide basic eye care services, including eye examinations and glaucoma screening, to students, staff, and surrounding communities. Patients will also have access to spectacles at discounted rates.

The project builds on an existing partnership between UKZN and the OSELF, which previously supported the University’s outreach programmes through the provision of spectacles and optical products for underserved communities.

Head of UKZN’s Optometry Discipline, Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, said: “Through engagement with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Transnet Foundation, I was able to secure the donation of two shipping containers that have been converted into fully functional optometry clinics. OSELF donated the equipment, funded the conversion of the containers, and continues to assist with operational aspects of the project. The Transnet Foundation donated the containers.”

“At Transnet Foundation, we are passionate about transforming lives through journeys of collaboration, and this initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations work together for social impact,” said Ms Shamona Kandia, Portfolio Manager: Health at the Transnet Foundation. “The gift of sight can change lives, and what is being launched today will positively impact many communities for years to come,” she added.

College of Health Sciences Dean of Teaching and Learning Professor Sinegugu Duma welcomed the donation, saying: “This initiative significantly strengthens the clinical training platform for UKZN Optometry by expanding our service footprint to three of the University’s five campuses and creating two additional clinical training sites for our students. Importantly, UKZN is the first university in Africa selected by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to implement a project of this nature, making this a particularly significant milestone for the Institution. We hope these clinics will bring much-needed eye care services closer to communities that often face barriers to accessing quality eye health services. We thank the Transnet Foundation for the donation and refurbishment of the two containers which have been converted into fully functional clinics.”

Senior Project Co-ordinator at the OSELF Ms Busisiwe Butangu said: “UKZN is the first university in Africa selected to implement this innovative initiative, and we are excited about the opportunities it will bring for students and communities alike. Our mission is to eliminate poor and uncorrected vision in underserved communities, and partnerships such as this help us bring affordable eye care services closer to the people who need them most.”

The agreement also includes a three-month supply of spectacles, frames, lenses, laboratory manufacturing and courier support for the clinics. In addition, the Foundation will provide entrepreneurship training for student optometrists, assist with inventory management systems, and support product procurement during the first three months of operation.

“Africa has the highest unmet need for refractive eye care services in the world, with nearly 70% of people lacking adequate access to eye examinations and spectacles,” said Professor Kovin Naidoo, Global Head: Advocacy and Partnerships at the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Honorary Professor of Optometry at UKZN.

“What we are seeing here today is innovation in action - academia stepping into the public health space to help solve real community challenges,” said Naidoo.

“We do not believe in charity; we believe in empowerment. Through innovation and collaboration, we can create sustainable eye care solutions that transform lives,” he added.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photographs: Tisetso Nhlapo

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Pivotal Moment for UKZN Pop and Jazz Voice Students

UKZN Music students with KZNPO Conductor, Mr Chad Hendricks.

Five University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pop and Jazz Voice students, from the Music Discipline in the School of Arts successfully auditioned to sing with the acclaimed KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) for a special Mother’s Day concert held at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Durban.

The Music Discipline has a long-standing relationship with the KZNPO which regularly presents concerts in collaboration with the Discipline often featuring both staff and students.

Said Ms Debbie Mari: “Our Music students have been invited to perform with the KZNPO at several campus lunch-hour concerts over the years and more recently at special events such as the recent Mothers’ Day Concert.”

The session was free and open to the public and featured UKZN Music students as soloists.

Mari said such events developed the abilities of students within their Discipline. “It is a wonderful opportunity for our Music students as it gives them valuable real-world insight into the professional music industry.”

She said current resident conductor Mr Chad Hendricks was an inspiration to the students – “he is young, approachable and so generous with his time, offering meaningful mentorship opportunities to our students whenever they get to work with the orchestra.”

The UKZN Music Discipline is recognised nationally and internationally for its creative work and published research, currently offering studies in African Music and Dance, Ethnomusicology, Opera, Jazz, Pop, Western Classical Music and Music Technology.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photographs: Debbie Mari

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UKZN Launches Hluma Programme to Advance Indigenous Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Hluma launch attendees.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has officially launched the Hluma Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (CFERI), a pioneering programme led by the College of Health Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science.

The Centre was launched in a bid to integrate traditional medicine, indigenous crops, and innovation to drive entrepreneurship, economic development and inclusive growth; and brings together researchers, industry partners, government agencies, as well as emerging entrepreneurs to unlock the commercial potential of Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems while strengthening food security, health innovation, and township and rural development.

Hluma Co-Director, Professor Nceba Gqaleni, highlighted UKZN’s leadership in traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge systems research, noting the University’s unique position on the continent.

“I must proudly say that we are the only university in sub-Saharan Africa with a Traditional Medicine discipline. I think I’m not afraid to say in Africa…we’ve embraced this broad spectrum of health and medicine,” said Gqaleni.

He reflected on the philosophy underpinning the programme, emphasising the enduring relationship between food and medicine in African knowledge systems.

“What we historically knew when growing up is that our food is our medicine, and our medicine is our food. That’s what we are bringing here today,” he said.

Gqaleni also outlined the programme’s structure, which included presentations on Hluma, partner engagements, site visits to agricultural and research facilities, and a final networking and business session designed to connect entrepreneurs with potential funders and collaborators.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Professor Fhatuwani Mudau, described Hluma as a strategic shift toward innovation-driven development, stressing the importance of translating scientific research into real-world economic value.

“Innovation is good, but we’ve got to bring something tangible to the table so that we can see how our science transforms society,” he said.

He added that universities must go beyond traditional academic roles to become active contributors to economic development, job creation, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

A central feature of Hluma is its focus on indigenous crops and underutilised food systems. Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi, Hluma Co-Director, detailed years of work identifying and developing priority crops, including sorghum, millet, Bambara groundnut, sweet potatoes, cassava, and indigenous leafy vegetables. These crops were selected for their resilience to climate change, nutritional value, and potential for commercialisation.

The programme also builds on extensive research into medicinal plants, nutrition, climate resilience, and seed systems with the aim of developing value chains that include production, processing, product development, and market access.

“We cannot just grow crops; we must ask what else we can do with them. We must develop products, markets, and businesses that include communities at every level of the value chain,” one researcher noted.

Hluma is further supported by a network of strategic partners, including government departments, research councils, and innovation agencies such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Water Research Commission, and several development and incubation organisations.

Speakers from incubation and enterprise development agencies emphasised that Hluma aligns with national priorities of job creation, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development, and inclusive economic participation. The programme is expected to support youth, women, and rural entrepreneurs by providing training, incubation, product testing, access to funding, and business development support.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen intellectual property (IP) commercialisation pathways while ensuring equitable benefit-sharing and avoiding monopolisation of indigenous innovations.

Hluma is positioned as a long-term platform that connects science, indigenous knowledge, and entrepreneurship to build a sustainable African bioeconomy.

As the programme moves forward, UKZN says it aims to scale Hluma into a nationally and internationally recognised model for indigenous knowledge-driven innovation, with the potential to reshape how African universities contribute to economic transformation.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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Alumni Enjoy Visit to the National Sea Rescue Institute

A day of learning and impact! UKZN alumni visited the NSRI at Durban Point, gaining insight into life-saving rescue operations and water safety.

The Alumni Relations Office hosted a successful Durban Alumni Association Tour to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) at Durban Point offering alumni a unique opportunity to learn more about the important work done by the Institute in ensuring safety on South African waters.

The tour was led by the public relations/guest speaker for NSRI (Point: Durban) Ms Helen Wienand, who welcomed guests and presented an informative overview of the organisation. Guests learned about the NSRI’s wide network of over 50 rescue stations around the country as well as its community outreach programmes, safety education initiatives and the vital role played by dedicated volunteers and supporters.

Following the presentation, guests had the opportunity to view the rescue boats up close. This hands-on experience allowed them to gain a better understanding of the equipment and operations involved in sea rescue missions. Guests were able to walk on and around the vessels, making the experience both engaging and memorable.

The visit concluded with refreshments served in the galley, where guests had time to ask questions and engage further with the NSRI team. The relaxed setting encouraged meaningful conversations and a deeper appreciation of the organisation’s life-saving work.

Overall, the tour was an enriching experience, highlighting the impact of the NSRI and the importance of water safety. The Alumni Relations Office looks forward to hosting more engaging and informative events in the future.

Words: Ayabulela Mbhele

Photograph: Calvin Govender

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UKZN Hosts Stimulating Debate on Importance of Committed Stem Cell Donors in SA

Attending the event at UKZN’s Medical School.

The life of eight-year-old Avukile Shandu of Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal was changed for the better forever, thanks to a stem cell transplant that brought tears of joy to her mother, Ms Thobile Khumalo.

Her moving story resonated deeply with attendees at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) flagship event titled: ‘The Importance of Committed Stem Cell Donors in South Africa - A Dialogue’, which was held at the University’s Medical School campus in collaboration with the non-profit organisation, DKMS Africa, which is dedicated to fighting blood cancer and blood disorders by giving patients a second chance at life. 

DKMS’s slogan: ‘We Delete Blood Cancer’ emphasises the organisation’s ambitious goal to recruit one million diverse donors to the South African registry by 2030.

“Currently, 186 000 potential life savers and donors have joined the global cause. Our goal is to reach 200 000 by the end of 2026,” said DKMS Head of Donor Recruitment and Data Management, Mr Xolani Hlongwane, who was programme director at UKZN’s stem cell discussion event in April.

Hlongwane said DKMS registers donors from the age of 17 (eligible to donate at 18).

“I think it is very important for us to grow the numbers in our registry, especially adding people of colour to enable us to afford the same level of treatment and access to stem transplantation when diagnosed with blood cancer and related disorders.”

Speaking on behalf of UKZN’s Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Dr Normah Zondo, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ms Xoliswa Zulu, said: “Today’s engagement is part of UKZN’s ongoing collaboration with DKMS, borne out of the memorandum of understanding, signed by both parties in 2024.

Zulu said: “This conversation reflects our shared commitment to raising awareness and advancing action to address blood-related disorders, including blood cancers.”

Zulu noted that while success stories such as Avukile’s offer hope, many patients are still waiting for compatible donors.

“Avukile’s journey reminds us that what we are discussing here is immediate,” she said. “It speaks to what is possible when a suitable donor is found, but it also highlights a difficult reality, which is that many patients are still waiting. For those who are still waiting, the search for a compatible donor is not a distant concern, but a daily uncertainty,” Zulu said. 

She encouraged participants to play an active role, either by registering as donors or advocating within their communities.

The event kicked off with a robust and informative panel discussion where UKZN Senior Lecturer and Clinical Haematology Consultant for KZN’s Department of Health at Victoria Mxenge Hospital, Dr Gugu Jali, said: “Stem cell transplant affords our patients a chance of cure from aggressive blood disorders and cancers. Having a registry of healthy, educated and committed stem cell donors is vital for patients to have another chance at life.”

Jali highlighted that donors mainly needed to have maintained a healthy lifestyle, particularly a healthy diet and exercise safe sex practices. “Having infections is the major factor that excludes young adults from being donors in our population - HIV and Hepatitis B infections, for example.”

Specialist Paediatrician and Clinical Haematologist at eThekwini Heart Hospital, Dr Keshnie Moodley, said it was important for the public to know that up to 70% of childhood cancers were curable. Moodley said parents and guardians needed to be educated on how to detect early warning signs of childhood cancer so that healthcare practitioners could have an early pick-up rate, making referrals to specialist oncologists or haematologists.

Moodley and colleagues from South Africa’s CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation - the non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families - lobbied for wider public awareness of what the profession has termed Siluan’s Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer:

S - Seek medical help early for ongoing symptoms

I - White spot in the eye, new squint, sudden blindness or bulging eyeball

L - Lump on the stomach, pelvis, head, arms, legs, testicle or glands

U - Unexplained fever present for over two weeks, weight loss, fatigue, pale appearance, easy bruising and bleeding

A - Aching bones, joints and back and easy fractures

N - Neurological signs, a change in walk, balance or speech, regression, continuous headaches with or without vomiting and enlarged head.

A moving short video highlighting the impact of stem cell donation was screened before the interactive and highly informative question-and-answer session.

Panellists said: “To our future doctors in the room, we need you to master the art of listening to the patients in order to make early diagnosis. As a healthcare practitioner, if you suspect that the patient’s condition is worrying, ask for a blood swab and send it to the lab immediately.”

Choc Childhood Cancer Foundation KZN Regional Manager, Mrs Agie Govender warned, “The myths and stigmas in the communities are shocking!” Govender said raising awareness was critical because people, especially children, would otherwise never get diagnosed. She appealed to the audience to register with DKMS as donors.

UKZN’s Ndaba recently published the heartening news of Family Medicine Specialist, Professor Andrew Ross, who was given a second chance at life through DKMS. This was Ross’ call to action at UKZN’s Medical School in 2024.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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History Showcased in an isiZulu Anthology: Imfihlo Yempophoma

Scenes from the Chart-Umsamo book launch.

As part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) commitment to advancing African scholarship and strengthening programmes in African Languages and African Studies, the Chart-Umsamo Institute in the School of Arts hosted the launch of a book on African indigenous knowledge, traditional healing and spirituality.

Titled: Imfihlo yempophoma - Kuthangi, izolo nanamuhla, the book is a collection of 60 poems by legendary poet BB Ndelu that reflect on inherited customs, beliefs, and ways of life passed down through generations, capturing the essence of African heritage.

The event, facilitated by Professor Victor Velaphi Otty Mkhize from the Discipline of Ancestrology, Theology and Religion in the School of Arts, featured Abelaphi bendabuko (traditional healers) as well as contributing authors of the anthology.

Ndelu and Mkhize became close when Mkhize was researching aspects of IsiZulu customs and practices. Ndeulu was a prominent South African author, playwright, and poet celebrated for his contributions to isiZulu literature.

Prior to the text from the original handwritten manuscript, Mkhize recognised the depth of the language used in the poems and then enlisted the help of former UKZN academic, Professor Gugu Mazibuko who is now an Associate Professor in the Department of African Languages at the University of Johannesburg as well as Ms Hlengiwe Ngcongo, an independent IsiZulu language expert working for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture whose help was enlisted by Mazibuko, ensuring its accessibility while preserving its depth and meaning.

Welcoming guests on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize; College of Humanities, Dean of Research, Professor Vivian Ojong highlighted the challenges often encountered in translation, noting that meaning can sometimes be lost in the process. Ojong encouraged Black historians and scholars of African history to continue using isiZulu as a primary medium of communication, emphasising the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

Ojong further noted that the University continues to invest in the development of isiZulu and other indigenous languages, including South African Sign Language, positioning them as languages of administration, teaching and learning, research, trade, and technology.

Ngcongo confirmed that the poems were written in very deep poetic isiZulu language with earthy themes. The editors found the author Ndelu an excellent researcher and, according to Ngcongo, his literary works select words creatively; hence, preserving isiZulu language. “The author was a person who looked at things deeply, scrutinised them, and voiced his views,” said Ngcongo.

Mazibuko commended the writer’s poetic craftsmanship, noting that “the tone used in the poems compels the reader to keep turning the pages.”

“I am optimistic about Africans reclaiming their identity,” said Onjong. “I encourage both the public and students to continue telling African stories with depth and meaning.”

The national speaker of parliament, Ms Thoko Didiza, a member of the Ndelu extended family, delivered a message of support and appreciation for the efforts of UKZN in promoting African scholarship.

The book was handed over to Ndelu’s 93-year-old widow, Mrs Rosette Nomnikelo Ndelu, and her children and grandchildren.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photographs: Albert Hirasen

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Public Shaming Is Not Law Enforcement

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Why traffic authorities cross legal and constitutional lines when they turn arrests into social media content.

In 2025, South Africa recorded 11 418 road fatalities. This staggering statistic paints a bleak picture for the country, with travelling on the country’s roads seemingly becoming a life-or-death situation.

In light of the persistently high death toll, the Department of Transport has embarked on an unconventional method to tackle the scourge of drunken driving. This involves placing footage of motorists who are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol across various social media platforms.

Videos and livestreams of motorists at police roadblocks have gone viral, a form of public awareness which doubles as entertainment through humiliation. During a recent Facebook Live stream, motorists were filmed being breathalysed and subsequently arrested. The faces of motorists were barely blurred; however, vehicle licence plates, clothing and locations often make individuals easily identifiable. Ultimately, the actions of the Department of Transport risk infringing on the human rights of motorists.

While road safety is a pressing concern, the methods used to educate and ultimately deter criminality have come under scrutiny. When the state moves from lawful enforcement into public shaming, entrenched constitutional values are undermined. A core principle of criminal law is that protection afforded to an arrested individual attaches at the point of arrest. Guilt or innocence is only for a court to determine and not for the court of public opinion. Therefore, the state’s power over that individual must be exercised with restraint and reverence for dignity, a foundational value of South Africa’s post-1994 constitutional order.

Furthermore, Section 69 of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Act 68 of 1995 prohibits any person from publishing a photograph or sketch of a suspect or person in custody without the written authorisation of the National or Provincial Commissioner. ‘Photograph’ is defined broadly to include any visually perceptible image or depiction. While the section speaks specifically of photographs and sketches, the same protective rationale applies to video footage that depicts identifiable individuals in custody. The prohibition binds not only SAPS members but any person or entity publishing such material. Its purpose is to safeguard the integrity of investigations and preserve the rights and dignity of those not yet convicted.

The prohibition is triggered once someone is a suspect, a threshold clearly met at a roadblock arrest. Indirect identification remains identification, and it falls foul of the law. Section 69 is not a technicality to be circumvented by partial concealment; it demands substantive compliance.

These posts also raise serious constitutional concerns. Section 35 of the Constitution affords arrested persons fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence, which primarily governs the trial process. When read in conjunction with the right to dignity (section 10) and privacy (section 14), it reinforces a broader principle: the state must not prejudge or humiliate individuals before a court has handed down a verdict. Broadcasting footage of an arrest to thousands of followers, accompanied by commentary on behaviour or excuses, risks doing exactly that, turning vulnerable moments into a public spectacle.

The constitutional right to dignity is not earned through good behaviour nor is it forfeited through unlawful conduct. It belongs to every individual simply by virtue of their shared humanity. Even when a person is arrested, they do not surrender this fundamental right. On the contrary, the state bears a positive constitutional duty to respect and protect the dignity of arrested persons, rather than exploit their vulnerability for public spectacle or social media engagement. The power to arrest and prosecute must never become a licence to humiliate.

The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) adds another layer. Images of individuals, their vehicles, and contextual details constitute personal information. POPIA contains a law enforcement exclusion (section 6), but this is not unlimited. It applies to the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences only to the extent that adequate safeguards exist in other legislation.

In cases supported by evidence in the form of breathalyser or blood test readings, charges are unlikely to be struck out solely due to social media exposure. However, the defence may raise allegations of abuse of process. The greater risk arises if charges are withdrawn or the accused is acquitted: the Department would then have publicly shamed an innocent person. Affected individuals would have strong grounds for civil claims based on unlawful publication under the SAPS Act, violations of constitutional rights, and breaches of POPIA.

None of this is to suggest that traffic enforcement should be weak or invisible. South Africa’s road death statistics demand firm and effective law enforcement. However, effective policing and constitutional compliance are not competing goals. If the state wishes to harness the shock factor of real enforcement footage, it must do so responsibly by ensuring that all material is carefully edited to protect the identity of motorists. This will uphold the dignity and due process rights of arrested individuals. Tools such as carefully edited footage of roadblocks that do not identify individuals, as well as hard-hitting educational material on the dangers of drunk driving, can effectively convey the seriousness of the crisis while remaining firmly within legal and ethical boundaries.

There is also a deeper point worth making. The notion that humiliation serves as an effective deterrent rests on shaky ground. Shaming campaigns may generate social media engagement and a fleeting sense of public satisfaction, but there is little evidence that they produce lasting behavioural change. What they do produce is harm to the individuals exposed and erosion of the integrity of a justice system, built on the shoulders of constitutionality. A state that reaches for humiliation as a governance tool signals, perhaps unwittingly, that rights are conditional and that the presumption of innocence is merely a courtroom formality.

That signal is corrosive, and it ought to be resisted. Public safety does not require public shaming - and the law does not permit it.

Dr Sandhya Maharaj is a lecturer in the School of Law, Discipline of Public Law, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research focuses on criminal justice and capacity-based criminal defences, examining issues of criminal responsibility, mental functioning, and the role of psychological and psychiatric evidence in determining criminal liability under conditions of emotional and psychological stress.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

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Alumnus and Award-Winning Educator Delivers Inspiring Presentation on Education

An evening of inspiration, wisdom and meaningful conversation.Click here for isiZulu version

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Alumni Relations Division hosted an inspiring Durban Alumni Association (DAA) presentation featuring UKZN alumnus and award-winning educator Mr Samkelo Mhlophe, popularly known as ‘iLembe Lothisha’.

The talk was part of a DAA series aimed at providing a platform for distinguished alumni to share details about their journeys, experiences and insights with colleagues, students and the broader University community.

Originally from Hammarsdale, near Durban, Mhlophe has become one of South Africa’s most recognised educators through his impactful teaching methods and educational content on the social media platform TikTok. He has attracted over 832 000 followers and more than 10 million likes, making his platform the largest teacher account in Africa.

During the talk, Mhlophe reflected on his academic and professional journey. He said after completing matric at Sikhethuxolo High School in Hammarsdale, he received a bursary to study Civil Engineering at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU - now Nelson Mandela University). However, after completing his studies, he realised that his true passion was teaching. He later enrolled at UKZN for a Bachelor of Education degree.

While studying at UKZN, Mhlophe was selected as one of eight students to represent the University in Germany and Switzerland for six months as part of a programme focused on community engagement in education. He described the opportunity as one that broadened his perspective on education and leadership.

Speaking passionately about teaching, Mhlophe emphasised the importance of building strong relationships with learners and creating an environment where they enjoy learning. “For learners to pass your subject, you first need to make them love your subject,” he said. “Once they enjoy and connect with what you teach, it becomes easier for them to learn from you.”

He also reflected on the support he received during his time at UKZN and thanked Professor Angela James, one of his lecturers who played a significant role in his life while he was a student.

Mhlophe shared how James supported him following the loss of his mother. “Prof James stepped up for me during a very difficult time in my life, and I will always be grateful for her support,” he said.

After graduating in 2019, Mhlophe began his teaching career as a Life Sciences educator and currently teaches at Makhumbuza High School in Umlazi. His innovative teaching style and dedication to learner success have earned him several accolades, including recognition at the National Teacher Awards in 2025, where he received the award for Best Life Sciences Teacher from Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Today, Mhlophe also owns several educational centres and an upgrading school in Durban called: Education Made Easy, where he continues to support learners from across South Africa and beyond.

His story serves as a reminder of the impact passionate educators can have in transforming lives and shaping the future of education.

Words: Ayabulela Mbhele

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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Cultural Studies in Practice: UKZN Students Visit Durban Memorial Sites

UKZN postgraduate students exploring monuments and statues in and around Durban.Click here for isiZulu version

As part of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Cultural Heritage and Tourism programme, UKZN students, accompanied by staff members, toured Durban’s memorial landscape.

The purpose of the trip was to help students apply theories of representation, identity, material culture and cultural heritage to the sites they visited, with a particular focus on cultural memory and cultural tourism.

The module is offered in the discipline of Cultural Studies, Media and Fine Art, with the field trip being an important component of the module, as it seeks to move students outside the classroom and provide opportunities for them to apply their knowledge.

It also enables them to critically engage with the world around them, according to the module co-ordinator, Professor Sarah Gibson. The transport for the field trip was generously sponsored by the College of Humanities. Aligning the tour with the module, Gibson describes walking as a critical, decolonised, outdoor and mobile pedagogy.

Postgraduate students were taken on a tour of the monuments and statues in and around Durban, accompanied by Gibson, lecturer Ms Zainab Khan, and Emeritus Professor Donal McCracken.

Gibson said the trip was an informative and exciting excursion during which students visited nine statues.

The tour began with the monuments and memorials on Howard College campus itself, before venturing further afield to explore those at Albert Luthuli Square, Margaret Mncandi Avenue, and King Shaka International Airport.

Gibson commented that “the visits to the new Durban statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo were a particular highlight of the field trip for staff and students as these had only been officially unveiled in March this year.”

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Supplied

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Speed Networking and Skills Development Workshop

Members BLASC with School of Law academics and candidate legal practitioners attending the Speed Networking and Skills Development workshop.

The Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (BLASC) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Howard College campus, recently hosted a Speed Networking and Skills Development workshop.

The Executive of BLASC - Howard College campus invited guests and divided the programme into three parts - private law, which also included academia, advocacy and candidate attorneys. The event aimed to identify different careers Law students could venture into and assist students with tips on how to draft CVs and answer interview questions.

A large number of students attended with their notebooks in hand.

The event, the first of its kind, was described by BLASC Chairperson Ms Bukelwa Hlanganyana as one of the plans to bridge the unemployment gap among students. Hlanganyana mentioned that when she ran for leadership, she had a vision of building a relationship with the alumni of the Law School.

“The University of KwaZulu-Natal, specifically the School of Law, is rich with professionals who are trailblazers in work,” she said. “The aim is to bring them back and interact with them in an environment where students can ask questions and have them answered. Law is a competitive field; it requires one to always be a step ahead of others.”

Hlanganyana said students apply repeatedly for vacation work and articles but still get rejected, and the event hoped to help answer lingering questions about why this happens. “Though unemployment is a national crisis, we cannot negate the fact that candidate attorneys are still getting employed - this event aimed to discover that secret to employment,” she said.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied

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UKZN Alumnus and Lecturer A Champion of Integrating Traditional Medicine into the Mainstream

Professor Nceba Gqaleni. Click here for isiZulu version

As Africa commemorates Africa Day, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) shines a spotlight on pioneering work that affirms African scholarship, innovation and indigenous knowledge systems as the University continues striving to be a leading research institution on the continent.

UKZN has cemented its place as a pioneer in advancing African indigenous knowledge systems and traditional medicine research. Long before the global shift towards integrative healthcare, UKZN recognised the value of African healing practices and became a leader in bridging the gap between traditional and Western medicine through research, teaching and collaboration. At the centre of this journey is Professor Nceba Gqaleni, whose work has helped position the University at the forefront of integrating indigenous healing into mainstream healthcare in South Africa and beyond.

A chance opportunity has ensured that a University of Strathclyde (Scotland) PhD graduate and University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal) Master of Science in Biochemistry graduate who had set his sights on advancing his academic career has found himself as a midwife of a critical project. Today, Gqaleni is a leading advocate of a movement that has blazed the trail in putting African traditional healing methods in the mainstream of modern medicine.

Until UKZN had the foresight to incorporate African traditional health methods into its curricula, centuries of colonialism and decades of Apartheid had ensured that traditional healing remained on the periphery and was caricatured as inferior and backward while Western modern medicine was put on the pedestal as the standard. The perceptions of the one about the other had engendered mutual suspicion and disdain.

Thanks to fate, UKZN Research Professor of Traditional Medicine and Member of the World Health Organization Regional Expert Committee on Traditional Medicine, Gqaleni has been pioneering the cause to ensure that indigenous medicine is integrated with its Western counterpart towards a holistic way of healing the sick.

After returning from Glasgow, Gqaleni had taken a post as a junior lecturer to pursue his passion - biochemistry.

Reflecting about the journey traversed so far ahead of Africa Month, which is observed in May, he said: “My career has taken a different turn. I managed to get a post at the Medical School. I was keen to see how we can integrate the indigenous knowledge in disease prevention. When the Medical School executive was deciding they would like to integrate traditional medicine into the education of our Medical students, I was invited to be involved in the process.”

That was the start of Gqaleni’s ground-breaking work which has fostered a relationship between Western and traditional medicines. It started with a realisation that the modern-day medical doctor needed to appreciate the value of traditional healing when treating an African patient. The training was meant for Medical students.

He remembers that the initial engagements between the University’s Medical School (Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine) “were very difficult” because of the mistrust harboured by some of the traditional healers about working with doctors, who believed that the intention was to steal their sacred secrets. “The traditional healers asked why the University was suddenly interested in talking to them, why now? They said you want our secrets, your researchers come and take our plants and never come back.

“I said I can assure you, because I know you don’t know me, but I was raised to be trustworthy. I promise you that as we build this relationship, I won’t allow such things to happen. There’s been a change of leadership and there’s a change of strategy. There’s a sense of appreciation of the African Renaissance. There’s a need to impart indigenous knowledge to our students.” Thus, enduring trust was formed.

Subsequently, he found himself as the University’s champion in its dealings with traditional healers. The negotiations culminated in the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the KZN Department of Health, the Medical School, and the traditional healers’ sector.

On the evening of the signing of the MoU in 2000, where not only the provincial Department of Health officials, but also the national and other stakeholders were present, the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said something that struck a chord with Gqaleni. “He said medical schools have been at the forefront of the development of Western medicine. Traditional medicine has been affected by colonialism and Apartheid. I wish that this signing today will be a start of the development of traditional medicine.”

In 2007, a Research Chair in Indigenous Health Care Systems was established by the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology to lead research and teach postgraduate students. The UKZN allocated space for the creation of a state-of-the-art laboratory under the School of Health Sciences at the Howard College campus, prompting Gqaleni to focus on being a full-time researcher. “We were the first Chair on traditional medicine in the country,” said Gqaleni.

Some of the work of the Discipline of Traditional Medicine includes research; publishing a seminal book called “Foundations of African Traditional Medicine, A Nguni Perspective; curating training programmes for traditional healers on HIV and the implementation of medical referral letters endorsed by the Department of Health that traditional healers can give to their patients.

Today, the work extends to fourth-year Pharmacy students. He said: “We bring traditional healing practitioners to talk to the students about how they work, which is quite useful. We also got funding from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for KZN to train primary healthcare nurses on traditional medicine, with amazing results.”

The traditional healing sector acknowledges UKZN’s leading role in advancing the symbiotic relationship. Mr Musa Cele, a traditional healer and KZN Traditional Health Practitioners’ Forum secretary, which represents 11 districts in the province, said he started working with the University and Gqaleni since 2002. “UKZN has played and continues to play a big role in the work of integrating indigenous health methods in modern medicine. Some of the spin-offs from this work has been the two-way referral system, where patients can be referred by doctors to traditional healers and vice versa if needs be.

“Gqaleni has been a big supporter of the traditional healing sector. From our relationship, in 2024, South Africa started observing Africa Traditional Medicine Week on 31 August, which was started in Burkina Faso. We have had a lot of collaborations over the years, with UKZN at the forefront,” he said.

Cele concluded: “From the support including testing of traditional medicines in the laboratory to invitations to guest lecturing overseas student and showcasing our work at Ezimbuzini Herbal Market in uMlazi, UKZN has handed the baton to the Mangosuthu University of Technology and now the University of Zululand.”

Words: Langa Khanyile

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

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Three UKZN Footballers Crack the Big Time Nod!

The UKZN student players recruited into the Durban City FC DDC Squad 2026/27 are (from left) Mr Wandile Gigaba, Mr Amukelwa Tau and Mr Lwandiso Yalo.

The partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Durban City Football Club (FC) bore more exciting fruit with three talented UKZN footballers officially recruited into the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) Squad for the 2026/27 season.

Fresh from a historic Nedbank Cup triumph and an impressive debut season in the Betway Premiership, Durban City FC unveiled student-athletes Mr Amukelwa Tau, Mr Wandile Gigaba and Mr Lwandiso Yalo during a vibrant ceremony held at the UKZN Football Stadium on the Howard College campus.

The occasion marked a proud moment for both institutions as the three players moved from university football into the professional development ranks of one of South Africa’s fastest-growing football clubs, Durban City FC. The unveiling highlighted the growing success of the strategic partnership signed between UKZN and Durban City FC just over a year ago to strengthen high-performance football development and create professional pathways for young talent.

The atmosphere at the stadium was electric as students, supporters and football officials gathered to celebrate the achievements of the student trio, whose hard work and dedication have earned them an opportunity to compete at a higher level of the game.

Executive Director for Corporate Relations at UKZN Dr Normah Zondo described the occasion as a breakthrough moment for student sport and youth development.

Said Zondo: “This is truly an exciting moment as we celebrate not only a partnership but the opening of real opportunities for our students. We are immensely proud of the three selected to play for Durban City FC, as they represent the incredible talent and potential within our University community. Through collaborations like this, we are connecting education, leadership and opportunity in powerful ways,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of Durban City FC, Mr Younus Kadodia, said the recruitment reflects the club’s long-term vision of investing in youth talent while building strong community partnerships.

“For Durban City FC, this partnership reinforces our vision of building a sustainable and progressive football club that remains deeply connected to the community,” said Kadodia.  “We look forward to growing this relationship and creating opportunities that will inspire and benefit future generations.”

Interim Sports Manager at UKZN, Mr Zweli Sapula highlighted the significance of the occasion, referring to it as a celebration of collaboration, opportunity and student development. Sapula commended both UKZN and Durban City FC management for their commitment to nurturing young talent and creating pathways into professional football. Sapula also encouraged supporters to rally behind the players as they embarked on an exciting new chapter in their sporting careers.

The students were thankful and excited about joining the squad.

Tau, a first-year Bachelor of Arts student, paid tribute to his family for nurturing his passion for the game.

“I come from a family of football lovers,” he said. “My grandfather was a football fanatic and a devoted Kaizer Chiefs supporter. Growing up, we hardly ever missed a Chiefs home match, and from an early age I began seeing myself playing on these stages,” he said.

Tau, known for his versatility on both the left and right wing, added that watching his older brother play inspired his first kick of a soccer ball and fuelled his love for the sport. He said he was looking forward to learning and growing in a competitive environment alongside some of KwaZulu-Natal’s top football talent.

Yalo, a second-year Bachelor of Education student, who also comes from a football-loving family and enjoys playing on the right wing, said he hopes to make his family proud through his achievements.

“As I progress in my football career, I carry forward my family’s legacy and love for the Game. I hope to bring positive energy and create memorable moments with my new teammates,” he said.

Selected as a striker, Gigaba, a first-year Bachelor of Education student, said his passion for football began during childhood while playing with family and friends.

“From a young age, I loved the excitement of the game, the teamwork, and the challenge of improving my skills. Football became something I truly love because it brings people together and motivates me to work hard and achieve my goals,” he said.

Gigaba described joining Durban City FC as an exciting and honourable opportunity to develop his abilities, learn new skills, and compete at a higher level.

For Tau, Gigaba and Yalo, the evening represented more than just a football opportunity - it was the fulfilment of a dream and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their sporting journeys. The players thanked both UKZN and Durban City FC for believing in their potential and providing them with a platform to grow.

The celebrations concluded with an entertaining friendly match between UKZN FC and the Durban City FC DDC side, giving supporters a thrilling glimpse of the newly recruited players in action as they proudly wore the colours of their new club.

The latest recruitment success not only reflects the growing strength of university football at UKZN but also demonstrates how strategic partnerships can open doors for young athletes to pursue excellence in both academics and professional sport.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini and Sejal Desai

Photograph: Yola Ndzabe

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UKZN Supports Historic Launch of KZN Blind Women’s Cricket

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Impi Blind Cricket Team.Click here for isiZulu version

The inaugural training camp for the KwaZulu-Natal Blind Ladies Cricket Team marked a significant milestone for inclusive sport in South Africa when it was hosted at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

The pioneering initiative, spearheaded by the KwaZulu-Natal Association of Blind Cricket (KZABC), brought together women from across the province for the first official training camp of the newly established KZN Women’s Blind Cricket Team.

Playing a central role in the success of the camp was Dr Khumbuzile Khumalo, a lecturer in the College of Health Sciences’ Bachelor of Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Serving as team manager, Khumalo contributed extensively to coaching, performance analysis, logistics and team motivation throughout the intensive three-day programme.

The camp featured skills development sessions, match play, leadership training and team-building activities, with support from national blind cricket players and coaches. The programme laid the foundation for the team’s future participation in inter-provincial competitions, including a planned fixture against the Western Cape later this year.

Khumalo said the experience highlighted the immense potential within the squad. “The talent displayed was phenomenal, especially for a first camp. These women are ready to compete. I sincerely hope they receive the sponsorship and support they deserve to continue on this journey,” said Khumalo.

UKZN’s contribution extended beyond team management, with former Sport Science students Ms Nokwethemba Mwelase and Ms Nosihle Buthelezi, alongside current honours student Ms Amahle Mhlongo, assisting with scoring and match logistics.

Their involvement demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, disability sport development and gender inclusivity in sport.

The successful hosting of the camp represents a major step forward for blind cricket and women’s sport in KwaZulu-Natal, while reinforcing UKZN’s role in advancing inclusive sporting opportunities and empowering athletes of all abilities.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied

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UKZN Physiotherapy Workshop Strengthens Ethics, Law and Patient-Centred Practice in Healthcare

UKZN Physiotherapy academic staff with keynote speaker, Professor Desmond Mathye (front row, third left), and School Manager, Dr Bonisiwe Mbatha (front row, fourth left).

The Discipline of Physiotherapy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted an insightful ‘Ethics and Law in Healthcare’ workshop aimed at strengthening the professional development of Department of Health physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals.

The programme featured discussions on the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), social media and clinical practice, informed consent, medical law, ethics in clinical research, as well as disability and rehabilitation ethics. Participants also engaged in scenario role-plays, case-based learning, and ethical dilemma discussions.

Former Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) President, Professor Desmond Mathye, presented on ethical and legal compliance in healthcare practice, focusing on Ethical Rule 27A as a practical framework for preventing professional misconduct. He emphasised that healthcare ethics is rooted in the Constitution and supported by legislation such as the National Health Act, POPIA, PAIA, and HPCSA ethical guidelines.

Mathye highlighted the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, communicating effectively, and keeping accurate patient records. He cautioned healthcare practitioners against the misuse of social media, warning that even anonymised patient posts could compromise confidentiality. “If it is not recorded, it is hard to prove,” he noted, while stressing the legal importance of proper clinical documentation.

Professor Sylvester Chima delivered a presentation on South Africa’s medical law framework and informed consent in clinical practice. He explained that informed consent is both an ethical obligation and legal requirement grounded in constitutional rights such as dignity, privacy, bodily integrity, and access to healthcare.

Chima emphasised that informed consent should be viewed as an ongoing conversation rather than a once-off signature on a form. Drawing on research conducted among rehabilitation therapists in KwaZulu-Natal, he highlighted challenges such as language barriers, heavy workloads, and inconsistent documentation practices. He encouraged practitioners to strengthen patient-centred communication and uphold ethical and legal standards in rehabilitation care.

Dean of Research at UKZN, Professor Bongani Nkambule, addressed ethics in clinical research, encouraging healthcare professionals to become active contributors to evidence-based practice through postgraduate study and research. He stressed that clinicians working directly with patients are best positioned to identify healthcare gaps and develop contextually relevant solutions.

Nkambule also warned about growing ethical concerns linked to artificial intelligence (AI), including data falsification, plagiarism, and manipulated research findings. He urged practitioners to critically evaluate evidence before applying it in clinical practice and underscored the importance of accountability, transparency, and reproducibility in ethical research.

In a presentation on disability rights and rehabilitation ethics, UKZN’s Physiotherapy lecturer, Dr Nsikelelo Pefile challenged healthcare professionals to reflect critically on how rehabilitation services are delivered to people with disabilities. He advocated for patient-centred rehabilitation practices that uphold autonomy, dignity, and inclusion.

Pefile stressed the importance of involving patients in rehabilitation goal setting, guided by the principle: ‘Nothing for us without us’. He also highlighted systemic barriers in the public healthcare sector, including resource constraints and limited access to workplace rehabilitation support, warning that these challenges contribute to cycles of poverty among people with disabilities.

Head of Physiotherapy, Professor Verusia Chetty, said: “The workshop is a valuable platform for healthcare professionals to reflect on ethical decision-making, lawful clinical practice, and patient-centred care in today’s evolving healthcare environment. We are proud of our partnership with the Department of Health physiotherapists.”

Participants praised the workshop for its practical relevance and engaging discussions. Mr Bandile Gazu described the workshop as “very insightful,” while Ms Philile Ngubo said it was “informative and more of a revival.”

Mr Iviwe Gabisa added: “The workshop allowed me as a healthcare professional to amalgamate ethics and legislation in being able to provide safe and legal services for the patients I attend to in my community.”

Words and photograph: Nombuso Dlamini

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UKZN Positions Sport as a Strategic Intellectual Property Asset at World IP Day 2026

From left: Professor Anil Chuturgoon, Dr Nqobile Gumede, Ms Lindiwe Mashimbye, and Mr Zweli Sapula.Click here for isiZulu version

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) marked World Intellectual Property Day 2026 with a compelling showcase on how sport is evolving into a powerful intellectual property (IP) asset, aligned with the global theme ‘IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate’! led by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO).

Hosted on the Westville campus, the event brought together academics, legal experts, industry leaders and students to explore how IP is transforming sport into a driver of innovation, revenue and institutional growth.

Facilitator Professor Rowena Naidoo, Academic Leader for Sport Science, highlighted the often-overlooked connection between sport and IP: “Intellectual property is far more connected to sport than we actually appreciate.”

Opening the session, UKZN medical biochemist and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation (Acting), Professor Anil Chuturgoon stressed that modern sport extended far beyond physical performance: “Sport is no longer just about performance - it is about technology, branding and data.”

Chuturgoon positioned universities as critical players in this ecosystem, urging researchers and students to become more “IP savvy” in recognising and protecting their innovations.

From an institutional perspective, UKZN Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Division of Research and Innovation, Dr Nqobile Gumede described the University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre as a catalyst for commercialisation: “We are building a commercial bridge - turning research into market-ready products and partnerships.”

National insights from NIPMO’s Ms Lindiwe Mashimbye reinforced the foundational role of IP in sport:

“IP rights form the base for commercial value in sport,” said Mashimbye who illustrated how patents, trademarks, designs and copyright work together: “The patent protects the technology, the design protects the look, the trademark protects the brand, and copyright protects how it is marketed.” Mashimbye also emphasised the purpose of the (Intellectual Property Rights) IPR Act: “Publicly funded intellectual property must be protected and commercialised for the benefit of society.”

Legal expert Mr Patrick O’Brien from Spoor & Fisher, highlighted the commercial scale and legal nuances of IP in sport: “Design protection can fill gaps that neither copyright nor trademark will cover.”

O’Brien warned organisations against delayed protection: “Early trademark filing is non-negotiable.”

He further underscored enforcement value, noting that millions of rands in counterfeit goods were seized annually - made possible only through IP protection.

From UKZN Sport, Mr Zweli Sapula delivered a pivotal message: “Sport at UKZN is no longer an activity - it is an institutional asset.” Sapula linked sport directly to student success and institutional growth: “We are taking care of the whole student - academically, personally and athletically.”

With 85% retention and 78% graduation rates among student-athletes, UKZN is leveraging sport as both a developmental and strategic tool, while aiming to further improve outcomes.

Said Sapula: “We cannot rely solely on institutional funding - we must commercialise what we have.”

Industry perspective from, Durban City Football Club Chairman, Mr Farook Kadodia, showcased how IP drives modern sports business models: “We are not building just a team - we are building an ecosystem that generates value.”

He reframed sport through an IP lens: “Every match is content, every player is a brand, and every fan is a stakeholder.” Kadodia pointed to untapped potential in South Africa’s sports market: “The audience exists, what’s missing is the structure to monetise it effectively.”

The event concluded with a unified message: IP is not just a legal safeguard, but a strategic growth tool. As Naidoo reflected: “IP is not only about protection - it’s about recognising value and using it responsibly.”

Gumede echoed this forward-looking perspective: “The real value lies in what happens after this - how we apply these ideas.”

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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