FoundingFoundingFoundingFoundingFoundingCampusesCampusesCampusesCampusesCampuses EdgewoodEdgewoodEdgewoodEdgewoodEdgewood Howard CollegeHoward CollegeHoward CollegeHoward CollegeHoward College Medical SchoolMedical SchoolMedical SchoolMedical SchoolMedical School PietermaritzburgPietermaritzburgPietermaritzburgPietermaritzburgPietermaritzburg WestvilleWestvilleWestvilleWestvilleWestville

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A celebration of academic eA celebration of academic eA celebration of academic eA celebration of academic eA celebration of academic exxxxxcellencecellencecellencecellencecellence

UKZN conferred 7 420 degrees at 19 graduation ceremonies on the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses from 16-23 April. One hundred and eleven graduates received theirdegrees summa cum laude and there were 232 cum laude graduates. Eighty doctorates were conferred and there were 40 disabled graduates. Women constituted 61.2 percentof the total graduates.

THE graduation ceremonies werea colourful, indigenous celebrationof academic excellence. In keepingwith its vision to be The PremierUniversity of African Scholarship,UKZN’s new academic dress is anexciting fusion of colours, designsand beadwork that reflects theUniversity’s roots in our continentand our province.

Work on the redesign of UKZN’sacademic dress began in 2005,when the Academic CeremoniesCommittee invited proposals forthe gowns for Council, theExecutive and Convocation. Staffat all levels and students partici-pated in the process.

Chairperson of the Committee,Professor Fikile Mazibuko, saysthat the new designs were influ-enced by UKZN’s vision and itsnew logo. “They identify us as anAfrican university that is alsorooted in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.” She acknowledges thecontribution of the Universitycommunity: “The new academicdress is informed by their collectivegenius and creativity”.

The UKZN anthem performed inisiZulu was written especially forthe University with a view tocelebrating the University’s intel-lectual pursuits which impact oncommunities. The anthem wascomposed by Mr Philani Mnomiyaa lecturer in the School of Music.He and Professor David Smith, alsoof the School of Music, conduct the

Miss South Africa graduatesMiss South Africa graduatesMiss South Africa graduatesMiss South Africa graduatesMiss South Africa graduatesREIGNING Miss South Africa, Megan Coleman graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. The beauty who hails from Hillcrestmajored in Media and Communications. She plans to pursue her academic studies in Advertising.

Since her crowning as Miss South Africa at the end of last year Ms Coleman has met with former President Nelson Mandela and departed for theMiss Universe Pageant in Mexico City at the end of April. Her exciting itinerary will include a meeting with Donald Trump.

ukzndaba spoke to her between the fitting of her stunning red evening gown designed by Malcolm Kluk/Christian du Toit which she will wear atthe pageant and her picking up her spanking new Freelander II. Her message to fellow graduates was, “Congratulations and all the best for thefuture”. Asked about her role as Miss South Africa, she said, “I see (this) as a wonderful opportunity to help enrich the lives of my fellow citizensand to represent my country in a positive and uplifting manner. It is also a platform for me to interact with the women of South Africa in a way I wouldnever have been able to do before, and to impart a sense of confidence and self worth into their lives.” Particularly rewarding for her is her work with theTapologo Aids Hospice in Rustenberg and Helpnet – a place of safety for children.

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choir, whose renditions have beenextremely well-received by partici-pants in the graduation ceremonies.The choir themselves, whoseperformers come from differentchoirs representing a number ofdisciplines, came up with the newdesigns for their outfits, whichincorporate the University colours.

The Committee continued its workin 2006 with a major project – thedesign of new hoods for the eightFaculties. The new Faculty coloursare:

Faculty of Science and Agri-culture – Forest Green

Faculty of Engineering – Yellow

Faculty of Health Sciences –Lilac

Nelson R Mandela School ofMedicine – White

Faculty of Education – RoyalBlueFaculty of Humanities, Devel-opment and Social Sciences –CeriseFaculty of Law – Red

Faculty of Management Studies– Orange

The Committee is also working onthe design of a new Mace. Pro-fessor Terence King in Fine Arts,in the School of Literary Studies,Media and Creative Arts, of theFaculty of Humanities, Develop-ment and Social Sciences andstudents from creative disciplinesare driving the Mace designprocess.

UKZN Registrar, Dr Edith Mneneydescribes all of these exciting

changes as a “new era…Our gradu-ation ceremonies are the platformswhich transform the academicatmosphere into celebrations fit fora University located in KwaZulu-Natal.”

The Academic Ceremonies Com-mittee is meeting on 5 June andcontinues to receive and deliberateon constructive criticism and ideason Graduation and other academicceremonies.

- Deanne Collins

Ms Megan Coleman.

Your Campus NewspaperYour Campus NewspaperYour Campus NewspaperYour Campus NewspaperYour Campus NewspaperGraduation Special EditionGraduation Special EditionGraduation Special EditionGraduation Special EditionGraduation Special Edition

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The new Faculty colours displayed on the stage at one of the graduation ceremonies on the Westville campus.

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The ukzndaba teamThe ukzndaba teamThe ukzndaba teamThe ukzndaba teamThe ukzndaba team

Dasarath Chetty Deanne Collins Bhekani Dlamini Thembeka Dlungwane Fikisile Mabaso Vidhya Singh

Send your news to news@ukzn.ac.za

Professor Dasarath Chetty, Executive Director,Public Affairs and Corporate Communications

EditorialEditorialEditorialEditorialEditorial

Sacrifice and hard workSacrifice and hard workSacrifice and hard workSacrifice and hard workSacrifice and hard work

MR PETER Wragg received hisBachelor of Science (EcologicalScience) summa cum laude. He iscurrently studying towards anHonours degree in BiologicalScience focusing on plant ecologyand evolution.

His interest in plant ecology is aresult of his determination toconserve endangered grasslandbetween Pietermaritzburg andDurban. Mr Wragg paid tribute toDr Richard Fynn and Craig Morrisof the Discipline of GrasslandScience who encouraged him to dothis degree. He said that Dr Fynnin particular focused and sharpenedhis interest by involving him in hisresearch throughout his degree.

“Having top researchers such asProfessors Brothers, Edwards,

A passion forA passion forA passion forA passion forA passion forthe environmentthe environmentthe environmentthe environmentthe environment

Mr Peter Wragg with his proud parents.

Mr Rishaan Ramnaraingraduated with aBachelor of Science

(Actuarial Science) summa cumlaude. When he matriculated, hewas one of KwaZulu-Natal’s top 30matriculants. “My success isprimarily due to the love and supportI received from my family. I amextremely grateful to my parents forthe sacrifices they have made toensure that I was successful,” hesaid, beaming at his proud father. Headded, “It makes really good senseto be motivated and I try and makethe most of every opportunity.Graduating summa cum laude wasthe cherry on top.”

His father Mr Rishi Ramnarain hasbeen a member of staff in RiskManagement Services for 17 yearsand his mother is a home executive.Mr Ramnarain snr said, “I amparticularly proud of my son as Imyself was unable to complete mymatric.” He had to leave school andwork to support his family when hisfather passed on. He eventuallywrote his matric and passed 27 Mr Rishaan Ramnarain and his father, Mr Rishi Ramnarain.

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years later. He recalls that his eldestdaughter Shivani was in Grade 10at the time. Shivani who is readingfor her Masters in PsychologyHealth Promotion at UKZNobtained her degree in BA Psycho-logy cum laude.

Mr Ramnarain snr is particularlyconcerned with the behaviour ofchildren today, he said, “Parentingis about sacrifice. It is about

providing a stable environment forchildren to grow and reach their fullpotential. We forego luxuries toensure that my children have alltheir basic needs met.”

Rishaan Ramnarian’s immediateplan is to find a job, quickly.“Corporate World – here I come,”he exclaimed.

- Indu Moodley

Professor MW Makgoba (Chancellor’s robe); Mr T Wills, Professor DChetty, and Professor F Mazibuko (Executive robes); and Professor A Bawa(Vice-Chancellor’s robe).

The new Faculty hoods.

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Hart, Johnson, Lawes and Wardlecture me on their own inter-nationally recognised work in myfield of interest was very in-spiring”.

Mr Wragg received the Brenda MGourley Scholarship. His academicrecord boasts 36 certificates ofmerit, including the Dean’s com-mendation for all six semesters ina row. He achieved more than 90%in 31 courses, including 100% inthree subjects.

“I would like to thank the Univer-sity, my parents and all mylecturers, demonstrators and sup-port staff,” he said.

- Thembeka Dlungwane

New academic dressNew academic dressNew academic dressNew academic dressNew academic dress

GRADUATION represents thehighlight of the academic calendar. It is a time to

celebrate the final product of a university’s teaching andlearning endeavour. It is the culmination of many years of hard work

by students and their mentors and a source of pride for everyone associatedwith a graduate. In a developing society like ours, families in particular play a

critical role in ensuring the academic success of those that they support. They do thisat huge cost in both financial and emotional terms and graduation day finally makes it all

worthwhile.

Anyone watching the expression on a parent’s face when their child is being capped can only bemoved by the expressions of pure joy evident from facial expression, gestures and ululations. Itrepresents one of the most gratifying and rewarding moments in academia for staff who have toiledwith their students to meet proud parents, many of whom may not have had the chance to go to universitythemselves.

What makes graduation different at UKZN however is that the University has begun to indigenise thisacademic celebration. It did this by redesigning academic dress which includes new robes for theChancellor, Vice Chancellor, Executive Committee, members of Council and members of Convocation.New faculty colours and hoods have also been adopted and were displayed prominently in the SportsCentre on the Westville campus where 16 of the 19 graduation ceremonies took place. Three wellattended and memorable ceremonies took place on the Pietermaritzburg campus. In addition the

new university anthem written in isiZulu was performed at the ceremonies.

The University community extends its heartfelt congratulations to our new graduates whojoin an international family of more than 135 000 alumni. We are proud that our

graduates take their rightful places in positions of leadership and influence allover the world and, in keeping with our mission, we are pleased that so

many give back to the community and society that sustains themduring their studies.

Highlight of the academic calendar

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SRC members lead the waySRC members lead the waySRC members lead the waySRC members lead the waySRC members lead the way

SRC Residence LiaisonOfficer on the HowardCollege campus, Ms

Londziwe Khoza obtained herBachelor of Social Science inGeography and EnvironmentalManagement. She is currentlydoing a Master of Science degreein urban and regional planning. Oncompletion, she hopes to exploreopportunities presented by the2010 World Cup and get intoplanning in South Africa.However, she has not forgotten herhome country Swaziland, whereshe hopes to make a contributionto development. Ms Khoza is alsoattached to Illovo Sugar where sheis involved in risk management andagriculture.

Ms Fisani Shabalala, who holdsthe Finance and Projects portfolioin the Central SRC, successfullycompleted her Bachelor of Edu-cation degree. She is currentlypursuing her Bachelor of EducationHonours degree in Social JusticeEducation. Her study looks at raceand gender injustice with a focuson the influence of different cul-tures and racism in schools.

President of SRC on the Westvillecampus, Mr Vusumuzi (Fanle)Sibisi obtained his Bachelor ofAdministration degree in HumanResources Management. His politi-cal involvement has inspired himto do a Postgraduate Diploma inLeadership and Management. “Asan ordinary member of the ANCYouth League I feel I have a roleand responsibility to make aninformed contribution to theorganisation,” he says.

President of the SRC and Chair-person of the ANC Youth Leagueon the Pietermaritzburg campus MrKwazikwakhe Mshengu graduatedwith an LLB degree. He is doing anHonours degree in Public Policyand Development Studies this year.

Mr Mshengu’s interest in this field wasmotivated by the fact that there is alink between public policy and thelaw. He intends to do a Masters degreein Labour and later Criminal law.

Mr Sandile Phakathi with his father.

Mr Vusumuzi (Fanle) Sibisi. Mr Kwazikwakhe Mshengu.Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli.

Ms Buyisiwe Sibiya. Ms Fisani Shabalala.

He advises fellow students to stayfocused, get involved in studentactivities and try to understand thechallenges facing young people.Being involved in student politicshas helped him acquire a lot ofskills and knowledge.

Mr Sandile Phakathi the SecretaryGeneral of the Central SRC gradu-ated with a Bachelor of Arts inPolitics, Philosophy and PublicAdministration. He has served the

Never too old to learnNever too old to learnNever too old to learnNever too old to learnNever too old to learnTWO of UKZN’s oldest graduatesprove that there is life after 70!

Seventy-seven year-old Mr James(Paddy) McDowell received his

Dr James McDowell. Mr Albert Lee.

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student body since 2003. Leadingby example, he entered the Univer-sity through the age exemptionprocess and later on qualified for aconditional matriculation.

“There is an assumption that every-one at university is from a middleclass family. I am from a middleclass family, and my positionallows me to help students whocome from disadvantagedschools.”

Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli, President ofthe Central SRC graduated with anHonours degree in PoliticalScience. He is studying towards aMasters degree, conducting acomparative study on how youngpeople participate in economicdevelopment at Msunduzi andeThekwini Municipalities.

“As the Central SRC we have takena decision this year that as aUniversity we need to develop anew person, whose characteristicsare selflessness and work towardsa creation of a new society thatvalues the principles of ubuntu.Our graduates should continuouslyvalue the fact that they are membersof society before being students atUKZN. Whatever qualifications,skills and expertise they accumu-late should be used to change oursociety for the better.”

Miss Buyisiwe Sibiya serves theCentral SRC Student Services. Shegraduated with a BCom in Eco-nomics and Marketing. She iscurrently studying towards anHonours in Marketing. Miss Sibiyais the President of the SouthAfrican Union of Students.

“Transformation of academicapparel in this University needs tobe viewed as a symbol for changenot just for the Institution but forthe individual graduates them-selves, a change to be more sociallyresponsible individuals whosedegrees not only benefit themselvesbut benefit the country as a whole”.

- Bhekani Dlamini and ThembekaDlungwane

Doctor of Philosophy in Finance.His thesis on “Confirming, Factor-ing and Invoice Discounting as asource of Working Capital in theSouth African economy, 1950 to

2000”, aims to assist companiesthat want to venture into inter-national business but have limitedcredit facilities and workingcapital.

Mr McDowell retired in 1996 afterserving as Chief Executive Officerand Regional Director for multi-national companies based inLondon, New York and Jersey.

He was inspired to pursue doctoralstudies by the realisation that theknowledge he gained during hisworking career could help others.“I asked myself, ‘why must I takethis experience and knowledge tothe grave with me?’” he says.

He is married to Jenny, who beforeretiring worked on the Howard

College campus. She compiled thecharts, graphs and diagrams for histhesis. They are blessed with foursons, a daughter and 13 grand-children. Their eldest son, Richard,and daughter, Claire, are UKZNalumni. Though he never had muchleisure time during his professionaldays, he now spends his spare timeplaying golf, jogging and going tothe beach.

Seventy-four year-old Mr AlbertLee, who received his Masters inEnvironmental Management wrotehis dissertation on the confusionand exploitation of changing en-vironmental legislation after 1994.

Mr Lee’s horticultural and conser-vation background – and a “yen todo a degree” – saw him complete

his degree over six years, supportedby his wife of 48 years, Yvonne. Hehas a son and a daughter who areboth working in the Middle East.

He says he will continue with thework in the Durban and Margateoffices of his consultancyBuk’Indalo (isiZulu for “look atnature”). He has worked through-out South Africa, Mozambique,Botswana and Swaziland.

However, he also intends furtheringhis studies, branching into environ-mental law, in which he says veryfew experts have any practicalexperience.

- Bhekani Dlamini (additionalinformation from The Witness)

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Growing up in poverty inrural Nongoma motivatedMr Zackaria Zungu to

study even harder and achieve hisMasters degree in Social Work.

His uncle refused to allow him togo to school because he believedthat he was going to learn wickedhabits and become a tsotsi(hooligan). His mother, a widow,was seriously ill, and he had to lookafter her and his little sister. He andhis brothers survived by beggingand the help they received fromneighbours and relatives.

Thirst for education encouragedMr Zungu to hide from his unclewhen going to school. He with-stood the punishment he got whenhe came back home. A relativeoffered to look after the baby andencouraged him to go school. Hedid temporary jobs in the morningand evening to raise money to payfees, buy books and food. Heherded a horse called Tosca ownedby a Swiss woman, KeisteinRoadnstamp, a matron in HlabisaHospital in Nongoma. The horse

COMMITMENT to developingtheir rural community drovemother, Mrs Ntombenhle Ndlelaand daughter, Miss PhilisiweNdlela to both enrol for a Bachelorof Community Development.

Mrs Ndlela works as an Adminis-trative Assistant in the OpenLearning Centre on the Pieter-maritzburg campus. She attendedclasses on Saturday mornings on apart-time basis. Miss Ndlela isdoing her Honours on the HowardCollege campus.

Together, they are planning to starta Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) to help needy communities.“We want to use our knowledge toset up adult education centres in therural areas of Impendle and Bulwerto empower women”, says MrsNdlela.

A family affairA family affairA family affairA family affairA family affair

Mrs Ntombenhle and Miss Philisiwe Ndlela.

TTTTTop achieversop achieversop achieversop achieversop achieversUKZN has produced scores of top achievers who make the University community proud.

Working consistently hard and striking a balance between social life and academic work paid off for Miss Linda Harris who obtained her Bachelor of Science Honoursdegree summa cum laude on 16 April.

Miss Harris is doing a Master of Science degree on the Howard College campus. She is investigating the “Vulnerability of South African Beaches in Climate Change”. Anexceptional performer, she was the recipient of a UKZN scholarship, a DAAD scholarship and a WOSA scholarship for women in science, engineering and agriculture.

Another top achiever for Science is Miss Shih-Yun (Jennifer) Huang who attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics summa cum laude.She is doing her Honours degree in Financial Mathematics on the Westville campus.

Motivated by her brother, CC Huang, who also graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from UKZN, she intends to venture into the investment sector.She advises other students that constant attendance of lectures, tutorials and reading through past examination papers helps a great deal. “Mathematics is a challenging courseand everyone has the potential to achieve and perform well as long as they don’t leave work for tomorrow” says Miss Huang.

Mrs Carmel Chetty obtained her Masters degree in Education summa cum laude for her study entitled “Young, Gifted and Black: Oral histories of Young Activists in CapeTown and Durban in the early 1970s”.

Mrs Chetty, who is an educator at Glenwood Preparatory School in Durban, says that “at my age I conducted this study for the love and fun of it to record the contributionthat my fellow activists of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) made in the development of education in South Africa.” She is married with three adult children, twoof whom are UKZN alumni.

Science DoctorsScience DoctorsScience DoctorsScience DoctorsScience Doctorsloved him and she offered himaccommodation, meals and paidhis fees.

Mr Zungu matriculated at Ohlangain Inanda. He went to work atRichards Bay Minerals to raisemoney for further studies. Heenrolled for Social Work at theUniversity of Zululand andobtained a scholarship. Thescholarship was later cut due to thepolitical boycotts at the time. Hecompleted his degree at the Univer-sity of Fort Hare.

Currently employed as a SocialWorker by the Department ofSocial Development in Nongoma,Mr Zungu’s Masters’ study wasentitled “An investigation into thefactors contributing to the successor failure of income generatingprojects in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal”. He works with women whoare involved in a governmentpoverty alleviation programmethrough block-making and foodproduction.

- Bhekani Dlamini

Mr Zackaria Zungu.

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PPPPPoverty not anoverty not anoverty not anoverty not anoverty not anobstacleobstacleobstacleobstacleobstacle

Back (l-r) Dr W P Barnett, Geology; Dr LNM Kazembe, Biology; Dr J Chetty, ChemistryFront (l-r) Dr MEO Mokotedi, Biology; Dr MEM Gar-elnabi, Physics; Dr P A de Bruyn, Biology.

Mrs Ndlela is married and has fourchildren, with Philisiwe being thefirst born. “I wish to stand on topof the mountain and tell women thatthey must study and do somethingfor themselves. There is no

excuse,” she says. She also attri-butes her success to her husbandwho took on some of the domesticduties to free her up for study.

- Bhekani Dlamini

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The College of HealthSciences produced anumber of outstanding

graduates:

Dr Lyn Middleton of the Schoolof Nursing was awarded a PhDafter her Masters thesis was up-graded. Her thesis provides acritical account of a social con-structionist analysis of talk inepisodes of psychiatric studentnurse, psychiatric client communityclinic-based interaction. Themethodology she adopted toexplore methods of talk was the

reason her external examiners,some of them from internationaluniversities, decided to upgrade herMasters to a PhD.

Dr Middleton began her studies in1987. After graduating with aBachelor of Nursing degree, sheworked as a Principal of a nursingcollege in Pietermartizburg whereshe lives. In 1993, she started adecentralised programme in mentalhealth which she currently co-ordinates across the provinces ofKwaZulu-Natal and the EasternCape.

Health Sciences starsHealth Sciences starsHealth Sciences starsHealth Sciences starsHealth Sciences starsProfessor Leana Uys, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the Col-lege of Health Sciences says “Lynis one of those students who makean academic’s work exciting! Iknow Lyn as a person who doesnothing with less than 100%commitment and performance. Sheis an inspiring teacher, but it tooksome time for us to convince herto enter the world of research. Butwhat an entry she made! Firstly shechose a research methodologyabout which her supervisor (I)knew very little. Then sheproceeded to build up her own

(l-r) Ms Kerry-Leigh Upfold, Bachelor of Nursing summa cum laude; Ms Yasmin Essack: Bachelor of Pharmacysumma cum laude; Ms Fehmidah Amod, Bachelor of Pharmacy summa cum laude; and Ms Jennal Maniram,Bachelor of Pharmacy summa cum laude.

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network of experts to act as asounding board for her increasinglyindepth analysis of the metho-dology. Having created a uniqueblend of approaches, she did a textanalysis that her two examinersboth independently recommendedto be upgraded to a PhD withoutany further work. This is unique inmy 30 years of academic experi-ence. She had three internationalexaminers for the PhD and all threecommended the quality of thework. I am glad to say that theresearch bug has now bitten Lyn,and we look forward to the researchshe is going to tackle next.”

Ms Fehmidah Amod and MsYasmin Essack both received theirBachelor of Pharmacy degreesumma sum laude.

Ms Amod is the top Faculty ofHealth Sciences graduate. She saysthat she has always been intriguedby the world of science. She alsoenjoys helping people. Currentlyserving her internship at KingEdward VIII Hospital, she plans onstudying for a Masters Degree inPharmacology.

Although most of her family mem-bers are in the accounting pro-fession, Ms Essack was intriguedby pharmacy. She believes that shecan make a difference in the com-munity by improving the quality oflife of people who need assistance

Mr Lushen Moodley.

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and advice. She also plans topursue a Masters degree in the nearfuture.

Dr Mashuda Ally received herMBChB cum laude and is also thetop graduate of the Nelson RMandela School of Medicine. Shehas always regarded medicine as aninteresting and challenging field.Her fascination lies with humanphysiology, disease mechanismsand the treatment and cure ofdisease. Receiving her degree cumlaude “brings a smile to my faceand a warm glow in my heart…Iam just so grateful that all my hardwork has paid off and I sincerelyhope that my achievement inspiresother female medics and students.”

Her future ambition is to pursue acareer in Ophthalmology. How-ever, she is also a family orientedperson and hopes to create abalance between family and ademanding career. She asked to“take this opportunity to thank mywonderful family for providing mewith the opportunity to study. Iwould also like to thank God forbeing so generous to me and makingthis path so easy and enjoyable.”

Mr Lushen Moodley received hisMasters in Pharmacology cumlaude.

Mr Moodley graduated with aBachelor of Pharmacy Degree atthe Westville campus in 1998. Heworked as a retail pharmacist forthe Pharmacross Group andlectured Pharmacology at theDurban Institute of Technology andpart-time at UKZN to OccupationalTherapy and Physiotherapy stu-dents. He is currently employed byAspen Pharmacare as the NationalTraining Manager responsible fornew rep training, on-going trainingand new product launches.

- MaryAnn Francis

Dr Lyn Middleton.

WWWWWelcome to new alumnielcome to new alumnielcome to new alumnielcome to new alumnielcome to new alumni

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THE Alumni Affairs Office had avery busy March preparing for theApril 2007 graduations. One of thelargest tasks associated with thisimportant series of graduations wasthe securing, printing and collatingof materials for the nearly 7 500graduation packages which weredistributed to the graduates at eachof the 19 ceremonies. These packscontained a joint congratulatoryletter from André Young (Presidentand Chair of Convocation) andFinn Christensen (Alumni AffairsManager), information onEntrepreneurship and LeadershipWorkshops specifically organisedfor these graduates, a ConvocationMembership Form, a Change ofAddress Form and a copy of thealumnus publication: UKZNTouch.In addition to these Packs, a 2007/2008 calendar produced by theAlumni Affairs Office was given toeach graduate.

The Alumni Affairs Office alsoliaised with all members of the

Convocation Executive Committeein order to secure and co-ordinatethe Robing Officers for eachgraduation. All graduates are robedby a member of the ConvocationExecutive – a symbolic gesture thatthey are now part of the largerfraternity of UKZN graduates.

After each series of graduations,information on each graduate issecured by the Alumni AffairsOffice and imported onto theAlumni Database. This Databasecurrently has information on nearly135 000 alumni – including anumber of such well known peopleas: Alec Erwin, Alan Paton, JontyRhodes, Ina Cronje, MamphelaRamphele, Bonke Dumisa, FatimaMeer, Pravin Gordhan, NozizweMadlala-Routledge, AyandaNtsaluba and Stephen Saad.Additional information receivedfrom the 2007 graduates – via theConvocation Membership andChange of Address Forms – will beupdated on the system by the two

full-time Alumni Database Offi-cers, Esme Estrice and DesireeGovender.

This information will assist theAlumni Affairs Office to maintainlife-long contact with these gradu-ates via the alumnus publication,via the email newsletter andthrough invitations to events whichare hosted both within South Africaand abroad.

A celebratory lunch for the cumlaude, summa cum laude and PhDgraduates will be co-ordinated onbehalf of the Vice-Chancellor,Professor Malegapuru Makgoba.This lunch which will take place inJune will acknowledge the greatacademic achievements of thiscohort of graduates and provide anopportunity to reinforce the messagethat all alumni are ambassadors fortheir alma mater and have a veryimportant role to play.

- Finn Christensen

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MISS Phathisani Ngulube is a21-year-old BSc OperationsResearch graduate. She receivedher degree summa cum laudewithin the Faculty of Science andAgriculture. She is currentlystudying towards an HonoursDegree in Statistics.

Miss Ngulube matriculated at StDominic’s High School inZimbabwe. She received theDean’s commendation throughouther academic career.

“In order to succeed a personshould work hard from the first

BLIND graduate Miss Kristy AnneGreener received a standingovation when she graduated withher Bachelor of Social Science inPsychology summa cum laude.

Miss Greener has been an out-standing performer throughout heracademic career. Among herachievements are the Dean’s Com-mendation and Certificates ofMerit from the University.

Psychology was not MissGreener’s degree of choice. Herdream was to become a physio-therapist, but because of her

PsychologyPsychologyPsychologyPsychologyPsychologyachieverachieverachieverachieverachiever

Miss Kristy Anne Greener.

LUKE John Harrison (22) graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelorof Science in Electronic Engineering. He was named the best engineeringstudent and also received the Engineering Council of South Africa MeritMedal.

Mr Harrison’s accolades include the Dean’s commendation from secondyear through to fourth year for both the first and second semesters. Hereceived the Conlog Prize for the best third year second semester designproject and the Altech award for best final year design student. In histhird and fourth years he won the South African Institute Measurementsand Controls award as best control systems student.

He is currently studying towards a Masters Degree which is funded byTelkom. His research topic is Cross Layer Scheduling Design for MIMOCommunication Systems where he is researching cellular networks thatcould possibly be used as 4G, (currently cellular phones are using the3G system).

Mr Harrison says that his parents have been the pillar of strength behindhis success. They have always reminded him to balance his life and stayfocused in order to succeed. “My success has actually come as a surpriseto me because I was just an average student at high school. My passionstarted developing when I realised that this degree is what I really wanted.I’ve stayed focused and thorough all the way through.”

- Thembeka Dlungwane

TTTTTopopopopopEngineerEngineerEngineerEngineerEngineer

Keren Oliver. Paul Boyce.

“Strive for successStrive for successStrive for successStrive for successStrive for success”

Miss Phathisani Ngulube

Mr Mongezi Ngidi.

day. It is very important to get yourpriorities right and strive forsuccess in all you do. I was luckyto have a very good support system.Without my parents and my friendsand colleagues I wouldn’t haveachieved all this. I don’t ever forgetto pray” says Miss Ngulube.

Mr Mongezi Ngidi (22) graduatedwith a Bachelor of Arts in MediaEthics. Well known for his bookBlack or White? which waspublished last year, Mr Ngidi isactively involved in UKZN’sDisability Unit. He is currentlystudying towards an HonoursDegree in Media Studies.

- Thembeka Dlungwane

disability no university wouldaccept her. She was finally ac-cepted at UKZN to studyPsychology which she thoroughlyenjoyed.

She says that she has been success-ful because she communicated withher lecturers whenever she neededhelp. “Don’t be afraid to ask forhelp. Speak out and your lecturerswill be able to help you”. She iscurrently studying towards anHonours degree in Psychology.

- Thembeka Dlungwane

Law boffinsLaw boffinsLaw boffinsLaw boffinsLaw boffinsMs Keren Oliver completed her LLB summa cum laude. She is currently serving articles at Webber WentzelBowens in Johannesburg. The Faculty of Law awarded her the Ivan Jon Goldberg Prize for the best finalyear student and the Ray Leon Prize for the best student in Administrative Law.

Mr Paul Boyce completed his LLB summa cum laude. He is serving articles at Webber Wentzel Bowens inJohannesburg.

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T he Faculty of Education hasproduced eight femaledoctoral graduates. Since

the birth of UKZN in 2004, theFaculty has graduated 38 docto-rates. This is more than the 31 thatgraduated from the two previousinstitutions combined in the nineyears preceding the merger.

Professor Renuka Vithal, Dean ofthe Faculty of Education, is proudof her Faculty’s achievements:

“The new University has made newdemands on what it means tobecome an academic, a researcherand a scholar. In the past four years21 staff in the Faculty of Educationrose to this challenge and gainedtheir doctorates. That they are allwomen this year bodes well forredressing the huge under-representation of women, andespecially black women, in seniorpositions in the University. Overall,43% (52) of the 122 permanentstaff in the Faculty now have theirdoctorates, well above the currentUniversity figure of 33%.”

Deputy Dean in charge of Post-graduate Studies and research inthe Faculty, Professor RelebohileMoletsane adds: “We are par-ticularly proud of (our) staffmembers who have attained theirPhDs while carrying full teachingand supervision loads”.

Dr Sharita Bharuthram obtainedher Doctor of Philosophy afterconducting a study on “DevelopingReading Strategies in Higher Edu-cation through the use of integratedreading/ writing activities: A studyat a University of Technology inSouth Africa”. She is a lecturer andfacilitator at the Learning Centre,University of Johannesburg.

The study was implementedthrough an action research project,which was conducted in parallelwith an ethnographic inquiry intostudents’ reading and writingworlds and practices.

Professor R Balfour supervised thestudy.

Dr Hasina Banu Ebrahim investi-gated “Constructions of childhoodfor and by children in two EarlyChildhood Centres in the Provinceof KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa:An Ethnographic Study.” She is thediscipline leader for EarlyChildhood/Foundation phasestudies in the Faculty of Educationon the Edgewood campus.

This thesis makes a scholarlycontribution to the under-researched field of early childhood

education in South Africa by usingmultiple lenses to examine howearly childhood is constructed inprivate, centre-based environmentsfor children and by young children.In focusing on the lived realities ofchildhood, the study enters un-familiar spaces that raise newquestions about early childhoodcentres, teachers, and young chil-dren in early childhood education.

Professor A Muthukrishna super-vised the study.

Dr Sithabile Ntombela’s thesis isentitled “The Complexity of Edu-cational Policy Dissemination inthe South African context: A casestudy of Inclusive EducationPolicy in Selected Schools inGreater Durban.”

Dr Ntombela lectures in Inclusiveand Educational Psychology inEducational Studies on the Edge-wood campus. She found that,while post-apartheid educationpolicies are arguably among thebest internationally, this is notenough. Effective implementationis what changes school culture andclassroom practice. The com-plexities of education policy dis-semination and the factors that

might explain implementationfailure are the focus of her study.

Professor R Moletsane and Pro-fessor G Maré supervised the study.

Dr Jean Dorothy Stuart exploredways in which visual arts-basedapproaches and media can be usedin education, particularly with pre-service teachers, to addresschallenges related to HIV andAIDS. She lectures in the Schoolof Languages, Literacies, Mediaand Drama Education, and she isdiscipline head of Media inEducation and the Director of theCentre for Visual Methodologiesand Social Change.

Professor C Mitchell supervisedthe study.

Dr Cynthia NonhlanhlaMthiyane undertook a study on“Factors affecting Success inScience and Mathematics amongstAfrican girls: A case study of threehigh schools in KwaZulu-Natal.”She lectures in the Bachelor ofEducation programme in theSchool of Education and Develop-ment on the Pietermaritzburgcampus. She is also the Co-ordinator of the Postgraduate

Eight Doctors in EducationEight Doctors in EducationEight Doctors in EducationEight Doctors in EducationEight Doctors in Education

Certificate in Education and forAcademic Qualifications.

An expert in Science Education, DrMthiyane looked at the partici-pation of women in Science andMathematics-related education.Her study provides insight into whysome under-resourced rural schoolsconsistently produce girls who aremotivated to continue with scienceat university level and succeed.

Dr V Wedekind supervised thestudy.

The title of Dr Nirmala Balkaranthesis is “Teacher Desegration inKwaZulu-Natal: A SpatialAnalysis”. Her study reaffirms thecontention that while teacherdesegregation has occurred to alimited extent, it has not contri-buted substantially to therealisation of non-racialism andthat the effects of history enduresignificantly.

Professor R Sookrajh supervisedthe study.

Dr Robin Joubert’s study isentitled “Indigenous Fruit fromExotic Roots? Revisiting the SouthAfrican Occupational Therapy

Curriculum.” She is a seniorlecturer and academic co-ordinatorin Occupational Therapy in theFaculty of Health Sciences on theWestville campus.

Drawing near to retirement DrJoubert felt she wanted to leavesomething tangible behind for herprofession. She is involved in aservice learning project in theNgcolosi tribal district (Valley of1000 hills) where she supervisesrehabilitation students in a projectwhich assists mothers/caregivers ofchildren with disabilities.

Dr Z Naidoo and Professor MASamuel supervised the study.

Dr Lorraine Pushpram Singhinvestigated “Birth and Regene-ration: The Arts and Culturecurriculum in South Africa.” Sheis a Lecturer in Drama Educationin the School of Language,Literacies, Media and DramaEducation in the Faculty of Edu-cation on the Edgewood campus.She runs a Saturday drama schoolon campus for a group of learnersfrom a school in Clermont.

Professor CM Malcolm supervisedthe study.

(l-r) Dr Jean Dorothy Stuart; Dr Sithabile Ntombela; Dr Hasina Banu Ebrahim; and Dr Sharita Bharuthram.

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Recycle your ukzndabaPlease don’t litter ... when you’ve finished with yourukzndaba, why not pass it on to someone else, or placeit in a bin for recycling with other paper-waste.

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UKZN FellowshipsUKZN FellowshipsUKZN FellowshipsUKZN FellowshipsUKZN FellowshipsPROFESSOR Duncan Brown ofthe School of Literary Studies,Media and Creative Arts andProfessor Anna Coutsoudis of theDepartment of Paediatrics andChild Health have been admittedto the Society of Fellows at UKZNfor distinguished achievement intheir disciplines.

Professor Brown has publishedwidely in the field of South Africanliterary and cultural studies. Hiscontribution to literature isillustrated in his books Voicing theText (1998), and Oral Literatureand Performance in SouthernAfrica (1999). Both books havebeen well received by orality andperformance scholars in the US andEurope. His latest book To Speakof this Land: Identity andBelonging in South Africa andBeyond published in 2006 is aninterdisciplinary study of identity,textuality and belonging.

Professor Brown is a joint editorof the SAPSE-accredited journal,Current Wing, and a member of theeditorial board of the SAPSE-accredited journal, Scrutiny2. Hehas served for a number of peerreviewed journals, both locally andinternationally.

Professor Brown has been appointedOverseas Professorial ResearchFellow at the Ferguson Centre forAfrican and Asian Studies, OpenUniversity, United Kingdom for2006-2008, in which capacity he hasinitiated a collaborative researchproject on “Religion and Spiritualityin a Postcolonial Context”.

“I regard this award as a greathonour, as it is one of the highestawards made by the University inrecognition of work which contri-butes to the national and inter-national profile of the institution,”he said.

Professor Coutsoudis is anesteemed academic and researcherwho has received a string of acco-lades for research into vitamin Aand nutrition and especially in thefield of perinatal HIV.

Her most recent research is aninvestigation into the impact of

exclusive breastfeeding in reducingthe risk of mother to child trans-mission of HIV. She is a founderof the church-affiliated organi-sation, iThemba Lethu, whichworks to prevent HIV infection inyoung people and also assists withthe integration of AIDS orphansinto families.

She has served on the board of theChild Health and Nutrition Re-search Initiative, an internationalinitiative of The Global Forum.Recently, she has been elected asChairperson of the TechnicalSteering Committee of the WorldHealth Organisation, Child andAdolescent Health Department andtherefore plays a key role inreviewing World Health Organi-sation policies.

“This award sends out a messageto the disempowered women andchildren of South Africa that theyare important as well as showingthat our University’s mandate is notonly academic excellence but alsoplaying a part in addressing theinequities in our society” saidProfessor Coutsoudis.

- Thembeka Dlungwane

Professor Duncan Brown. Professor Anna Coutsoudis.

Distinguished TDistinguished TDistinguished TDistinguished TDistinguished TeacherseacherseacherseacherseachersDISTINGUISHED Teachers’Awards were presented to fouracademics in recognition of theircontribution to the teaching andlearning process at the University.

Professor Michael Green is aSenior Professor and AcademicCo-ordinator of English Studies.The Distinguished Teachers Awardis in recognition of his design,introduction, and teaching of aCreative Writing track through theundergraduate and postgraduatelevels of English Studies.

Professor Green supervised thefirst Masters Degree in CreativeWriting awarded by UKZN in2002. He has completed the super-vision of three more degrees, twoof which were awarded with dis-tinction, and is currently super-vising a fourth. He is a previousrecipient of the DistinguishedTeacher Award in1998 and anExcellent Teaching Award in 1997.He has taught Creative Writing atthe University of Texas at Austinas an Exchange Professor and spenta year as a Commonwealth Fellowat the School of Oriental andAfrican Studies in London.

Professor Trevor Hill, SeniorLecturer in Geography has apassion for teaching (includingstudying for a post-graduatediploma in teaching) with aparticular focus on field-basedcourses.

His teaching approach has beenstrongly formulated around two

mottos. The first is ‘get in thefield and get your hands dirty’.“My joy is my teaching, teachingwell, and sharing experienceswith students and fellow staffmembers, a bond which isenforced whilst on field trips. Ifeel very privileged to have thisvocation and hope it will inspireothers to adopt my second motto:‘never let your work get in theway of your education’”.

Mrs Sally Hobden is a Lecturerin the Faculty of Education: Schoolof Science, Mathematics andTechnology Education. She haswritten extensive course materialfor the primary mathematics edu-cation modules, and the foundationmathematical literacy module forpre-service teachers without agrade 12 pass in mathematics.

“An academic is required to workin the areas of research, teachingand community engagement, but alltoo often the visible recognition is

given to achievements in research.This award is important to mebecause it recognises the time andeffort I have put into my teaching.I am very aware of the sacrificesmade by some families to send theiryoung people to university andthink that they deserve excellentteaching,” she said.

Head of the School of Statistics andActuarial Science, Professor DeliaNorth has served the University formore than 25 years. She has notconfined herself to teaching, buthas also been actively involved inthe design of the Statistics cur-riculum.

Professor North has receivedseveral awards in recognition ofher outstanding work, includingthe Annual Excellence Awardfrom ESKOM in 2002, an awardof appreciation from the Depart-ment of Education in 2003, andthe Golden Key InternationalHonorary Award in 2004.

Professor Trevor Hill.Professor Michael Green. Professor Delia North.Mrs Sally Hobden.

She is a member of the South AfricaStatistical Association ExecutiveCommittee, Chair of the SouthAfrican Statistical AssociationEducation Committee and sits onthe Executive Committee for theInternational Association for

Statistics Education. She hasrecently been nominated as Vice-President of the InternationalAssociation for StatisticsEducation (IASE).

- Thembeka Dlungwane