11 July 2025
Volume: 13
Issue: 21
Professor Ntombifikile (Fikile) Mtshali.

UKZN’s Professor Ntombifikile Mtshali Named 2024 Top Scholar in Nursing Education

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Professor Ntombifikile (Fikile) Mtshali, an Associate Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Registrar and CEO of the South African Nursing Council (SANC), has been named a 2024 Top Scholar by ScholarGPS, placing her in the top 0.5% of scholars globally in the field of Nursing education.

Professor Andrew Ross (second from left) with Mike (his son), Glenys (his wife), Kait (his daughter-in-law) and Jonty (his son).

Family Medicine Specialist Given a Second Chance at Life

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Last year, Professor Andrew Ross, family medicine specialist, received devastating news: he had been diagnosed with high-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a serious condition affecting the bone marrow stem cells and blood cells.

Highlights from the ULPDO Workshop.

ULPDO Hosts Workshop on Harmonising Acronyms for Indigenous Languages

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The University Language Planning and Development Office (ULPDO) at UKZN hosted a two-day workshop on harmonising acronyms for indigenous languages.

Highlights from the second Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards hosted by UKZN in partnership with DSTI and SALGA.

UKZN and Partners Honour Innovative Municipalities at the 2025 MIRA Awards

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), hosted the second edition of the Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards (MIRA) on 30 June 2025.

UKZN’s ULPDO team created magical reading moments at Lincoln Mason Special School, with Ukhozi FM’s Ms Vicky Masuku bringing the isiZulu children’s book Singabangani Sonke to life for young learners.

Language Planning and Development Office Champions Literacy and Inclusion

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Language Planning and Development Office (ULPDO) brought the joy of reading to Lincoln Mason Special School in uMlazi with a World Book Day celebration held on 30 May 2025.

Daughters of Lost Fathers and its nominations.

UKZN Student Filmmakers Reap the Benefits of NIHSS Grant

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UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) secured a R1 million Catalytic Research Grant from the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) in 2023.

UKZN hosted a thought-provoking webinar on World Refugee Day.

Commemorating World Refugee Day: A Celebration of Hope in Adversity

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“Where there is life, there is hope.” These were the words of PhD candidate Mr Ladis Bahige at UKZN’s World Refugee Day webinar held annually to honour the courage and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threats of persecution, conflict and violence.

From left: Professor Thea van der Westhuizen; Mr Sam Rametse; Professor Sunday O Ojo, Project Leader and Professor of Computer Science at DUT; and Dr Victor Hlongwane, MUT Deputy Director for Intellectual Property.

IAU Community of Practice Symposium Ignites Innovation and Collaboration in KwaZulu-Natal

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The Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Community of Practice (CoP) hosted its inaugural Leaders Symposium and Workshop in KwaZulu-Natal, bringing together university leaders, educators, and innovation partners for a landmark event aimed at accelerating transformation in Higher Education.

Attendees of the 35th Biennial Conference of the Classical Association of South Africa.

Aging in Antiquity: UKZN Classics Department Explores Old Age in Ancient World

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The Classics Department at UKZN recently hosted the 35th Biennial Conference of the Classical Association of South Africa under the theme: ‘Old Age in Antiquity’.

Ms Zilingene Mkhwanazi showing off her crazy socks.

UKZN CrazySocks4Docs Winner Announced

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Fourth-year MBChB student Ms Zilingene Mkhwanazi was announced as the winner of the 2025 Ithemba Foundation CrazySocks4Docs campaign at UKZN.

Scenes from the Art, Science and the Deceased Body: Towards a Duty of Care event.

Art, Science and the Deceased Body: Towards a Duty of Care

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg, hosted Art, Science and the Deceased Body: Towards a Duty of Care - a four-day interdisciplinary event organised by Professor Michelle Stewart of Digital Arts.

UKZN Pietermaritzburg students bring science and career guidance to rural KZN.

CHEMBURG Postgraduates Inspire Future Scientists at Senzakahle Secondary School

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On 6 June 2025, 20 enthusiastic postgraduate Chemistry students from CHEMBURG (ChemistryPMB) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus embarked on an outreach initiative to Senzakahle Secondary School in the rural village of Nhlazuka, KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Singe Chonco.

UKZN Alumna to Represent SA at FIFA U20 World Cup as Team Doctor

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UKZN Medical School alumna, Dr Singe Chonco, is thrilled to be the Team Doctor for the South African U20 Men’s National Team as they gear up for the FIFA U20 World Cup, set to take place in Chile in September 2025.

Dr Saloschini Pillay, CHS Student Support Services Manager.

UKZN Staffer Appointed to the CHE Reference Group on Transformation in Higher Education

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Dr Saloschini Pillay, Student Support Services Manager in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and an internationally recognised expert in student wellness, has been appointed by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to serve on its Reference Group (RG) for the development of a framework for monitoring transformation of, and in, Higher Education.

Dr Bawinile Hadebe and Professor Mariza Vorster celebrating the award-winning abstract presented at SNMMI 2025.

International Best Abstract Award for Nuclear Medicine

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UKZN’s Discipline of Nuclear Medicine received the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2025 International Best Abstract Award at the organisation’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Speakers at the webinar (from left): Mr Narend Singh, Mr Francois Rodgers, Advocate Lavan Gopaul, and Mr Zakhele Ndlovu.

Webinar Reflects on the Government of National Unity One Year On

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) hosted a webinar titled: ‘The Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa: One Year On - Where Are We? What Are the Economic Prospects, Challenges, and How Should They Be Addressed?’

Ms Phumelele Basi.

A Beacon of Inspiration for Emerging Scholars

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The ‘slim-thick’ body ideal has emerged as a dominant standard shaping how young women perceive beauty and desirability. Ms Phumelele Basi, a PhD candidate at UKZN, has contributed to this important conversation through her co-authorship of an article with Professor Deevia Bhana.

National FUNDISA meeting delegates.

UKZN Hosts National FUNDISA Meeting to Advance Nursing and Midwifery Education

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted a two-day meeting of the Forum of University Nursing Deans of South Africa (FUNDISA).

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The Irony of Designing Small Business Programmes Without Small Businesses in Mind

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This article explores the real struggles of small businesses in South Africa and shows how well-intentioned interventions often overlook the realities on the ground.

Back from left: Professor Leigh Jarvis; Professor Neil Koorbanally, Acting Dean of Research at UKZN; Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, Director: Innovation at UKZN; and front row: Mr Wayne Mostert and Professor Anil Chuturgoon signing the Joint Venture Agreement.

UKZN and Youtility Sign Groundbreaking Joint Venture to Transform SA’s Energy Landscape

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In a bold leap towards redefining South Africa’s energy future, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has signed a pioneering Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Hong Kong-based tech company, Youtility.

UKZN student entrepreneurs represented the University at the launch of the EDHE-Absa Innovation Challenge.

UKZN Showcases Entrepreneurial Talent at EDHE-Absa Innovation Challenge Launch

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) made a significant mark at the National Launch of the (Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education) EDHE-Absa Innovation Challenge, held on 25 June 2025 at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in Umlazi, Durban.

Scenes from the Libraries Symposium.

International Symposium Aims to Transform Libraries through Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

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The Library Services at UKZN hosted the 5th International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Symposium, bringing together a wide network of delegates from leading universities and agencies across South Africa and around the world.

Seen at a virtual book launch held recently (clockwise from bottom left): Discussant, Dr Andrew Gibbs; and editors, Professor Deevia Bhana, Professor Morten Skovdal and Professor Kaymarlin Govender.

New Book Explores Masculinities and Sexual Health Among Young Men

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UKZN, in collaboration with the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Gender and Childhood Sexuality, the University of Copenhagen, and the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), hosted a virtual launch of Young Masculinities and Sexual Health in Southern Africa - a new book exploring masculinities and sexual health in the region.