Ikolishi ligqugquzela Izinga Eliphezulu Lezokufunda Ngokusebenzisa Abafundisi Abasathuthuka
Abafundisi Abasathuthuka beKolishi Lezifundo zezoMthetho nezokuPhathaClick here for English version
Ikolishi lezoMthetho nokuPhatha lihlinzekwe ngezikhundla zabafundisi abangama-50 uMqondisi Omkhulu Kwezabasebenzi ukuze kwenziwe ngcono isimo sokulingana kwezinhlanga ezihlukene kubasebenzi abafundisayo Ezikoleni zeKolishi.
Lezi zikhundla ezintsha zibhekiswe kubantu abasebasha abanentshisekelo yokusebenza njengabafundisi.
UNksz Fikile Sithole oyinhloko yoMnyango weKolishi obhekene neZabasebenzi unikezwe umsebenzi wokuqinisekisa ukuthi lezi zikhundla ziyagcwaliswa ungakapheli lo nyaka. ‘Sesiqashe abafundisi abangama-29 ezikoleni ezihlukene. Lo msebenzi ubuyinselelo futhi ukhuthaza ngoba ubuthinta ukusebenza ngesikhathi esincane.
‘Umnyango ufisela bonke abafundisi okuhle ekuthuthukiseni izinga labo lomsebenzi futhi uzosebenzisana nezikole ukuqinisekisa ukuthi bangeniswa ngokugcwele kwezokufundisa.’ kusho uSithole.
AmaDini eKolishi aphethe ezokuFunda nokuFundisa noCwaningo, uSolwazi uKriben Pillay noSolwazi Marita Carnelley baphakamise uhlelo olubhekiswe ekukhuphuleni izinga lamakhono nenqubekela phambili yalaba fundisi eKolishi okuyizindaba ezamukelwe ngentokozo yiKomidi lezokuPhathwa kweKolishi ekuqaleni kuka Okthoba futhi kuzoqinisekiswa amaDini neziNhloko zeziKole ukuthi kuyenziwa.
Ngokubeka kuka-Pillay no-Carnelley, lolu hlelo luzosiza abafundisi abasathuthuka beKolishi ukuba bafeze izidingo ezibalulekile ezibandakanya ukuthola, noma ukubaseduze nokuthola iziqu zezinga eliphakeme okuyiziqu zobudokotela kungakapheli iminyaka emine.
Lapha umfundisi ezothola khona iziqu ze-Masters, (1) lokhu kumele kuqedwe kungakapheli iminyaka emibili kulandelwa ukubhalisela iziqu ze-PhD; (2) zonke izinhlelo zokufunda ze-UEIP kwezokufunda nokufundisa kumele aqedwe; futhi (3) kumele kube khona nokuthuthukiswa kwamakhono adingekayo ukuze kufezwe izimiso ezimiswe yiZigele (senate) kwezoCwaningo nokweLulekwa kwabafundi abenza ucwaningo.
Abafundisi abasha babona izikhundla zabo njengomzila oholela ekusebenzeni kwezokufundisa. Bazibona benendima ebalulekile abazoyidlala emphakathini ngocwaningo lwabo.
Ongumfundisi eSikoleni sezamaBhinisi nobuHoli, uNksz Nomfundo Kakaza, uthe lesi sikhundla sizomsiza ukuthi adlulisele kubafundi ulwazi olunzulu aluzuze ngesikhathi enza izifundo zakhe zobudokotela e-Netherlands.
UMnu Bhasela Yalezo uthe ukuba neziqu zase-UKZN kusho ukuthi unomsebenzi wokubonga isikhungo ngokusisebenzela. Uthe uzizwa sengathi ukushiya kwakhe umsebenzi wakhe wokuba umncwaningi wezomnotho eMnyangweni wezeziMali eMpumalanga Koloni ukuze azokwenza lo msebenzi kumnikeza ithuba lokukhulisa abaholi kwezamabhinisi bakusasa.
UNksz Nomkhosi Luthuli obeyingxenye ye-GSB&LFor njengomncwaningi wesifunda kwezokuthuthukiswa komnotho ngaphansi kohlelo lweSikole lwezokuthuthukiswa komnotho wezindawo nezifunda uthe lokhu kuyithuba elengeziwe lokubhekisisa ezokuthuthukiswa komnotho wezindawo.
‘I-LED ibukwa njengendlela ebhekene namabhizinisi amancane kodwa mina ngifuna ukuyikhuphula igcine isiyindlela ebhekene namabhizinisi amakhulu. Nginolwazi kwezentuthuko engifisa ukuluhlanganisa nezamabhizinisi nobuholi. Njengomuntu osemusha ngifuna ukugqugquzela abantu abasha ukuze babambe iqhaza kwezokufunda.’
Ofundisa eSikoleni sezoMnotho neziMali uMnu Sanele Gumede uthe lesi sikhundla simnika ithuba lokubhekisisa ucwaningo lwakhe emkhakheni wezasolwandle kanti uzakwabo uMnu Simphiwe Mqadi uthe isikhundla sakhe simnikeza isisekelo asidingayo ukuze afeze izifiso sakhe kwezomsebenzi zokuba umfundisi ngokugcwele.
UMnu Sifiso Mnyeni weSikole sezokuPhatha, nezobuChwepheshe uthe: ‘ Ukuba umfundisi osathuthuka kunginike ithuba lokuthola ulwazi ngoba ngikwazile ukusebenzisa ulwazi engiluthole ezifundweni zami zokufundisa. Ingxenye yokufundisa iyona engiyithande kakhulu ezinyangeni ezimbalwa kulesi sikhundla.’
UMnu Phillip Monyamane weSikole sezoMthetho uthe ukuba umfundisi osathuthuka kube yisifundo esikhulu ngoba uzozuza kongoti abasemkhakheni wezomthetho ababasiza.
‘Ngizimisele ukusebenzisa leli thuba elivezwa yilokhu kufunda ngokugcwele ngakulonye uhlanye uhlangothi ngibe ngisiza abafundi ngolwazi enginalo. Kuthiwa umthetho ufana nesiphethu lapho bonke abantu bekha khona amanzi ngokwamandla nokwuqonda kwabo. Izinhlaka zomthetho ziwumgogodla ngakhoke nami ngizimisele ukuzakhela owami uumfudlana. Kimina lokhu kuyisiqalo!’kusho uMonyamane.
u-Hazel Langa no-Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .School of Engineering Sports Day a Runaway Success!
School of Engineering staff members who enjoyed a fun-filled Sports Day.Soccer, volleyball and baseball were played in a fun atmosphere for everyone during the School of Engineering’s Sports Day held on rugby fields on the Pietermaritzburg campus.
‘We decided to have the Sports Day so that staff could meet each other and build team spirit,’ said School of Engineering Manager, Mr Ronal Thakurpersadh. ‘Engineering is fairly large and is made up of nine disciplines spread over five large buildings and some staff have never met each other. So the aim of the day was for staff to at least meet and greet. The event was a great success and we hope to have more in the future.’
Technical Manager for the School, Mr Roland Koch, said: ‘It was a great day! The weather held out, the food was great, and the sport was fun to play and to watch. There were very few who were not able (or forced) to participate, and everyone seemed to have a smile on their faces all the time.
‘Men and women together stampeded happily and noisily after the soccer ball. It did not matter that sporting rules were broken repeatedly, it was just fun! There was no such thing as “off-sides”. Players could tug at opponents’ shirts if they felt threatened,’ said Koch.
‘Volleyball and rounders were played with gusto and friendly aggression. There might have been a few bruises and sore muscles afterwards but team spirit was enhanced that day. Many suggested that it be repeated on a regular basis. Our thanks must go to all those who put this most successful afternoon together.’
Teaching and Learning Administrator for Chemical Engineering, Ms Venishree Pillay, said: ‘The Engineering Sports Day was an exhilarating event where both academic and support staff participated in soccer, volleyball and baseball. It was a huge success in terms of fitness, socialising outside the work environment and cultivating a sense of team spirit. The day was filled with laughter as the female soccer stars took to the field. The fun activities were well worth the aching muscles. It was an absolute blast!’
Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .HIV Prevention: What Works?
Panel discussion participants on HIV Prevention: What works?The Collaborative for HIV and AIDS, Religion and Theology (CHART) at UKZN’s the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics on the Pietermaritzburg campus, hosted a panel discussion under the theme: “HIV Prevention: What works?”.
Panellists included UKZN Research Associate, Professor Beverley Haddad; a Medical Doctor at Don Mckenzie TB Hospital, Dr Stephen Carpenter; the Director of Community Care Project (CCP), Dr Benson Okyere-Manu, and CHART member and UKZN Lecturer, Dr Lilian Siwila.
The panel discussion was chaired by the Director for CHART Dr Herbert Moyo with each panellist presenting their opinions on what works in HIV prevention and what doesn’t.
Haddad said the epidemic should not be viewed simply as a moral issue but as a justice and health issue. Sex needed to come out of the closet theologically and faith communities should deal with issues of sexuality ethically and contextually.
She said faith communities could no longer be silent in the fight against HIV, refusing to discuss sex and sexuality in churches.
Sharing his experiences working with people living with HIV, Carpenter said the church needed to encourage masturbation as an alternate form of sex to decrease the infection rate.
He also said that cultural practices such as lobolo need to be re-addressed. In South Africa some men were unable to afford lobolo obligations to get married and live in a stable relationship and this hindered HIV prevention, as men were more promiscuous when they lived away from their spouses, which is the case if they had not paid lobolo.
Oykere-Manu spoke about his work in communities and how important it was to focus on the youth when discussing prevention.
Siwila highlighted the need for sexuality and gender dynamics to be overtly addressed in religious circles as a platform for sex education. She looked at culturally defined boundaries which are guarded by gate keepers of particular cultures, where the language used to talk about sex is still idiomatic and hidden. In order for HIV prevention to be achieved there was a need for a language about sex that is clearly understood by the young generation.
The panel discussion was well received with audience members commenting on the “excellent content” and “good choice of panelists”.
The discussion was well attended by staff and students and included guests from Norway, the United States, and Brazil.
Kelly Jacquire
author : .author email : .Packed House for 18th Poetry Africa Festival Opening
Poets who captivated the audience with their introductory performances at the 18th Poetry Africa Festival.The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre was packed for the much anticipated opening night of the 18th edition of Poetry Africa organised by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA).
The appreciative audience was introduced to the poets and heard about highlights of the week-long Festival. CCA Project Manager Ms Tiny Mungwe said this year’s event, bringing together a diverse mix of voices to narrate the story of our times, featured 24 poets from a variety of countries in Africa and overseas.
‘The Festival showcased world class poetry and participants got the chance to visit schools, community centres and campuses across Durban as part of the community’s outreach programme. A big part of this year’s focus is the Goethe-Institut Conference on the Spoken Word in Africa that we hosted,’ said Mungwe.
‘The Conference involved organisers from across the continent sharing ideas on mobilising to increase the impact of spoken word across Africa through collaborations, networks and shared experiences.’
Speaking at the opening, the Head of the eThekwini Municipality’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, Mr Thembinkosi Ngcobo, said Poetry Africa was an important event which allowed people to reflect critically on narratives about the transformation of the country.
‘Poetry Africa creates a space for the production and development of society and encourages the critical voice. I hope this Festival continues to grow and some day will be held in other African countries, making it an African event.’
A special tribute was made to honour the life and times of legendary South African Poet, Writer, and Activist Mafika Pascal Gwala, who died last month.
In recognising his contribution towards freedom of expression and equality for students of all races, as well as his remarkable contributions to South African poetry, a short video was shown.
It was an extract from the documentary Word Down the Line - screened at this year’s Durban International Film Festival - which featured South African writer, playwright and performance poet, Mr Lesego Rampolokeng, and Gwala discussing Black Consciousness and Gwala’s poetry.
A leader of the slam poetry scene in Mali, Mr Aziz Siten’k, later wowed audiences with his poem A Glimmer of Hope.
‘I’m so grateful to Poetry Africa for including me as one of their poets for this year and allowing me the opportunity to defend African poetry in Mali. It has been a great experience to be a part of this,’ he said.
* Organised by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts), the 18th Poetry Africa Festival is funded by the City of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, Goethe Institut and the French Institute of South Africa. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .African Music and Dance Ensemble Concert a Hit
African Music and Dance Ensemble perform on stage.The School of Arts (African Music and Dance) recently held its final Lunch Hour Concert for 2014.
The concert, themed: “Re Sa Tswela Pele Ka Setso (We Are Still Continuing With Culture)”, featured performances by two ensemble groups each presenting original works created and choreographed during this semester’s work as part of the module.
The first year Ensemble 1B was led by Ms Thabile Buthelezi who is currently doing her Honours degree in Applied Ethnomusicology. She captivated the audience with her choreographic skills.
‘It was challenging to work with a group of students because everyone has their own style and individuality but the performance pieces we worked on really came together,’ said Buthelezi.
The second and third year Ensemble was led by Mr Lebogang Sejamaholo who is a part-time staff member within the School’s Music Discipline. Sejamaholo effortlessly uses his cultural background and knowledge in his choreographic style as he highlights the significant role of ‘staying true to your roots’.
‘It becomes easier to work with these ensemble groups as I’m familiar with their style of dance and it’s even better to bear witness to how much the performers have grown. Much like myself, I grew to love being on stage and performing and it’s great to see the shy performers let loose on stage and give in to the performance and to the enjoyment of music and dance,’ said Sejamaholo.
The concert, which featured a range of dance, music and dramatic representation, proved to be a hit with the audience.
One piece relayed the message of protecting nature, wildlife and especially rhinos.
‘We wanted to create awareness about this pressing issue and we brought it to life onstage. We hope the audience picked up on this and understood what we were trying to convey,’ said Sejamaholo.
Both students thanked their performers and their Lecturer and mentor Dr Patricia Opondo. ‘Working with other performers, you not only teach them but you learn from them as well. We are truly grateful to Dr Opondo for seeing the potential in us not only as ensemble teachers but also performers in the touring act Ikusasa Lethu,’ said Buthelezi.
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .ccrri Hosts Seminar on Race and Pedagogical Practice
Dr Antje Schuhmann (left) and Professor Rozena Maart discussing Race and Pedagogical Practice at their Seminar. UKZN’s Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity (ccrri) hosted a well atttended seminar as part of the Race and Pedagogical Practices discussion series.
The series forms part of the Whiteness and Colonial Amnesia Research Group within the ccrri.
Director of the Centre, Professor Rozena Maart, and Dr Antje Schuhmann of Wits University, have been conducting and leading the seminars and discussion groups on this particular topic for the past three years.
‘UKZN staff and students have been in regular attendance and have shown continued interest in this area of research,’ said Maart.
‘The discussion for this series focused on how one teaches and conducts research within a context where the foundations of colonialism and racism informed the curriculum, teacher-student relationships, approaches to doing scholarship and doing research. And many would argue, those foundations continue to inform the basis under which many scholars and researchers still operate,’ said Maart.
In their interaction with staff and students, Maart and Schuhmann heard comments and questions posed about the adoption of Transformation Charters by South African universities and the difficulties staff encounter in trying to address the personal and intellectual challenges of the Transformation Charter.
‘The Transformation Charter offers guidelines but staff and students are often still at a loss because critical and analytical tools are lacking and are in desperate need of development,’ said Maart. ‘This is precisely why dialogue and discussion is so necessary.’
The session offered a Derridean approach by interrogating the hidden, the forbidden and repressed aspects of speech, the imagination and writing; and tackled crucial questions about how one enters the text/research environment and under what conditions one pursues the entry.
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .School of Education Staff and Students Involved in Exam Food Drive
Students from the “That’s Maverick” movement involved in a food drive to assist students in need during the final exam period.Staff and students from the School of Education recently joined forces to work together on a drive in which they donated food and toiletry items as part of an initiative to help needy students during the tough final exam period.
The Academic Leader: Teaching and Learning at the School, Dr Sithabile Ntombela, said, ‘When you’re hungry, you can’t put in the extra hours required to study effectively. This, in turn, affects your results and reduces your chances of moving on to the next year of study.’
The food drive is aimed at students from impoverished backgrounds many of whom are in the campus residences. The hampers consist of basic toiletry items and food items such as canned beans, maize meal, pasta and rice.
‘There’s always someone you know who is less fortunate than you and the best of friendships can be formed by the extension of a kind gesture,’ said Ntombela. ‘One can’t turn a blind eye to others’ sufferings. Life is about supporting others to get to the finish line.’
Co-founders of the movement “That’s Maverick” and leaders of the food drive, Mr Phinda Fikeni and Mr Lindani Shezi, who have revealed that they too are struggling financially, have managed to raise R1 200 from their residence (Eagles Castle) inmates to purchase some of the food items.
‘Many of the donors are compassionate and were willing to assist in this initiative because they understand the plight of these students, having experienced it themselves at some point in their university lives,’ said Shezi.
Ntombela added, ‘In training teachers we emphasise the need to become sensitive teachers who are aware of, and responsive to issues children face if teachers are to contribute positively to the total development of a child. And what our students and staff are doing with the Food Drive endorses and confirms what we are teaching them. We have to practice what we preach.’
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Mine Boy Wows Audiences at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Mine Boy stars perform on stage.The first musical adaptation of Peter Abraham’s novel, Mine Boy, was staged at UKZN’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre recently.
The production, directed by Mr Roel Twijnstra and Mr Jerry Pooe, is a collaborative venture between UKZN’s Drama and Performance Studies and the Wushwini Arts and Culture Heritage Centre.
This classic text, written in 1949, is considered the first modern South African novel written by a Black author and over time has not lost any relevance as the themes around apartheid, labour and poverty still exist in the country today. The show questions what has really changed since 1994?
After successful adaptations of Zakes Mda’s Madonna of Excelsior and Ben Okri’s The Famished Road, the directors adapted this definitive novel with exciting choreography by Sphiso Majola of Flatfoot Dance Company together with the cast.
Co-director of the production, Twijnstra spoke to the theme of celebrating 20 years of democracy, pointing out that the novel adaptation of Mine Boy was done to show how democracy had changed the country even though South Africans still experienced the harsh realities of poverty.
‘We felt this novel should be a part of the celebration but also to show the achievements of democracy. After a successful run at the Stable Theatre, we came to the Sneddon to showcase this modern novel adaptation and we are proud of the Mine Boy production.’
This production was made possible through generous support from the Department of Arts and Culture, the City of eThekwini, UKZN and Santam.
The production also allowed both postgraduate and undergraduate students from UKZN’s Drama and Performance Studies to audition for the various character roles of Mine Boy. Those who were successful formed part of the production team, adding to their community engagement activities the department is constantly working on.
Speaking about the production, Lecturer within the Drama and Performance Studies Department, Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer, said the segment fell under the annual departmental slot, where the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre offered Drama and Performance Studies students two weeks in the theatre for free to honour their learning process.
‘Working with Roel and Jerry in this fantastic production has been an invaluable experience for our students,’ said Young-Jahangeer. ‘They have had a chance to work at a professional level and have risen fabulously to the occasion. We are all very proud of them.
‘The donation from Santam also goes to support several other initiatives including weekly drama programmes with Hillview Secondary in Newlands, the Ethelbert Children’s home, Bechet High School in Sydenham, Prison theatre programmes in Westville Female Correctional Centre, as well as Dance programmes in Umlazi and KwaMashu run by the Flatfoot Dance Company.’
Ms Nicola Latchiah of the UKZN Foundation said: ‘Funding was secured from Santam for the College of Humanities providing the students with opportunities to engage in creative arts programmes with surrounding and local communities.’
UKZN Drama students Ms Nqobile Mthembu and Ms Chuma Mapoma said being a part of the performance had been both exciting and a learning experience. ‘Working on the production was life-changing and we learned so much from the cast, crew and the directors. It was a lot of hard work. But we appreciate the opportunity given to us to be a part of this show,’ said Mapoma.
Director Twijnstra described the UKZN Drama students as both professional and eager to learn. ‘It was indeed a learning experience for the students as they had to learn the discipline of the stage but they also got to work with other professional actors who gave them advice on making it in the industry. By being a part of the cast, they got to see first-hand the intricacies of putting together a production of this calibre.’
He advised the students to work hard, to own the stage in their own right and to claim their territory in what was a competitive industry.
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .School of Arts Postgraduate Research Conference
Postgraduate students from the School of Arts at their research Conference on the Howard College campus.The School of Arts recently hosted its third Annual Postgraduate Research Conference held over two days on both the Pietermaritzburg and Durban campuses.
The Conference offered postgraduate students the opportunity to present their research in an academic setting allowing them to receive constructive criticism, suggestions and feedback from peers and lecturers
Academic Leader for Research within the School, Professor Bernard De Meyer, described the Conference as a useful exercise to share research. ‘The aim of this Conference is to provide a forum for students to discuss their topics, to allow them to see what other students are working on and to contribute to knowledge production.’
Acting Dean of Research for the College of Humanities, Professor Donal McCracken, said he was proud of the students and the Humanities, adding that the College was ‘indeed an intellectual place and the soul of the University’.
Addressing students, McCracken said: ‘Look to getting your work published as you are the next generation of researchers and the intellectual leaders of tomorrow.’
In his research, PhD student in African Languages, Mr Hloniphani Ndebele, examined the functions of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in evaluating and intellectualising African Languages within the Higher Education context.
‘The utilisation of Africa’s indigenous linguistic heritage within the ICT domain cannot be ignored considering the spread and impact of ICT,’ said Ndebele. ‘The development of a national corpus for the different indigenous languages, the localisation of software and computer applications, the employment of ICT as a teaching and learning tool for African Languages and the availability of these languages on the internet, are all significant initiatives that can be adopted in the promotion and intellectualising of these languages.’
Lecturer at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Arts, Mrs Deseni Soobben, who presented her research on: “The Construction of Representations of Women of Indian Descent in the Sunday Times Extra”, pointed out that attending the Conference gave her a sense of collegiality.
‘Being a researcher is a lonely endeavour but by attending this Conference it offered me the opportunity to engage with other researchers and to share and discuss my topic with them. And a lot of interest was shown about my topic and that gave me a renewed sense of energy to go forth further with my research. It was also great to get critical feedback from my peers.’
Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Law Academic Uses Research as a Tool for Teaching and Learning
Mr Darren Subramanien.School of Law academic and doctoral candidate Advocate Darren Subramanien’s passion for research has led to two of his papers being published in the law journal, Obiter.
The papers are titled: “Unconscionable Abuse – Section 20(9) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 - Ex parte Gore NO and Others 2013 (3) SA 382 (WCC)”; and “A Note on ‘Tacit universal partnerships’- Recent Judgments”.
The first article examines whether the remedy provided for in Company Law of “piercing of the corporate veil” - previously existing only in Common Law - has now been expressly incorporated into legislation under the Companies Act 71 of 2008 (hereinafter ‘the Act’).
The second article examines the rights of parties in a cohabitation relationship to inherit from or submit a maintenance claim to a deceased domestic partner’s estate if there is no will.
Subramanien says doing research in the areas of Commercial Law, Business Law and Corporate Law not only enriches his doctoral studies but also enhances the knowledge he imparts to his students.
‘The research I have undertaken has greatly assisted me in improving my teaching. I find that there is no better way to keep my course material current than to peruse the latest research and update the material so that it reflects current understanding,’ said Subramanien. ‘The understanding of recent legislation and legal principles continues to grow as new judgments emerge from our courts. I have found that students will be more poised to make important contributions during lectures if they are well-versed in current developments in the law.’
Subramanien has also written five other articles this year which are in advanced stages of the review process. His PhD thesis is titled: “ The Common Law Rule in Foss v Harbottle and its Relationship with the Statutory Derivative Action under the Companies Act 61 of 1973 and the Companies Act 71 of 2008”.
‘I am a firm believer that education is an investment in oneself and I am committed to research within the academic environment. I am currently preparing an article with regard to a recent case involving an elderly woman who unwittingly signed ownership of her home over to an unknown party.
‘The case deals with the importance of thoroughly reading a contract before you sign it as well as the demands of public interest that complex legal documents, which would have draconian results, be properly explained to the signatory,’ said Subramanien.
Subramanien will also present a paper on tax avoidance with respect to the Tax Administration Act at a conference at the University of Cape Town next month.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Introducing Poetry Africa to the Media
Poets in action at the Poetry Africa media launch at the Rivertown Beerhall.UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) hosted a Poetry Africa media launch at the Rivertown Beerhall in Durban.
The event was organised to introduce the poets to members of the media who engaged with them on a one-on-one basis. The journalists also used the opportunity to take photographs of the poets before the opening night of the 18th Poetry Africa Festival.
Speaking at the event, Head of International and Governance Relations at eThekwini Municipality, Mr Eric Aplegren, lauded the poets for their grasp of the spoken word.
He highlighted the importance of freedom of expression and said without poets ‘life would be boring. There would be no movement, no change, no agitation’.
CCA Festival Manager Ms Tiny Mungwe said hosting events at venues like the Beerhall in the Rivertown precinct, which is undergoing an urban regeneration, contributed to giving ‘Durban a new face’.
Mr Guy Redman of the eThekwini Municipality’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit echoed Mungwe’s sentiments about the regeneration of the Rivertown precinct. Redman spoke passionately about the state-of-the-art central library which is set to open in Durban in 2019. He said the new space would serve as an ‘ideas store’ and allow artists and members of the public to share ideas in a fluid and collaborative way.
Redman added the City looked forward to strengthening links with the Centre of Creative Arts hallmark festivals, including Poetry Africa, The Time of the Writer, the Durban International Film Festival and JOMBA!
The 18th Poetry Africa Festival is presented by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) with support from eThekwini Municipality; the Goethe Institut, South Africa; the French Institute of South Africa and the KZN Department of Arts and Culture. The Centre for Creative Arts is a special project of the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.
Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
author : .author email : .Students must embrace Bill of Rights – Zak Yacoob
Executive Director Student Services, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu (back third left) and Mr Justice Zak Yacoob (back centre) with students.A Barrier Free University was the theme of a recent public lecture delivered at UKZN by Mr Justice Zak Yacoob who discussed disability, human rights and the Constitution.
The lecture was hosted by the Office of Student Services (Disability Unit) in partnership with Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and Differential Abled Student’s Association (DASA) as part of its awareness drive to create a university environment which supports students who face physical challenges through physical amenities and social understanding.
Yacoob, who became blind when he was 16 months old as a result of meningitis, said: ‘Very often, we as people are our own oppressors because our societal values are not equated to our Constitution which sees us all the same. Inequality is not because of government, but because we fail to see each other as equals.
‘All students should have the Bill of Rights, embrace and understand it for themselves and others. The struggle in society is for everyone, we all aspire for the same quality of life and should help each other achieve it.’
The forum was introduced by Executive Director Student Services, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, who encouraged the UKZN community to join hands in solidarity to provide a wide network of support for disabled students. ‘There are 485 students with physical challenges at UKZN. Issues of disabilities are issues of human rights. Therefore, we must work together to ensure a barrier free UKZN.’
Mr Silomo Khumalo, an LLB student at UKZN who is also blind, was at the lecture. He offered the following advice: ‘Look for ways in which challenges can be overcome rather than reasons why they cannot.’
Khumalo was in Grade 8 when he first learned about retired Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob. ‘When I realised there was someone out there like me who was a constitutional judge, I understood then that I could be anything that I wanted to be. It was a great feeling, and I was inspired to be like him.’
Rakshika Sibran
author : .author email : .UKZN Academic Leads Mental Health Care Initiative
Professor Inge Petersen.The Programme for Improving Mental Health Care in South Africa (PRIME - SA) is an initiative which promotes integrated mental health care for primary health care patients and provides evidence on scaling-up mental health services for development.
Led by Principal Investigator Professor Inge Petersen, who is based at the Discipline of Psychology on UKZN’s Howard College campus, PRIME-SA has as its goal the generation of world class research evidence on the implementation and scaling up of treatment programmes for priority mental disorders in primary and maternal health care contexts in low resource settings.
PRIME is a consortium of research institutions and Ministries of Health in five countries in Asia and Africa - Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda - with partners in the United Kingdom and the World Health Organization (WHO).
A six-year programme launched in May 2011, it is support by the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID).
More than 13% of the global burden of disease is due to mental illness. Although the vast majority of people affected by mental illness live in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), there is a large “treatment gap”, with up to four out of every five people with mental illness in LMIC going without mental health care.
PRIME aims to improve the coverage of treatment for priority mental disorders by implementing and evaluating the WHO’s mental health Gap Action Plan (mhGAP) guidelines in the five participating countries.
In South Africa, the mhGAP guidelines have been integrated into a set of chronic care guidelines called Primary Care 101 (PC101) that have been adopted by the Department of Health for Integrated Chronic Disease Management (ICDM).
PRIME-SA has also developed adjunct psychosocial counselling guidelines for people with depression and psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) guidelines for people with severe mental disorders to be delivered by lay Psychosocial workers under the supervision of mental health specialists within a task sharing approach.
These guidelines are practical tools intended to empower health care practitioners to deliver mental health services at the primary health care level. By generating research evidence aimed at integrating mental health care into primary and maternal health systems, PRIME aims to make a direct contribution to reducing the “treatment gap” not only in the five PRIME countries but also in other low resource settings.
The objective is to provide evidence to the Ministries of Health to facilitate the scale up of the integration of mental health services. In the South African mental health care context, PRIME is developing scalable models and materials for integrating mental health into primary health care in alignment with the South African mental health policy framework (2013-2020) to close the treatment gap.
There are three specific phases:
- In the Inception phase which is complete, PRIME conducted a situational analysis of mental health services and needs in the target district and in collaboration with district level stakeholders developed and calculated the cost of an integrated mental health care plan comprising packages of mental health care for depression, alcohol misuse and psychotic disorders for delivery into chronic care at primary health care level embracing a task sharing approach.
- PRIME is currently located in the implementation phase which will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the packages of care into the chronic care service delivery platform in four clinics. For psychosis, in addition to strengthening the psycho-educational component of the enhanced PC101 guidelines, psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) guidelines have been developed for lay counsellors who will facilitate PSR groups. Counselling guidelines have also been developed for lay counsellors who will provide individual and group counselling for people with depression to address these gaps identified in the formative phase.
- In the Scaling Up phase the objective is to evaluate the scaling up of these packages of care in the district.
* Further information on PRIME can be accessed at
www.prime.uct.ac.za
Earlier this year PRIME commissioned a photo essay featuring people with severe mental disorders who received the PRIME-SA psychosocial rehabilitation intervention package. The link is:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113840725572088793379/albums/6049993434452584433?authkey=CLToot_tieijggE
Tasneem Kathree
author : .author email : .Transnational Medical Education Subject of Award-Winning Research
Ms Buhle Donda (middle) and her research supervisors, Dr Veena Singaram and Professor Richard Hift.School of Clinical Medicine staff member, Ms Buhle Donda, impressed adjudicators at the annual College of Health Sciences Research Symposium where she was awarded R15 000 towards attending a national conference of her choice.
Donda presented a case study exploring the correlation between study processes and academic performance in undergraduate Medical students; particularly those funded by the South African government to be trained as Medical doctors partly in Cuba and returning to complete the joint Medical degree programme at UKZN.
Following an agreement that was signed between Cuba and South Africa in 1995, this unique programme was founded on the premise of training young medical doctors from disadvantaged communities who would then be eligible to return and work in the rural communities of South Africa upon completing the remainder of their Medical degrees at local universities.
Donda explained that certain aspects of the Cuban model spoke to the South African aspirations of improving healthcare and prevention eradication of communicable disease as a developing country.
As a developing country, Cuba had impressive health index statistics that compared well with those in developed countries.
The study found that once enrolled in the MBChB programme, the single biggest predictor of success was the individual student’s motive of deep learning – learning with understanding. It was not enough to merely attempt learning the academic material off by heart in the hope that they would succeed.
‘Students with deep motivation performed better than the students with lower deep motive scores. Students with low deep motivation scores had psychosocial challenges that required them to consult the College support services. Challenges that affect student motivation are not always academic they include even the private social aspects of the students life,’ said Donda
The students had to adjust to a new social setting, institution and being taught in English after having learnt the medical curriculum in Spanish abroad.
‘Straddling between being taught in a programme that has a different role definition and professional culture from another is problematic. It is up to an individual student to negotiate meanings between the already acquired meaning, making mechanisms from Cuba work with the South African ones.’
Donda explained that a student who believes that learning involves understanding will always strive to comprehend. ‘On the other hand, assessments that promote rote learning will encourage students to become rote learners. Hence the interaction between the presage factors and the processes engaged by the student affects the type of learning or the outcome of the learning.’
She said she believed that learners were generally not taught how to learn. She believed there were huge prospects for learning specialists to match the research done in enhancing teaching in all disciplines and particularly medicine since it received students that were “cream of the crop”.
The Dean and Head of UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Richard Hift, who supervised Donda, said the Cuban-trained Medical students had been coming back to UKZN for many years but there was no research that went into how well they integrated in the MBChB programme.
Hift said it was important to understand what determined success in transnational study. He said Donda was thoroughly motivated, committed to her work, related well with the students and had a strong background in education which made the study a success and a valuable contribution to medical education at UKZN.
Lunga Memela
author : .author email : .Strategies for Creating Sustainability During Economic Turbulence Explored at Business Breakfast
Dr David Schwegmann delivering his speech at the business breakfast.As part of its goal of shaping future business leaders, the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) in partnership with Nedbank recently hosted a business breakfast at which banking industry expert Dr David Schwegmann spoke on leadership and management in economic turbulence.
Through his talk titled: “Creating Sustainability in Economic Turbulence through Flawless Execution”, Schwegmann - the Managing Executive of Nedbank’s Retail Branch Network, South Africa - highlighted the need for skilled business leaders who could ensure that businesses thrived by constantly executing strategies that guaranteed survival amid economic turbulences.
‘The flawless execution framework ensures there are solid standards in place while every employee understands and strives towards achieving a common goal,’ said Schwegmann.
‘The flawless execution model can be used to change the way a person develops a future picture, plans, briefs, executes and debriefs. It applies with equal relevance to individual execution for a small business as much as it does to large corporations,’ he added.
A UKZN alumnus, Schwegmann understands the importance of sharing his expertise with students having delivered a lecture on the same topic to MBA students the day before the breakfast.
In his speech on managing in turbulent environments, GSB&L academic Dr Shammin Bodhanya said the industry needed critical thinkers with skills to manage in dynamic and turbulent environments. He further emphasised that it was up to business schools to produce quality graduates fully equipped to perform in the industry.
Speaking from a student’s perspective, MBA students Ms Nomalungelo Simelane praised the School for hosting the event which she said created a platform for them to network with business professionals.
‘The session was highly beneficial to me as an MBA student; the practical discussions touched on are the elements that we engage on in class,’ said Ms Simelane. ‘It also offered me an opportunity to engage with industry players on the business methodologies we have been learning.’
In his welcome speech, the Dean and Head of School, Professor Stephen Migiro, said, the event was one of the many activities undertaken by the GSB&L in line with its vision of producing well informed graduates through the involvement of practitioners and experts in business management and leadership fields, thus blending theory with practice.
Mongezi Mhlongo and Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Improvement in Birth Defects Notification
Dr Colleen Aldous.A study by masters student Ms Vuyiswa Mtyongwe titled: “National Birth Defects Data: 2006-2012”, was presented at UKZN’s College of Health Sciences Research Symposium.
The presentation was made by Dr Colleen Aldous of the School of Clinical Medicine on behalf of Mtyongwe who is currently on maternity leave. The study was part of a broader programme looking at the burden of birth defects in South Africa and how this could be addressed.
Aldous, who supervised Mtyongwe, said this was the first study in a series aimed at improving birth defects notification throughout the country. ‘We reflect on the successes and challenges posed by the Birth Defects Notification system which was put in place in 2006.
‘The study looks at an existing Birth Defects notification that was recommended from the 2001 Policy Guidelines for the Management and Prevention of Genetic Disorders, Birth Defects and Disabilities.
‘The broader programme outlined in these guidelines includes how big the problem is, what are the major disorders to be addressed, how to address them through the public health system from primary to tertiary care, the educational needs to ensure this could happen and the laboratory service to support such a clinical service,’ said Aldous
‘Since the Guidelines were published, a change in priorities to child health occurred as a result of TB and HIV. As a consequence most of the recommendations of the Guidelines were not put in place.’
The study assesses how well the tool has functioned, accepting that it had functioned without the requisite teaching and training of nursing staff to undertake diagnosis in rural areas. Aldous says results show that only 12% of congenital disorders diagnosable in the first week of life are notified.
‘Accurate birth defects figures are needed to plan services into the future, especially because of the drop in the Infant Mortality Rate to below 40/1 000. Services for care and prevention of birth defects are becoming a priority again.
‘This has been documented in another paper in our group which will come out soon. Obviously, health care planners cannot rely on our current data as it is not a true reflection of the situation on the ground,’ said Aldous.
Because of the priority shifting away from birth defects in the late 1990s, clinical services throughout the country had stagnated; staff had not been allocated, lab services had been neglected and dismantled, and the training of doctors and nurses at primary health care level had not met the need to deal with these problems.
‘The Maternal National Strategic Plan of 2012-16 has nothing in place for children with disabilities. Most children with a birth defect are disabled. When the government realises the care of these children becomes a priority now that infant morbidity and mortality have reduced due to PTMTC, they have to address the problem,’ said Aldous.
She said although it was not the first birth defects notification system, it was the first time they would try to improve the old system which had not been as successful as they hoped.
Aldous said on returning from maternity leave, Mtyongwe would design and implement a new approach to Birth Defects Notification.
Mtyongwe, who gave birth to her first child on the day of the presentation, works in the Sub-Directorate for Human genetics at the National Department of Health and is responsible for the National Birth Defects Database.
Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .Enactus UKZN President Racks up Achievements
Mr Sizweshihle Gumede.Enactus UKZN President, third year Media and Marketing student Mr Sizweshihle Gumede, has been selected as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper for the Durban Hub.
The Global Shapers Community is a network of hubs developed and led by young people considered to be exceptional in terms of their potential, achievement and their drive to make a contribution in their communities.
Gumede now serves on the Global Shapers Durban Hub Executive as the Marketing and Communications Officer.
He first joined Enactus in 2012 and became Campus Secretary, then a Project Manager in 2013 and was the Howard College Campus Deputy President from September 2013 until August this year when he was appointed President.
Gumede is also the Managing Director for a company, Content Brands, which he co-founded with fellow Enactus members. Content Brands focuses on product branding, packaging and events management. ‘It is still in its initial phase - hopefully it will be one of Africa’s biggest businesses one day,’ said Gumede.
Just as Enactus UKZN aims to empower its communities, Gumede is also passionate about empowering other students to become effective leaders in their communities.
Gumede has written a book titled: Leadership According to Jesus, which he says is being published on November 1. ‘As a born again child of God who is also exposed to various leadership positions and loves reading the bible, I have seen that Jesus Christ was a great leader and I am trying to follow his example. Being in the Student Christian Fellowship (SCF) Executive in 2012/2013 also inspired me to write the book.’
He was recently awarded the Most Academic Citizenship Award by his bursary sponsors, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, in conjunction with the REAP organisation, for his involvement in Enactus, SCF, Durban Hub Global Shapers, and the growth they have seen since he joined these organisations as well as the improvement in his academic achievements.
It is Gumede’s dream to become one of South Africa’s influential social entrepreneurs as he has given his life to social entrepreneurship and has made human progress his business.
Enactus is using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world - and that is the mandate he plans to carry into the future.
Bongeka Dlamini
author : .author email : .Metabolic Syndrome Examined in Study
Ms Tanya Maistry.South African Indians in the Phoenix community near Durban have a high risk of the metabolic syndrome (MS).
This is according to a study conducted by UKZN PhD student in the Department of Cardiology, Ms Tanya Maistry.
The metabolic syndrome a group of risk factors (including abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high density lipoproteins cholesterol [HDL-C], elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose serum levels, insulin resistance and obesity) that increases the risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.
The term ‘metabolic’ refers to the biochemical processes involved in the body's normal functioning. Risk factors are traits, conditions, or habits that increase ‘the chance of developing a disease’.
According to Maistry her study’s findings are relatively new, ‘Some of the polymorphisms selected for this study have not been reported in South African Indians.’
She said the MS risk could lie in its components rather than in MS as an entity. ‘Data obtained in this study may allow for the implementation and development of medical interventions that could counteract susceptibility to the MS, thereby reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease.’
Maistry said the main objective of the study titled: “Genetic Contribution to the Risk for Metabolic Syndrome”, was to determine genetic patterns that may be associated with the MS.
The study also aimed to:
• Identify the prevalence of the MS in this community as determined by the latest descriptors of this condition
• Determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) as defined by the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) model using serum insulin and fasting glucose levels in subjects with the MS
• Define the pattern of risk factor clustering that is associated with IR (as defined by the HOMA model)
• Identify genetic patterns of participants with the MS focusing on genes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism such as Apolipoprotein A5
• Identify genetic patterns of participants with the MS focusing on genes related to insulin resistance like Lipoprotein Lipase, Human Paraoxonase I and Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein
• Identify genetic patterns of subjects with MS focusing on genes related to obesity ie Adiponectin and Leptin.
Maistry said the data obtained resulted in two findings related to epidemiology and genetics.
‘In epidemiology, our results demonstrate that South African Indians from the Phoenix community present with an increased risk for the MS. Age, gender and clustering of the metabolic components influenced the results.’ IR was also observed to be the driving factor for MS pathogenesis with age, gender, clustering patterns and physical activity serving as key contributing factors.
‘In genetics, our results demonstrate the adiponectin 45T>G and the human paraoxonase 1 192Arg/Gln polymorphisms to be genetic markers that may assist in identifying participants who are susceptible to hypocholesterolemia (in males with the MS and with IR) and hypertension (in males with the MS), respectively. The lipoprotein lipase HinfI and human paraoxonase 1 192Arg/Gln polymorphisms associated with IR may also serve as genetic markers that may assist in identifying males with MS who are susceptible to hypertension. Gene-environmental associations exerted a degree of protection against the risk for the MS and IR.’
Maistry, who says she produces her best work under pressure, recently submitted her dissertation for examination. ‘This PhD experience was time consuming and many sacrifices were made in order to achieve my goals.’
Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .UKZN Car Beats All SA Rivals in SASOL Solar Challenge
UKZN’s Solar Car, iKlwa, beat all South African teams to come first in the South African Category and third overall in the 2014 Sasol Solar Car Challenge.iKlwa, the 2014 UKZN Solar Car, finished first in the South African category and third overall in the recent Sasol Solar Challenge - an eight-day race from Pretoria to Cape Town - which attracted entrants from all over the world.
Technical problems meant the UKZN team only started racing at midday on the second day of the event but this did not deter them from pushing for a win.
Said Project Manager and PhD student Ms Kirsty Veale: ‘The team is ecstatic - we can’t believe that we managed to do so well in spite of starting late. It was great coming home to a heroes’ welcome of sparklers and vuvuzelas at the Mechanical Engineering building. I think the realisation of winning is only kicking in now as waking up at 4am every day for such a long time takes its toll!
‘We had a sad and dramatic start with the car literally exploding from a silly fatigue-induced human error which resulted in us having to rewire the entire car. However, once the vehicle was running again we caught up and the team spirit was renewed producing an emotional shift to absolute happiness and excitement.’
The UKZN team was 40 km behind the North West University team on the start of the final day but eventually beat their rival by 57.7 km to secure the title of Top SA team and third overall.
iKlwa, which covered a distance 2418.3 km, is in superb working condition despite needing some maintenance.
‘The team aims to get the car to the World Solar Challenge but we really need the assistance of sponsors as it costs a lot to enter. Hopefully our success in the Sasol Solar Challenge will help us get the funding and put South Africa on the map in solar car racing,’ said Veale.
Prashina Kallideen
author : .author email : .