05 September 2025
Volume: 13
Issue: 29
Dr Crispin Hemson in dialogue with third-year UKZN Engineering students at Pigeon Valley.

Pigeon Valley Becomes a Living Laboratory for UKZN Engineering Students

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Collaboration between community, academia, and local government in Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve in Glenwood has turned the area into an unexpected centre for environmental innovation and education, with UKZN Engineering students at its core.

Land Court stakeholder engagement meeting.

UKZN School of Law Hosts Landmark Engagement with Land Court

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The School of Law at UKZN recently hosted the Land Court’s engagement with key stakeholders in the sector - attorneys, advocates, families representing claimants, and civil society organisations.

From left: Mr Njabulo Shangase, Ms Fikile Masiko, Professor Bonga Chiliza, Ms Normah Zondo, Dr Ruwayda Petrus and Mr Themba Ndhlovu.

Empowering Women’s Voices and Ending Violence

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“We can all agree that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) have become our daily reality and that is deeply troubling… In KwaZulu-Natal, 36% of women have reported experiencing GBV in their lifetime, and nearly 20% of all rape cases reported occur in this province. These aren’t merely figures, they are lived realities that have left families broken and communities wounded.”

Discovering Malta’s layers of history and heritage with Emeritus Professor Mike Watkeys at the UKZN Durban Alumni talk.

UKZN Durban Alumni Association hosts Talk on Malta by Emeritus Professor Mike Watkeys

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The UKZN Durban Alumni Association recently hosted an engaging and informative talk titled ‘Malta: In the Middle of the Middle’ by UKZN Emeritus Professor Mike Watkeys.

UKZN Sport Science third-year and honours students with lecturer and co-ordinator for the day, Mr Jed Davidson.

BELS Hosts School Engagement Project Inter-School Sports Tournament

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The Howard College sports fields buzzed with energy on 16 and 17 August as UKZN’s Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) hosted the much-anticipated School Engagement Project Inter-School Sports Tournament.

Dedicated to tackling socioeconomic injustices and providing resources to uplift communities.

Student Social Workers Launch an NPO: The Giving Initiative

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The Giving Initiative, a non-profit organisation (NPO) dedicated to supporting impoverished communities, schools, and organisations through the provision of essential necessities and awareness campaigns, was officially launched at the Illovo Community Hall.

Professor Kingsley Onyebuchi Obodo.

Inaugural Lecture Explores Computational Condensed Matter Physics

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UKZN recently hosted the inaugural lecture of Professor Kingsley Onyebuchi Obodo, a condensed matter physicist and recently appointed full Professor in the School of Agriculture and Science.

UKZN came alive as students celebrated fun, unity, and spirit during the recent roadshow - a true showcase of community and campus life.

Student Services Brings Support Closer Through Inaugural Roadshow

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Student Services Division (SSD) successfully hosted its inaugural cross-campus roadshow from 11 to 15 August 2025.

A multi-disciplinary team from the School of Commerce from left: Dr Anyetei Ako-Nai, Dr Andrisha Beharry-Ramraj, Dr Michelle Hatch, Ms Nozipho Ntuli, and Dr Christian Tipoy.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: UKZN Partners with KHULA Education on KidsMBA Programme

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KHULA Education, formerly the David Rattray Foundation, was founded in 2007 with a bold mission: to lift rural communities out of poverty through the power of education.

Guest speakers and attendees of the Women Power Connect Business Breakfast hosted by the College of Law and Management Studies in celebration of women in business and leadership.

Breaking Barriers: UKZN Celebrates Women in Business and Leadership

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s College of Law and Management Studies hosted its Women Power Connect Business Breakfast under the theme ‘Breaking Barriers: Building Future Women in Business and Leadership’.

Sponsors with participants of the SAICA UKZN Accounting Business Games.

Business Games Prepare Future Chartered Accountants

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The UKZN School of Commerce in partnership with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and international accounting firm BDO South Africa hosted 400 Grade 10 and 11 learners for the Annual Accounting Business Games on the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses on 7 and 8 August 2025, respectively.

At the webinar, clockwise from the bottom centre: Professor Percy Sepeng, Professor Msizi Mkhize, Mr Brett Perozzi, Dr Saloschini Pillay, Dr Sachin Suknunan, Mr David Newman and Ms Cecilia Resurreccion.

Webinar Explores Global Perspectives on Student Affairs and Services

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) Student Services Division hosted an engaging webinar that aimed to discuss the experiences and practices of Student Affairs and Services professionals from various parts of the world.
Professor Amir Hossein Mohammadi is an author of a study featured in a special series of the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering.

UKZN Study Recognised in Special Issue on Plastics and the Circular Economy

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Research by Professor Amir Mohammadi of UKZN’s School of Engineering was selected for inclusion in the July issue of the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering (CJCE), which launched a special series titled ‘Pathways to a Circular Economy of Plastics’.

Scenes from the book launch.

Book Launch of Ubuciko Bokwethiwa Kwamagama: The Art and Power of Naming in African Culture

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UKZN Press made a significant contribution to this year’s Durban International Book Fair with the launch of three new titles, including the highly anticipated Ubuciko Bokwethiwa Kwamagama, edited by Professor Gugulethu Mazibuko and Professor Nobuhle Ndimande-Hlongwa.

From left: Professor Nombulelo Magula, Professor Mark Siedner and Dr Thomas Gaziano.

Home-based Care Substantially Improves Blood Pressure Control in Rural South Africa

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Bringing blood pressure care into people’s homes significantly improved hypertension control in rural South Africa.

Interactive dialogue at CHASU’s event.

New Men’s Dialogue Breaks the Silence at UKZN

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UKZN’s Campus HIV and AIDS Support Unit (CHASU) recently launched a focused men’s health initiative titled ‘Inxeba lendoda lipholiswa enye’ - translated into English as ‘One man’s wound is healed by another’.

Dr Levin Chetty joins the BELS team.

A Journey in Motion: Welcoming Dr Levin Chetty to the BELS Team

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The Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) welcomes Dr Levin Chetty, a health science professional, researcher, and educator whose remarkable journey embodies resilience, determination, and a passion for community-centred scholarship.

Professor Ncoza Dlova and Mr Ndumiso Majola.

Translating Medicine into Poetry for Global Health Awareness

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UKZN final-year Medical student and member of the University’s Voice Arts Club (VAC), Mr Ndumiso Majola, from Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal’s uThungulu District, is making a name for himself by composing poetry about medical conditions - captivating audiences at both local and international conferences.

Highlights of the Women Empowerment and Leadership Development event.

UKZN Hosts Women Empowerment and Leadership Development Programme

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA), at the Edgewood campus recently hosted a Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Development Programme.

Attendees of the ESASTAP Roadshow.

UKZN Staff Encouraged to Apply for European Union Funding

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The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) recently hosted a funding roadshow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) Westville campus.

Chart-Umsamo’s engagement with the intersection of African spirituality and Christianity.

UKZN’s Chart-Umsamo Hosts Seminar on Traditional Healing and African Spirituality

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Chart-Umsamo, a unit within the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), recently hosted a seminar titled ‘Ingqungquthela Yabelaphi Bendabuko’ (Conference for Traditional Healers).

Editors and contributors of the new book titled: Stories of Hope - Reimagining Education, with attendees of the virtual book launch.

The School of Commerce Hosts Virtual Book Launch of Stories of Hope - Reimagining Education

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The School of Commerce at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recently hosted the virtual launch of Stories of Hope - Reimagining Education, a book co-edited by Professor Upasana Singh, Academic Leader and Senior Lecturer in the School.

BELS students during a teambuilding session at the Westville campus.

Team-building Event Empowers Recreation and Leisure Science Students

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Westville campus came alive with energy and teamwork at a dynamic team-building event hosted by second- and third-year students in the Recreation and Leisure Science programme.

Highlights from Ms Sonia Budhram’s study abroad programme.

UKZN Student Reflects on Semester Abroad in France

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Third-year Bachelor of Arts student Ms Sonia Budhram recently returned to the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus after spending the first semester of 2025 on exchange at the University of Tours in France.