ukzn college of humanities

UKZN COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES i

Published by:

College of Humanities Public Relations Office, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Email: [email protected]

Editorial Team and contributors:

Xoliswa Zulu, Greg Dardagan and UKZNdabaOnline

Photography:

Samora Chapman, Artworks

Creative Direction:

Artworks | www.artworks.co.za

Copyright:

All photos and images used in this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the College of Humanities Public Relations Office, University of KwaZulu-Natal. No section of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the College of Humanities Public Relations Office.

Disclaimer:

Information was collected at different times during the compilation of this publication.

Published in 2021

UKZN COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES 1

Contents

DVC’s Message.....................................................................................................2-3

Introduction........................................................................................................4-11

Luthando Ngazile Ngema...........................................................................14-15

Prudence Mdletshe.......................................................................................16-17

Edmore Ntini...................................................................................................18-19

Viloshin Govender ........................................................................................20-22

Taemane Phoofolo........................................................................................24-25

Tholani Hlongwa...........................................................................................26-27

Phindile Mayaba............................................................................................28-31

Siphesihle Kunene.........................................................................................32-33

Lungelo Mbatha............................................................................................34-35

Hleliwe Khumalo............................................................................................36-37

Lukhona Mnguni............................................................................................38-39

Marole Moloi....................................................................................................40-41

Mzwandile Wiseman Zulu..........................................................................42-44

CHANGING THE FACE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA2

I am honoured to introduce this publication, which profiles a number of emerging

scholars within the College of Humanities who are being supported to advance

their careers and obtain a doctoral qualification by means of various initiatives.

This publication profiles four initiatives that are supported by the University of

KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the Department of Education, the Education, Training

and Development (EDT)-SETA, and the National Institute for the Humanities

and Social Sciences (NIHSS). These are the New Generation Academics (NGAP)

Programme, the South African Humanities Deans Association (NIHSS-SAHUDA)

Doctoral Initiative, the Growth Development Programme-Talent Excellence and

Equity Acceleration Scholarship (GDP-TEAEAS), and the University’s Accelerated

Academic Development Programme (AADP).

A few of the scholars in these programmes are already employed on a permanent

basis by the university, while some will be credentialled into lecturing positions

upon the completion of their doctoral studies as well as the University Education

Radically Transforming the South African Academic Sector Workforce

Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College

Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize


Induction Programme (UEIP). The UEIP comprises four modules on several aspects

of teaching and learning in Higher Education.

The transformation of the higher education sector has been spelt out in several

policy documents, including the Education White Paper 3 of 1997. The Academy

of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Report of 2010 noted that South Africa was

producing very few doctoral graduates per annum per million of the population,

in comparison to the international trends. If one accepts the premise that

the production of high-calibre doctoral graduates contributes towards the

advancement of the knowledge economy, it goes without saying that South Africa

will be ill-prepared to be globally competitive, unless its doctoral throughput

challenges and the quality of doctoral training are addressed.

The Education White Paper 3 of 1997, the National Development Plan: Vision

2030 (National Planning Commission), adopted in 2012, set ambitious doctoral

throughput targets to be achieved by 2030. This and the other ambitious higher

education goals that are articulated in the NDP, will remain a pipedream unless

South Africa and universities improve their post-graduate enrolments and pipeline

and throughput challenges. South Africa requires adequately equipped academics

to supervise at the doctoral level if these targets are to be achieved.

Against the above-mentioned background, the scholars who are profiled share

their journeys of doctoral studies, backgrounds and ambitions. I am pleased to

report that some of them have already completed their doctoral studies and have

been credentialled. Systems are in place for the mentorship and support of the

scholars who are completing their doctoral studies.

Let me take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors who are contributing to

the above-mentioned programmes, as well as the mentors who are walking the

journey with the scholars.

To the scholars: You are an inspiration to many students whose backgrounds are

similar to yours. It has been a pleasure to find out more about you through this

publication and I wish you well with your future endeavours. With you on board,

we are reassured that UKZN will grow from strength to strength and consolidate

its standing, locally and internationally, as the Premier University of African

Scholarship.


The College of Humanities is changing the face of higher education in South Africa

About 20 hopefuls attached to UKZN’s College of Humanities are among the

current crop of candidates who are excelling on their journey to greater heights

in academia.

Scholarships from the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences

(NIHSS), the Accelerated Academic Development Programme (AADP) and the New

Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) are in place to help and encourage

up-and-coming black African academics who are currently in the system with the

goal of becoming doctoral graduates.

Also available are Talent Excellence and Equity Acceleration Scholarships (TEAEAS),

which create opportunities for students who are keen to enter academia.

The goal is to radically transform the workforce in the South African academic

sector under the umbrella of the Emerging Academics Programme (EAP) and help

increase the number of black PhDs in the country.

One of the latest College of Humanities’ academics to benefit from the assistance

is Lukhona Mnguni, who obtained a Master of Science Degree in African and

International Development from the University of Edinburgh after receiving a

Scores of young black South Africans have benefitted from programmes run by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in co-operation with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) over several years to assist them in developing into high achiever academics.


Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue his studies. He currently serves as a PhD

intern researcher at the Maurice Webb Race Relations unit at UKZN.

He is committed to education and seeing every child in South Africa receive a fair

chance to be educated to high standards of quality, irrespective of where they

were born.

Mnguni is a recipient of a number of accolades from UKZN, which include being

selected for the Abe Bailey Bursary and the 2012 UKZN Distinguished Student’s

Award. Also through support from the College of Humanities’ Research office, he

attended the World Congress on Political Science in Brisbane, Australia in 2018.

With a passion for bringing an end to social injustice in society, Mguni said that the

scholarship has not only put him one step closer to his goal but has given him the

means, as a postgraduate student, to further his passion for development, politics

and education while at the same time contributing to the ‘formation of young

minds’ in the way his lecturers did for him when he started out.


1. National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarship

Every year, suitably qualified black African students are invited to apply for the

scholarships to study full-time towards a doctoral degree in the humanities and

social sciences at UKZN as well as other South African universities. The prime

objective is to promote scholarship in the Humanities and Social Sciences in South

Africa, and strengthen student-centred culture, while addressing inequities in the

higher education system.

The value of the doctoral scholarships – offered by the NIHSS in association with

the SA Humanities Deans’ Association – is R120 000 in the first year with annual

renewals subject to proof of satisfactory progress. The maximum period the

scholarship may run is three years and successful candidates are expected to sign

a contract regarding conditions attached to the award.

Preference is given to those from previously disadvantaged sections of the

population and who have successfully completed a Master’s degree, or are

entering the first year of a PhD after being upgraded from a Master’s registration, or

registered for PhD study in the first year of enrolment at UKZN or another university.

Selection criteria includes: academic merit; a complete understanding of the

proposed research project; feasibility of the project; the likely contribution of the

product to the body of knowledge in the field; and confirmation by the relevant

department or supervisor of the candidate’s intention to enrol for a doctoral level

study at UKZN or another university.

A brief breakdown of the four programmes and the opportunities provided


2. Talent Excellence and Equity Acceleration Scholarship

The prestigious TEAEAS targets top performing undergraduate black South African

students in their final year of study with the aim of nurturing and grooming them

for academic positions at UKZN.

The scholarships, funded by UKZN, were established by the Human Resources

Development Unit in 2014 in an effort to contribute towards the transformation

of the academic landscape in South Africa and are part of UKZN’s Graduate

Development Programme.

In 2019, six students were selected to join the programme, while the more than

30 students already involved are all making good progress towards becoming

academics, with 23 registered for PhD studies.

Meanwhile, six students from the programme have been credentialed and

appointed into full-time lecturer positions.

“The scholarships have many extra benefits, including coaching and mentoring

that develops the candidates as academics,’’ said UKZN’s Human Resources

Development Director Ms Busisiwe Ramabodu. “The other major benefit is that

each candidate is guaranteed an academic post at UKZN upon the successful

completion of their doctoral studies.”


Candidates should be passionate about following a career in academia and:

1. Dedicate themselves to subject matter through research and innovation

2. Develop and train others through teaching and learning

3. Make a contribution to the lives of individuals and communities

4. They also need to be:

• Black African students in the final year of undergraduate studies or already

doing postgraduate work

• Have an aggregate of 70% or more and be on track for a cum laude or

summa cum laude degree

• Have aspirations to be an academic employee at UKZN

TEAEAS had its final intake in 2019 with six students selected to join. The 33 students

on the programme are making good progress towards becoming academics with

23 registered for doctoral studies. Six students from the programme have been

credentialed and appointed into full lecturer positions.

3. The New Generation of Academics Programme

nGAP is a transformation programme initiated by DHET to help universities recruit

new academics in line with staffing and development plans.

Ramabodu said that the programme is in line with UKZN’s Integrated Talent

Management and Transformation strategies. “The academic sector in South Africa

comprises a workforce that is aging and without sufficient representation of black

African academics. nGAP thus supports UKZN in its transformation goals and also

contributes positively to South Africa’s transformation agenda.


“The nGAP programme, through funding and support, enables newly-recruited

lecturers to benefit from teaching and research development opportunities,” said

Ramabodu.

UKZN has appointed a variety of nGAP lecturers, some of whom have already

completed their PhDs.

The programme aims to assist with staffing transformation and capacity needs

at universities, and involves the establishment of permanent academic posts.

Successful candidates will participate in a six-year comprehensive development

and induction programme, after which they will continue as regular members of

the academic staff.

The programme enables lecturers to:

• Immediately take up permanent lecturer positions and earn a salary while

studying

• To study for a Master’s or PhD degree, or to undertake post-doctoral work

with a substantially reduced teaching responsibility while studying

• Develop teaching and research ability

• Be fully supported by a mentor for the duration while on the development

programme

• Receive support for overseas experiences

Candidates also need to show an interest in becoming an academic, be under 40

years of age, display evidence of eligibility to undertake postgraduate study at

doctoral level even without a PhD, and a desire to work at the University for the full

six years of the programme.

The DHET carries the full cost of the post for the first three years, with the cost

shared with the University from the fourth year of the programme and the

Institution bearing the full cost from the sixth year. There are conditions attached.

All nGAP academics are assigned a mentor for the duration of the programme. The

role of mentors includes keeping close track of agreed development milestones


4. Accelerated Academic Development Programme

The aim of AADP is to transform the academic sector and improve representivity

at UKZN through the accelerated development and promotion of emerging

academics.

An Emerging Academics Retreat was held at UKZN last year involving 43 AADP

lecturers. Topics included Reflection on the AADP Journey and Career Pathing;

Academic Promotion; Grant Proposal Writing; Compiling a Teaching Statement;

and plans, assistance with the preparation of a personal plan for professional

development, assisting where necessary with the process of registering for a PhD,

and helping with personal problems, time and financial management.

The recruitment of highly capable scholars as new academics is based on carefully

designed and balanced equity considerations and in which disciplines they are

most needed in the higher education system. Important features of the programme

are that successful applicants are appointed into permanent posts firmly factored

into long-term staffing plans right from the outset with appointments governed

by contracts that clearly spell out the expectations, obligations, roles and

responsibilities of the university and the newly-employed academic.

The programme was implemented in 2015 with scores of young scholars gaining

entry into the programme over the years at a variety of universities, including UKZN.

Statistics in the 2019 UKZN Annual Report show that five nGAP lecturers were

appointed from the disciplines of Laboratory Medicine and Medial Science;

Dentistry; Occupational Therapy; Engineering; and Optometry, bringing the total

number of lecturers to 18. One nGAP lecturer completed their PhD studies.

Funding of R10 364 440 for four more posts was approved by DHET.


Publishing in High-Impact Journals; Research-Based Community Engagement,

and the Process of PhD and Manuscript Writing.

A total of 51 AADP lecturers at UKZN have been credentialed to lecturers or senior

lecturers.

The AADP is aimed at young or aspiring academics with no or limited experience

in academia but with potential and interest to pursue an academic career.

Candidates are expected to register for a doctoral degree.

Minimum requirements include a relevant Master’s degree and a commitment to

complete a PhD within five years of the date of assuming duty.

The programme is designed to accelerate the development of mainly black

lecturers in order to integrate them into the profession at UKZN.

A selection of the UKZN College of Humanities candidates on the four

development programmes were interviewed on their feelings about and

experiences of being involved in the initiatives.

Here are their stories...

Accelerated Academic Development Programme (AADP)

PROFILES

ACCELERATED ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (AADP)

Luthando Ngazile NgemaExciting opportunities have opened up for me through the Programme

Parents who never gave up on me coupled with my innate determination to succeed ensured that I drove myself hard to achieve my goals, despite challenges I faced as an academic at UKZN.

When I was interviewed for the Accelerated Academic Development Programme

(AADP), I was so excited about what was being offered to successful candidates.

Acceptance into the programme opened up opportunities for me that were

beyond the scope of my studies, including interaction with mentors who are

among the world’s leading researchers.



When I completed my BA degree in 2007, I decided to study for my Honours

degree at the Centre for Communication, Media and Society because jobs were

hard to find at the time.

With a small amount of savings I had plus income from part-time jobs and some

financial assistance from my sister, I completed my Honours and Master’s degrees

at the Centre for Communication, Media and Society.

I am currently completing my PhD in Media and Cultural Studies in the School of Arts.

Since joining the AADP in 2014, my focus has been about growing as an academic

and specialising in Cultural and Media Studies. I still want to explore urban culture

more intensely, to provide solutions for people who survive in our harsh city

environment.

I have supervised students at Honours and Master’s level, am a member of the

Teaching and Learning Committee at the School of Arts and I have organised and

coordinated several academic gatherings that included the UKZN Decoloniality

Summer School. I also co-founded the Kulture Noir Kollective Reading and

Writing Group.

Despite all this and the institutional challenges we face at UKZN, I still have really

big goals.

I am currently working on exciting projects, including the rock engraving in

Mashishing-Mpumalanga, which is partially funded by the National Heritage

Council. And secondly, I am part of the Fukamisa Intsha Film Project, fully funded by

the National Film and Video Foundation, which will provide training for emerging

film-makers in KwaZulu-Natal.

I also want to be a better parent, sibling, daughter, friend and an excellent

academic.

Prudence MdletsheThe Programme is helping me reach for my dream of becoming a professor

UKZN has opened so many opportunities for me. Not only have I found incredible support during my participation in the programme but those involved have tried to meet my needs by insisting that departments provide support through active mentorship and workshops focused on subjects such as how to write for journal articles, participating in seminars, and ways to apply for funding.

This practical support is playing a major role in helping me in my academic career

while the programme has made my PhD journey easier by not only providing me

with the very best supervisors but also with funding.




Monthly workshops are also very useful as they help to lessen the loneliness. I feel

motivated and I am really grateful to be a part of the UKZN fraternity.

Being on the AADP programme has given me the confidence to believe I can

achieve my goal of one day being a full professor.

I worked for the Human Sciences Research Council as a junior researcher before

coming to UKZN and previous to that I was a research psychologist intern at the

Military Psychological Institute where I published two articles in academic journals.

I grew up in Dobsonville, Soweto, went to school in Lenasia and after matriculating

I was accepted for a BA at Wits University but my mom, who was a single mother

and a domestic worker, could not afford the registration fees.

I then dedicated 2007 to raising funds and managed to get enough to pay for my

registration at Wits while the National Student Financial Aid Scheme helped with

the rest.

I did my undergraduate, Honours and Master’s degrees at Wits with my MA

focusing on Research Psychology.

I am now reading for my PhD, which is on Social Work with my thesis titled:

‘Deconstructing African Identities: Notions of Fatherhood among isiZulu Men in

Eshowe, Northern KwaZulu-Natal’.

I am passionate about my studies because not only do they conceptualise

fatherhood, they also critique mainstream psychology and argue for critical

decolonial psychology for research in Africa. This is because mainstream

psychology uses Eurocentric ideologies, assumptions and philosophies to analyse

and understand social issues.

The UKZN University Capacity Development Programme has awarded me funding

to attend an international conference that was postponed to 2021 due to the

COVID-19 pandemic. It will be my first time travelling overseas and I am so looking

forward to the opportunities to meet and network with new people from all over

the world.


Edmore NtiniThe greatest companion is my student

As someone who is passionate about teaching, research and publishing, becoming a member of UKZN’s Accelerated Academic Development Programme (AADP) was in line with my desire to join the cohort of highly qualified scholar-lecturers at the University.

Now my aim is to achieve senior lecturer status on my way to a vibrant professorship

while at the same time publishing about 20 papers by December 2021.

I chose UKZN primarily because it is one of the top five universities in South Africa

with the potential of rising even further in the rankings. I am currently completing

my PhD (Sociology).



I believe I was selected for the AADP programme because of my Development

Studies degree as well as five years’ experience as a lecturer. I have benefitted

enormously under the mentorship of experienced staff members in the

Department of Community Development.

My skills in supervising Honours’ projects and MA theses involving various

community development themes have improved and I now volunteer to mentor

students struggling to make satisfactory progress in their research projects.

Being on the AADP programme has given me an excellent grounding in the Social

Sciences discipline, which I am so passionate about, and I feel I am being groomed

to become the scholar I so much want to be.

The award has also funded my studies and provided me with the benefits of a full-

time department staff member. I hope to receive speedy promotion as I continue

to meet all the requirements.

My dream is to be among the most published researchers in the Social Sciences

discipline at UKZN.

THE NEW GENERATION OF ACADEMICS PROGRAMME (NGAP)

Viloshin Govender Helping underprivileged communities through re-using architecture

The nGAP programme has allowed me to follow my passion for teaching and to develop as a young researcher. I am very aware that a core aim of the programme is to be a breeding ground for a new generation of researchers and academics, rather than just a six-year project ending in a PhD!

I was born and grew up in Chatsworth, Durban, matriculating at Southlands

Secondary School where I excelled.

I chose to study Architecture at UKZN because the discipline allows me to explore

both my creative and technical sides. Added to that, the University is the only



higher education institution in South Africa where it is possible to graduate as a

qualified architect.

Currently, my PhD is focused on adaptive re-use architecture in cities, which is

in line with my deep passion of working with underprivileged communities. My

doctorate thesis examines the right to the city, insurgency, inclusive cities and

sustainable community development.

My research interests are in upgrading informal settlements, where I have partnered

with NGOs, communities and municipalities to co-design spaces for informal

living. I have coupled this with innovative technologies such as 3D-printing and

drone mapping and have assisted the South African Medical Research Council by

using drones to do fieldwork for malaria research. I have published papers on this

and plan to continue to work on methodologies and theories that I use in the field.

Currently, I am lecturing second-year students at UKZN in Architectural design and

supervising Master’s degree students. To date, I have successfully supervised and

graduated 12 Master’s students since I joined the University.

I have successfully completed fieldwork for my doctorate and am now working on

my write up and findings. I am also doing research with the Municipality and an

NGO to design and implement a double-storey structure in informal settlements.

I was introduced to the nGAP programme by a fellow lecturer when I was teaching

part-time and also holding down a job in industry. Motivated and encouraged by

UKZN’s Professor Betty Mubangizi, I then applied to join. I am very thankful to her

for her support and motivation.

The programme allows one to read towards a PhD while lecturing with a reduced

workload. Over time, the lecturing involvement increases and you are eventually

absorbed into the teaching system. It has allowed me to research while developing

as an academic. Writing retreats and mentoring sessions have helped in terms of

coping with the complexities of academic life as well as PhD work.

The programme has a strong mentorship component. My current mentor is

Professor Pranitha Maharaj, who is a well-established researcher at our School and


whose advice is invaluable. We meet weekly to discuss academic life and any issues

I may have.

My supervisor Dr Claudia Loggia has had an amazing influence on me, selflessly

devoting her time and resources towards my PhD. She has taught me how to

practise as an academic and guided me to become a researcher.

The programme head Mrs Busisiwe Ramabodu dedicates an enormous amount

of her time to the project as well as to supporting us. nGAP is different in that

participants are treated with the same respect as senior academics, which

encourages you to pursue a career as an academic and illustrates UKZN’s value system.

I am in my fourth year of the programme and I aim to finish my doctorate within

the next year. My goal is also to publish more papers so that I can apply to become

a senior lecturer and broaden my research field.

My hope for the future is that I will become a professor at UKZN and help

underprivileged communities. I would also like to set up programmes and bursary

schemes for underprivileged students, and bridge the gap for students between

tertiary education and industry by creating projects to help them realise their full

potential and equip them for the working world.

24

Taemane PhoofoloI feel like i have a bright future ahead of me

Tourism is my life and now after studying the subject for several years I am lecturing in the field with my overall knowledge and teaching skills honed through being a member of the Accelerated Academic Development Programme at UKZN.

Thanks to the Programme, I have done well and am now Dr Phoofolo. The

programme paid for all my studies and also supported me in my research and

field work. UKZN provided me with top-class infrastructure and support while the

supervision I received was excellent and added impetus to my studies.

CHANGING THE FACE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA


24


I have interacted with the best academics, learning so much from them about how

to carry out research and improve my administrative and teaching skills.

My confidence is really high now – equally working alone or in a team.

Among the many highlights has been the opportunity to co-write a paper with

my supervisor and present it at the 2019 Tourism Naturally Conference at the

University of Derby in the United Kingdom. To my mind, tourism is not just a

profession; it’s a vocation.

Getting to where I am today has been a long journey. I was born in Ficksburg in the

Free State where I matriculated and went on to complete a BA (Hons) in Tourism

and a Master’s degree in Tourism Development and Management at the former

University of the North on the QwaQwa Campus. I also completed a PhD in Culture

and Heritage Tourism in order to advance my career.

Being part of the AADP at UKZN was natural for me as I wanted to be a member of

a progressive, research-led institution that would allow me to grow as an academic

and as a person.

I believe that the University has a global reputation for its research focus and

achievements, which assists me to further sharpen my skills, particularly in my area

of interest – Tourism Development with a particular focus on risks and disasters.

I also am keen on developing my teaching skills in line with the demands of the

present-day economy. My aim is to produce competent students who are able to

thrive in both the private and public sectors.

I enjoy working in a challenging and stimulating environment and think that I

am progressing well as I continue to gravitate towards my dream of leaving an

indelible mark on the lives of my colleagues and students.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND SA HUMANITIES DEANS ASSOCIATION DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP

Tholani HlongwaThe scholarship made my wildest dream come true

My motivation is now driven by my doctoral thesis findings and my current isiZulu second language teaching experience in the School of Education at UKZN. I am also interested in pursuing research on Language and Gender in the field of Language Education.

The Emerging Academics Programme has introduced me to a pool of knowledge and I am being taught how to be independent while learning to collaborate with other academics at the same time. I am still at the very early stage of my journey.

I always wanted to be a teacher… now I am a teacher trainer! Both the national and regional NIHSS support staff went the extra mile to help me achieve my goals. I also appreciate how the UKZN/NIHSS office was always there to assist.



I am from humble beginnings, growing up in Ixopo before moving to Richmond where I completed my matric in 1992. In 1993, my father and I set up home in Amanzimtoti and I found a job as a packer at Checkers, later being promoted to a cashier.

In 1996, I signed up for the Regional Access Programme (RAP) at the University of Natal, which only catered for learners who had matriculated from schools in rural areas.

In 1997, I started my BA degree on the Durban campus as I was told that after completing it, I could begin studying for a Higher Education Diploma and qualify to be a teacher. However, I ended up studying for an Honours degree so that I could continue supporting my family. Towards the end of my Honours year, professors in the isiZulu Department, now known as the School of African Languages, told me that because of my excellent results, I could study in the United States and also teach isiZulu.

After an interview, I was offered a job at the University of Illinois and began there in 2001, and also started studying for a Master’s degree in African Linguistics. While there, I completed two Diplomas in African Language Teaching.

I was awarded my Master’s degree in 2007 and was admitted to the PhD programme at the same university but my time there was interrupted following the death of my mother and two sisters.

In 2013, I rejoined UKZN as a contract lecturer teaching isiZulu Second Language and the following year I landed a permanent post.

I resumed my doctoral studies in 2015, specialising in isiZulu second language teaching and learning, and being awarded a NIHSS/SAHUDA scholarship in 2016. I completed my PhD in 2018 and am working towards being appointed a senior lecturer.

I participated in several NIHSS events and am looking forward to our first conference as an alumni. I am currently waiting for two of my manuscripts to be approved for publication. I published two journal articles in 2014 and in addition, I have started supervising postgraduate students and hope to help them graduate on time.

My dream is to become an isiZulu author. My experience in the United States introduced me to creating stories for my students to reinforce reading in isiZulu for understanding. What I want to do now is produce knowledge, which is what the NIHSS encourages us to do.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (NIHSS) AND SA HUMANITIES DEANS’ ASSOCIATION (SAHUDA) SCHOLARSHIP

Phindile MayabaI’m forever grateful to UKZN and NIHSS

Being an NIHSS scholarship recipient was the first step towards realising my hopes and dreams. The Institute’s support enabled me to carve my niche area through my PhD, unlocking the door to endless opportunities.

I grew up in Eshowe, Zululand where I attended Kwa-Mondi Primary School and

matriculated from King Zwelithini High School in 1998.

Initially, I wanted to study medicine and was accepted into the then University of

Natal Medical School. However, because of financial challenges, I was unable to



register in 1999 or 2000. I then opted to apply for a degree in Psychology so that I

could study Human Behaviour and Mental Health.

I chose the University’s Pietermaritzburg campus because of its record of

excellence and its curriculum, which was broad and offered training in five of the

Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPSCA) registration categories for

Psychology.

As a registered Educational Psychologist, my interests are largely in psychometrics

and intelligence testing. I have a passion for the provision of fair intellectual

assessment practices for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children. These

diagnoses have serious implications for children’s academic lives and careers, thus

they need to be made with extreme caution.

I also worked as a monitoring and evaluations manager and on a consultancy basis

with NGOs that are partners to the departments of Health, Social Development

and Education. This work contributed vastly to informing evidence-based practice

in the provision of psychosocial support for children and the youth.

I still have a huge interest in Linguistics and I would like to pursue studies as soon as

is practical, specifically in Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics and Sociolinguistics.

Currently, I am a lecturer and the Academic Leader for the Discipline of Psychology

on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus, as well as the Psychology Honours

Programme Coordinator. I am also the Director of the Child and Family Centre, a

psychology clinic on campus.

As a lecturer, I supervise Honours, Master’s and PhD students on intellectual

assessment of children, constructions of intelligence, language acquisition,

bilingualism and code-switching, and mother tongue instruction, among others.

I coordinate and lecture undergraduate and postgraduate students and also

contribute as a Module Coordinator for the Certificate Programme in Community-

Based Work with Children and Youth, which is offered by the Regional Psychosocial

Support Initiative (REPSSI) in partnership with UKZN. This is an innovative approach

to professionalising community-based care for children and the youth so that

vulnerable populations receive needed care and support.

I was awarded the NIHSS-SAHUDA scholarship in 2014 after I registered my

PhD with UKZN, which explored the handling of challenges when assessing the

intellectual functioning of CLD learners. It focused on one of the psychological

assessment tools that have been translated into isiZulu – the Individual Scale for

Zulu-Speaking Pupils (ISZSP) – with the intention of qualitatively analysing its

cultural and linguistic appropriateness from a dialogical perspective.

This study was the first step towards contributing to the review and improvement

of the ISZSP, and to future culturally and linguistically relevant assessment of

intellectual functioning in South Africa. The NIHSS-SAHUDA scholarship covered

all the costs, which included incentives for two complex data sets, data collection

and fantastic support.

Owing to the shortage of literature on constructions of selfhood for isiZulu-

speakers from a dialogical standpoint, I am now working on a research project to

study the dynamics of cultural ‘in-betweenity’ and the linguistic identity of isiZulu-

speakers, and how these play a role during the assessment of their intelligence.

As a lecturer at UKZN’s College of Humanities, I feel well-positioned to contribute

towards new knowledge production related to intelligence and constructions of

selfhood in the African context. The understanding of intellectual functioning in

the African self, particularly for isiZulu speakers, will help us to ensure that training

in our institutions leads to high-quality psychological service to Africans. It is my

aspiration to develop a publication profile that will put the College on the map for

dialogic research and African contributions to the dialogical self-theory.

The alumni network launched last year by the NIHSS will provide opportunities for

me to engage more in scholarly spaces and continue to generate new knowledge

in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

In addition, I am benefitting from UKZN mentorship programmes for young

academics and am fortunate to be involved in the Doctoral Academy within the

College of Humanities. I believe that these opportunities will enhance and sharpen

my skills, and contribute to my development as a scholar.



One of my dreams is to make meaningful contributions towards psychological

test development in South Africa. I believe that it is high time that we develop

culturally and linguistically relevant intelligence tests. We have benefitted from

test adaptation, however, this has brought with it many ethical, theoretical and

practical challenges that we have struggled with for a long time.

It is my hope that we will soon not have to rely heavily on Western theories and

methods but rather draw largely from our African indigenous ways of knowing

and doing.

TALENT EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

32

Siphesihle KuneneI now have a better, brighter future

Being awarded this scholarship has proven to me that no matter where you come from and no matter the odds, you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.

I come from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal and attended a high school in an area

plagued by poverty, gangsterism and a high crime rate. It was, to put it mildly, not

a great community to grow up in. However, at high school I encountered highly

motivated and enthusiastic teachers – our principal embodied great leadership

skills; she was a powerhouse.



I was equally lucky to have an inner circle of friends who all shared a similar vision

to mine: striving for greatness despite the odds. For me, greatness is becoming a

leading researcher, an influential lecturer in Statistics, Research and Population

Studies, and to supervise students and elevate others to gain new insights and

knowledge.

UKZN was my university of choice not only because it is close to home, but also

because it is considered a leader in research, which together with teaching and

learning are my passions.

And being selected among the seven candidates chosen for the Scholarship in

2019 has motivated me to work 10 times harder so that I can reach my full potential

in academia.

After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, I signed up on the Howard

College campus to do my Master’s degree in Population Studies. I used the deeper

knowledge of population dynamics and statistics I gained in my thesis project,

which focused on how first- and second-year students cope with the leap from

their school careers to tertiary education.

As a result, I wanted to continue with a PhD in Population Studies and I could not

imagine a better place to study than at UKZN’s School of Built Environment and

Development Studies.

During my undergraduate degree, I was very active in many facets of university

life. I was a member of the Howard College Executive Committee for the Golden

Key International Society – an organisation that recognises the top 15% of high-

performing students in their respective disciplines. I also served as a tutor at the

Department of Social Work and was appointed a contract supervisor for final-year

students in the department in 2019.

The scholarship has fulfilled my dream to work in an established and respected

institution – this golden opportunity means that I am a part of the Premier

University of African Scholarship and that I have a better, brighter future.

I believe that I am well on my way to realising my vision of becoming a great

researcher and academic.


Lungelo MbathaMy dream is to help African people escape poverty

Expert guidance from some of the most prominent scholars in Philosophy and the provision of all the resources I need for my studies are just some of the benefits I have enjoyed from the scholarship.

I am really serious about academia – and that was, I think, among the main reasons

I was selected for the scholarship together with the excellent marks I achieved

during studies for my Bachelor of Social Science (Philosophy, Politics and Law) degree.

While the scholarship has provided me with funds necessary to pursue the studies

of my choice, it has also given me the best platform to pursue my dreams as it is

hard to find funding for something relatively unusual like Philosophy.

34 CHANGING THE FACE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA


I now don’t have to worry about how I will sustain myself while I am dedicated

to furthering my academic career. The fact that my residence, food and other

expenses are covered means that I am in the driver’s seat of both my life and my

future career.

My ultimate dream is to help African people escape poverty and be able to enjoy

all that life has to offer by providing knowledge about the different ways they can

change their lives for the better.

As a result, I want to have as much knowledge as possible about the conditions

of Africans, historical and present. Armed with such knowledge I believe I will

be able to make well- thought-out suggestions on how our people can become

empowered through education in Politics and Economic and Legal Systems. That

is why I am in the field of Philosophy because I believe what I want to do requires

careful thought within the boundaries of these disciplines. Philosophy will provide

me with the skills I need, which means I will continue my research in Philosophy

while at the same integrating my work with Politics, Economics, Law, Sociology,

Biology and Environmental Studies.

When I was first introduced to Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, I thought

the subject would be good to study as part of a broad degree in Philosophy,

Politics and Law.

The reason I chose UKZN was mainly because it was close to home, but I am now

really grateful that I did as not only have I been awarded this scholarship, but I have

been able to take up the disciplines I need to be able to further my goals.

I am busy with a PhD in Philosophy now and am passionate about my studies

because I think it is an ideal field to start out in if I am to genuinely empower

people whose lives have been disrupted in ways so complex that not even our

leaders are able to fully grasp the realities of the impact.


Hleliwe Khumalo The scholarship has been life-changing

I received the scholarship in 2018 and at that time, I was about to complete my first year as an educator. Honoured to have received such a prestigious scholarship, I decided to resign from teaching and follow my dream of one day becoming a fully-fledged academic, which has enabled me to further my aspiration without any financial constraints.

When I first enrolled at the University after completing my matric at Wyebank

Secondary School in New Germany, I decided to major in Performance and Drama,

and Sociology, but I later reconsidered and completed my undergraduate degree,

majoring in Economic History, Development Studies and Sociology.



The change of degree came as a result of being financially excluded in 2013 during

my first year. Returning to university in 2015, I decided to study modules that were

based more on unpacking issues of inequality, marginalisation and challenges

faced by the majority of South Africans. This made me realise the passion and

interest I have in politics and developmental issues. Hence, I decided to do my

Master’s in Development Studies.

Development Studies address a number of issues that most South African

communities face, including those in the beautiful Valley of a 1000 Hills in

Kwangcolosi outside Durban where I was born and raised. The course also teaches

about making a meaningful contribution to society.

I chose UKZN because it was one of my favourite universities; it is well-known

for an outstanding research output and for the importance it places on African

scholarship.

I have participated in a variety of personal development programmes through the

scholarship such as the University Education Induction Programme – a compulsory

developmental programme for all academics at UKZN.

The programme has taught me so much about being an academic such as learning

about supervision and evaluation, teaching and learning, and mentoring at a

higher education level. The induction programme was an excellent opportunity

for me to learn and to network with academic colleagues from the University and

other higher education institutions.

I am currently working at the UKZN Centre for Civil Society (CCS) as a research

assistant. I have done research and facilitated a webinar and photo exhibition on

social challenges faced by the youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am currently pursuing my PhD in Community Development and I have recently

received the Andrew Mellon Doctoral Scholarship Project in Spatial Humanities.

I am grateful that the University has acknowledged all my hard work and has given

me an opportunity to realise my dream of becoming an academic by rewarding

me with such a prestigious scholarship. My hope for the future is to empower

the African child who feels marginalised, excluded and sidelined by society,

emphasising the importance of never giving up, continuing to work hard (against

all odds) and to never stop dreaming.


Lukhona MnguniScholarship has given me a good foundation to build on

As an academic who has studied internationally and in South Africa, my commitment is to help end the social injustice that permeates our society.

Receiving the Talent Equity and Excellence Scholarship while at the University of

KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was another step further in the right direction, and it has

given me a really good foundation to build on.

I believe that I received the award as a result of my academic performance and

the fact that I had a completed my Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh

in Scotland. My commitment to grow as an academic also no doubt contributed.



I have received a variety of important accolades from the University, including

being selected for the Abe Bailey Award, which resulted in a socio-cultural tour of

the United Kingdom in 2013 while the 2012 UKZN Distinguished Students’ Award

provided me with a travel grant for my Honours research at the African Union

in Addis Ababa. I attended the World Congress on Political Science in Brisbane,

Australia in 2018 through support from the College of Humanities’ Research Office.

These are just some of the highlights of my time at UKZN and in the College of

Humanities, which I have enjoyed thoroughly and benefitted from hugely.

My hope now is to shape dynamic, new and exciting academic content that could

turn into a new module or two for political science in the International and Public

Affairs cluster.

When I matriculated from Port Shepstone High School, I was awarded a bursary

to study Mining Engineering at Wits University. But in my third year, my career

interests changed dramatically and I decided to focus on addressing issues of

social justice.

I moved to UKZN primarily to save costs as it was closer to home but the courses

on offer were also much more attractive than those available at any other higher

education institution.

I registered for a Bachelor of Community and Development Studies degree,

graduating cum laude.

I am completing my PhD in Political Science with a particular focus on acts of

violence during student protests. My aim is to grapple with the deeper meaning of

violence as I believe at times such behaviour is shaped by underlying conditions

in our society.

I am also currently lecturing POLS 201 in the School of Social Sciences as well as

Honours classes in International Relations.

I am passionate about development, politics and education and while the

scholarship has provided important financial support for me as a postgraduate

student, it has also given me the opportunity to have a long-lasting relationship

with UKZN and at the same time contribute to the formation of young minds…

just as some of my lecturers did for me when I started out!

Marole MoloiI have acquired a capacity for independent and critical thinking

Becoming a family role model while providing development opportunities for my hometown of Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands have been very humbling and rewarding for me. With the fantastic support provided by the Talent Equity and Excellence Scholarship, my goals are now well within sight.




I managed to excel academically at Estcourt Senior Secondary School and

enrolled at UKZN as a Geography and Environmental Management student.

I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Management,

followed by an Honours degree in International Relations, and a Master’s degree

in Community Development. Right now I am busy with a PhD in Community

Development.

UKZN was always my first choice as a university. Having gained admission, I am

constantly aware that I must remain disciplined while at the same time work really

hard so that I can get ahead.

I also work as a part-time lecturer in the Community Development discipline.

I applied for the scholarship because I saw it as an opportunity not only to further

my studies but to become an integral part of the academic family at UKZN.

The award really helps me financially and has created numerous opportunities

that I would not otherwise have had. I now have a responsibility to serve as a team

player within the UKZN academic family.

I plan to complete my doctorate within the next few years and publish papers

on subjects such as reflective research and mainstreaming indigenous knowledge

systems as part of community development projects in Estcourt.

UKZN has given me such a wide range of exciting and innovative courses to choose

from. I have broadened my perspectives, acquired a capacity for independent and

critical thinking and received intellectual tools to develop my mind.


Mzwandile Wiseman ZuluAppointment as an nGAP UKZN lecturer is a dream come true

Mr Mzwandile Zulu says that his appointment as a New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) lecturer within the Mathematics Education Discipline at UKZN’s School of Education is a dream come true.

“Since I decided to pursue academia, UKZN was always my higher education

institution of choice,” said Zulu.

Zulu was on a UKZN Council-approved Talent Excellence and Equity Acceleration

Scholarship (TEAEAS) and has recently been appointed into the nGAP programme

funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) with the intention

of supporting universities to recruit new academics and transform their academic

profile. This is a permanent appointment, which provides a number of opportunities

for emerging academics to grow their career in academia, complete their PhD studies



and rise through the ranks.

Born in Eshowe, Zulu graduated cum laude for both his undergraduate and

honours degrees and currently holds a Master’s in Mathematics Education. He

is now reading for his PhD in the School of Education with his research located

‘broadly’ around Mathematics education – specifically the teaching and learning

of the subject using educational technologies.

He said that he has always been disciplined, hardworking and goal driven and

becoming an academic was something he had yearned for. ‘‘In third-year, I started

tutoring several Mathematics Education modules and it was then I understood

what it meant to be an academic. I was engaging with academics and assisting in

facilitating for their modules.”

Zulu said that he was an average student in high school but his love for Mathematics

is what made him stand out from the rest. During his matric year, he was motivated

to work hard to ensure he was accepted at UKZN. Passing with a B in Mathematics

had been key to being accepted for a BCom in Accounting degree.

“I have always wanted to make the study of Mathematics an enjoyable experience

for others,” said Zulu. “As such, not only have I been dedicated to growing myself

in academia but I have always tried hard to contribute to Mathematics teaching. I

realised I could make even more of a contribution in Mathematics teaching in our

country if I became a lecturer within the School of Education because taking part

in training future Mathematics teachers will have a more significant impact since

those teachers work in different parts of the country,” said Zulu.

Speaking about being on the TEAEAS programme, Zulu said that when he received

the news that he had made it, one of the conditions of the programme was he had

to be a full-time student. At the time, he was already employed as a high school

Mathematics teacher so the requirement was initially of concern to his family.

“Throughout my journey, I have constantly updated them on what I am doing and

why I am doing it. It was a bit of a challenge though when I told them that I was

resigning to be a full-time student but after explaining to them what I wanted to

achieve, they supported me from there on.”

He added: “The Talent Equity Programme brought me even closer to realising my

dream of becoming a UKZN academic. The support allowed me to flourish and

smoothly transition from the school working environment to the University setting.”


Zulu has received a variety of accolades during his academic career, among them several merit

certificates, Dean’s Commendations and the Golden Key honorary certificate. As a high school

Mathematics teacher, he was recognised as one of the KwaZulu-Natal team leaders for the

2019 International Mathematics Competition hosted in South Africa, working with the Centre

for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME).

He thanked his supervisor, Professor Vimolan Mudaly, whom he says has been like a father

and a friend since 2017, the Mathematics Education staff for their support, and his ‘greatest

inspiration’, Professor Thabo Msibi.

Ms Busisiwe Ramabodu Director: Human Resources Development, said: “We are very excited

that Mr Zulu has joined the UKZN team on a full-time basis, especially because Mathematics is

one of the scarce disciplines and we wish him all the success.

“It is pleasing to see that our programmes for Emerging Academics are beginning to feed

into each other as was initially intended. Our sincere thanks to Prof. Thabo Msibi for his

commitment in nurturing future academics.”

44


Email: [email protected]

@UKZNCOH

UKZNCHUM

ukzncoh

ukzn college of humanities

Documents