College of humanities newsletter 2014 by UKZN College of Humanities

College of Humanities | 2014

DVC and Head of the College of Humanities

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Message from the

I wish all staff and students in the College of Humanities a fruitful second semester, with the view that we will continue to work together in achieving the strategic goals of the College as a team and share in our challenges to find lasting solutions.

ceiving PhDs. Other staff achievements include Professor Sarojini Nadar being one of the two recipients of the Distinguished Teachers’ Award and Professors Jonathan Draper and Christine Stilwell being recognised as fellows of the University, an honour given to outstanding academics for research excellence and distinguished academic achievement.

To highlight a few achievements; the College of Humanities also saw the successful completion of a number of projects such as Lesbian, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights related project from a grant that was awarded by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to South Africa. Other projects include the launching of PhD cohorts in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, as well as graduation in the Workers’ College.

his newsletter is being published at an opportune moment to capture the role of the College of Humanities within the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The second semester is underway and we can now reflect on the first semester with positivity. I trust that all our staff and students are well energized to continue growing and strengthening the work of the College in our areas of research, innovation, teaching and learning. In the country, the continent and the world at large, the College of Humanities has an important leading role to play in defining the developmental agenda and all our staff and students are to contribute with critical thought towards the realisation of this objective. One of the most important ceremonies in our academic calendar is graduation and it marks the culmination of hard work in research, teaching, learning and assessment. The College of Humanities continues to be the biggest contributor of graduates in our University. In the 2014 Graduations, we graduated 4785 students (inclusive of both undergraduate and postgraduate students) out of 10081 graduates throughout the University. The College is also proud that 69.3% of our graduates were females. This can only bode well for the need to have more female professionals in order to realise the emancipation of women in the workplace. Without educating women, the status quo of a male dominated economy will continue and the suffering of women will not be eradicated within our lifetime. It is with pride to see that our College continues to pursue excellence, as we achieved about 105 Cum Laude and 33 Summa Cum Laude achievements in the previous graduation and we must continue to strive for a higher achievement of such excellence. Important to note is that over 20 College staff (academic and support staff) members graduated, with about 14 of them re-

The College continues to support students in various ways. Recently, a delegation of students attended the Model Y20 Summit in the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in June. The Summit was a meeting of students from different Universities across the country, to prepare a five-member South African delegation (proudly led by a Master’s student within our College) that was attending the global Y20 Summit in Australia – a platform for young people coming from G20 countries to gather and deliberate on global policies and development issues. Durban has been buzzing with activities from the College. These being the Time of the Writer that took place earlier in the year and with the Durban International Film (DIFF) having screened over 250 films and documentaries of a wide variety. This flagship project (DIFF) celebrated its 35th anniversary by rolling out a lineup of films and documentaries that had a strong focus on the 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa. The work of the Centre for Creative Arts located within the College is commendable in keeping DIFF in a continuous growth path. Work of colleagues is recognised nationally as Prof Paulus Zulu has been appointed the chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal’s Premier Committee on Social Cohesion. Internationally, we have Dr Gunasekharan Dharmaraja and Dr Maheshvari Naidu as appointees to the International Conference on Tamil Diaspora being held in Mauritius later this year. Other colleagues continue to present papers and keynote addresses in national and international conference. The College will also play its role in capturing the yearlong spirit of reflecting on and celebrating the 20 years of freedom and democracy in our country. During the month of August, the College will launch a series of public lectures on transformation – viewing the progress made and challenges that lie ahead in different spaces of our society.

Professor Cheryl Potgieter Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College

College of Humanities | 2014

IN THIS ISSUE:

STUDENT NEWS UPDATES Humanities students at Model Y20 SA conference

NEWS: Humanities launches PhD cohorts in Zimbabwe and Swaziland Women academics part of Masakhane Youth Leadership Course panel discussion Training Aid Launched to Sensitise Teachers to LGBTI Issues in the Classroom Humanities academics on Provincial Social Cohesion Committee Media seeks out Humanities criminologist for comment on Oscar Pistorius Case High-ranking Humanities academic on panel at ANC debate Humanities academic speaks at Walter Sisulu Research Conference Collaboration Concert a ‘jazz hit’ Launch of Humanities collaborative survey on manufacturing firms in greater Durban Humanities academics part of international advisory committee for Tamil Diaspora conference Humanities hosts prestige architecture competition Workers’ College graduation ceremony Student Support Services holds Study Skills Workshop Social Work Day celebrated at Humanities

American jazz students and academics connect with Humanities Humanities students attend course at Michigan University Humanities student scoops Corobrik award Architecture student presents on Warwick Junction at Cairo University Humanities student to complete degree in London Academics & students in Community Engagement Research

DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL

DIFF announces Hard to Get for its opening night film DIFF opening night a phenomenal success DIFF as a News Hub for Media Students Million Dollar Arm closes 35th Durban International Film Festival Talents Durban at 35th Durban International Film Festival Durban International Film Festival award winners

TIME OF THE WRITER GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS 2014

PUBLIC LECTURES & SEMINARS

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Humanities celebrates legacy of late Archbishop Denis Hurley Women and urban governance explored at ccrri seminar Writing and publishing in Francophone Africa Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture at Humanities

BOOKS LAUNCHED BY STAFF Humanities academic launches book Humanities academics publish book chapter on Durban’s airfreight Social Science academics launch book at Time of the Writer

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Together here are (from left) Professor Gregory Kamwendo; Professor Pholoho Morojele; Mr Christopher Mushohwe; Professor Vitallis Chikoko and Dr Federrico Settler.

Humanities launches PhD cohorts in Zimbabwe and Swaziland UKZN’s College of Humanities recently launched PhD cohorts in Zimbabwe and Swaziland as part of their efforts to ensure an increase in PhD graduates and to create mutual academic partnerships between UKZN, the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and Swaziland.

Ngwane College in Swaziland where PhD candidates were also given the opportunity to present their proposed topics and gain essential feedback on their research efforts.

Four academics from UKZN - Professor Gregory Kamwendo, Professor Vitallis Chikoko, Professor Pholoho Morojele and Dr Federrico Settler – held the PhD cohort sessions in Harare and Masvingo with PhD candidates presenting their proposed topics.

Dean and Head of UKZN’s School of Education Professor Gregory Kamwendo, said the support for the PhD cohort at government level and institutionally was positive.

Zimbabwean Minister responsible for the Presidential Scholarship Programme, Mr Christopher Mushohwe, addressed the cohort, urging students to take advantage of the PhD opportunity. He thanked UKZN for bringing the PhD programme to Zimbabwe. In Masvingo, one of the participants was the Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti who is preparing to pursue a PhD within Religion, Philosophy and Classics. The PhD/M. Ed cohort was also launched at

The launch of the PhD cohorts was reported in the media in both Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

‘More applications are coming in since the launch of the cohorts with some academics in Zimbabwe and Swaziland offering to be affiliated to UKZN so that they can be part of the cohort supervisory team. We are also processing the affiliation through honorary appointments.’ A Memorandum of Agreement) exists between UKZN’s College of Humanities and the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU).

Masakhane Youth Leadership Course panel members (from left) Dr Thabo Msibi, Professor Renuka Vithal, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Professor Cheryl Potgieter and Ms Nomzamo Nxumalo.

Women academics part of

Masakhane Youth Leadership Course panel discussion

Two senior UKZN academics were part of the Masakhane Youth Leadership Course panel of women professors which discussed challenges faced by women in leadership positions in front of an audience of about 200 young leaders from disadvantaged schools. The academics were DVC for Teaching and Learning, Professor Renuka Vithal, and DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, who were joined by Research Director in the Education and Skills Development Programme Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa of the Human Sciences Research Council. The Masakhane Youth Leadership Course (MYLC), which is in its 13th year, is the flagship project of the Community Development Association (CDA) founded by senior lecturer and cluster leader in UKZN’s School of Education, Dr Thabo Msibi. The course attracts close to 200 young leaders from disadvantaged schools from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng to the Edgewood campus for a week to learn about

leadership. The MYLC is planned and facilitated by more than 60 students from UKZN and other South African tertiary institutions which are members and affiliates of the CDA. Leaders from various sectors were invited to speak on a variety of subjects concerning leadership over the course’s seven days. The core discussions for the Women Leaders’ Panel concerned the empowerment of young women as leaders and conscientising young men to be gender sensitive. The panel discussion was facilitated by masters student, Ms Nomzamo Nxumalo. The questions guiding the panel discussion were: What is your definition of leadership? What are some of the challenges that you have faced as women leaders in your workplaces? What are some of the key issues young leaders, particularly women, should be conscious of as they develop their leadership skills?

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College of Humanities | 2014 Speaking at the event, Meyiwa described leadership as an interactive experience benefitting both the leader and the led. Potgieter emphasised the importance of recognising the potential for leadership in everyone, while Vithal conceptualised leadership as an action of service.

paradigm. The panellists echoed each other on how women, particularly black women, faced multiple-pronged challenges

in leadership. Society’s failure to demarcate the limits of the domestic and the public with reference to women often led to the undermining of women leaders’ capabilities. Asked about the challenges women in lead- The panellists encouraged the identification ership positions faced, all three professors of mentors as a source of inspiration and a agreed that the challenges differed accord- point of reference for making it in spite of the ing to the time and space a woman found slanted odds. herself in. Potgieter expressed the importance of a Potgieter spoke about leadership as not be- can-do attitude and leading a balanced ing not only perfection but encompassing life because leadership should be enjoyed. intelligence, honesty and doing the correct Agency emerged as powerful tool in sucthing. Part of leadership, she argued, was in- cessful leadership. fluencing the commitment of others towards achieving potential around a shared vision. Vithal encouraged young leaders to take Potgieter supported this with statistics and charge of their environments and not let data which showed that women were convention dictate their ambition. ‘In the taught to equate leadership with perfec- current context of high levels of gender viotion in ways men did not. ‘It is important that lence it is important that men should be reyoung women believe they are talented, spectful to women and women leaders. that they do not need to be super perfect What matters in leadership is the quality of people to be leaders and their intelligence ideas, the content of leadership and how and integrity are the basis for them to be the world can be changed for the better through leadership.’ good leaders.’ Overcoming such challenges called for the push to actively challenge the ‘way things are’. Still on this trend, Vithal warned of the dangers of being ‘boxed’ - being relegated to tasks outside one’s ambit based on the submissive position often ascribed to women.

Speaking to the packed lecture hall of Grade 11 learners she further added, ‘Be conscious of your own attitude as a person and a leader. Before you can lead anyone else, you should be able to direct your own life. Demonstrate and lead by example.’

Engaging with the panel, a young woman Meyiwa brought to light the often underap- in the audience shared her journey to dispreciated internal struggle faced by women covering her independence and strength leaders as they attempted to negotiate their as a woman while another urged her peers way through often unfavourable systems. to become a new breed of young women, She stressed how trust in one’s ability worked seeking to encourage and boost others. as an invaluable tool to overcome this chalThe panel discussion evoked excitement in lenge. the audience who could not get enough The discussion raised issues of the diversity of the professors’ wisdom. By the end of the of people and how this inevitably led to the session their confidence in their potential need for a fluid and contextual leadership was electrifyingly palpable.

From left: Dr Finn Reygan; Mr Taylor Ruggles; Professor Cheryl Potgieter and Dr Thabo Msibi at the launch.

Training Aid Launched to Sensitise Teachers to

LGBTI Issues in the Classroom

eputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter (Project Principal Investigator) and Co-Principal Investigators, Dr Thabo Msibi and Dr Finn Reygan from UKZN launched their hands-on, easy-to-use curriculum resource pack on 30 May at the Elangeni and Maharani Hotel. The resource pack stemmed from a study initiated in 2012 to sensitise teachers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) identities in the classroom.

skilled participants further on how to best challenge homophobia and transphobia in the classroom.

The initiative came into fruition at the end of 2012 when the research team saw a call for proposals from the US Consulate on LGBTI work in South Africa. The research team, which has done extensive work on LGBTI issues, submitted a proposal to the Consulate and having presented on related work at an LGBTI colloquium at which Consulate staff The study included 800 pre and in-service were present, was subsequently awarded teachers in KwaZulu-Natal who were trained an LGBTI research grant, after a rigorous and on how to develop competencies in teach- competitive process. ing about sexual and gender diversity. It also

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Speaking at the launch Potgieter said, ‘We have recommended that the training module be provided not just to Life Orientation (LO) trainee teachers but to trainee teachers across all subject areas.’

to fully engage in an affirming manner with the training content.’ Dr Finn Reygan, who was a Post-Doctoral Scholar in Psychology at UKZN supervised by Potgieter during the time of the project, said the research team was strategic in designing the curriculum for Higher Education practitioners so that they can be comfortable in teaching future educators of the country about LGBTI issues. ‘We hope this can bring about change on a large scale.’

Dr Thabo Msibi further added, ‘We need to understand that our students are not blank slates. They come in with a lot of information, particularly as a result of socialization. We therefore had to take into account this ear‘Academic staff in Schools of Education ly socialization into our teaching. Our focus should be adequately trained in advance on had to take strong recognition of the roles the issues contained in the training module played by culture and religion in shaping our so that they are sensitised and conscientised students’ ideas of gender and sexuality.’ around these issues and therefore prepared

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US Consul General Mr Taylor Ruggles stated that the UKZN Education Module is a step along the path towards equality for all students and for the broader society and congratulated the research team and staff at the University for their diligent work on the project. ‘This training module represents an important contribution to academic studies on the topic and it demonstrates what can be accomplished when the US and South Africa work together on a common cause.’

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Professor Paulus Zulu and Professor Cheryl Potgieter discussing the significance of the Social Cohesion Committee.

Humanities academics on

Provincial Social Cohesion Committee

wo senior UKZN academics have been relevant stakeholders, analyse and make inappointed by Provincial Government to terventions where necessary, research and investigate allegations of racism, and reserve on a Social Cohesion Committee. They are the Director of the Maurice Webb port the findings to a provincial cabinet task Race Relations Unit at UKZN, Professor Paulus team comprising Transport MEC Mr Willies Zulu, who will convene the committee, and Mchunu, Health MEC Mr Sibongiseni Dhlomo DVC and Head of the College of Humanities and Human Settlements MEC Mr Ravi Pillay. Professor Cheryl Potgieter, who will serve on the committee with Mr Vasu Gounden and Mr Paddy Kearney. KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr Senzo Mchunu, announced that the Committee had been formed to research, investigate, consult and report on the nature of social cohesion in the province. The aim of the new committee is to promote reconciliation and nation building. The Premier said the committee had been formed because of concerns the executive council had about statements and activities of certain groups which attacked the fundamental values of non-racialism. The committee will monitor and consult all

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‘The Provincial Executive Council is concerned about the pronouncements and activities of certain groups in the province that attack the fundamental values of nonracialism towards which our new democratic order strives,’ said Mchunu. ‘No individual or group should be subjected to any attack based on race. We cannot degenerate into the pain and indignity of our apartheid and racist past.’

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The launch included a project report and panel discussion on the role of schools in addressing homophobia and LGBTI issues in the curriculum. The panel was chaired by Mr Crispin Hemson (Project Associate) and included Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize of the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre and Ms Glodean Thani, Assistant Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education within the Department of Basic Education.

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College of Humanities | 2013

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Media seeks out Humanities criminologist for comment on

Oscar Pistorius Case Dr Jackie de Wet of the Criminology and Forensic Studies discipline. At an ANC public debate are (from left) Mr Moses Tembe, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, Dr Gwede Mantashe, Mr Lindani Dhlomo and Mr Senzo Mchunu.

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KZN criminologist, Dr Jackie de Wet, one noise made by a cricket bat hitting a woodof only a few senior researchers in South en door for gunshots, de Wet said: Africa dealing with psychological and crimiThe argument of a cricket bat banging nal profiling, has been in demand lately against the door… I’m not sure. It’s really commenting in the media about the Oscar hard to understand how someone can misPistorius trial. take a cricket bat for a gunshot. Pistorius, a paralympic champion runner, is on trial in the Pretoria High Court for killing his Academically and professionally, de Wet model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year. is currently completing his second master’s degree at the University of Liverpool. ‘The The majority of the contributions made by MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Inde Wet thus far have focused on the initial vestigations is one of the few forensic psyphase of the trial relating to the various testi- chology degrees which is course-based and monies already heard. accredited internationally. I am finishing the Asked for his opinion on the outcome, de dissertation phase now and should be subWet said: ‘As Pistorius has already admitted mitting by mid-July early August of this year. shooting Reeva, the crux of the case will ‘I might enrol for another doctorate but that come down to intent – did he intentionally is a while away.’ shoot and kill his girlfriend or was it an acde Wet studied at the University of Pretoria cident? in South Africa from 1998 to 2008 and holds ‘This will mean the difference between a degrees in both psychology and criminolfinding of murder, which carries a sentence ogy. He has postgraduate honours degrees of 25 years to life, or culpable homicide, in Criminology and Psychology, a Master’s which carries a lesser jail term. So both sides degree in Psycho-criminology and a PhD will attempt to sketch pictures – one trying to in Criminal Psychology. He is currently comshow there was intent and the other trying to pleting his MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigations at the University of prove it was an accident.’ Liverpool. His research interests are diverse On defence advocate Barry Roux’s asser- and include forensic psychology and psytion that witnesses may have mistaken the cho-criminology.

High-ranking Humanities academic on panel at

ANC debate

DVC and Head of the College of Humanities at UKZN, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, was part of a panel at the ANC’s public debate on job creation held at UKZN’s Westville campus.

otgieter’s expert opinions and knowledge and achieve set goals. presented from an academic standpoint were well received by the audience, fellow ‘My thinking in relation to the government’s ambition of creating six million jobs is similar. academics and ANC members. Set goals, set a vision and provide the policy The topic of the debate - part of an ongoing framework and resources for infrastructure series held monthly by the ANC to allow pub- development, healthcare and education.’ lic discussion on its policies and programmes - was: Is attainment of six million jobs in the Emphasising the important role institutions of education provide, Potgieter said: ‘The next five years possible? higher education sector, and most definitely Also on the panel were ANC Secretary-Gen- UKZN, is responding to the national developeral, Dr Gwede Mantashe; KwaZulu-Natal ment plan and other key policy documents Premier Mr Senzo Mchunu; businessman Mr to increase the pool of critical thinkers to Moses Tembe, and Mr Lindani Dhlomo from take up job opportunities and to be the crethe Small Enterprise Development Agency ators of jobs.’ (Seda). Potgieter argued that creating six million She pointed out that jobs and education jobs should not be a pipe dream and it was were the answer to reducing poverty. ‘In important to set goals to achieve the target. higher education, we need to produce and develop curriculum that creates critical Referring to one of her favourite Russian psy- thinkers - graduates who are professional chologists Lev Vygotsky she said: ‘Vygotsky and entrepreneurial, committed to social differs from mainstream Western psycholo- justice and building a better society. We also gists in that he argues that development want graduates to support the creation of a isn’t necessarily step by step. The child with non-racist, non-sexist, non-homophobic sosupport can jump a whole range of steps ciety.

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Humanities academic speaks at

‘A university graduated them with the critical skills to be entrepreneurs, to contribute to the ideology of social justice and to create jobs for themselves and others. We cannot only be looking to the government; we need to do it as partners.’

UKZN’s Professor Cheryl Potgieter during her speech at the ANC public debate on job creation.

Walter Sisulu Research Conference

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‘If we graduate students who do not have this commitment, even if we have millions of jobs, we are not going to be able to move our country forward.’ Mantashe said the ANC was committed to making the creation of six million jobs a reality.

guide organisations for long term sustainable success as well as teach graduates to tackle real world issues such as the facilitation of job creation.’

Businessman Mr Moses Tembe said the goal had to be to reach the target of six million jobs. ‘We should be investing in human capital, increasing the pace in business and going back to the values of Ubuntu.’

Potgieter used the example of job creation and entrepreneurship by two university graduates Chris and Andrew Brown, co-founders ‘We will institutionalise long term planning, of The Daily Buzz, an upmarket and specialty coordination and integration; mobilise all chain of coffee bars servicing the corporate sectors, more especially the private sector; workplace. force local procurement; accelerate the They won the 2013 Small Business Entreprerole of the catalytic sector, focus on youth neur of the Year title in the annual Sanlam unemployment and seek to promote invest- / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ment and access to credit.’ Competition.

Agreeing with Tembe on human capital investment issue, Potgieter said women should be given support and skills to become small scale farmers, entrepreneurs and creators of jobs instead of just providing for the household - and it was the responsibility of universities and graduates to make that happen. ‘Graduates should be taught to cultivate the potential of each individual in the wider community. Each one Teach one.’ ‘Education has a duty to inspire future responsible leaders who can manage and

Potgieter said government needed to provide the scaffolding for education as well as the infrastructure, security and health which make the creation of good jobs possible. ‘The devil is in the detail and the devil is in the execution. Higher education, business, and public sector need to operate together as partners - together we will move South Africa forward and together we can make South Africa a better place.’

College of Humanities | 2014 enior Lecturer in UKZN’s Teacher Development Studies in the School of Education, Dr Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan, was a guest speaker at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Research Conference at Mthatha Health Resources Centre, in the Eastern Cape.

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sity of Technology. Through this meta-analysis project, the team will seek to learn lessons about supporting self-study research and also about supporting trans-disciplinary, multi-institutional educational research learning communities.

Pithouse-Morgan was invited to speak at the conference by the Acting Director for Re- Further explorations will include documentsearch at WSU, Dr EN Cishe. ing the nature and processes of generating novel epistemologies and conceptualisaThe theme for the conference - Transforming tions as well as developing innovative conHigher Education Teaching and Learning in text-based methodological approaches. the 21st Century - was a response to the national imperative to transform teaching and ‘The award of this grant by the NRF highlearning in the Higher Education sector in lights our research community’s recognition South Africa. of the value and potential of self-study educational research in the South African con‘This conference in itself can contribute to text and beyond,’ said Pithouse-Morgan. transformation of learning and teaching in the Higher Education sector by drawing at- Pithouse-Morgan is a senior lecturer in UKZN’s tention to the academic and educational Teacher Development Studies in the School value of research into higher education of Education. She has recently received a learning, teaching and assessment practice Y1 (Young Researcher) rating from the South and curriculum development and design,’ African National Research Foundation. Her said Pithouse-Morgan. research interests include teacher development, self-study of practice, memory-work, She spoke about the NRF-funded Trans- HIV & AIDS education, collaborative scholformative Education/al Studies (TES) project, arship, and creative and participatory apwhich involves researchers from UKZN, WSU proaches in education and research. and the Durban University of Technology She is lead editor of an interdisciplinary book (DUT) who are doing self-study research. on self-study titled Making connections: The TES project was a response to two na- Self-study & social action (Pithouse, Mitchtional educational priorities in South Africa: ell, & Moletsane, 2009, Peter Lang) and the pressing need to transform teaching and co-editor of the books Teaching and HIV & learning in the Higher Education sector; and AIDS (Mitchell & Pithouse, 2009, MacMillan), the pressing need to enhance research and Memory and pedagogy (Mitchell, Strongsupervision capacity in the Higher Education Wilson, Pithouse, & Allnutt, 2011, Routledge) sector. and Productive Remembering and Social Agency (Strong-Wilson, Mitchell, Pithouse‘We have been awarded a three-year Edu- Morgan & Allnutt, 2013, Sense). cation Research in South Africa Grant by the South African National Research Foundation She is the author/ co-author of a number (NRF) to conduct a meta-analysis of the TES of peer reviewed journal articles and book Project (2011-2013),’ she said. chapters and has given a range of refereed conference presentations at local and inTheir new project is titled: Transformative ternational conferences. Pithouse-Morgan is Education/al Studies (TES): Pedagogic Im- lead editor of a recent themed edition of the plications for Research Capacity, and will Journal of Education (South Africa), titled, be led by researchers from UKZN including Memory and Pedagogy (http://joe.ukzn. Pithouse-Morgan, the Human Sciences Re- ac.za/Libraries/No_54_2012/Complete_issearch Council, WSU and the Durban Univer- sue.sflb.ashx).

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Collaboration Concert a ‘jazz hit’

Professor Cheryl Potgieter (front row, second left) with staff and jazz ensemble musicians of UKZN and VCU.

Professor Cheryl Potgieter welcomes guests at the VCU/UKZN Collaboration concert.

he Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and UKZN collaboration concert held at the University’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music has been hailed as a ‘huge success’.

tion to the University to meet people behind our Memorandum of Understanding.

Speaking about the partnership, the DVC and Head of the College of Humanities and avid jazz lover, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, said: ‘I visited the VirginiaCommonwealth University in December as head of a delega-

She announced that a UKZN alumnus had recently opened a jazz lounge in the city called the Chairman and encouraged audience members to visit and explore the place.

‘Our University has had a memorandum of understanding with VCU for a number of years and jazz is one of many, many projects The concert featured newly formed ensem- we are engaged in with them.’ bles from each university, the VCU Africa Combo and the UKZN Asihambe Jazz En- Gonsalves added, ‘The VCU/UKZN collabsemble. oration has provided a life-changing experience for the exchange students and Director of the UKZN Asihambe Jazz Ensem- invigorated the jazz section within the Muble, Mr Neil Gonsalves, said the sold-out sic discipline as a whole. As we reach the concert was a huge success with fantastic conclusion of this second and final year of performances all round. exchange the coming weeks and months will be dedicated to reflecting on the past ‘After the concert many guests commented years’ experiences and documenting these, on the quality of the original compositions which is part of the brief of the exchange. and how cohesively the various musical The collaboration concert was recorded threads came together. We are also espe- and we are hoping that there will be funding cially pleased that students turned out in to include a new CD release of the concert large numbers to support their peers and to as part of this documentation.’ expose themselves to an experience that is an integral part of their learning.’ Potgieter said the College of Humanities was a large college and work, collaboration and This concert was held as part of the second- mutual engagement across disciplines were year of the ongoing partnership between needed with alumni, friends of UKZN and the music disciplines of both universities. music lovers.

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Launch of Humanities collaborative survey on manufacturing firms in greater Durban

The UKZN team involved in the eThekwini Medium and Large Manufacturing Survey

KZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently officially launched a major new research initiative - the 2013/14 survey on medium and large manufacturing establishments within the eThekwini Municipal district. With important collaborative and financial support from the eThekwini Municipality, the Employment Promotion Programme, the National Research Foundation (NRF), the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the national Economic Development Department, the survey is collecting data on the current conditions of various sectors within the manufacturing sector in the region.

The survey also aims to follow up with establishments from a 2002/2003 survey and to demonstrate the dynamic picture in manufacturing sectors such as clothing and textiles, agroprocessing and metal works. This component of the survey will, for example, allow the researchers to understand changes in employment levels within manufacturing firms. The survey analysis will provide policymakers, the business community and researchers with valuable insights into the efficacy of current industrial policies, and provide a valuable resource for research on the focus of future policies for industrial development. The survey also

positions the city of Durban as one of the few local governments with panel data on manufacturing firms. The survey team is led by Professor Imraan Valodia of BEDS supported senior researchers, Dr Myriam Velia, Mr Glen Robbins and Ms Kathleen Diga and doctoral and masters students as its core staff. ‘The project also seeks to build capacity, such as training of these students and of some staff at eThekwini’s Economic Development and Investment Promotion Unit,’ said Valodia. The project was launched at the 3rd Economic Development & Growth in eThekwini (EDGE) breakfast seminar, hosted by eThekwini Municipality and UKZN. The seminar, themed: Making Industrial Policy Relevant at the Local Level, welcomed guest speaker, the acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade and Industry, Mr Garth Strachan, who helped unpack problems, the new industrial policy context, and other matters as they are experienced on the ground by medium and large manufacturing firms. For more information, refer to the project website: http://firmsurvey.ukzn.ac.za/

Humanities academics part of international advisory committee for

Tamil Diaspora conference

Dr Gunasekharan Dharmaraja (left) and Dr Maheshvari Naidu

ollege of Humanities postdoctoral fellow, Dr Gunasekharan Dharmaraja, and senior lecturer in anthropology in the School of Social Sciences, Dr Maheshvari Naidu, will form part of an international advisory committee for the International Conference on Tamil Diaspora being held in Mauritius later this year. This conference – the first on Tamil Diaspora – will promote academic research on the subject at an international level.

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linguistic lines. The conference in turn relates to my wider work and scholarship in migration studies, transnationalism and diasporic identities.’ Both academics will also present their research at the conference. Dharmaraja will focus on The Remnants and Reminiscences of Tamil culture among the South African Tamils- A Cultural Anthropological Survey.

‘My research will try to see the reminiscencAsked about her involvement in the confer- es and changes that happened during this ence, Naidu said: time,’ said Dharmaraja. ‘Though the Tamils in Tamil Nadu identify themselves as Hindus, ‘My background in South Asian religions the South African Tamils are not. The caste and more recently transnationalised eleidentity remains as just an identity without its ments of religion, sits next to an anthroponegative cultural weight. This paper will try logical interest and curiosity about both to do the cultural anthropological survey on displaced and transplanted elements of the remnants and reminiscences of Tamil “tradition” and “culture”. culture among South African Tamils.’

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Naidu said: ‘The sociology of networked communities and nodal streams through which cultural and linguistic identities come to be articulated in foreign and diasporic spaces, or what is termed “diasporic studies”, is a rich interdisciplinary intellectual field. South Africa is home to a large diasporic Indian community within which sit other smaller diasporic identities organised along rich

Naidu has been invited to deliver one of the plenary papers looking at notions of diasporic identity within wider circuits of migratory fluxes and mobilities. Both academics are honoured to be part of the international advisory committee and are looking forward to the conference.

College of Humanities | 2014

Workers’ College graduation ceremony

Professor Thokozani Xaba (extreme left) with Mr Juan Solis (second left) and competition participants.

Humanities hosts

Prestige architecture competition

KZN’s Architecture discipline recently hosted one of South Africa’s most prestigious student architectural competitions, the 7th Annual Carl & Emily Fuchs Prestige Competition in Architecture.

introduced to each other on the first day followed by the next day’s visitation to a Warwick Junction site in the city that the organizers - Mr Paul Kotze of Wits University and Mr Juan Solis of UKZN - selected. Thereafter, they were briefed on the project to create a design to incorporate foreigners coming into Warwick Junction.

Each year, South African Schools of Architecture are asked to submit the name of a student with the highest academic average in the preceding Bachelor of Architecture The students convened at the UKZN architecStudies degree. tural studio space and started the 24 hours of work allowed to design the proposed site Three winners are then chosen by a panel after which they had to stop, print their work of judges appointed by the SA Institute of and present it to the adjudicator panel. Architects and the SA Council of Architects Heads of Schools Committee after a selec- UKZN participant Ms Najeeba Hassim said tion process which includes a portfolio re- the competition was both exciting and inview and a 24-hour en loge design project. dustrious.

“

The three winners each received R50 000 in cash – the highest prize money offered by competitions open to architectural students in South Africa. The winners were Mr Andre Meyer (University of the Free State), Ms Laura Campbell (University of Cape Town) and Mr Craig Mitchell (University of Pretoria)

‘This competition was a great cultural and learning experience for me. While working with the other students during that 24-hour emotional, sleepless event, there was a spirit of carmaderie despite the fact that each of us were gunning to be the overall winner.’

”

Hassim encouraged all Architecture students to work hard at their studies, to be passionThis year’s competition brought together ate about their profession and to enter as eight students from each of the Schools of many Architecture competitions as possible. Architecture across the country. They were

At the diploma graduation ceremony are (front left) Ms Judy Knock, Professor Stephen Mutula with graduUKZN’s Professor Stephen Mutula and Chairperson of Workers’ Colate Ms Sarojini Govender. lege, Ms Cynthia Joyce.

The annual diploma graduation ceremony of the Workers’ College held recently at UKZN was an occasion for 61 students to graduate with their diploma certificates and 19 with their Bachelor of Social Science degrees. These certificates are jointly awarded on behalf of UKZN, the accrediting University, and the Workers’ College, the implementing organisation. The Workers’ College is an education organisation offering education programmes for trade unionists and community activists from within South Africa as well as the African continent. According to the Director of Workers’ College, Mr Kessie Moodley, the Diploma programme has been running since the inception of the Workers’ College in 1992.

Labour’s Strengthening Civil Society Fund, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and the National Skills Fund,’ said Moodley. Presenting the students with their awards, the Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences at UKZN, Professor Stephen Mutula , said UKZN was pleased to be able to participate and to be involved in such an event and programme. ‘We, as a University are committed to African Scholarship and the promotion of education in South Africa. We applaud the graduates for their hard work and dedication that went into attaining these certificates and degrees and we congratulate Workers’ College for collaborating with UKZN.’

Overall highest achiever in diplomas Mr Phakamani Sikhosane said he was overjoyed about and proud of his achievement. His hope was that all graduates from Workers’ ‘Its continuation as an accredited pro- College, now armed with new knowledge, gramme, which grants access for working would be able to better serve their socieadults into the UKZN’s degree programme, ties, empower others and to pursue societal has been possible because of the support change. we have received from the Department of

College of Humanities | 2014

Students attend a Study Skills workshop

UKZN social work students recite the Social Work pledge.

Study Skills Workshop

celebrated at Humanities

Social Work Day

Student Support Services holds

tudent Support Services at the College of Humanities recently hosted a Study Skills workshop on the Howard College campus to equip students with a variety of skills they will be able to use in their academic studies to improve higher order thinking and memory.

and knowledge-grasping capabilities.

According to Student Counsellor and workshop facilitator, Ms Candice McCain, Student Support Services ‘frequently see students struggling with certain aspects of study skills and it was felt that it would be best to address these needs in group settings so that students can learn from the facilitators and also from each other’.

‘I think I will be able to now work on my strong points in studying and retain more information to improve my marks,’ she said.

Postgraduate student Ms Bongiwe Ngwane says she usually tries to memorise and cram information for exams but felt the workshop had opened her eyes to studying techniques that were both fun and creative.

“

Third-year Psychology student, Mr Sherwyn Naidoo, felt the workshop to be incredibly informative. ‘I managed to learn and understand the different studying styles that would benefit me and I plan on using them in lectures.’ Naidoo, who described himself as a poor auditory learner, plans to use tape recordings during lectures to enhance his studying

McCain added: ‘It is hoped that the skills provided will enable the students to be the best that they can be in their academic careers. The Student Support Services will host further academic and psychosocial workshops within the near future and advertise them via the notice system and other social media.’

”

The Social Work discipline within the School of Applied Human Sciences recently hosted a World Social Work Day event at the Howard College Theatre.

oped by social workers globally.

Speaking at the UKZN event, Mr Vusi Khoza of the KZN Department of Social Development, advised students to retaintheir integThe day is celebrated worldwide with the rity while working as social workers. ‘Value main event taking place in New York City. the ethics of social work and get involved in Professor Vishanthie Sewpaul said: ‘Social community work and make a difference in Work Day has been celebrated at the Unit- the lives of people and society,’ said Khoza. ed Nations for the past 30 years. The highlight of the event was when UKZN ‘The International Association of Schools of social work students took a pledge to be the Social Work and the international Federation best social workers that they could be and of Social Workers declared the third Tuesday to contribute to the betterment of commuof March every year as World Social Work nities and the country. Day. This allows the day to be celebrated at institutional, national, regional and global levels.’ In her capacity as President of the Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa, Sewpaul delivered a keynote address at a World Social Work Day event in Kampala, Uganda. The theme for 2014 is Social and Economic Crisis – Social Work Solutions. This relates to the first of four themes in the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development - a bottom-up movement that has been devel-

Performers at UKZN Social Work Day event.

College of Humanities | 2014

PUBLIC LECT URES & SEMINARS College of Humanities | 2014

Up Next... PUBLIC LECTURES & SEMINARS BOOKS LAUNCHED BY STAFF STUDENT NEWS UPDATES Durban film festival

TIME OF THE WRITER

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

INSPIRING GREATNESS

Also at the Colloquium are (from left) Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane; Mr Sipho Mnguni; Mr Jacques Briard; Dr Ela Gandhi; Dr Paddy Kearney; Professor Marie-Henry Keane; Ms Mikaela York and Dr Alain Tschudin.

Humanities celebrates legacy of late

Archbishop Denis Hurley Imense contribution to justice, peace and recn recognition of Archbishop Denis Hurley’s im-

onciliation, UKZN’s Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies Programme, recently hosted a two-day Colloquium and Workshop titled: Community Serving Humanity and Beyond – the Legacy of Archbishop Denis Hurley OMI. The colloquium, held at the Innovation Centre on the Howard College campus, commemorated the tenth anniversary of Hurley’s death and brought together theoreticians and practitioners from diverse disciplines and areas of engagement. The event also reunited Hurley’s close friends, including Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane; Professor Marie-Henry Keane; Mr Jacques Briard (CIDSE); Dr Ela Gandhi; Dr Paddy Kearney (DHC), Mr Sipho Mnguni and Hurley’s niece Ms Mikaela York, who all discussed the life, times

and memories of Hurley over the many years they had known him. Ndungane, who officially opened the event, has been equated with Hurley in terms of their shared hallmark of ‘patient inclusivity’ in the pursuit of social justice. Ndungane said: ‘Denis Hurley was an intellectual, a man of integrity who used the Queen’s English very precisely and he was not shy to debate social and political issues.’ Speaking at the event, Executive Director of UKZN Corporate Relations Mr Lesiba Seshoka said UKZN had the privilege of Hurley’s profound wisdom and insights as Chancellor of the former University of Natal.

College of Humanities | 2014

Women and urban governance explored at ccrri seminar

At the Colloquium are (from left) Ms Nadia Paul of the UKZN Foundation, Dr Alain Tschudin; Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane and Mr Lesiba Seshoka.

‘He was indeed the conscience of our University, a conscience that reminded us that the University is at the heart of communities. It was also a conscience that lent credence to the notion of community service that has now been realised across several academic disciplines at UKZN.’ Gandhi shared her lessons learnt from Hurley stating that he had a deep compassion for people. ‘We need to do something to ease the suffering of our fellow man. Hurley’s actions really are a message to all of us and that is, we should act on what we learn and assist wherever possible.’ Academic and event organiser, Dr Alain Tschudin said: ‘Such solidarity, tirelessly promoted by Hurley, is the inspiration that steered our commemorative event, which actively sought to bring academics, practitioners, NGOs and community groups into dialogue to catalyse the meaningful societal engagement that is central to the vision and mission of UKZN.’ Hurley was the Chancellor of the former University of Natal from 1993-1998. Catholic Archbishop of Durban and fearless campaigner for justice and peace, he was recognised both at home and abroad for his promotion of human dignity. Under his chairmanship, the slogan: Community Serving Humanity, was chosen by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to promote their pastoral plan in the pre-democratic, apartheid South Africa of the 1980s and 1990s.

Tschudin added: ‘Ten years after the passing of Denis Hurley, who steered both the University and his Archdiocese through the stormy years of transition and change, it seems appropriate to re-visit this slogan. To what extent do we live in community? Are these communities of service? If so, whom do we serve; humanity, sectarian interest or individual self-promotion? Going beyond this, “the Arch”, as he was affectionately known, was renowned for his “bigger picture” thinking.’ Regarded as ‘one of our greatest South Africans’ by Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Hurley denounced apartheid as ‘intrinsically evil’ and spent his life fighting for the restoration of human dignity for all. In the 20th anniversary of the country’s fledgling democracy, the event proved to be a fitting celebration that both commemorated and promoted Hurley’s powerful legacy.

At the ccrri seminar are (from left) Dr Orli Bass, Dr Kira Erwin and Dr Jennifer Houghton

UKZN’s Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity (ccrri) hosted a seminar titled Women and Urban Governance – the Disjuncture between Policy and Everyday Experiences in Intimate Spaces. Research into the issue was done by Dr Kira Erwin and Dr Orli Bass of ccrri and Dr Jennifer Houghton of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSBL).

of formal and informal gender discourses, and the networking of private and public actors within a governance framework.

Using two vignettes of intimate spaces found in a police station and an apartment building, they illustrated how integrating women’s experiences on the micro-scale into people’s understanding of urban governance held possibilities for rethinking substantive The presentation formed part of their book gender sensitive and inclusive governance chapter in the forthcoming 2014 publica- frameworks for cities. tion: Urban governance in Postapartheid Cities: Modes of Engagement in South Af- Using the police station example, the prerica’s Metropoles. senters discussed how ,’these vignettes offer awareness of how formal and informal govTheir book chapter contribution and seminar ernance frameworks can mould social relapresentation highlight the area of urban gov- tions that themselves subvert and reshape ernance and gender. ‘We are concerned governance and its intended outcomes’. with the disjuncture between urban governance policy in South Africa advocating gen- The overall presentation of the vignettes der sensitivity and women’s empowerment, sparked an interesting discussion centered and women’s everyday experiences of in- on gender and community, the attitudes of equality, marginalisation and gender-based society and the disjuncture between policy violence. Linking research on women’s eve- and implementation. ryday urban encounters, within the broader context of urban governance, raises questions for rethinking governance policy and implementation,’ explained the presenters. The concept of intimate spaces was used as a mechanism for exploring the intersection

College of Humanities | 2014

Writing and publishing

‘However, it is significant that French writing and publishing have increased tremendously and are realising their rightful place in Africa and the world and have been broadened to include other genres. We are pleased that a colloquium to address such issues is being held at UKZN.’

in Francophone Africa

Attended by publishers, writers and researchers, the colloquium explored indepth issues linked to literary publishing in

Francophone Africa. According to the organizers, Professor Bernard De Meyer and Dr Abdoulaye Imorou, who is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Arts, the conference was a success as apart from high quality papers presented, it allowed room for networking and future partnerships in publishing.

Steve de Gruchy

memorial lecture at Humanities

Participants at an International colloquium at UKZN on writing and publishing in Francophone Africa.

colonial printing houses and printing presses. There is a real mushrooming of publishing houses.’ Senior Development Officer at the UKZN Foundation, Ms Nicola Latchiah, said in her The colloquium, held during the 17th Time of address that some of the obstacles to pubthe Writer festival, invited participants to de- lishing in Francophone Africa included the liver papers in French on the state of affairs lack of access to the lucrative textbook marof African publishing, on the policies that ket, historically controlled by French publishhave been adopted in a competitive envi- ers; the strong presence of inefficient public ronment, partnerships between African and sector players; the lack of available start-up foreign publishing houses, digital publishing, capital and unfavourable regulations, comonline sales, translations, republications, or- pounded by issues specifically related to ganisation of literary festivals and competi- literacy and post literacy such as choice of tions, as well as the ability of publishing hous- language and absence of a common policy. es to retain the authors. The French discipline within the School of Arts recently hosted an International colloquium on the Pietermaritzburg campus on writing and publishing in Francophone Africa.

“

In his opening remarks which reflected his review of Italian philosopher Umberto Eco’s novels and semiotic theories, Acting Dean and Head of the School of Arts, Professor Johannes Smit, said: ‘Many of Eco’s explorations certainly have some purchase as we have embarked on our own textual dynamics on the African continent far beyond and removed from the earlier mission and other

”

‘Researchers indicate that the private sector publishers play a vital role in the longterm retention of literacy in Francophone West Africa, where illiteracy rates are high. It would make good business sense for publishers to target the illiterate and neoliterate population but publishers are wary of getting into literacy and post literacy,' said Latchiah.

Professor John de Gruchy (front, third right) with SRPC staff at the third Steve de Gruchy memorial lecture.

niversity of Cape Town’s Professor John de Gruchy presented the third annual Steve de Gruchy memorial lecture focusing on the church as an agent of peace.

in the Mooi River in 2010, suggested that it was both an appropriate and contested topic. ‘It is appropriate because it was a subject of concern for Steve ever since, in his late teens, he became aware of the The lecture was hosted by the School of Re- peace-making imperative of the Christian ligion, Philosophy and Classics (SRPC) and faith. This led him to becoming a conscientitled: Poo-Protests and Olive Theology. tious objector and informed much of his life. The topic is also appropriate because we De Gruchy, father of the late Professor Steve live in a violent era in global history.’ de Gruchy who died in a boating accident

College of Humanities | 2014 Referring to the South African situation with the high number of crimes against humanity and the fears of violent outbreaks as the struggle for power escalates during the runup to the 2014 general election, de Gruchy said: ‘The role of the church as an agent of peace in association with other religious organisations and institutions should not simply be an academic exercise. It is an important topic that requires critical reflection informed by all the knowledge and wisdom we can muster,’ he said

‘It will be confronted by the unsettling question of “whose peace” we are talking about, protecting or advocating. The theological answer is the peace that God gives, i.e. where justice and peace embrace each other. This peace is God's will of justice for the world, and therefore God's gift which makes life possible for humans and the whole of creation. In this regard, the church is called to speak truth to power. And if the church wants to speak truth to power, the church has to listen to the powerless.’ ‘In this regard, it is important for religious or- He pointed out that churches beyond the ganisations, and especially for the church, borders of informal settlements needed to to critically reflect on the peace agency, be more aware of the inhumane conditions and also how this relates to reconciliation.’ in which people were forced to live by circumstances beyond their control. He said Steve’s mission was to represent the struggles of the weak and to seek peace, ‘They have to look and listen carefully bejustice and reconciliation – of which the ol- fore speaking, or assuming that they can ive branch was a metaphor. speak, and listen not least to the church communities that are present in informal A recent example was the ‘poo-protests’ settlements. Only then has the church the in the Cape. Resonating with a lecture by right to be critical of protest actions that Steve on the connection between ‘sewer- are misguided, turn violent and become age’ and theology that sides with the weak counter-productive. And only then can the and marginalised, this incident took place church become a peace-maker in situain the context of a lack of toilet systems for tions of conflict.’ the poor. He further highlighted that to be an agent He added that Steve recognised that of peace the church needed to develop these problems did not only confront gov- ways and means to educate its members ernments, city councils, engineers, health and clergy to be disciples who were peaceworkers and town planners; they also chal- makers, and could therefore as Jesus said, lenged theologians and were of critical im- truly be ‘called the children of God’.(Matportance for the witness of the church. The thew 5:9). outcome, for Steve, was his work on what he called an ‘olive theology’. De Gruchy said: ‘If the church is to be an agent of peace in a violent world it has to learn how to counter the power-hungry greed of the one hand, and enable the birthing and fulfilment of the promise of peace of the other. But in doing so it will often find itself in the uncomfortable position between the rock of those who protest, sometimes violently, and the hard place of those who maintain law and order.

BOOKS LAUNCHED BY STAF F College of Humanities | 2014

Humanities academic launches book A book which examines the country’s political and socio-economic landscape was launched recently at the Howard College Theatre. Written by Dr Elias Cebekhulu of the School of Social Sciences, the work is titled: Umhlaba Uyahlaba! The World is Thorny! Socio-economic injustices of the Post-Apartheid South Africa. Cebekhulu said the idea for the book arose from the fact that many South Africans still lived in abject poverty. ‘The reality is that there are so many aspects of the socio-economic life of South Africans that portray the society as still grappling with factors that impoverished the general population during the apartheid era.’ He said the book aimed to enhance the knowledge of the reader in respect of new and classical thinkers in the fields of sociology, economics, African studies and public and social policy.

Humanities academics publish book chapter on Durban’s airfreight Dr Myriam Velia and Mr Glen Robbins of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies recently published a chapter about Durban's challenges in airfreight and port growth in a Routledge- edited book titled: Cities, Regions and Flows. The publication brings together debates, presenting a theoretical framework for understanding the changing relationship between places and movement. It contains thoughtfully prepared case

studies from five different continents on how cities manage to become part of value chains and how they strive for accessibility in an increasingly competitive environment. Also discussed in the edited volume is the notion of an Aerotropolis, a new urban form placing airports in the centre with cities growing around them, connecting workers, suppliers, executives, and goods to the global marketplace.

Social Science academics launch book at Time of the Writer (De)Monopolising Paradise is a multi-layered discourse on religious intolerance as witnessed in the 21st Century. It argues that some interpretations of Islamic texts serve to distance Islam from other communities. The book is an intellectual inquiry into what the Qur‘ân actually says about Muslims and non-Muslim relationships; it is a treatise for all persons of faith reminding them of the real message of Islam, Tawhîd, (Oneness), and the idea of unity under one God.

Two UKZN academics from the School of Social Sciences, Professor Sultan Khan and Dr Lubna Nadvi, launched their new co-authored book (De)Monopolising Paradise at the Time of the Writer festival at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

According to the authors, the book can be read as a response to a double question: is it ever possible to have a religiously inclusive society in a polarised world? And if so what would be the basis for such an inclusive society? and public and social policy.

College of Humanities | 2014

ST UDENT NEWS UPDAT ES

Humanities students at Model Y20 SA conference

Students selected were:

●● Ms Kathlyn Kannapathi, a member of Golden Key Internation-

al Honour Society and a PhD candidate in Education focusing on empowering parents through education. Kannapathi participates in community upliftment and development.

●● Ms Abongile Nyokana, Deputy President of the Howard Col-

lege chapter of Golden Key International Honour Society, who is a tutor and takes interest in running and free hand sketching.

●● Mr Sokfa Francis John, currently doing a PhD in the Sociology

of religion, is involved in the academic mentoring programme at UKZN as a mentor. John initiated a writing club and student magazine at the University of Jos in Nigeria. His areas of interest include religion and politics / society, masculinity, as well as conflict and peacebuilding.

●● Mr Thembani Khumalo, former UKZN Central SRC President, Professor Cheryl Potgieter with eight Humanities students who attended the Model Y20 South Africa conference in Cape Town.

ight students represented the College of Humanities at the Model Y20 South Africa conference - a yearly initiative aimed at encouraging young South Africans to contribute to policy recommendations. The conference took place at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on the 25 and 26 June, 2014 under the theme: Growth and Jobs Creation; Global citizenship; and Sustainable Development.

former HSRC President and deputy chairperson of SASCO.

●● Ms Samantha Rouche, a candidate Architect, was once an

munity and beyond. The opportunity to take them to this conference was created as a means to recognise their achievements thus far but also to motivate them into pursuing academic scholarship in future, while still raising the flag for UKZN. The Model Y20 conference also discussed the position paper that will be tabled by the South African youth delegation at the upcoming Youth 20 (Y20) conference to be hosted in Sydney, Australia, this month.

❧ ❧

The delegation, supported by the DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, has a diverse mix of students who are currently studying at Mas- In addition to Training on Diplomacy, the ters and PhD level and boast leadership event was used to identify potential Y20 achievements and academic prowess. Youth delegates to represent South Africa at the Turkey Summit in 2015. The students were identified as among the Speaking on the conference, Ms Abongile best crop of students the College of Humani- Nyokana said the event was a wonderful opties has to offer. They are academics in the portunity for the students. ‘It’s great to know making and are leaders in the student com- that somehow we’re making a difference.’

●● Mr Mnikeni Phakathi, a current deputy chairperson of UNASA, academic undergraduate tutor. Currently a Programme coordinator for the UIA 2014 student programme

●● Mr Siyabonga Khumalo, who has been in leadership in house

committees. He was a Residence Liaison officer in Howard College SRC and is currently the SASCO chairperson of the Howard College branch.

●● Mr Lukhona Mnguni, UKZN Masters student in Conflict Trans-

formation and winner of the Commonwealth Scholarship. Mnguni, who is a lifetime member of the prestigious Golden Key Honours Society, remains committed to academic and research rigour; with special interest in education, sociopolitical and socioeconomic development issues.

College of Humanities | 2014

College of Humanities | 2014 ‘Richmond is the former Confederate capital and “The Durban System” had been the basis for what later became the policy of Apartheid throughout South Africa. But out of oppression on both continents came music that spoke for freedom. This teaches the next generation of jazz musicians that you don’t find your musical voice merely to express Gm7-C7; you seek it to express what you feel.’

Saxophonist-educator Plunky Branch (right) rehearses with students of UKZN and Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States.

American jazz students and academics

connect with Humanities

hen United States academic Mr Antonio Garcia saw the words ‘University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)’ on the list of sister schools to his own Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), his heartbeat quickened. The potential for collaboration with the UKZN jazz programme founded by Darius Brubeck and which had been a trailblazer in breaking colour barriers in South Africa in the 1980s was too good an opportunity to resist. And it all came together recently when Professor Neil Gonsalves, a pianist and Director of UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, took six music students to Richmond. The students were Linda Sikhakhane (tenor saxophone); Sakhile Simane (trumpet); Sebastian Goldswain (guitar); Lungelo Ngcobo (piano) Ildo Nandja (bass) and Sphelelo Mazibuko (drums). Week-long exchanges followed along with four commissioned works - two from Dur-

ban and two from Richmond, several new arrangements, rehearsals shared over the Internet and collaborations with South African music legend Madala Kunene and Richmond-based saxophonist-educator Plunky Branch. Other activities included concert performances, sessions with guest clinicians, visits to jazz advocates in Washington and trips to the KwaMuhle Museum in Durban and to Richmond’s Black History museum and the American Civil War Center. Garcia and Gonsalves had made the study of racism and segregation in the history of these two cities an integral part of the experience for students and faculty alike. ‘Music comes from people, and people come from a culture and a history,’ said Garcia.

‘This dialogue is rooted at least partially in our common Southern heritage of migration from serfdom to global citizenry and we acknowledge the effectiveness of this jazz bridge that we’ve built towards developing greater understanding.’ The participating students resonated with the same feeling. ‘Reading and playing music weren’t the only purpose of the exchange,’ said Sikhakhane.

Gonsalves said South African jazz had its own swagger, rooted in the many kinds of ‘There was a lot of spiritualism through sound urban music which were part and parcel of and cultural experience. All the influences a migrant culture. of our forefathers came to action. And the best part was sharing all our understandings ‘Through the gift of this educational ex- through jazz music of this calibre.’ change, we can proudly say that local South African music forms and styles such Plans are afoot to continue the partnership as mbaqanga, maskanda and marabi of these two jazz programmes. ‘As marvelhave taken their place alongside the blues, lous as the musical output has been,’ enstandard tunes and bebop as platforms for thused Garcia, ‘it still cannot compare to musical dialogue between our respective the knowledge we have all learned and especially the friendships we have all made.’ ensembles.

Humanities students attend course at

Michigan University Two postgraduate students from the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS), Ms Amanda Mthembu and Mr Simon Halvey, have returned from a month-long intensive course on survey research techniques at Michigan University in the United States. Funding for their visit was arranged by Professor Dori Posel, the SARChi Chair in Economic Development. Mthembu , who is doing a masters degree in Population Studies, said it had been a great experience. ‘I've never learnt so much in a short space of time, and I got to meet authors of books that I have read.’ Masters Development Studies student Halvey agreed, saying the vastness of the university and the facilities were 'out of this world'. ‘The standard of teaching is amazing. The course so intense and

we learned so much.’ They were the only students on the course with the others being working professionals from a variety of countries. They felt the tools they had acquired would help them not only in research for their dissertations but would be useful in their future careers. The students were grateful to Posel for arranging and funding the visit in her capacity as SARChI Chair of Economic Development. 'We can never thank her enough for this once in a lifetime opportunity.' They were both impressed with the range of facilities of the university, Halvey particularly by the vast football stadium which is one of the largest in the United States, and Mthembu by how safe it was to work at the 24-hour university library where it was possible to use the complimentary taxi after studying late.

College of Humanities | 2014

Humanities student scoops Corobrik award

they themselves have developed.’ Asked about his family’s response to the award, Ncube said, ‘At times it felt like we were all studying architecture. They would listen to me rambling on about design concepts and theories, and they would try to engage me wherever they could. It was during these “conversations” I came up with my best ideas. ‘When it eventually came to an end a few weeks ago, their facial expressions said it all. My parents had that look that every child strives to get - a sense of pride. It felt as though through me we achieved something they couldn’t in their time.’

Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year – UKZN’s Mr Mongezi Ncube. Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year – UKZN’s Mr Mongezi Ncube.

KZN Architecture student Mr Mongezi Ncube is the regional winner of the 2013 Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year award. Mongezi’s thesis explored urban informality as a generator for meaningful built form through his proposal for a multipurpose trade hub in Warwick Junction. The proposed building is to support informal traders who need a productive space to work from.

Regarding his perceptions of, and aspirations within, the built-environment sector, he added: ‘I think architects have forgotten about the ordinary person on the street. We are so busy trying to outdo each other that we seem to forget who we are designing for. If my career could make an impact in my field, it would be to make architects and urban design professionals remember what are we doing and who we should be doing it for.

“

The central challenge he poses through his design is: Why not have the courage, where practical, to let people shape their own environment?

‘The aim of the design was to provide a built-form where the people have the ability to define its configuration. This was done through consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders because community participation empowers people within a specific context to influence the way they want the built form to be configured,’ said Mongezi ‘This also has the benefit of making sure the built form will be of some value and meaning for informal workers when they are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge

‘I made a promise to myself in first year that I would never forget where I came from and the people that made me in whatever I do in my architectural career.’

”

Ncube hopes to do more community projects and actively participate with community members to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Architecture student Mr Nischolan Pillay (back row, second from left) with the architecture design team at the American University in Cairo.

Architecture student presents on

Warwick Junction at Cairo University

KZN architecture student Mr Nischolan Pillay debated and gave a presentation on Durban’s Warwick Junction during a week-long visit to the architectura l design section at the American University in Cairo. Pillay also participated in design critique sessions, design and model building. Lecturer within UKZN’s Architecture discipline, Ms Bridget Horner, said: ‘The Union of International Architects Conference’s international student competition is based in the informal market area of Warwick Durban - a complex and dynamic transport and trading hub on the edge of Durban’s CBD. ‘Because this is an area we have been working in actively for the past year, we were invited to present our findings to architecture students at the American University in Cairo. ‘The purpose of Nischolan’s visit was to help Cairo students get a better understanding of the site and how Warwick works, ‘said Pillay. ‘Upon my arrival, the students were really excited and made me feel at home within their environment. My presentation was about Warwick and

its sensitivity and this was taken rather seriously by students as they could not fully comprehend Warwick as they have never visited the site and experienced the space.’ Pillay shared his lived experiences of Warwick Junction with the students, often bringing textual work to life with accounts and renditions of the area. He enjoyed being able to work in the studio and experience their studio life. ‘The many places the students took me to were an all-new experience from what we do in South Africa. The way students socialise and the many activities in an Egyptian’s life were really interesting – I felt a sense of excitement experiencing the culture first hand,’ said Pillay. Nischolan did some sight-seeing, marvelling at the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Nile River, the Egyptian museum and the many bazaars in Cairo. He said he would stay in contact with his new friends and colleagues. ’They are very keen to come to South Africa for a holiday and I’m also keen to further explore Cairo.’

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Humanities student to complete degree in

London UKZN Masters student in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies, Mr Lukhona Mnguni, has won a Commonwealth Scholarship allowing him to complete his degree in London.

thankfully it has worked out well.’

After completing his masters, he plans to do a PhD either in the United Kingdom or South Africa and then spend at least five years lecturing and researching. He hopes to do adMnguni is no stranger to London having pre- visory work for global/local intuitions and to viously won other scholarships including the someday get involved in politics probably as 2012 Distinguished Student Award and the a diplomat. Abe Bailey Travel Bursary. ‘The university residences are known as Colleges in the UK with students being grouped into faculties with similar academic areas of interest. This builds communal bonds by virtue of staying together to effectively assist each other in academic work,’ said Mnguni. ‘Residences are more than just a place to eat and sleep – they take on a culture of their own. Even college tutors and professors live there which lends itself to a culture of learning.’ Mnguni changed course from a mining engineering degree in 2009 to a community and development degree. ‘I wanted a space to write, contribute and influence the country’s discourse on socio-economic issues. Making the change was a painful decision but

London-bound Mr Lukhona Mnguni with the College of Humanities Dean for Teaching and Learning, Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa.

Academics & students in Community Engagement Research

recently completed action research project to investigate the experiences of incorporating service learning with community engagement activities was undertaken as a collaborative effort between UKZN’s School of Social Sciences and the School of Education and the Faculty of Education at the University of Free State (UFS). The project relates to eight case studies that were conducted on the UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus which began with stakeholder consultations followed by implementation and evaluation of the case studies over a period of 12 months. The Community Engagement with Service Learning (CELS2) project addressed the challenge of how to address the competing goals and values of student service learning course requirements and those of community organisations in order to enhance university contributions to local development needs. Heading the research are academics Professor Julia Preece (School of Education), Dr Desiree Manicom (School of Social Sciences), UFS staff Dr Cias Tsotetsi and Dr Dipane Hlalele and their respective students. The project responded to global interest in making higher education more responsive to development needs, national priorities for developing responsible citizens and institutional priorities for ‘responsible community engagement.’ According to Preece and Manicom a community development approach was used which applied asset based development theory (supporting communities to build on their own assets to solve local problems) with the concept of adaptive leadership (being sensitive to context and encouraging communities to take responsibility for decision making) with a view to building trust and contributing to community empowerment.

UKZN students on campus tending to their organic vegetable garden as part of their community engagement activities.

Preece said: ‘The study found that students and community members were able to learn from each other, contributing to new knowledge, skills and understandings but that the timeframe for service learning militates against the CESL relationship.’ Manicom further added, ‘It also found that clarification of competing goals and values prior to the service learning placements enhanced the community relationship but there is a need for ongoing feedback and monitoring to accommodate shifting goals and priorities during project implementation. Grass roots communities were even motivated by the interest the university showed in their activities.’ The CESL2 project builds on a smaller project conducted in 2012 (CESL). This study is a partnership between the UKZN and UFS with funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the universities Teaching and Learning Office (UTLO). The findings have resulted in presentations at one international and two local conferences. Journal articles will be submitted for review in 2014.

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Director of Hard To Get, Mr Zee Ntuli

DIFF announces Hard to Get for its opening night film

theme of love in the very specific context of contemporary South Africa. At its heart, it is simply a story of two young South Africans embarking on the universal adventure of falling in love, symbolically set against the dangerous, unpredictable, cruel and ruthless The film tells the story of TK, a handsome backdrop of Joburg’s criminal underworld. young womanizer from a small community who falls for a sexy, reckless young thief Director Ntuli said, ‘The criminal gauntlet named Skiets. Thrust into Joburg’s criminal parallels the emotional journey of TK and underworld TK realises that his best bet is to Skiets, providing a metaphor for how scary trust her and hang on for dear life. falling in love can be. Ultimately it is a hopeful story, one which carries the message that The action romance explores the universal love is worth fighting for.’ he Durban International Film Festival (July 17 – 27) opening film will be Hard To Get from first-time feature director Mr Zee Ntuli and produced by Mr Junaid Ahmed and Ms Helena Spring.

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College of Humanities | 2014 Talking about the film, Festival Manager, Mr Peter Machen, said, ‘I am very excited about Hard To Get. It’s a beautifully made film that works on every level and will satisfy commercial and art-house audiences alike. I also think that it’s going to make instant stars of its two leads Thishiwe Ziqubu and Pallance Dladla, who are both electrifying, as well as director Zee Ntuli, who is virtually guaranteed a bright future on the global filmmaking stage on the basis of this first feature.’

new voices in South African cinema.’ Although, Hard To Get is Ntuli’s first feature, he has already made his mark on the local film scene. He has written for the awardwinning hit show Intersexions and has directed a humorous 40sec advert entitled Grandfather for Ster-Kinekor’s Vision Mission initiative.

He has also directed music videos for the bands Crash Car Burn and Wrestlerish, as Machen continued, ‘With the production well having worked on Soul City and the team of Helena Spring and Junaid Ahmed crime drama Mshika-shika. Ntuli studied at behind the film, I have a strong suspicion AFDA, the School Of Motion Picture Medium that this is going to be the one that cracks and Live Performance, winning the award open local audience’s desire to watch for Best Film during all four years of studies. strong local film products. I have no doubt that audiences will walk out of the theatre His 24 minute short film, Bomlambo (Those Of electrified, and will be filled with excitement The Water), won the award for best fantasy about the rest of the festival. All of this makes film at the New York International Film Hard To Get the perfect opening film for DIFF Festival. Ntuli was nominated for best short 2014.’ film at the 2012 SAFTAs and has already had Co-producer Helena Spring said, ‘Junaid his short films screened at festivals in South and I are thrilled to be launching major new Africa and around the world. His 12 minute talent with Hard to Get. We are incredibly short In Return (Emasisweni) was nominated proud of the work that director Zee Ntuli, as the South African candidate for the his team and cast, have delivered. There is Student Oscars in 2010. already a great deal of buzz around the film and we have no doubt that a bright future For more information go to www. awaits them.” durbanfilmfestival.co.za Junaid Ahmed mentioned that Hard To Get is the first of a slate of films that he and Spring are producing which showcase the talent of previously marginalised black filmmakers in South Africa. Ahmed went on to praise the assured and distinctive directorial debut of Ntuli, as well as that of co-writer TT Sibisi. ‘Hard To Get heralds the arrival of exciting

The 35th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter).

At the opening of the Durban Film Festival are (from left): Mr Zee Ntuli; UKZN’s Professor Cheryl Potgieter; Mr Pallance Dladla; Mr Kishore Gobardan and Ms Thishiwe Ziqubu.

DIFF opening night a phenomenal success T

he 35th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) opened at the Suncoast Cinecentre with the world premiere screening of the highly anticipated action romance movie Hard To Get from young director Mr Zee Ntuli.

is a generous spread of documentaries that shows where we have come from and the progress the country has made. As UKZN we are proud to be associated with DIFF and we will continue to work with our partners to further grow the festival.’

Ntuli and the talented cast walked up the red carpet to their seats in the cinema which Festival Manager Mr Peter Machen also spoke created a great buzz of excitement among on South Africa’s 20 years of democracy, tying it in with the film festival which he the capacity audience. described as a critical voice for change in The film tells the story of TK, a handsome, a young nation that’s still struggling to find its young womanizer from a small community democratic footing. who falls for a sexy, reckless young thief ‘Films have the ability to change us on a named Skiets. Thrust into Jo’burg’s criminal personal level and can be seen as an agent underworld TK realises that his best bet is to of change. They are both an expression of freedom and an enabler of it,’ he said. trust her and hang on for dear life. Addressing the audience on opening night, DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, said: ‘The film festival is a major contributor to social cohesion and is crucial to nation-building. In light of our 20 years of democracy, there

* The 35th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter).

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CCMS students involved in DIFF reporting and reviewing.

DIFF as a News Hub for Media Students

team of students led by The Centre for Communication, Media and Society will again this year report on the Durban international Film Festival (DIFF). This project was first instituted for the 2013 Festival as a way of offering students some real world journalism experience; to help them build their portfolio for employment applications and to be located in the be in the thick of the film, TV and video industries.

The Journal of African Cinemas will consider substantive reviews. Qualifying reviewers will be supported by an experienced team of CCMS-based sub-editors and senior film students who also lecturers. Professor Keyan Tomaselli who is coordinating this initiative explained, ‘The project work with DIFF as a laboratory will mimic a real-world media newsroom during the Festival. The workshop will equip aspiring reviewers and reporters of DIFF with skills they need to write effectively for specific readerships under tight newsroom deadlines within a professional supervisory structure.’ Contributors include 2nd, 3rd year and Honours, MA and PhD students.

Student interns have been selected and trained for the for the following a) Journalism / Film Reviewer Internship Opportunities; b) Film Festival Communication Management, Events Management, Organisational Communication Internship Opportunities at DIFF, and c) film-knowledgeable students Four Honours students will use the Festival were invited to moderate question and as a research site in their analysis of Durban answer sessions after screenings. as a film Friendly City. Media Services, an ongoing project endorsed by the Durban CCMS is again working with DIFF to manage Film Office. a newsroom of selected 3rd year and Honours students to write reviews on the Festival and During the 2010 Festival some CCMS students’ its films, panels, directors and actors. film reviews were published in City Press and SUBtext, the centre’s student’s research Their stories will be submitted for publication magazine, while others were also employed to various newspapers , the CCMS magazine, by international scholars researching the SUBtext, and entered onto the African Festival. The Journal of African Cinemas has Cinema and TV page on the CCMS website, also published more substantive reports on that has entries on 10 000 titles. Zulu-speaking the event. students will be encouraged to write also in Zulu for Isolezwe.

Film Festival closes with screening of Million Dollar Arm

Million Dollar Arm closes 35th Durban International Film Festival

he 35th Durban International Film Festival when he returns to America to try to get the ended on a high note with its closing night two young men signed to a major baseball film Million Dollar Arm (USA, 2014) directed league. by Craig Gillespie and starring Jon Hamm. Talking about the film, Festival Manager, The screening took place on Saturday, 26 Peter Machen, said: ‘Million Dollar Arm is a July at the Suncoast CineCentre Supernova. film that is both accessible and engaging as well as being beautifully crafted and filled Million Dollar Arm is about a once-successful with great performances. It was a strong sports agent named JB Bernstein who festival title, providing an enjoyable note on finds himself edged out by younger, slicker which to close the festival after ten days of competitors. While watching cricket being intense viewing.’ played in India on late night TV, he comes up with an idea so radical it just might This year’s festival included more than 200 work. Why not go to India and find the next theatrical screenings and a full seminar and workshop programme as well as the baseball pitching sensation? Wavescape Film Festival, the Wild Talk Africa Setting off for Mumbai, JB stages a televised, Film Festival, and various industry initiatives, nationwide competition. including the 7th Talent Campus Durban (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) Forty thousand hopefuls compete and and the 5th Durban FilmMart co-production two 18-year-old finalists, Rinku and Dinesh, market in partnership with the Durban Film emerge as winners. But JB’s job really begins Office.

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Talents Durban at 35th Durban International Film Festival

he 35th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) recently hosted the seventh edition of Talents Durban - formerly known as Talent Campus Durban – a skills sharing, development and networking platform for emerging filmmakers from Africa. Forty filmmakers attended from various African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tunisia and Namibia. The programme consisted of master classes, in depth discussions with critically acclaimed film professionals from across the globe, hands-on training programmes as well as networking opportunities for selected participants. Talents Durban participants were able to participate in a co-production master class with French producer Denis Vaslin, who is a producer of documentary and fiction. Australian documentary development expert, Julia Overton, presented a Documentary Finance master class on Documentary Financing. Overton is a Development and Investment Manager at Screen Australia where she is instrumental in assisting filmmakers with getting their projects produced with local or international support.

Filmmakers at the seventh edition of Talents Durban.

College of Humanities | 2014 pitching forum – The African Pitch. Participants were given mentoring prior to the pitch and during preparations at the festival. After the pitch they were given advice from mentors on how to proceed with their projects. ‘Script Station is a script development programme for short films which paired four participants with script editors who assisted in clarifying stories and getting to an advanced draft of their script,’ said Mungwe. ‘Talent Press is presented in cooperation with Fipresci, an association of national organisations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world which lobbies for the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests. The programme invited four critics to cover the films and events of the Durban International Film Festival for online and print publication,’ she said.

DIFF Festival Manager Mr Peter Machen added: ‘DIFF welcomed these filmmakers to the Industry Programme and we were proud to have presented them as the future of African Cinema. The diversity of voices in this selection echoed the theme of this year’s Talents Durban – Continent of Contrasts/de Talents Durban participants also had access Contraste – inspired by a revered elder of to a master class with pitch expert, Stefano African cinema Djibril Diop Mambéty whose Teadly, a South African-born, Italy-based 1968 short films was entitled Contras’city producer, director and pitch expert. Talents (City of Contrasts). Durban also featured a hands-on training programme including Doc Station, Script ‘We hope this crop of Talents at DIFF will Station and Talent Press. follow in the footsteps of giants of African cinema.’ Speaking at the DIFF media conference, Project Manager, Ms Tiny Mungwe, The 35th Durban International Film Festival is explained that Doc Station selected three organised by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts documentary projects in development and is a special project of the Deputy Vicefor coaching and mentoring towards Chancellor of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter. participation in a public pitch at the DFM’s

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The jury commended Sissako’s work for being ‘an impressively well-made film that makes us aware, in an extraordinarily human and gentle way, of the fight for dignity and freedom of individuals against oppression and violence. Beautifully crafted and showing mature accomplishment on all levels, the film illustrates the absurdity of war and ideological dogmatism and offers humour, gentility and humaneness as a possible solution to the madness that seems to engulf so many regions in the world and on our continent. It embraces cinema as a weapon of love against violence and intolerance.’

Jenna Bass (right) receives her award for Best SA Feature Film at the 35th Durban International Film Festival. With her are (from left) Festival Manager Peter Machen and jury members Neil Coppen, Katrina Hedren and Darryl Els.

Durban International F ilm Festival award winners The Durban International Film Festival announced its award-winners at the closing ceremony of the Festival’s 35th edition at the Suncoast CineCentre Supernova, prior to the screening of the closing film, Million Dollar Arm.

‘We are extremely happy that the festival finally has an iconic award. Venice has the Golden Lion, Berlin has the Golden Bear and now Durban has the Golden Giraffe. Caryn Tilbury’s beautifully idiosyncratic design is perfectly representative of the slick but edgy nature of the festival,’ said Machen.

The festival had a highly successful run this year with a significant increase in attendance The festival’s highest accolade of Best - many films were ‘Sold-Out!’ Feature Film and with it a R50 000 cash prize went to Malian auteur Abderrahmane Festival Manager Peter Machen said: ‘I Sissako’s masterful Timbuktu, chosen from was extremely happy with the success a selection of competition films that the of DIFF 2014, and it was very gratifying to international jury described as having dealt witness both the large amount of sold-out with ‘individuals coping with ideological, screenings and also the huge enthusiasm for social and political pressures whilst trying the festival, both from local audiences and to find their own identity and humanity in a from the hundreds of guests attending from world increasingly under distress’. around the world.’ At the ceremony, the festival unveiled its new statuette, the Golden Giraffe, designed by Durban artist, Caryn Tilbury.

The International Jury consisted of: Rémi Bonhomme, who heads Critics Week at Cannes Film Festival; Diarah N’DawSpech, the co-founder and co-director of the African Diaspora Film Festival in New York; Andrew Worsdale, writer, director and previous winner of Best South African Feature film at DIFF; and actress and activist Paulina Malefane, known for her role of Carmen in both the stage and film productions of U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, and co-founder of the Isango Ensemble. The award for Best South African Feature Film, which carries a prize of R25 000, was won by Jenna Bass for her exciting first feature Love the One You Love. The local jury chose the film ‘for its stylistic and narrative freshness’, calling it ‘a playful, quirky and idiosyncratic debut made with curiosity, warmth, heart and sensitivity’. Bass was also honoured with the prize for Best Direction in a South African Feature Film, with the jury describing the young director as ‘inquisitive, innovative and with a unique voice and luminous cinematic sensibility, who shows us a contemporary universe which is as imaginative as it is true’. The accolade for Best Documentary went to Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours. According to the jury this intimate, affecting and often humorous debut feature is a portrait of three generations of exile in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon, a Palestinian pocket of hemmed-in buildings and stifled hopes. ‘Fleifel may have set out to tell a small

College of Humanities | 2014 domestic story about the loved ones he has left behind but the result is a powerful tale of the human cost of a political nightmare, the end of which seems very far away.’ Best South African Documentary was awarded to Rehad Desai’s Miners Shot Down. The film was also awarded the Amnesty International (Durban) Human Rights Award, which carries a prize of R10 000 sponsored by the Artists for Human Rights Trust. The film was chosen ‘for its profoundly moving portrayal of the Marikana miners’ massacre. The human rights abuses so vividly portrayed include the right to life, the right to justice, the right to protection by the police, the right to know, the right to peaceful protest and the right to human dignity.’ The full list of awards is: FEATURE FILM: BEST Timbuktu by Abderrahmane Sissako BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM: Salvation Army by Abdellah Taia BEST DIRECTION: Noaz Deshe for White Shadow BEST SCREENPLAY: Love is Strange written by Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sofian el Fani - Timbuktu BEST ACTOR: Ibrahim Ahmed - Timbuktu & Tony Kgoroge - Cold Harbour BEST ACTRESS: Chi Mhende - Love the One You Love DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD FOR ARTISTIC BRAVERY: Petter Brunner - My Blind Heart BEST SA DOCUMENTARY: Miners Shot Down by Rehad Desai Special Mention: Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me by Khalo Matabane BEST DIRECTION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY: I, Afrikaner by Annalet Steenkamp Special Mention: Fatherland by Tarryn Crossman BEST DOCUMENTARY: A World Not Ours by Mahdi Fleifel BEST SHORT FILM: Out of Place by Ozan Mermer BEST SOUTH AFRICAN SHORT FILM: Keys, Money, Phone by Roger Young

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Time of the Writer participants seen with the festival’s Programme Manager Ms Tiny Mungwe (front row, left).

Full house for opening of

17th Time of the Writer Festival The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the Howard College Campus was packed to capacity for the opening night of the 17th Time of the Writer International Writers Festival. The week-long festival is presented by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts and made possible through funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and other valued partners. Twenty writers from South Africa, Africa and overseas – at the festival for a thought-provoking week of literary dialogue, exchange of ideas and stimulating discussion – were featured on the night. Head of the KZN Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Ms Sibongile Nzimande, said the department was a proud supporter of the festival and would continue to back it. The evening was opened by the DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, who spoke on the festival theme Freeing our Imagination, stating that gay and lesbian rights should be recognised as the current attitudes and behaviour of people were not in keeping with the constitution. She challenged the audience and festival participants to engage on this issue.

‘This festival reflects the mission and vision of UKZN and I will ensure that the Time of the Writer is brought closer to the academic programmes offered by the College of Humanities,’ she added. A tribute was paid to the late South African thinker, academic and prolific writer, Professor Mbulelo Mzamane, a past participant of Time of the Writer and former Director of the Centre for Literary Studies (CALS). Mzamane died on 15 February, having made his mark through his writing and scholarship with titles including The Children of Soweto, The Children of the Diaspora and other stories of Exile and Where there is no Vision the People will Perish: Reflections on the African Renaissance. In addition to nightly showcases, there were daily activities including seminars and workshops to promote a culture of reading, writing and creative expression. Book launches took place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre’s Wellington Tavern deck with the first launch of the festival being (de) Monopolising Paradise by UKZN Professor Sultan Khan and Dr Lubna Nadvi.

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The festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Programme Manager Ms Tiny Mungwe speaks to the participants at the Centre for African Literary Studies on the UKZN PMB campus.

Performers at the Time of the Writer Opening Night

Professor Patrick Bond

The UKZN Zulu Department was treated to an appearance by Nomsa Mdlalose and Mshai Mwangola.

Professor Cheryl Potgieter

Prof Paulus Zulu (UKZN) speaks on "Writing the Policy Debate"

Time of the Writer participants at the Centre for African Literary Studies on the UKZN PMB campus.

Time of the Writer Schools Short Story winners with Gcina Mhlophe who presented the winners with book vouchers and cash prizes.

Together from left: College of Humanities PR Manager Ms Xoliswa Zulu; Humanities DVC Professor Cheryl Potgieter and festival Programme Manager Ms Tiny Mungwe.

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GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS 2014

The Mjwara family with graduates Nomalungelo Hlophe (front row, second left), Ms Yolanda Mjwara (front row, first right) and their grandmother Agnes Mjwara (centre). Pianist Mr Sibusiso Mashiloane graduated cum laude with a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance.

An unwavering passion for African Music and Dance (AMD) was the impetus for musician and choreographer Ms Thabile Buthelezi who was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Drama Performance Studies degree at a UKZN graduation ceremony.

Vice-Chancellor of the Great Zimbabwe University, Professor Rungano Jonas Zvobgo addresses a graduation audience. Ms Zanele Jele, graduates with an Honours degree in Gender Studies.

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Despite suffering a minor stroke during her studies, Ms Bongiwe Vilakazi graduated with a Master’s in Education degree

Professor Christine Stilwell was recognised as a Fellow at this year’s Graduation. She is pictured with the DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

Professor Sarojini Nadar, a Distinguished Teachers’ Award (DTA) recipient, stands proudly next to Professor Jonathan Draper who was recognised as a Fellow at this year’s Graduation.

Humanities DVC Professor Cheryl Potgieter with lecturer, master printmaker and founder of the Caversham Press, Mr Malcolm Christian, who received the Degree of Doctor of Literature honoris causa.

Wilderness Foundation executive director Mr Andrew Muir who received an honorary Doctor of Social Science degree from UKZN. He is seen with his two sons.

PhD graduate in Gender studies, Mr Tawanda Makusha, researched the different dimensions of a father’s involvement in bringing up children. He is seen with his daughter Tadiwa

Cancer survivor Ms Indira Gilbert graduates with a Doctorate in Social Work

Media student Mr Warwick Jones graduates cum laude. He is pictured with his mom Dr Nicola Jones

Ms Paula Hulley returned to UKZN after 30 years to graduate with her Honours in Fine Art.

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A lecturer at the School of Education, Ms Jacqueline Naidoo (centre), who recently graduated with her son, Predarshan (left) and daughter Kivanya (right). She is seen with her husband Trevor (second left).

Ms Nokubonga Mazibuko received an Honours degree cum laude in Gender Studies. She is seen with her supervisor Dr Maheshvari Naidu and her fiancé Mr Naledi Ngidi. Apart from her graduation another big event in her life is her marriage later this month!

A strong belief in Education saw Ms Sibusisiwe Mavuso, graduate with a master’s graduate in Population Studies.

Master’s in Population Studies graduate Ms Reesha Kara will present her research at a workshop titled Fertility Transition in the South hosted by the Collen Programme at the University of Oxford in England.

Research examining an integrated model of work related outcomes within the recruitment work setting earned Ms Zurayda Shaik a Doctorate in Industrial Psychology.

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Cutting Edge Research in sensitive sexuality areas

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Produced by the College of Humanities and Corporate Relations

Please submit newsworthy stories and/or leads to the College of Humanities Public Relations Office. Please contact us if you would like us to write up a story or attend an event.

College Public Relations Manager Xoliswa Zulu: zulux@ukzn.ac.za Tel: 031 260 1868 College Journalist Melissa Mungroo: mungroo@ukzn.ac.za Tel: 031 260 1848 College Web Administrator Sibongiseni Msomi: msomis@ukzn.ac.za Tel: 031 260 1107