WSU Pulse Newsletter Issue 36, May 2018 by wsu2018

Pulse Walter Sisulu University

Issue 36 May 2018

THE LAND

ISSUE W SU

Walter Sisulu University

IN THIS ISSUE 3

Editorial

Thirty - the new brilliant

15 Gospel star capped

16 WSU’s Dr Billionaire 6

R800 million debt biggest threat 18 Let’s talk circumcision

Paid to learn

Between the cracks

10 Queenstown Campus supercharged 19 3 PhD’s for Faculty 11 The act of giving

12 Ngcukaitobi’s truth to power

20 WSU snippets

14 Reap: a new path

Pulse is an initiative of the Department of Marketing, Communication and Advancement and is available in print and on the WSU website. We bring you news, updates, events, opinion pieces as well as visuals of Walter Sisulu University. If you have any vibrant and newsworthy stories you would like us to cover from your campus, faculty or department, please contact Sinawo Hermans on telephone 043 702 9378 or send an email to shermans@wsu.ac.za 2

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EDITORIAL

Yonela Tukwayo Senior Director: Marketing, Communication & Advancement

y spirits are high as I write this editorial letter because I am still reeling from May 2018 graduation season. Nothing gives me greater job satisfaction than graduation ceremonies because they are evidence that WSU is fulfilling its primary role for existence, which is to educate its students. I am particularly proud of the efforts of our lecturers who put their sweat and tears, hearts and souls into their jobs. We have seen spectacular progress in our throughput rates. In May 2016, WSU had 4,800 graduates, in May 2017 5,100 graduates and in May 2018 5,900 graduates. The academics have not lowered pass marks or relaxed their criteria, staff and students are simply working harder and their efforts are truly appreciated. The only dampener in my excitement is that WSU did not get the opportunity to honour Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with the honorary degree she had so graciously accepted. Her death came just four weeks before the day she was due to be conferred with the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Social Science. Another highlight for this first half of 2018 was the excellence displayed by the WSU rugby team, who performed very well in the 2018 instalment of the FNB Varsity Shield games. Our students did us proud and lifted the profile of WSU when they came second overall in the universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rugby tournament. A positive team spirit secured their success. People that are interwoven and work towards a common goal will always succeed. My wish is to see more togetherness, understanding, collaboration and support from WSU stakeholders. For the sake of our future as an institution, we have to pull together and apart. When divided, we will fall and when we fall, nobody will benefitâ&#x20AC;Ś..not staff, not students and certainly not our communities.

We have to change the culture of WSU to be one that fosters togetherness. Each person within the WSU community must play their part to the best of their ability. During 2018, we will launch a Customer Service Charter, which will greatly assist with maximising output from staff. What is different about WSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charter is that it is not for employees only but it also highlights the basics that need to be in place from everyone that interacts with staff. The Charter is built on the principles of Batho Pele (People first) and Ubuntu, something that we are all too familiar with. Of course culture change is a long and involved process but I am confident that we can all contribute to building a WSU that we are proud of. On another note, WSU will be celebrating two centenaries this year. We know that Mama Albertina Sisulu would have been 100 years old this year. The Queenstown Campus will host a memorial lecture of Tata Walter and Mama Albertina Sisulu in July 2018. In September 2018 the Mthatha Campus will host the Nelson Mandela Centenary International Research Conference. WSU is among four universities across the world (in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Kenya) that will host such conferences. Walter Sisulu University is a national asset with potential for great exploits for the advancement of the Eastern Cape, South Africa and the world. We must all be a part of securing its future for the sake of the development of our people and the benefit of future generations. Phambili WSU Phambili!

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THIRTY THE NEW BRILLIANT How WSU is Bridging the Money Gap

because donor fatigue is something funders experience,” Welcome said.

The ambitious 30-year-old explained the purpose of an advancement office as a mechanism to enhance third stream income for organizations by sourcing funds through means of government subsidy, bursaries, infrastructure development and sponsorship.

WSU has a string of influential alumni in provincial and national government as well as corporate to whose generosity the university intends to appeal.

hird stream income has the potential to mitigate student debt and transform WSU into a legacy institution, according to the university’s newly appointed Institutional Advancement director, Silvanus Welcome.

WSU has already established a bursary fund which is due to be launched officially, wherein all university stakeholders can invest with their time, care and money. “Our focus as Institutional Advancement at WSU is to source funding for student bursaries by putting in place strategies that will curb the student loan burden through donor funding and we’re going to achieve this by engaging our alumni and corporate,” said Welcome. WSU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Midgely has been a consistent donor to the university since he took office in 2016. Upon his first month up to the end of that year, the VC made consecutive monthly donations of R20, 000, which was then increased to R25, 000 in his second year at WSU. For the good practice of transparency and accountability; and to ensure that donor funds are sourced and used responsibly, WSU has developed funding policies that will both protect and empower WSU stakeholders. “What we have is a fundraising policy to be followed by all staff when going out to source funding. We are giving staff the opportunity to identify their own donors and sponsorships, but this must be done within the guidelines of policy that require proposal submissions to our office. We do not want staff sourcing funds without assistance

Staff at the university may also authorize a monthly debit from as little as R10 from their monthly salaries that will contribute towards needy students.

“It is their money that is supposed to assist in keeping the university alive. If WSU were to be closed permanently, it would have a direct impact on their careers and qualifications,” he added. As a historically disadvantaged university, WSU as a rural institution has an advantageous selling point but Welcome warned about Institutional risk management that speaks to brand reputation. “WSU is notorious for student protests within the higher education fraternity which is bad for funding. Donors fear that they may fund infrastructure that will only be destroyed during these protests,” said Welcome. He also pressed on the importance of a positive image for the university that can only be achieved by spreading good internal stories to the public and media through proactive public relations management. Silvanus Welcome goes on to say our alumni should be proud to have a WSU qualification that carries the name of a struggle stalwart and political liberator, Walter Sisulu. He then concludes saying WSU students must be our ambassadors and hoist the WSU flag high with pride by going out there and not thinking any less of their qualifications. By: Sinawo Hermans W SU

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R800M DEBT BIGGEST THREAT

WSU VC & Principal Prof Rob Midgley posing with graduation ushers in Mthatha

SU Vice-Chancellor Prof Rob Midgley flagged the endemic challenge of student debts as one the most critical challenges confronting the University’s efforts in providing adequate services to students. Addressing a fervent crowd at Butterworth campus graduation ceremony in May, Midgley said there exists a direct correlation between unpaid fees and the University’s ability to deliver satisfactory services across the University. “For the sake of WSU’s future, we need financial stability and we need past and present students to pay their debts so that we can embark on further major renovations on existing residences and lecture halls,” he said. The University’s systematic challenge of inadequate infrastructure also didn’t escape the attentions of the Vice-Chancellor. In an alarming and sobering account of the infrastructural challenges facing the institution, Midgley shared with the audience the staggering R850 million infrastructure backlog the University is currently grappling with. “The unpleasant accommodation conditions at some of our 6

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University residences and lecture halls were not created overnight, and there is no quick-fix solution. All stakeholders have to pull together. Having said this, I must acknowledge the ongoing support from the Department of Higher Education and Training, which assists us greatly with infrastructure grants,” he asserted. Midgley quickly shone light on the grim realities the institution is faced with, highlighting that the University would this year receive funding from the higher education and training department to enable WSU to start construction on two residences, in Mthatha, as well as either Queenstown or Butterworth. He said another grant will be secured to enable the University to do major renovations at the Mthatha campus, which faces bleak conditions with regards to accommodation. “We know that this will not solve our accommodation problems, but it is an important start,” Midgley hastened to add. During the May graduation season, the Chancellor awarded qualifications to 5,983 graduates across our four campuses. By Thando Cezula

PAID TO LEARN

illions of rands are set to be pumped into WSU’s coffers in the next three years in a desperate bid to help provide stipends to students involved in training with various companies.

A substantial delegation from the Council for the Built environment (CBE), led by its CEO Priscilla Mdlalose, descended upon WSU’s Potsdam Site on Wednesday 7 February 2018 to formally ink the three-year partnership that will see students receiving a monthly stipend of R3000 beginning as of the beginning of the 2018 academic year.

BUILDING STUDENTS TO RECEIVE STIPENDS AS PART OF THEIR TRAINIING

“As the CBE, central and critical to our mandate is to champion the fostering of relations between students and industry in a bid to harness and lay a platform for there to be training opportunities for our youth,” said Mdlalose.

She said also pivotal to their role as an organisation is to realise the transformation of the built environment sector through the opening up of doors to previously disadvantaged black youths to participate in the sector.

A visibly heartened WSU Vice Chancellor & Principal Prof Rob Midgley welcomed the intervention from CBE, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in changing the lives of the poor for the better.

Prof Rob Midgley and CEO Priscilla Mdlalose signing a twinning MOU in East London

“At WSU we don’t pretend to be what we’re not – we don’t compete with the highly resourced universities because our reality is unique and different. We unashamedly cater for the poverty stricken masses of our communities who would otherwise never gain access to the doors of learning. We therefore want to thank you (CBE) for your support in reinforcing our efforts to carry out this mandate,” said Prof Midgley.

With only two years left on its accreditation term of the Built Environment programme, Midgley reassured the council that the University was putting in the necessary effort to ensure another accreditation come 2020 when the current accreditation term lapses. By Thando Cezula

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BETWEEN THE CRACKS FREE EDUCATION & MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE

he maternal ritual of self-sacrifice for the proverbial “key-to-success” was once again at the centre of WSU’s graduation ceremonies this week. Three cleaning staff at the university’s Butterworth Campus celebrated their daughters’ graduation ceremonies against staggering financial odds – a narrative far too familiar at WSU and broader South Africa. “My daughters had much difficulty furthering their studies because I did not have money. I managed with the help of NSFAS and loan sharks,” said a cleaning company’s on campus employee, Thembeka Maci.

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Her daughters, Pamela and Siyamamkela are the first to graduate in the family with qualifications in Management and Human Resource, respectively. “I’m very excited but I am worried that they will struggle finding employment because they have not received their certificates as a result of student debt,” added Maci. However, according to WSU spokesperson, Yonela Tukwayo the university has stated that employers do accept academic transcripts as proof of completed qualifications. The scenario doesn’t change much with another graduate’s proud mother, Nokuzola Mcwakumbana, who described the experience of putting her daughter through tertiary

education as ‘touch and go”. “The situation was touch and go. We had to tighten our belts and go to loan sharks at times,” she said. Both mothers of graduates started working at the university campus in 1994 and 1991 respectively, before the current cleaning company took over the contract in 1998. When the cleaning company was contracted by the university in 1998, employees were paid a pittance of R700 which has since increased to R3880 before deductions.

“Free education will allow a lot of academically deserving youth access to education where young people do not feel excluded based on their financial background,” Mtethwa added. Thembeka’s daughters, Pamela and Siyamamkela said they were grateful for theirs mothers tenacity and commitment to their success. by Sinawo Hermans

The university’s Butterworth Campus rector professor Victor Mtetwa expressed his pride and joy that his staff and local community see the value of education and transformation it can bring.

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QUEENSTOWN CAMPUS

SUPERCHARGED

where it belongs, towards being a leading African institution of quality and honour. “The launch of these two faculties aligns with the institutions vision to expand the Queenstown Campus. We have a vision of building a new campus on 115 hectares of prime land in Queenstown, which has already been donated by the Enoch Mgijima Municipality to WSU” said Tukwayo. From its first days, WSU’s Queenstown campus has always been comprised of a small group of students and staff. For many years the Queenstown Campus operated as a satellite site of Butterworth Campus, depending to Butterworth Campus in many administrative, management and procurement functions. Even the Faculties, Academic Departments, Deans and HoDs were situated in Butterworth Campus, only a limited number of academic programmes were offered at Queenstown site.

Queenstown Campus student and Student Representative Council member Khayakazi Charles celebrates the launch of the two faculties.

heers and joyful sounds of praise filled the auditorium building at the Walter Sisulu University Queenstown Campus recently as they proudly hosted the launch of two of its new faculties introduced this year. The new faculties, namely the Faculty of Economics and Information Technology Systems and the Faculty of Education add to the expanding vision and goals of the Queenstown campus as they mostly serve the second largest geographical area within the Eastern Cape, the Chris Hani District Municipality. The faculties offer Management Sciences, Economics and Finance and Information Technology Systems; Curriculum Studies and Improvement Programmes respectively. During his speech, the Deputy ViceChancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, Prof Mahlomaholo 10

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Mahlomaholo reiterated the view that the introduction of these new faculties was a vital move that had taken years to come into formation and how the campus rector and his team ‘worked extremely hard to make it a reality, showing their devotion to the growth of WSU.’ With excitement and a bit of goose-bumps visible on his face, QTN campus Rector Prof McGlory Speckman, said that for him and the entire WSU community, the new faculties symbolised a new birth in an already rising family, a family glued by determination, understanding and a vision so bright it burns. With bountiful knowledge of the history and future plans of the university, WSU spokesperson and Senior Director at the Marketing, Communication and Advancement (MCA) office, Yonela Tukwayo expressed how vital this moment is for the university as a whole and how each success drives the university closer to

With the advent of change and the introduction of the new Divisional Management Model by the Administrator in 2014, each campus was given the mandate to operate semi-autonomously and was able to have its own Campus Management (Campus Rector, Deans, HoDs and Managers), Staff (academic and support) and Resource Allocation (budget, infrastructure etc). Institutional offices continue to play an essential oversight role, with the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and executive directors overseeing and aligning efficiencies within the institution. The Queenstown Campus Management demonstrated excellent strategic leadership and direction in motivating and presenting to the Institutional Management and Council, the need for the introduction of a second Faculty at Queenstown Campus, which was approved in 2017 for 2018 academic year. President of the SRC Lerato Tshefu got the crowds rumbling with awe as he presented his speech on how as the campus is steadily moving towards where it desires to be and despite challenges, they continue to fight for the true will of students. “We are happy to be at this point and without interruptions to the student academic calendar. The two faculties will ensure more poor families get access to free, quality higher education” said Tshefu. Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University Prof Rob Midgley said he is proud of the campus and with the developments of a new campus, he anticipates greater achievements ahead. BY: Simo Cele

little charity can go a long way as proven by WSU’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rob Midgley with his handsome monthly donation that should inspire a ripple effect within the university community. Under stringent austerity measures taken by the University recently, coupled with other such donations; those in need within the university could find themselves in a more rewarding and conducive space. Midgley said life is more than climbing the corporate ladder and financial status, but if one is able to extend a hand to help another they should do so. “Universities play an important role in one’s life, especially in providing a platform for one to succeed and to be financially independent. It seems fair and reasonable to say thank you to those who assisted you along the way to be in a privileged position. And if the money is used to assist others potentially to be in the same situation, then why not get the satisfaction of seeing others improve their circumstances. Life should not only be about oneself, but also about how one contributes to society,” said Midgley. In addition, Midgley was emphatic on how the money should have a direct impact on students and staff at the university as opposed to the university itself. “The act of giving is not for the benefit of WSU, except perhaps indirectly. One gives because one is inclined to help others improve their lives. The benefit will go to needy people within the Institution, hopefully, not the Institution itself,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor hopes his act of giving will serve as a clarion call that will petition WSU convocants and alumni to reciprocate to the university.

THE ACT OF

GIVING

“Life is not only about oneself and one’s family. If one is able to help others, then one should do so. I get a salary that is more than I need to live on. I am therefore able to assist,” Midgley added. However, Midgley pressed that there is no point in giving an amount that leaves nothing for distribution after bank charges and other administrative costs. Professor Midgley has been a consistent donor to the university since he took office in 2016. By Sinawo Hermans W SU

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NGCUKAITOBIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRUTH TO

POWER

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dvocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi’s “The Land Is Ours” book launch at WSU resonated with audiences at the height of a national political upset around land expropriation without compensation. The alumnus and former SRC president of the university shaped insight on injustices of colonialism and Land Acts that now sow a rift along racial lines within the country. Truth was his point of departure – and truth he told. “Helen Zille tells everyone that Blacks must be grateful for colonialism because it gave us an independent judiciary. What nonsense! The historical fact is that the ideas of constitutional law germinate from Africans. They germinate because Africans are trying to workout a system that will be based on fairness because it is fundamentally an African idea to be fair to someone else. It is called Ubuntu,” he added. Ngcukaitobi continued to explain that the genius of these African legal minds was that they merged western legalities with fundamentally Afrocentric ideas. “They insisted that these ideas be the future of SA,” he said. After having been commissioned to write a bill on land expropriation by the government in 1998, but was ever passed, Ngcukaitobi said that the government has no backbone when it comes to land. “In the last 23 years the government has never expropriated any land, but only that of Black people in order to build roads and Eskom stations but never to Whites. We do not have a legal problem in this country we have a political one,” said Ngcukaitobi. The author said he was always shocked by the

historical distortion when it came to land and that the former University of Transkei – now WSU conditioned him to speak truth to power. “This idea of writing is not exclusively White and I learned this here at WSU because we had Black avid academic writers who lectured us. You had Black men and women standing before you commanding a subject, analyzing and overcoming it,” added Ngcukaitobi. He was making reference to the lesser known fact that the inventors of constitutional law in South Africa were Black lawyers and academics dating back to Tiyo Soga and John Tengo Jabavu in the 1800’s. The charismatic orator commended WSU’s standing saying that if it weren’t for the university he would not have had acquired tertiary education. He said WSU is an important site of education and empowerment. “In an environment that is supposed to disempower, it is also possible to be empowered. It is here that I first learned of Robert Sobukwe. This university was broad and gave me social consciousness. There is a paradox in a place that is supposed to disempower you – you find yourself,” said Ngcukaitobi. He further expounded on his expressions saying that Black universities were called “bush colleges” and “third tier institutions”. “Being in a historically Black university gives you self-pride. WSU taught us that unless there’s integration between your degree certificate and community struggles, the piece of paper is irrelevant,” he concluded. Postal Services and Telecommunications deputy minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams attended the book launch to share words of support and encouragement with the author. W SU 13 By Sinawo Hermans Walter Sisulu University

REAP: A NEW PATH W

ith just three months in operation at WSU’s Buffalo City Camps (BCC), the Rural Education Access Programme (REAP) organization has begun its work of empowering WSU students which were evident in their two-day workshop held at the weekend. The workshop, held by the REAP alongside its sister organization the Harambee social enterprise, an organization that accelerates youth employment opportunities in and around Buffalo City. Both the organization are under the Bumb’Ingomso nonprofit social organization. “The WSU REAP office began this year with the intention of focusing on WSU’s disadvantaged first time entering students, providing them with necessary skills and most importantly to minimize the drop-out rate and also being a source of guidance, support, and mentorship,” said REAP counselor Ziyanda Ntantiso. Ntantiso heads the WSU REAP alongside two other colleagues of hers all with impeccable knowledge in the field of development studies from Rhodes University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the 14

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University of the Western Cape. This past weekend, the REAP team organized their student empowerment gathering together with Harambee. WSU students got to learn computer literacy and also a session on the building of a better and self-aware individual. The gathering, one of many the REAP team hopes to hold, aims at engaging with the students in a neutral environment where they won’t only teach, but also allow the students to get involved and guide one another. According to Ntantiso, the REAP is specifically designed to cater for the rural and disadvantaged child entering the dynamic and cut-throat world of higher education. They aim at becoming close friends and support systems for the students, they aim at supporting them throughout university lie, work and throughout life. “REAP has been helping us with coping with the transition from high school to university. It’s the first time learning about the computer systems and also social awareness” said first-year public relations student Awonke Simakade. Although this year the organization is only running its pilot project, REAP has already partnered with WSU’s Centre for Learning, Teaching Development (CLTD) to further their vision and also forming similar relations with other institutional student developmental bodies. By Simo Cele

sensational performance by award-winning gospel artist Siyanda Dyonase during the graduation ceremony held in May at the Butterworth campus capped off one of the proudest days of his life as a WSU student.

Performing a rendition of one his songs with the University’s Butterworth campus choir, the 30-year-old from Ngqamakhwe, who graduated with a national diploma in tourism management, capped off what he described as a challenging academic journey. “Balancing between my love for music and performing with my commitment to my academics has been quite a tough act to achieve. There are times I’ve had to sacrifice paying gigs because I have classes to attend, and times where I’ve had to sacrifice classes because of major musical commitments,” said an exhilarated Dyonase. With two albums under his belt, two qualifications in his name (the other from a local college), as well as a stint as a presenter at a local radio station, Dyonase has had to work extraordinarily hard in his quest to achieve his goals. He attributes his hard work and dedication to the fighting spirit he has had to muster as a result of his impoverished background, which left him with no choice but to strive for success. “I was the first person from my family to attain a higher education qualification. I’ve had to take the responsibility of getting my family out of a desperate situation of poverty in my own hands because the situation dictates that I do so,” said Dyonase. He is currently enrolled in the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme at the Butterworth campus on a fulltime basis and is also gearing himself up for going back to the studio to record his third album.

GOSPEL STAR

CAPPED

Never one to be rash in his decisions, Dyonase says he is well alive to the importance of a qualification to fall back on just in case things don’t go according to plan in the music industry. “Music, though I love it, can be a seasonal thing – you’re here today, and at the drop of a hat, you’re gone tomorrow. It thus becomes important that I secure my future as best I can with qualifications,” he said. By Thando Cezula

Siyabonga Dyonose holding his music album after putting on a stela performance with the Butterworth Campus choir during graduation. W SU

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WSU’s

DR BILLIONAIRE M

thatha-born businessman and property mogul Sisa Ngebulana encouraged students to always, in spite of negativity and scepticism, remain steadfast and resolute in pursuance of their dreams and aspirations. In an impassioned address to a partisan crowd of over 2000 students and their friends, families and University staff, Ngebulana, CEO of Billion Group, a property development company, characterized education as a powerful tool that can help one unlock the power within to change the world and influence people. “In so many ways, your graduation marks the beginning of something new, and just as this honorary doctorate celebrates my past contribution to the business and real estate sector – it marks and important milestone as I will be breaking ground on about three new malls in the country,” said a visibly excited Ngebulana. Over and above being an admitted attorney of the High Court, Ngebulana is a qualified estate agent and has been in the real estate sector since 1991, wherein he started his career in KwaZulu-Natal selling house before moving to Cape Town where he worked for an agency specializing in commercial property. “So I have had the best of both worlds in real estate – residential and commercial property,” he said. Ngebulana was conferred with a Doctor of Commerce degree (Honoris Causa) for his immeasurable contribution in the advancement of commerce and economic improvement of the country, with a particular focus on the poor and the rural contexts.

WSU Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Prof Rob Midgley (left) with Mthatha born businessman, Dr Sisa Ngebulana (right)

“These initiatives have contributed immensely to the advancement of our country’s foundational values of enhancing human dignity, equality and transformation of society that are compatible with WSU’s vision and mission,” said Dean for the Faculty of Commerce and Administration. By Thando Cezula W SU

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LET’S TALK

CIRCUMCISION Dr Mmampho Gogela-Smith

he contentious issue of ‘ulwaluko’, traditional male circumcision, has been thrust at the forefront of public discourse yet again, this time, via a thesis instituted by a WSU academic in pursuance of her doctoral degree in Political and International Studies.

“Secondly, the study was influenced by my status as a single mother at the time; and thirdly, the paucity of research studies conducted on women’s feelings and perceptions on the custom motivated me to explore this phenomenon from an interpretive phenomenological point of view,” added Gogela-Smith.

Dr Mmampho Gogela-Smith, a manager at the University’s Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) at the Buffalo City Campus, was bestowed with the honour at Rhodes University in April.

She says she intends to use her academic prowess to supervise, mentor and coach the emerging, new generation of scholars to mitigate and offset the negative effects of failing to deliver a sufficient cohort of masters and doctorates.

The thesis, titled “Perceptions of ulwaluko in a liberal democratic state: is multiculturalism beneficial to AmaXhosa women in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa?”, sought to investigate the intersection between culture, gender issues and politics.

“Such challenges impede the production of knowledge economy in the country. I also want play a more formidable role in the intriguing academic debates that are taking place in South Africa on curriculum transformation in higher education. Lastly, as a reflective practitioner, I feel that it’s critical to pursue scholarship of teaching and learning. We all know the famous adage in academia: publish or perish!” asserted Gogela-Smith.

“The study was influenced firstly, by my experience in teaching Lifestyle Management. With regards to the HIV/AIDS module in the course, I observed that any attempt to discuss circumcision as a possible risk-reduction measure for HIV infection was met with a strong objection and open hostility from Xhosa men, and sometimes complete withdrawal,” said Gogela-Smith. The male students, according to her, argued that it was inappropriate and against traditional rules for women, boys and other cultural groups to speak about ulwaluko. She said the defiant and defensive stance adopted by the male students prompted many a heated debate within the classroom.

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An avid believer in the adage of life-long learning, Gogela-Smith said she plans to explore the untested waters of research and knowledge production even further in a bid to become a professor someday. “At the top of my intellectual/career goals is Higher Education studies which will undoubtedly add merit to the work I do in academic development. By Thando Cezula

he massive NMD Great Hall at the Mthatha campus reverberated in mass hysteria as a trio of doctoral degrees were conferred during the second day of the WSU graduation ceremony programme in May.

A TRIO OF PHD’S FOR THE FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES: Dr Sampson Matope (left), Dr Senzani Metoza (centre), Dr Jongikhaya Mvenene (right)

First in line to receive their just academic rewards was Dr Sampson Matope, whose thesis is titled “Exploring the level of student engagement among undergraduate students in an institution of higher learning in the Eastern Cape.” The study was premised on a research question that delved into what the level of student engagement among undergraduate students during and after teaching and learning process was. “The major findings of the study showed that there are some practices within the institution that foster student engagement such as; the use of group work, giving learners higher order questions, brain storming and community engagement programmes. The research study also revealed that the seating plan in the lecture halls foster lecture method which is thus commonly used during teaching and learning.” said Matope. Second in line to ascend the stage was Dr Senzani Metoza, who deep submersion into the effects of overcrowded classrooms was embodied in a thesis titled “Teaching experiences in overcrowded classes in secondary schools of one education district in South Africa.” Metoza’s work was aimed at establishing strategies that can be used by teachers in overcrowded classes in the country’s schools, more especially in rural disadvantaged schools, where there was dire need of resources.

PHD’S

FOR FACULTY

“The study was informed and guided by these objectives: challenges faced by teachers teaching in OCs, resources, learner performance, enhancing teaching and learning, intervention programs. The findings reveal that overcrowded classes, amongst other issues, are characterized by noise, disruption, underutilization of learning devices and poor assessment practices. It is recommended that school governing bodies should exert pressure to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to provide necessary infrastructure,” he said. Metoza suggested that should such challenges fail to be addressed, learners and teachers in the Eastern Cape could move to other provinces with attractive learning and working environment. Rounding of the trio was Dr Jongikhaya Mvenene, whose historical perspective on indigenous knowledge systems was aptly captured in his thesis titled “The implementation of indigenous knowledge systems in the teaching and learning of South Africa History: A case study of four Mthatha high schools.” By Thando Cezula

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SNIPPETS WSU alumnus and qualified medical doctor, Kwanda Nogemane makes a courtesy consultation for WSU Chancellor, Ambassador Shelia Sisulu, during graduation at the Buffalo City Campus.

The university would like to congratulate its transport staffer, Ntsikelelo Jikwana on obtaining his Btech degree in Public Management. Ntinga Ntanga Ndini!!!