ONGOYE

JULY | AUGUST 2020 ISSUE

UNIZULU Produces its First Chartered Accountants SA’s Education Sector Still Not Transformed HONOURING the Great Women of UNIZULU PPO Borehole Initiative

1 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | Ongoye: July / August 2020 2 | Vice-Chancellor’s Message to UNIZULUPhenomenal

As we celebrate Women’s Month at We celebrate this year’s Women that we are members of this movement. UNIZULU I pay tribute to all women in our institution who are still pushing the Month under the theme: Times have changed and we have to boundaries to make UNIZULU, and this “Generation Equality: adapt, it is also the first time that our country, more inclusive. We pay tribute Women’s Day is celebrated via virtual to the 20 000 courageous women who Realizing Women’s Rights platforms. However, the message that this marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to protest against the for an Equal Future”. The day carries is still poignant and significant. introduction and extension of Pass Laws. concept of Generation Equality is Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka said: This year, we will commemorate Women’s Month and Women’s Day under difficult a global campaign and links South “For our society to attain the circumstances due to the Covid-19 and Africa to global efforts to achieve balance it needs for peace and the promulgation of national state of disaster. gender equality by 2030. prosperity, the future of manhood

Equally, our country is facing another We want to join hands across spheres must include a broader definition pandemic of gender-based violence of government and with all sectors of of roles of both men and women”. and femicide, which has continued to society as part of a Decade of Action rear its ugly head. We are committed towards gender equality. We also want In conclusion, as the country continues to acknowledging the successes of the to see sustainable programmes that are to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, I women in our community, using our geared towards achieving this goal. encourage everyone in our University to collective voice and power to ensure that play their part in fighting this invisible the deaths of thousands of women and This year we are also commemorating enemy by wearing their masks, sanitising children and marginalised people in our 60 years of UNIZULU’s existence. I regularly and washing their hands with society are not in vain. pay homage to the first female Vice- Chancellor, Professor Gumbi and the soap and do their part to observe social However, I write this message with a previous Vice- Chancellor, Professor distancing. Together we must overcome lump in my throat due to disturbing Mazibuko for paving the way for women this pandemic. events over the past few weeks. The leaders. past few weeks have been exceptionally difficult and emotional for the UNIZULU I further pledge my support to Professor community. As you know, one of our Greyling and Professor Kunene. They are staff members, Mrs Fiksile Mabaso, was trendsetters in accentuating deanship recently assaulted and killed in horrific positions for women. This is a significant circumstances. The tragic news of her achievement towards transforming this death shook this University community University. down to its very foundations. The University is playing a role towards In Umthwalume, KZN Midlands the bodies dismantling patriarchy in all its forms of five women have been discovered as an underlying cause of many of the over the past six months. Unfortunately, injustices women face on a daily basis. the two suspects which confessed to the On the 30th of July 2020 the UNIZULU’s crime committed suicide. In so doing, HeforShe programme was launched they deprived the families of answers by the Executive Director: UN Women and justice regarding their dastardly acts. and former deputy president of RSA, Dr These events and others have left me Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. HeForShe is shaken. I was deeply moved to experience an invitation for men and people of all first-hand the immensely caring response genders to stand in solidarity with women of this University community and to create a bold, visible and united force Professor X.A Mtose resilience amidst the storm. for gender equality and we are proud Vice-Chancellor

3 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | University Vice-Chancellor Celebrated by Local Artists

The (UNIZULU) Besides the Vice-Chancellor, other worthy Vice-Chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose’s recipients included King Cetshwayo District leadership ethos was acknowledged and Mayor Nonhle Mkhulisi, Boardwalk Inkwazi celebrated by Simunye NRB, a group of artists Shopping Centre Marketing Manager who honoured female leaders in Richards Bay Angelique Wright, VW Richards Bay Manager during the month of August. Tracy Coetzer, and City of uMhlathuze Arts and Culture representative, Nana Tsatsi. The University Vice-Chancellor was honoured for her genuine interest in the betterment of students’ life and experience on campus “This is a token of by facilitating access opportunities through various national and international appreciation for all the work engagements that promote UNIZULU. The partnership between UNIZULU and Appelechian State in the United States of they do in the region,” said America is one of many opportunities that she spearheaded and gave exposure to Simunye NRB Chairperson students and staff members to network with international counterparts. Sphamandla `Singir “I am deeply honoured Ngema. and humbled by this kind gesture and commitment Later this month Simunye NRB will release from local artists,” said its new short film, Sekwanele, as part of their ongoing campaign against gender-based Professor Mtose. violence.

Ongoye: July / August 2020 4 | HONOURING the Great Women of UNIZULU In honour of the hardworking women who contribute to the successful running of the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), the institution recently held a virtual event where the issue of gender equality was unpacked.

The event was held under the theme sentiments acknowledging that there had, “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s indeed, been progress with regards to Rights for an Equal Future”. Professor Xoliswa changing some of the “enablers for the triple Mtose, UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor, explained oppression of women”. She explained that that the topic emanates from a global the triple oppression phenomenon refers to campaign and links to global the repression of women based on their race, efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030. gender and class. In her view, the fact that UNIZULU has appointed three female vice- chancellors indicates that the institution is a “We want to join hands site to display and test transformation. She across spheres of stressed, however, that more barriers had to be broken in order for women to be empowered, government and with all hence she challenged Prof Mtose to prioritise sectors of society as part empowerment programmes for women in the institutions. of a Decade of Action In her presentation, Lisa Vetten, who was towards gender equality. invited as a guest speaker, said that inequality We also want to see is a multi-layered notion that needs to be viewed from different angles. She said it was sustainable programmes crucial to think deeply about what the end result will be when considering equality. Using that are geared towards an illustration, she pointed out that sometimes achieving this goal,” she in order to achieve equal outcomes, you may need to treat people differently because by said. giving them the same opportunity, achieving the same outcome is not necessarily One of the ways in which Prof Mtose said guaranteed. So when we think about equality the institution had contributed towards or try to achieve it, we need to decide whether transforming itself was through its leadership. we mean same opportunities but different In the past three terms, the University has had outcomes or both same opportunities and female vice-chancellors. She also noted that outcomes. She used various statistics of areas in the academic space, two of the institution’s where inequality clearly exists, paying specific faculties are being led by female deans. attention to the gender pay gap. Looking at the data presented, it was apparent that a lot UNIZULU Council Chair Nomarashiya Caluza, of factors influence pay gap, namely age, race, in her opening remarks, shared the same skilled/unskilled status and gender.

5 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | While the data analysis showed gaps in terms of the aforementioned factors, it was unequivocal We also need to think that white men get the lion’s share of income at about how groups and the top and bottom part of the pay scale. categories constructed. “We can’t think of What characteristics are inequality in simple we looking at to try and terms. We have to think determine how inequality of it as being layered is happening, and and situated. Gender when we create these inequality is quite clearly boundaries, who do we shaped and influenced include and how do we by race, age, professional exclude? And when we status, by whether you think about inequality, work in a private sector, are we unintentionally by whether you work creating new forms of in a public sector and inequality,” Vetten said. by the kind of work you She concluded by saying that equality and do and by childcare inequality are dynamic and that we need to think about them in complex ways in order to responsibilities and address the multiple forms that they take all motherhood. the time. - Naledi Hlefane

Ongoye: July / August 2020 6 | University Launches Programme on HeforShe its Campuses

to tackle them. The HeforShe team will be available to provide guidance to the institution at any given point.

In her view, launching the HeforShe chapter is especially important for students as they are on the path of becoming leaders.

According to Nhlanhla Cele, Executive Director: Institutional Planning, the implementation of the UNIZULU chapter will be two-fold. The first aspect involves a commitment drive where male employees and students will be encouraged to take part in the UNIZULU HeforShe initiatives, signing up either on social media or physically. “In our attempts to In a bid to fight the disheartening issue of of men to values of gender-based violence, the University of get men to make the Zululand (UNIZULU) recently joined hands with humanity and respect the United Nations (UN) in launching a chapter pledges, whether staff or of HeforShe, a UN initiative started by women where we all support in 2014 with the aim of mobilising men to students, we will provide actively work towards attaining gender parity women emancipation in and women empowerment. a wide range of areas Explaining the rationale behind the launch, University and society at UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor Professor Xoliswa where they can make a Mtose said that the HeforShe project was large,” she added. adopted as a commitment to re-educate the personal commitment to men who belong to the UNIZULU community This move was applauded by Dr Phumzile to be symbols of trust and security on the Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director this change,” Cele said. institution’s campuses and society surrounding of UN Women, who was invited as a guest them. speaker during the launch. Having seen the The second aspect of the programme entails positive impact of the project in the past “gender balance”. To meet this objective, “We hope to reimagine years, she assured the University that it was gender equality training and sessions will be on the right path. Through HeforShe, many run, and debate platforms opened up around and reconstruct the partners have effected tremendous changes this issue. The academic curriculum is also in terms of raising awareness about the effects intended to be utilised in order to impart culture of safety, trust of and alleviating domestic abuse, increasing knowledge on social justice and public good the representation of women in leadership values to students. - Naledi Hlefane and security for all on and increasing the number of females who penetrate predominantly male-dominated CAPTION campuses, particularly fields, among other issues. Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, commended the University of Zululand women. We commit Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka said it would be left to for its willingness to grapple with gender issues the University to identify areas to address as through the recently launched chapter of HeforShe to the reorientation well as come up with innovative ideas on how at the institution.

7 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | Opinion Piece SA’s Education Sector Still Not Transformed

The minister of higher education, science But the bigger story lies beneath the such high levels of alienation, especially at and innovation recently released a report of aggregated figures. historically white Universities. a Ministerial Task Team (MTT) whose core mandate was to investigate the paucity In general, historically disadvantaged Trends with regard to postgraduate enrolment and marginalisation of South African black institutions (HDIs) carry the highest proportion are not encouraging. A 2015 Study on academics in our universities. of black academics, while historically the Retention, Completion and Progress advantaged institutions have the lowest Rates of SA Postgraduate Students shows The MTT investigation has laid bare the harsh percentage of blacks. The latter group varies the postgraduate pipeline in South Africa realities and the systemic barriers that are from 5.1% at to 32% decreases substantially as students progress still faced by black students and academics at the University of Johannesburg, in terms from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. across the system. Indeed, much of what has of black academics. Male staff, overall, held a been exposed has been the cry of many in the greater proportion of doctoral degrees than The majority of students who did doctoral post-1994 era, but which was so often muffled female staff. study did so part time, resulting in the under the pretext of “transformation plans”. completion time average of five years instead Consequently, male staff dominated the senior of the regular three years. African and coloured Arguably, the report raises not only educational positions while females dominate the junior students have the lowest completion rates transformation issues, but fundamentally levels. In terms of South African staff, 52.6% of followed by Indians, while white students have suggests some discomforting political and white staff held doctorates. African, coloured the highest throughput rates. sociological questions. One of these questions and Indian staff with doctorates comprised relates to the extent to which black academics 30%, 38.1% and 41% of their respective The challenge now is for the University sector and education activists may have, perhaps groups. to do an introspection and ask how we can unwittingly, been demobilised in relation to improve our performance for the long-term the transformation agenda. Taking account of As far as broader institutional culture is benefit of our nation and our very institutions. only permanent South African staff, and using concerned, the task team has explicitly flagged the comparative figures of 2007 and 2017, a racism and sexism as deserving special number of broad trends emerge from the attention, to the extent of even proposing that report. Black academics across the University these should be tackled in “direct and visible system increased from 39% in 2007 to 53% in ways”. One is prompted to ask if there should CAPTION 2017, while white academics decreased from be any surprise that the #FeesMustFall and Professor Mashupye Kgaphola, 61% to 47% during the same period. #RhodesMustFall activists have manifested Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation.

Ongoye: July / August 2020 8 | UNIZULU Produces its First Chartered Accountants

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) This comes after the University was granted Beaming with pride, the Dean of the Faculty of is in a celebratory mode as the first accreditation by the South African Institute of Commerce, Administration and Law, Professor Chartered Accountants (SAICA) for its BCom Lorraine Greyling, said clearing exams for the batch of BCom (Accounting Science) (Accounting Science) programme in April 2018. chartered accountancy profession was certainly graduates who had enrolled for The accreditation meant that as of 2018, any noteworthy. According to her, it was an even student with a UNIZULU BCom (Accounting more difficult journey for UNIZULU graduates, postgraduate degrees, in order to Science) undergraduate degree was eligible starting with the UNIZULU BACC undergraduate qualify as chartered accountants, to study for a postgraduate degree (the CTA or degree, and then having to relocate to a new its equivalent) without needing to complete a city and University (UCT), a new environment have successfully completed their bridging course or programme at a University and different culture to complete the intense studies. that offers such SAICA-accredited programmes, and competitive training and final exams. provided they meet the entry requirements of that University. Opinion Piece “Sacrificing everything else SA’s Education Sector for their studies has made their Still Not Transformed dream come true, and we salute our first UNIZULU CA ambassadors,” she boasted.

Prof Greyling attributed this wonderful news to interventions of the Department of Accounting and Auditing staff over the past few years.

Among those who nailed the exam is Thobani Mzulwini, who hails from KwaMakhutha, a township in Amanzimtoti, . Mzulwini got an unexpected call from Thuthuka Bursary and that call changed his life. He was offered a bursary to study to become a CA(SA). Mzulwini has recently returned from Australia, where he was seconded by Deloitte as a senior auditor. He came back with international exposure and experience. - Precious Shamase

CAPTION The University was granted accreditation for its BCom (Accounting Science) by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2018.

9 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | UNIZULU Academic Selected as Visiting Professor at Poland University

Professor Khajamohiddin Syed, one of the other staff members belonging to different launched this website with researchers from University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) eminent departments from UNIZULU will benefit. Poland (Prof Dominik Gront) and the USA (Prof academics, has recently been selected to be a David R Nelson). This page is now active and visiting professor at the University of Warsaw, The Dean of the Faculty researchers across the word are using it. He Poland for a period of one month. of Science and Agriculture plans to visit the University of Warsaw once His selection was made as part of the Visiting “Research collaboration Professor Programme (VPP) at the University Professor Nokuthula Kunene of Warsaw Biological and Chemical Research congratulated Prof Syed, with Prof Dominik Gront is Centre (CNBCh UW). The VPP targets already taking place and outstanding scientists who work outside of saying “his nomination is a Poland and are eager to share their knowledge validation of his hard work and because of this collaborative and experience with scientists working at the effort our doctoral student, CNBCh UW. Apart from knowledge sharing, the the quality of his research”. programme also promotes the establishment Mrs OO Akapo, has visited of collaboration and student exchange. Prof Syed’s research involves all living and the University of Warsaw non-living entities in the world, such as viruses. To be selected, Prof Syed had to follow a Working together with researchers from the to complete bioinformatics stringent application process which involved United States of America, United Kingdom, analysis towards her being peer-reviewed by a committee. Among Canada, Europe, India, Chile and South Korea, the areas that are assessed is the visiting the academic names P450 enzymes from all doctoral degree,” Prof Syed professor’s contribution to the development microbes. P450 enzymes are very important in of their discipline (the number of publications the development of drugs that protect humans highlighted. in high-ranking scientific journals serves from diseases. Prof Syed’s laboratory not only the Covid-19 situation becomes contained as evidence), leadership in the scientific names the P450 enzymes, but is also involved and international flights resume. The modest community, international recognition (as in designing P450-enzyme-based new drugs professor attributed his academic success evidenced by membership in national and against pathogens. to his students from his laboratory for their international committees and societies, tireless work and also the ICT Department editorial offices, etc.) and awards granted, “I am proud to say that we, from the University for helping to create the P450 database. among other criteria. of Zululand, created a P450 database (http:// - Precious Shamase www.p450.unizulu.ac.za/) that is now used by Speaking about his visit, Prof Syed said he researchers across the world. This is a great is looking forward to it as it will not only achievement as this is a unique database for strengthen collaboration, but also seek P450 research in the world, containing P450s CAPTION University-level collaboration from which belonging to all organisms. We successfully Prof Khajamohiddin Syed.

Ongoye: July / August 2020 10 | Academic to Sit on National APRM Governing Council their activities at both political and economic levels. African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the Academic Selected as promotion of democracy and good political Visiting Professor governance through the Declaration on at Poland University Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance”.

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is competent; credible and free from political Dr Jili heads the Department of Public rejoicing with academic Dr Nokukhanya Jili manipulation; lead the APRM sensitisation Administration Management and during who has joined the National African Peer programmes country-wide and ensure that all her term, she hopes to use her academic Review Mechanism (APRM) National Governing stakeholders participate in the process and background in working towards promoting Council for a three-year term wherein she will own it. The structure will also ensure that all socio-economic development, achieving represent academics in South Africa. the concerns outlined in the self-assessment sustainable development and eradicating reports and in the country review reports are poverty. Her appointment comes after she was addressed in its National Programmes of nominated by the South African Association Action (NPOA). Dean of the Faculty of of Public Administration and Management Commerce, Administration (SAAPAM) board, which she is a member of. The structure is comprised of representatives and key stakeholders from government; and Law Professor Lorraine APRM is a tool for sharing experiences, civil society; private sector; academics, Greyling said: “These are reinforcing best practices, identifying marginalised communities, organisations deficiencies and assessing capacity-building representing women, youth and people with extremely prestigious needs to foster policies, standards and disabilities. The Minister for Public Service appointments and great practices that lead to political stability, high and Administration, Senzo Mchunu, is among economic growth, sustainable development the members and is the APRM Focal Point for evidence that UNIZULU and accelerated sub-regional and continental South Africa. staff are influencing national economic integration. An organ of the African Union (AU), APRM was established in March affairs and having real 2003 to fast track the implementation of the According to Dr Jili, the impact in our wider society. New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). structure “encourages Congratulations to Dr Jili on her appointment.” The National Governing Council of APRM is African leaders to set a national structure that will, among others, - Precious Shamase ensure the strategic functioning of the APRM up parameters for good at national level and provide strategic policy guidance for its implementation; ensure that governance to guide CAPTION the country review process is technically Dr Nokukhanya Jili.

11 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | Spotlight on Covid-19 Ongoing Initiatives at UNIZULU

As part of its service-driven culture to provide efficient and effective services to students through provision of meaningful activities and COVID 19 Statistics improved service delivery, the UNIZULU Campus Health Clinic Category Indicator University Kwa- Richards has implemented progressive response measures for Covid-19. Total Dlangezwa Bay

Amongst the initiatives undertaken between June and August are the Screening Average daily number 150 150 0 following: of individuals (students) screened on entry to • Facilitation of decontamination, deep cleaning and maintenance campus during the two of the residences in compliance with the national government week reporting period Covid-19 regulations and preparation for the return of students. Average daily number 457 420 37 • Distribution of Covid-19 related posters. of individuals (staff) screened on entry to • Monitored infection prevention and control measures. campus during the two week reporting period • A Covid-19 daily screening demo video was recorded as a means of reminding people of the importance of daily screening before Testing Total number of 0 0 0 they enter the place of work in accordance with Covid-19 regulations. individuals (students) referred for testing to • Infection prevention and control measures- cloth material masks date (cumulative) secured for UNIZULU employees.

• Park home has been constructed and completed for further Total number of 12 11 1 screening and isolation for Covid-19 cases. individuals (staff) referred for testing to • UNIZULU Clinical Nurse practitioners were trained by the King date (cumulative) Cetshwayo District Department of Health (DoH) for testing and screening for Covid-19 following the DoH Protocol. The intervention is aimed at equipping staff to manage and deal Total number of positive 0 0 0 efficiently with the Covid-19 pandemic for staff and students. cases recorded- (students) to date • Residence students were permitted to fetch their belongings from (cumulative) University residences as well as privately rented residences

The above measures have ensured that the University is a safe and Total number of positive 9 9 0 ready space to work in and this has increased compliance with cases recorded- (staff) to Infection Prevention and Control Protocols. date (cumulative)

Ongoye: July / August 2020 12 | COVID 19 Statistics Category Indicator University Kwa- Richards Total Dlangezwa Bay

Isolation Total number of 0 0 0 individuals (students) and referred to isolation facilities to date Quarantine (cumulative)

Total number of 2 2 0 individuals (staff) referred to isolation facilities to date (cumulative)

Total number of 7 7 0 individuals (students) requested to self-isolate to date (cumulative)

Total number of 30 30 0 individuals (staff) requested to self-isolate to date (cumulative)

Covid-19 Number of individuals 0 0 0 (students) in quarantine Ongoing Initiatives at UNIZULU (cumulative)

Number of individuals 0 0 0 (staff) in quarantine (cumulative)

Deaths Total number of Covid-19 0 0 0 reported deaths (students)

Total number of Covid-19 0 0 0 reported deaths (staff)

Com- Total number of formal 90 45 45 communiques to the munication University community during the two-week reporting period

Covid-19 Number of staff 10 10 0 Positive cases

Covid-19 Number of staff 9 9 N/A recoveries

13 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | Faculty of Science and Agriculture Staff Acknowledgements Academic Progress Promotions Dr Melusi Sibanda Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma Dr Melusi Sibanda in the Department of Agriculture was in Higher Education (PGDip(HE)) from promoted to Senior Lecturer UKZN (April 2020)

Dr Fabian Nde Fon Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDip(HE)) (NQF 8) Dr Corlina van Jaarsveld in the Department was promoted to from UKZN (April 2020) Senior Lecturer Dr Thembekile Kheswa Qualification: PhD from UKZN (April 2020) Dr Anneke van Biljon in the Department of Human Movement Science was promoted to Senior Lecturer Prof Unathi Kolanisi Qualification: Senior Leadership Development Programme from UKZN Extended Learning (awaiting graduation) Dr Musa Mathunjwa in the Department of Human Movement Dr Ngwanamoelo Ndwandwe Qualification: Management Development Programme (MDP) from Science was promoted to Senior Lecturer UKZN (awaiting graduation)

Prof Viswanadha Pullabhotla Qualification: PG Diploma in Higher Education Dr Ceboliyazakha Ndlangamandla in the Department of Physics was promoted to Senior Lecturer Dr Tebogo Segapelo Qualification: PG Diploma in Higher Education Dr Mathews Mthembu in Department of Biochemistry and Phumlani Zondi Qualification: Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology was promoted to Associate Professor Mathematics under Dr MB Matadi’s supervision

Ongoye: July / August 2020 14 | PPO Borehole Initiative

Science and Agriculture Staff Acknowledgements

15 Ongoye: July / August 2020 | Communications and Marketing Division Ground Floor, Administration Building, KwaDlangezwa Campus

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