POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP - In Partnership with
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POST-DOCTORAL
FELLOWSHIP
In Partnership with
1Message from NIHSS
T
he National Institute for the Humanities Academic leader, with more flexibility in terms of
and Social Sciences (NIHSS) in collaboration the direction of your research. The invaluable skills
with South African Universities; initiated and experience gained as a postdoc can be key
the Postdoctoral Research Capacity Building to future applications to tenure-track positions.
Programme as an opportunity to advance further This PDRF programme will advance knowledge
research and contributing to the changing epistemologies in the humanities and the social
landscape within the Broader Humanities and Social sciences.
Sciences field. Our implementation model for the Postdoctoral
The Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) programme, is to work with research centres within
constitute South African citizens, with priority given universities, where our postdoc fellows could work
to individuals who are NIHSS doctoral scholarship collaboratively in a structured environment.
alumni. The main goal of a postdoctoral fellowship This flagship programme is a commitment on our
is to develop professional and academic skills focus and priority to continue to serve and support
while still under the mentorship of an experienced the Humanities and Social Sciences Community!
3DR JOSEPH MAKANDA (UJ)
makandaphd2015@gmail.com
D
r Joseph Makanda is an upcoming Scholarship, UKZN, Joseph is also a member of the of four million migrants in South Africa. Most of the
professional and social sciences scholar South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS). migrants are spatially concentrated in three major
with a keen interest in conflict analysis, cities in South Africa – Johannesburg, Cape Town and
peacebuilding, conflict transformation, post-conflict SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: Durban.
reconstruction and development; international Upcoming publications In this paper, Joseph critiques the majority of
migration politics, governance and political Makanda, J., 2021. Conceptualisation, South African migration scholars’ assumption
transformation in Africa; women and African construction and negotiation of inter-migrant that in one way or another, migrants must be
leadership; and African indigenous approaches to support and care among Congolese, Burundian, either members or rely on government, NGOs and
peace and security. Joseph holds a PhD. in conflict and Zimbabweans in Yeoville, Johannesburg, migrants’ organisations if their physical, social, moral
transformation and peace studies from UKZN and South Africa. African Renaissance (Upcoming) and financial support needs are to be met. Using a
currently works as a postdoctoral research fellow There is growing literature revealing how the sequential exploratory design to gather and analyse
at the Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Study, mass influx of African migrants to Europe is raising qualitative data in the form of semi-structured
University of Johannesburg. He also holds an M.Soc. a widespread attention with sensationalist media interviews from 20 Congolese, 20 Burundians and
Sci in conflict transformation and peace studies, reportage likening it to an “exodus” where desperate 20 Zimbabweans, Joseph underscores that in the
a Bachelor of Social Sciences honours from UKZN Africans are escaping from poverty at home in absence of government and NGOs support, or formal
and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St Joseph’s search of opportunities in Europe. Today, due to the migrant associations, Congolese, Burundians and
Theological Institute. growing internal conflicts and economic constraints Zimbabweans depend on informal and voluntary
During his postgraduate studies, Joseph gained in countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo inter-migrant support and care within the South
considerable work experience as a contract lecturer (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Central African African polity. He concludes by arguing that inter-
and researcher in political science, international Republic (CAR), Zimbabwe and Mali, among other migrant support and care is because of social
relations, and the conflict and peace fields. He has African countries, an exodus of forced migrants in practices, relationships and friendships that allow
published and co-authored several articles, including large numbers to South Africa has emerged. As a migrants of different nationalities to lean on one
on peacebuilding from an African perspective, result, South Africa has become the number one another in time of need and give back when they
migration and conflicts, women and terrorism, post- country in Africa and among three globally in drawing can, without belonging to or being members of
election violence in Kenya and inter-ethnic conflicts an increased number of displaced people or refugees any formal and organised migrants’ or refugees’
in Africa. An alumnus of Leif Egeland Social Sciences from other parts of Africa. Currently, there are in excess association, government and NGOs.
4DR VIDETTE BESTER (UJ)
videtteb@gmail.com
D
r Vidette Bester has worked as a social
researcher in the mining sector in South
Africa and the Democratic Republic of
the Congo. She began her doctoral journey at the
University of Johannesburg in 2017 and completed
her PhD in Sociology in 2019. Her study explored
artisanal (Zama Zama) mining in South Africa,
and the role mining companies could play in
developing the sector. The findings provided a
new understanding of Zama Zama mining, and the
theoretical domain of corporate social responsibility
(CSR) offered possibilities for supporting and
developing artisanal mining. Developing the
artisanal mining sector in this manner can create
wider opportunities for historically disadvantaged
South Africans to benefit from the country’s mineral
resources. As a postdoctoral fellow, she will continue
her research on Zama Zama mining with a specific
focus on the role and challenges women face in this
marginalised sector.
5DR ALEX HALLIGEY (UJ)
alexhalligey@gmail.com
A
lex Halligey has a PhD in drama and urban called Unfathomable, directed by and co-created also contributed a chapter on the Mothertongue
studies through the University of Cape Town’s with Athena Mazarakis, and an ensemble work called Project’s 2005 Breathing Space production as
Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Diving, directed by Clara Vaughan. She is currently an example of working across professional and
Studies (CTDPS) and the African Centre for Cities, a in the final stages of co-editing a collection of community-based theatre practices for greater socio-
master’s degree in performance studies from New scholarly and creative contributions on South African spatial integration and equality in South Africa.
York University and a BA in theatre and performance, arts collective, the Mothertongue Project, due for As the Mothertongue Project book has been
also from UCT’s CTDPS. publication in June 2021. entering its final stages, Alex has been researching
Her research is concerned with theatre and and writing an article on speaking as place-
performance as research tools and conceptual lenses SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: making practice, using Zadie Smith’s NW as
for exploring the relationship between people and The main focus of Alex Halligey’s current work while a case study. Nearing completion, she will be
the built environment. holding an NIHSS-funded postdoctoral fellowship submitting this article by the end of March 2021
She recently completed a two-year research with the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study to the GeoHumanities journal for consideration for
fellowship with the South African Research Chair is the co-editing of a collection of scholarly writing publication.
in Spatial Analysis and City Planning, attached to on the Mothertongue Project, a Western Cape- In April 2021, Alex will be making an artistic
the Wits School of Architecture and Planning in based arts collective that focuses on promoting the product as research with a team of collaborators
Johannesburg, and is currently a postdoctoral fellow well-being of women and young people. The edited and with venue support from UJ Arts and Culture.
with the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced volume has just completed a double-blind peer The process will explore how to realise the
Study at the University of Johannesburg, under the review process with international reviewers and, theatricality of a stage play through film, working
supervision of Brenda Schmahmann’s SARChI Chair in with funding from the African Culture Fund, will be with Unfathomable, a production she co-devised
South African Art and Visual Culture. independently published by South Africa’s Modjaji with Athena Mazarakis in 2018 and 2019. Alex has
Alex’s monograph Participatory theatre and the Books and released in June 2021. The book gives also been invited to contribute a chapter on urban
urban everyday: Place and play in Johannesburg was critical consideration to the Mothertongue Project’s literary studies in Southern Africa for the Routledge
published by Routledge in 2020. Alongside scholarly 21 years of socially engaged practice in theatre and Companion to Urban Literary Studies, due for
work, she has an ongoing practice as a theatre maker. integrated arts methodologies. As well as co-editing publication in 2022. She will be submitting the first
Recent productions include a solo memoir piece the book and co-writing its introduction, Alex has draft of her chapter at the end of May 2021.
6DR DANIELLA RAFAELY (UJ)
daniellaweiss@gmail.com
D
r Daniella Rafaely is a postdoctoral
research fellow at the Johannesburg
Institute of Advanced Study. She studies
social interaction, social categories and common-
sense knowledge using a range of discursive
methodologies including conversation analysis
and discursive psychology. Her research focuses on
child homicides in South Africa, utilising a range of
everyday settings in order to examine the methods
by which morality is reproduced as a social institution
in everyday interactions.
7DR NADEEM MAHOMED (UJ)
nmahomed@gmail.com
D
r Nadeem Mahomed completed BA and between these minorities and larger orthodox
LLB degrees at Wits. He has clerked at the or normative tendencies, as well as civic publics.
Constitutional Court of South Africa and is an In this regard, Nadeem’s studies have analysed
attorney. His doctoral thesis titled “On the margins sexual and theological minorities and the fraught
of faith: A critical historical Ssudy of the minority but robust relationships that obtain through
Ahmadi Muslim community of Cape Town”, addresses intrareligious engagement and at the same time
the lack of scholarly works concerning the history how these engagements intersect with larger
of the Ahmadi Muslim community located in Cape civic iterations of liberalism, ethics and democratic
Town and presents an assessment of the intersection rights. He has presented his work at both local and
between politics and religious orthodoxy and heresy. international conferences and has published in both
South African and international journals, including
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: the flagship journal of his discipline, The Journal for
Nadeem Mahomed’s work focuses primarily the American Academy of Religion.
on the issue of minorities within Islam and the
discursive, socio-cultural and legal engagement
8DR PRINOLA GOVENDEN (UJ)
prinolag@gmail.com
D
r Prinola Govenden has worked in various in South Africa, which fits into the broader debate
academic, research, marketing and and dilemma of whether South African society and
communication capacities in her career, most institutions have truly transformed. She is working
recently as a teaching fellow for Wits Media Studies, on numerous journal articles that problematise
Visiting Scholar at University of Oslo and Researcher at South African print media transformation within
the Press Freedom Commission. She has a PhD, MA in the themes of acism and the media; Decolonising
media studies (passed with distinction) and Bachelor blackness representation; and De-westernising
of Arts, from Wits University. Her PhD (media studies) media theories; Africanising journalism. Dr Govenden
from Wits University is recognised by the Golden Key is also turning her PhD into a book, which focuses
International Honours society as ranking in the top on a critical political economy of the media analysis
15% of academic achievers globally. She is currently - rooted in a Marxist grounding, of South Africa’s
working at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced first 20 years of print media transformation. It
study (JIAS) as a postdoctoral research fellow. conducts a systemic critique of the country’s broad
transformation agenda from the vantage points of
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: media ownership, control, content and power. The
Dr Prinola Govenden’s fellowship focuses on provisional book title is: Perpetuating white power: the
de-westernising, decolonising, and Afrikanising South African print media’s token transformation in the
print media transformation, as well as journalism first twenty years of democracy.
9DR MOOROSI LESHOELE (UJ)
moorosileshoele@gmail.com
D
r Moorosi Leshoele holds a PhD in The study was about four interrelated key issues,
development studies from the University namely, critique of Thomas Sankara as a political
of South Africa (UNISA), a master’s degree figure and erstwhile president of Burkina Faso;
in public policy management from Wits University, examination of Pan-Africanism as a movement,
and a bachelor’s degree in political science and theory, ideology and uniting force for Africans and
psychology from the University of Cape Town people of African descent globally; evaluation of
(UCT). He is a postdoctoral research fellow at leadership and governance lessons drawn from
the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study Burkina Faso’s August 1983 revolution, its successes,
(JIAS). His research interests and niche areas are challenges and shortcomings, and lastly; it draws
political philosophy termed “Sankarism”, Pan socio-economic and developmental lessons from
Africanism, precolonial African history, Afrocentricity, the Burkina Faso experience under Sankara’s
endogenous eevelopment and regionalism. administration during the brief period from 1983
until his untimely assassination on 15 October 1987.
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: Two inter-related theories were used as the basis
Moorosi Leshoele’s research work centres on the and “compass” of the study. They are Pan Africanism
conceptualisation and linkages of Pan Africanism, and Afrocentricity – because they together centre
Afrocentricity and the African development and privilege the African people’s plight and
discourse. He is working on converting his PhD thesis agency and the urgent need for Africans to find
into a book. The title of his doctoral thesis is “Pan solutions to their own problems, in the same way
Africanism and African Renaissance in contemporary Sankara emphasised the need for an independent
Africa: lessons from Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara”. endogenous development approach in Burkina Faso.
10DR MBUSO NKOSI (UJ)
umbusowenkosi@gmail.com
M
y name is Dr Mbuso Nkosi and I am a were brutally murdered by farmers. Under this
versatile researcher, having worked in the scheme, prisoners found guilty of frivolous apartheid
fields of labour studies, industrial policy, crimes, such as not having the notorious apartheid
economic development, agrarian studies, archives pass, could ”volunteer” to work for nine shillings a day.
and social theory. I have served as the editor of the Their lives were dispensable. Their stories meet our
Global Labour Column (GLC) and the South African eyes again through the potatoes described as life-like
Labour Bulletin (SALB). As a postdoctoral fellow at and resembling the dead prison-farmworkers. I tell
JIAS, I will be writing a “historical present” book the stories from their eyes and how they continue to
on farmworker killings in potato farms in Bethal, haunt the land up to the present day.
Mpumalanga from the 1950s. The book builds on my What then of the spirits in the land? It is within
PhD thesis on the meaning of land. this book that the reader will uncover these grave
encounters. This book searches for a way of writing-
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: otherwise as it asks the question of the meaning of
It is rumoured that potatoes from the small farming land, which is entangled with being, identity and
town of Bethal, Mpumalanga, resemble humans home. It takes the ghosts of the “human potatoes”
because they were planted above the dead bodies of and tries to tell their story; of the brutality of the past,
farmworkers. This rumour was fuelled by the scandal of of the consequences of being homeless in the land
the 1940s-1950s when it was revealed that the workers they worked, and, for their contemporary kin, who
sent to work on farms by the Petty Offenders Scheme, still work the land.
11DR TEBOGO DAVID MAAHLAMELA (UJ)
maahlamela20@gmail.com
T
ebogo David Maahlamela is the author SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH:
of Moswarataukamariri (Timbila, 2006), The 1800s history of Bakôpá-Boers-Berliners
Sejamoled’ (Unisa Press, 2012) and encounters in the “South African Republic” (Transvaal)
Ditlabonyane (Maskew Miller Longman, 2012), as well from which Sekôpá language, the first “Sepedi/
as the compiler of an anthology, ‘ša Borala (Timbila, Sesotho sa Leboa” variant to be reduced into written
2014). His literary works have appeared in over 50 letters, was entangled in colonial entrapments that
literary journals and anthologies. presupposed the long pending standardisation
He served as the council member of the National and onomastic dispute. The study, however, is
Arts Council and the National English Literature holistically probing coloniality of knowledge with
Museum (now Amazwi). Tebogo is the former special focus on language, memory and knowledge,
director of University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for or simply language of history, which is in itself a
Creative Arts and the former chairperson of the Pan history of language or a history of ideas. The studies
South African Language Board (PanSALB). He is an encompasses, among others, translations, colonial
alumnus of the doctoral fellowship programme of dominances, resistances, conflicts, more so, works
the National Institute for the Humanities and Social of earliest Bakôpá wordsmiths and artists, especially
Sciences (NIHSS), as well as writing fellow of the Andries Sekoto, Johannes Serote, Mogababise “EM”
Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS). Ramaila, Gerárd Sekoto and Kgadime “OK” Matsepe.
12DR REJOYCE PHETHA (UJ)
rphetha@yahoo.com
D
r Rejoyce Hlengiwe Phetha is aninternational Rejoyce has held various administrative portfolios,
and political postdoctoral student at the including tutor, usher, mentor, administrator and
University of Johannesburg. She holds a residence assistant manager at UKZN. She was
PhD in international relations and political science awarded Golden Key International membership for
from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research excellent academic achievement for her master’s
interests include, among others, peacekeeping results and a certificate for presenting a paper at the
and conflict resolution. She has also undertaken 3rd BRICS Conference for Young Scientists, Durban.
research on South Africa’s foreign policy, access A postdoctoral fellow of the National Institute for
to education, employment and unemployment the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), Rejoyce
and corruption. Rejoyce had worked as research has a keen interest in international relations, youth
assistant for Prof Ndlovu and Prof Mkhize (both from development, gender-based violence, corruption
UKZN), which entailed conducting a study for the and ICT.
National Department of Tourism on Governance and Based on her experience, she has drafted several
Coordination of coastal and marine tourism, and journal papers which are not yet published: Cyril
a study on adoption and indigenous knowledge Ramaphosa and the rhetoric of coordinated African
systems (Afrikology centre). response to -COVID-19, Critical review of South
She obtained her master’s in international Africa’s foreign policy in promoting continental
relations, BA and B Soc Science honours degrees integration, and Corruption and political elitism:
from UKZN. Rejoyce worked as contract lecturer at friend or foe in siphoning natural resources in Africa.
UKZN, research Intern at Mzala Nxumalo Centre, Rejoyce is also a member of the Organization for
Pietermaritzburg, political science Intern at the Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
Department of Health (KZN), MEC Office. and The World Academy of Science (TWAS).
13DR JESSICA THORNTON (UP)
jessleighthornton@gmail.com
D
r Jessica Leigh Thornton is an anthropologist 5. Moments in time: field guides to the Eastern Cape has been on the male experience of crime and
and postdoctoral grantee of the National Volume 3. 2018. Nelson Mandela University the various strategies for reducing crime in the
Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences 6. How thinking of murderers as hunters could country (Dastile, 2010: 75). Consequently, little is
at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Both help the police. 2018. Available at: https:// known about the profile, nature and contributing
her postdoctoral and PhD studies focused on the theconversation.com/how-thinking-about- factors and experiences of female offenders which
experiences of crime, punishment and rehabilitation, murderers-ashunters-could-help-the-police90863 has impeded a comprehensive and integrated
with her postdoctoral research focused specifically 7. Moments in time: heritage as an identity of understanding of the subject of female criminality.
on the experiences of female offenders. Jessica meaning, memory and place. 2019. UNESCO Female offenders constitute only three percent of
is also Project Manager for the NRF NMU Oceans UNITWIN the prison population in South Africa (Department
Account Framework and in 2017, she served as 8. Gang-related activity contributing to high murder of Correctional Services, 2015: 9). Yet, female
Project Manager for a South African LOTTO funded Rates in Port Elizabeth. 2019. ASNA offenders have largely been ignored in research
project entitled ”Moments in time: field guides to 9. Including the Khoi-San for an inclusive Blue even though the minority status of female offenders
heritage in the Eastern Cape Province”. Her works to Economy in South Africa. 2020. Journal of Indian is a phenomenon that is not peculiar to South
date include: Ocean Region Africa as the number of women incarcerated has
1. Analysing and responding to the challenge increased by 68% within the decade (Dastile, 2010:
of gangsterism in Port Elizabeth. 2017. Nelson SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: 97). Dastile (2010: 97) notes that “the subject of
Mandela University In South Africa, policy reform, advocacy, security female criminality in Africa and in South Africa in
2. Evaluating interventions by the Department of and rehabilitation programmes continue to be particular, has either been almost totally ignored by
Human Settlements to facilitate access to the based on research and theories that were developed scholars or not been dealt with either in a systematic
City for the Poor. 2018. Department of Human to explain the experiences of men, while female or substantial manner”. Accordingly, researchers
Settlement (Ref: Va 50/259) offenders are seen as the “special category” of tend to depict women as victims of various types of
3. Moments in time: field guides to the Eastern Cape inmates. Yet, the experiences of women and crimes while they are ignored as offenders (Van der
Volume 1. 2018. Nelson Mandela University their pathways to incarceration are remarkably Hoven & Maree, 2005:70).
4. Moments in time: field guides to the Eastern Cape different from those of male offenders (Artz & Despite this low number of females in South
Volume 2. 2018. Nelson Mandela University Rotmann, 2015). That is, the focus of research African correctional facilities compared to males,
14the effect of imprisonment is markedly harsher economic deprivation, household disruption, the lives and experiences of incarcerated women
and living conditions are characterised by powerlessness, gender-specific sexualisation and (Artz et al, 2013; Luyt and du Preez, 2010; Haffejee,
overcrowding and a lack of facilities (Haffejee, Vetten exploitation, and social alienation and exclusion et al, 2005). Although Booysens and Steyn (2013)
& Greyling, 2006). This is largely due to theories (Dastile, 2017). These vulnerabilities may potentially generated some information on this, little is known
and programmes developed from a male-oriented interact and shape the specific contexts of why about the comprehensive demographic data,
lens and the few programmes available to female women choose to commit crimes. Therefore, female rehabilitation and reintegration. Thus, there is a
offenders to address their specific needs are limited offenders need to become a cause for concern need for further research on a gendered analysis of
in understanding the cultural backgrounds of the based on their increasing vulnerability (Johnson & the experiences of women in correctional facilities
women (Sarri, 2007:1). According to Dastile (2017: Zlotnick, 2008:371), as this group is highly likely to for women-specific rehabilitation.
167), within South Africa, there have been minimal recidivate. Thus, “the effects of imprisonment are
studies conducted on the gendered experience notably harsher for females due to their increased Aims of the research:
of offenders. While some studies have explored vulnerability, especially those with histories of 1. Examine the various pathways into and out of
the pathways to female offending (Nathoo, abuse” (Steyn & Hall, 2015: 85) and gender specific recidivism amongst female offenders
1997; Pillay, 2005; Haffejee et al, 2006), a gender concerns are not a priority. In line with this, Artz and 2. Investigate the experiences of punishment,
sensitive correctional programming for women Rotmann (2015: 3) agree that the experiences and rehabilitation and reintegration amongst female
that responds to their needs has been overlooked. pathways of women are remarkably different from offenders on parole
Luyt and du Preez (2010: 88) suggest that this those of men. Yet, reform continues to be based 3. Bring to light the experiences of punishment,
often leads to neglect of the needs of female almost entirely on research and theories that have rehabilitation and reintegration amongst female
offenders, not only in terms of programmes and been developed to explain the experiences of men. offenders serving non-custodial and special
services delivery to this minority group but also According to Artz and Rotmann (2015: 3), little is remission sentences
from a research perspective. According to Artz, known about the female offenders’ experience or 4. Explore the lived experiences of short-term female
HoffmanWanderer and Moult (2012), incarcerated the impact of their incarceration on their health, offenders and the possible links to recidivism due
women in South Africa are among the most socially well-being and their connections to people in to their exclusion from rehabilitation programmes.
and economically vulnerable members of society, their lives. To date, there have been only three
as their lives are marked by violence, extreme key contemporary empirical studies that explore
15DR KOLISWA MATEBESE-NOTSHULWANA (UP)
kolinotsh@yahoo.com
D
r Koliswa Matebese-Notshulwana is a SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH:
postdoctoral fellow at the University of A certified Professional Coach and a founder of
Pretoria. Although a trained teacher by Comforting Conversations, Koliswa is a highly
profession, she currently works as an analyst on motivated individual with a sense of achievement
national and global developments. She holds a and responsibility. She enjoys networking as a
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Pretoria. Her result, and attends conferences and presents papers
thesis was titled “A critical analysis of the oversight at various South African conferences. Her latest
role and function of the Standing Committee of on publications include: Weak procurement practices
Public Accounts (SCOPA) in promoting accountability and the challenges of service delivery in South
in South Africa’s public sector”. Koliswa also holds an Africa, in: Dorosamy, N and Fagbadebo, O (eds);
MPhil (South African Politics and Political Economy), Procurement, corruption and the crisis of governance
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Africa, 1st (ed). Palgrave Macmillan. (2021); the
and BA (Political Sciences) from the University of legislature and the challenges of re-imagining South
Port Elizabeth. She is the author of the book titled, “I Africa. (Co-published article with Dr Lebakeng, T.J.) In:
Kept on Crying”, which chronicles her experiences in Strategic Review for Southern Africa, (2020).
an abusive relationship and later marriage. She is a
mother to two boys, and her values include empathy,
integrity, commitment, honesty, reliability, open
mindedness and efficiency.
16DR LUVUYO KENNETH ZANTSI (UP)
dr.zantsi@gmail.com
D
r Luvuyo Zantsi graduated with a BA in experiencing is mostly driven by the ANC, more than
history in 1997, a postgraduate diploma any other political formation. The organisation was
in employment and social security law in also considered foremost in the struggle for human
2008 from the University of Cape Town and an MM rights and democracy in South Africa.
in public and development management from However, a lot has been written about human
the University of the Witwatersrand in 2004. He right abuses by its Department of Intelligence and
completed a PhD in public policy at Keele University Security (DIS), euphemistically known as Mbokodo
in 2020, having submitted a thesis with the title (the grinding stone). The ANC maintained the
“The approach of the African National Congress to department and, while acknowledging its mistakes,
participatory spaces in post-apartheid South African is full of praise for its work. This is not limited to
local government”. He has worked in the mining the ANC leadership, as ordinary members who had
industry, local and national government in South gripes with the department have expressed their
Africa. understanding for the need of such a department.
One of the most senior people ever to be detained
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: by the security department, then National
Working title: “Asset or liability? The value of the Executive Committee member Pallo Jordan, told the
Department of Intelligence and Security (DIS) to the Motsoenyane Commission that, despite its excesses,
African National Congress and the national liberation that department has been valuable to the ANC
struggle” and the organisation would have been destroyed
The study focuses on one department of the ANC without such a structure as the enemy infiltrated
as this party is the most dominant political formation it. This research focuses on this “good” that Jordan
in South Africa today and has been the governing and others have seen while not ignoring the bad.
party throughout the post-apartheid period. The This will be done through documentary analysis and
version of democracy that South Africans are semi-structured interviews.
17DR MHLAMULI HLATSHWAYO (UP)
Theodora.mlamuli@gmail.com
D
r Mlamuli Nkosingphile Hlatshwayo is a commentates in the media on the state of education
scholar in the field of higher education and politics in South Africa. He was a visiting scholar
and politics. His research interests at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of
include theorising transformation in the Global Education for 2018 and 2019. He is the 2021-2025
South; student movements; issues around Andrew W. Mellon Early Career Fellow and was
epistemological access and curricula; and the recently honoured among the Mail & Guardian 200
philosophy of education. He has an established Young South Africans for his contribution to the field
research publication record in the transformation of education for 2020.
of the South African education system. He
supervises postgraduate students and teaches SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH:
both undergraduate and postgraduate courses Mlamuli’s work revolves around trying to understand
to education students in the BEd and master’s the current decolonial struggles that are happening
programmes. He holds a PhD in higher education in South African higher education. He is interested
studies and master’s degree (cum laude) in political in exploring, thinking through and theorising the
and international studies from Rhodes University. emergent calls for transformation.
Mlamuli is a well-known public intellectual who
18DR YU-SHAN WU (UP)
yushanwu8@gmail.com
D
r Yu-Shan Wu completed her PhD narratives in external communication) and (2) China- media engagement in South Africa. Dissemination
(international relations) at the Department of Africa diplomatic and social relations (with recent events are planned for March/April 2021.
Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria. focus on China’s relations with South Africa). · A forthcoming co-authored report (April 2021) on
She was previously a research associate at the updates to China’s public diplomacy in Africa for
Africa–China Reporting Project (ACRP), Department SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: the South African Institute of International Affairs.
of Journalism, University of Witwatersrand (2018- Yu-Shan’s work builds off her PhD studies on China’s This piece looks at the new features of global
2020). The project aims to improve the quality public diplomacy in Africa. Given that Africa-China public diplomacy over the last five years and how
of reporting on Africa-China issues by providing relations dominate discussions around the continent’s the recent pandemic has impacted China’s image-
facilitation and capacity building for journalists via external engagements, her current work provides building on the continent.
reporting grants, workshops and other opportunities. nuanced understanding on aspects of these ties. The · Based on one of her PhD case studies, a journal
Prior to that position, she undertook research on projects she is involved in during 2021-2022 include: piece exploring China’s Belt and Road Initiative
foreign policy issues as a researcher (2010-2015) · A co-edited book with Professor Chris Alden (BRI) – a global transregional integration drive
and later senior researcher (2016-2017) at the South (London School of Economics (LSE)/ University of – and Africa. It focuses on how China utilises
African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Pretoria (UP)) titled South Africa–China Relations: A historical narrative and adapts it in order to gain
Johannesburg. These experiences helped contribute Partnership of Paradoxes (2021). The book consists support for the BRI.
to the empirical aspects of her PhD topic on China’s of 14 chapters with contributions from experts · To develop a concept note with her research
public diplomacy engagement in Africa. and practitioners on aspects of the bilateral leader, Professor Maxi Schoeman, for a 2022 book
Her research interests involve: (1) emerging relationship. Yu-Shan also contributed to a chapter project looking at South Africa and/ or Africa
countries and public diplomacy (in particular soft on the determinants of South Africa’s foreign policy and the Indian Ocean, which will include local
power instruments such as media and the use of towards China, as well as another chapter on China’s international relations experts and practitioners.
19DR YONELA VUKAPI (UP)
yonela.vp@gmail.com
D
r Yonela Vukapi is an NIHSS postdoctoral contexts in which adolescent girls and young women pregnancy rates among AGYW in South Africa. This has
fellow at the University of Pretoria (UP), make sense of their health. prompted programme planners and health managers
South Africa. She is an emerging scholar with She hopes her time at UP-NIHSS will help her to re-evaluate the assumptions of AGYW’s SRH needs.
research interests in public health communications; develop as an academic and hone her skills as a South Africa’s health system is characterised
her research interests have been specific to researcher to enable her to fulfil her ambition of by extreme social inequalities among women,
adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and bringing about meaningful change and development particularly AGYW in communities. For over a decade,
health, particularly focusing on primary healthcare in the lives of AGYW in South Africa. research in South Africa has shown that AGYW (aged
systems and their contributions tp behaviour 15-24) bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV
change patterns among AGYW. Vukapi has worked SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: infections, compared to their male peers, and acquire
on qualitative studies exploring young women’s The concept of a “youth-friendly” approach, that is, HIV infection at least five to seven years earlier than
response to HIV prevention and teenage pregnancy. tailoring health services to address the health needs men. AGYW accounted for 24% of HIV infections
She has also worked on external projects that of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and the in 2019, more than double their 10% share of the
have broadened her knowledge of AGYW as a key unique barriers they face, with the aim of promoting population. HIV prevalence among AGYW is nearly
population in South African health. greater access to and use of health services, has four times greater than that of young men.
Her research with AGYW has broadened her received increased attention. Sexual and reproductive Unequal gender norms, gender-based violence
methodological approach and the use of research health (SRH) services specifically tailored to AGYW (GBV), socio-cultural, biological and psychological
tools by using participatory visual methods (PVM) to are a fairly recent public health initiative. Previously, factors have all been cited as key contributors to the
understand risk behaviour in light of the high risk of AGYW attending primary healthcare clinics were not high rates of HIV among girls and young women in
HIV infection among AGYW in South Africa. Vukapi’s considered to need SRH services because of the way South Africa. Therefore, this warrants the need for
research in this field places her in a niche group of society viewed the norms of adolescent sexuality. research that is conscious of the social and cultural
social change and health communication scholars, Significant social change has taken place due to the contexts in which these young women make SRH
exploring the cultural, social and psychological continuous increase in HIV infection and teenage decisions.
20from this community suggests that comedy is one
avenue with which South African Indians are able to
perform their identities. In all, I consider the South
African Indian community’s rejection of the notion
that they are not a diaspora of India, but rather
fully-fledged South Africans with no yearning for
DR VIDHYA SANA (UP) a mythical “home”. Comedy, in its proliferation in
vidhyasana@gmail.com South Africa, and as a useful medium to be able to
speak about issues that are considered taboo, allows
for the gathering of a rigorous data set to be able to
explore issues of identity and belonging in post-
apartheid South Africa.
The articles I aim to publish consider the works of
Riaad Moosa, Peru and Bala, Karou Charou and the
movie, Keeping up with the Kandasamy’s. Through an
analysis of the various themes that these comedic
acts preoccupy themselves with, inferences can be
made about the ways in which the South African
Indian community addresses issues of identity and
M
y name is Dr Vidhya Sana and I am exploring how minority communities such as the belonging in South Africa. Tropes of religion, food
currently a postdoctoral fellow at the South African Indian community use popular media, and cultural symbols, such as dress and Bollywood,
University of Pretoria. I completed my complexities of identity and belonging in post- reveal that some members of the community
PhD in media studies through the University of the apartheid South Africa can be revealed. articulate acts of cultural memory in an attempt to
Witwatersrand in 2020. My research interests are During my tenure at the University of create a sense of belonging within the community.
primarily situated in the field of cultural studies. I am Witwatersrand, I was also employed as a member of The traditional notions of patriarchy that
specifically interested in the complexities of race and the teaching staff in the Media Studies Department, governed apartheid South Africa and Indian cultures
gender and how the two intersect in post-apartheid where I gained a vast knowledge of teaching topics (and still continue to govern) are maintained within
South Africa. in media studies, cultural studies and political the community through notions of gender roles,
The prevalence of popular culture as a means economy. I aim to continue my academic career sexual morality and the maintenance of traditional
of negotiating and exploring identities in a post- through building a strong research portfolio based notions of masculinity, femininity and sexuality.
apartheid milieu has been a focal point of my recent on the interests outlined above. Finally, the increasing influence of neoliberal
research. I completed my PhD with a thesis that capitalism has meant that some performances of
considered South African Indians and their use of the SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: comedy have adopted an excessive character (the
medium of comedy as means of negotiating identity Post-apartheid South Africa saw many communities figure of the “Charou” in particular), along with
and belonging in post-apartheid South Africa. While attempt to negotiate anxieties of identity and exploring anxieties of excess and the freedom to
a wealth of research has considered the socio- belonging in the new cultural landscape that came consume in their themes. I ultimately explore how
economic impact of apartheid on communities along with democracy. The South African Indian South African Indians see themselves in relation
across South Africa, I recognise that there is a need community, in particular, has navigated issues of to the global Indian diaspora, in relation to other
to conduct research on minority communities identity and belonging in a society largely informed South Africans, and in relation to each other within
and their use of popular culture, as well as the by a black/white binary. They have done so in the community through the exploration of these
representations in said popular culture products. By various ways. The rise of comedic acts stemming themes.
21resource of visual information pertaining to Southern Unlike some of her contemporaries working
African rock art. While conducting my research I on rock art in the early part of the 20th century,
employed the insights afforded me as a practising Goodall’s research has received little attention from
artist to examine and illuminate the often-illusive academics in the five decades since her death. I
processes involved in creating rock art reproductions. found Goodall’s career interesting to compare with
Over this time, I also developed a keen interest in the rock-art-related research and formal production
the relationship between creative/ artistic practice of the acclaimed South African artist Walter Battiss,
and scientific research. Since completing my PhD with whom Goodall corresponded on rock-art-
in 2019, I have been using my artistic practice to related matters and whose career she followed.
further develop and explore themes unearthed over Both researchers worked intensively on rock art and
the course of my studies. My conceptual framework produced many pictures inspired by the art (although
derives from my years spent conducting primary in different ways and with different outcomes). My
research in archives, where I developed an awareness research focuses on a “quieter” kind of scholarship
of the power structures that are historically that operates beneath the dominant narratives that
implicit in knowledge production. Through a visual often overshadow a more sensitive and creative
engagement with archival materials and “women’s engagement with the art on the rocks.
work”, I consider the presence of women in archives In a post-apartheid South Africa, the treatment of
and historical documents. I employ the use of thread heritage and archives can often result in reductive
and stitching in my work to further probe and disrupt cultural stereotypes. However, as I demonstrate in
the art/craft divide. my doctoral thesis, this approach can be combatted
In 2020 I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship by sensitively revisiting archival documents and
by the University of Pretoria and the NIHSS. Over the considering them (and their makers) from the
DR LAURA DE HARDE (UP) next two years, I will be working towards extending vantage point of the 21st century. In addition, my
laura.deharde@gmail.com the predominantly text-based research of my thesis PhD research drew on insights gleaned from my
and combining it with my own artistic practice. I will artistic practice, to examine and illuminate the
be exploring archival materials, including but not sometimes-illusive processes involved in creating
limited to, the University of Pretoria archives, with a rock art reproductions. The interdisciplinary nature
specific interest in the role women occupy/occupied of my work focuses on the entanglement and
in research. My two-year Fellowship will culminate in relationship between creative/artistic practice and
a solo exhibition. scientific research.
M
y name is Dr Laura Harde and I am a With debates in the last few decades challenging
postdoctoral fellow at the University of SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH: and broadening the concept and practice of
Pretoria. Over the course of the two-year postdoctoral “archive”, the less formal, more fragmentary, surplus
In 2019 I completed my PhD in the discipline of fellowship, I am expanding and elaborating on my documents that are not necessarily included and
History of Art at the University of the Witwatersrand. PhD, the central thesis of which was to illuminate engaged with in the published realm merit revisiting.
This event marked the culmination of five years of and re-evaluate issues of gender and the role Working with the University of Pretoria archives,
cross-continental research in archives and museums of artistic sensibilities that silently structure the I am studying a selection of historical documents
in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Germany. My research ways in which Southern African rock art has been alongside formal scholarship and publications as a
also necessitated trekking through the Southern interpreted over decades. Through a focus on the way of providing texture and context to the past.
African landscape in search of rock art shelters and “quieter contribution” of women rock art researchers, Along with two articles (currently in review) and a
other remote locales. I also immersed myself in an my doctoral thesis, titled “Elizabeth Goodall: A quiet chapter I am writing for a book, my Fellowship will
archive of hand-painted copies of rock paintings contribution to rock art research in southern Africa”, culminate in a solo exhibition of my artistic research
produced by the artist-researcher Elizabeth Goodall drew on an archive of hand-painted copies of rock curated in conversation with a selection of archival
from the 1930s until her death in 1971. The archive, paintings produced by the artist-researcher Elizabeth materials and artworks carefully selected from the
housed in Zimbabwe, presented a largely untapped Goodall from the 1930s until her death in 1971. University of Pretoria collections.
22DR STANLEY MOLEFI (UP)
stmolefi@gmail.com
D
r Stanley Molefi attained his MA in power and how the latter remains constant across Books and/or chapters in books
psychology from the University of space and time, are some of the most critical aspect • Makiwane, M., Gumede, N, A. & Molefi, S. (2016).
Stellenbosch and PhD (psychology) from the of the literature that Stanley finds appealing. A Continuity and change: Relationships, childbearing
University of Pretoria. The key area of focus related to case in point is the surge of GBV that has engulfed and children’s living arrangements. In M.
the latter degree concerned the correlations between South Africa and how the use of power seems to Makiwane., M. Nduna. & E. Khalema (Eds.), Children
the configuration of sexual relationships and HIV. In be the pervading constant. The most interesting in South African families (pp. 24 – 40). United
this literature, the argument is that promiscuity is areas of theories that focus on the use of power Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars
erroneously attributed as a key contributing factor in the establishment of relationships, especially
to the incidents of HIV. In reality, it is the unethical those that are sexual in nature, is how the concept Non-refereed scientific publications or popular
practice of sexual infidelity that proliferates this virus. of power is sustained in societal norms. Although, scientific articles
Stanley’s research interests are not only broad but these norms are highly fragile and continuously • Nduna, M., Molefi, S., Sefanyetso, K. & Oliphant,
transdisciplinary in nature with a strong focus on interrupted, the use of power reveals itself in societal B. (2020). The dawn of HealerTherapist in South
implementation of field programmes. This includes maladies such as GBV. To this end, Stanley’s current Africa. Retrieved from: https://blogs.bmj.com/
project-related activities in the area of public health project concentrates on sexual harassment in higher medicalhumanities/2020/09/03/the-dawn-of-
through his previous role as a project lead in different education institutions. The irony of this project is that healer-therapist-in-south-africa/
organizations. Primary research is another field of although higher education institutions are revered • Nduna, M., Molefi, S., Sefanyetso, K. & Oliphant,
scientific work that he has strong interest in, and this for innovation and as centres of knowledge, they B. (2020). The emergence of a HealerTherapist in
is reflected in a range of empirical research projects seem unable to address how power is erroneously South Africa. Retrieved from: https://blogs.bmj.
that he was involved in, particularly during his understood and used. com/medicalhumanities/2020/09/08/2-in-1-the-
employ at the Human Sciences Research Council. As emergence-of-a-healer-therapist-in-south-africa/
a research-applied social scientist, Stanley has had SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH:
the privilege of applying this skill set across different Publications in peer-reviewed/refereed journals Technical/policy reports
industries, including the NGO sector, government (submitted) • Gillespie, N., Essack, Z., Molefi, S., Gumede, N. & van
departments, as well private sector. • Molefi, S. & Blokland, L. E. (in-press). An evaluation Rooyen, H. (2017). A situational analysis and critical
As an academic, theory-oriented literature also of partner reduction HIV prevention policies: A review of sexual health and HIV services for LGBTI
forms the corpus of fellowship that he applies with case of six Southern African countries. Journal of (with a focus on MSM) in Southern Africa. HSRC:
much interest. Theories that focus on the history of Critical Policy Studies Sweetwaters Revised February 2016 Page 19 of 21
23of IPV extremely well. I have witnessed it, I have SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH:
experienced it and I have experienced its aftermath. Bernardi, DA & Steyn, F. 2021. Developing and testing
In addition, my doctoral study afforded me extensive a Christian-based programme to address depression,
research regarding this subject matter. anxiety and stress in intimate partner violence. Journal
The current research project incorporates an of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought,
interpretivist perspective which views my own 40(1), 39-67.
subjective experience of IPV as one of the strengths
of the study. For a long time, I contended that the NIHSS Best Paper Award on 5 November 2020 titled:
prognosis for abusive partners is zero because of Gender-based violence: Fact or fiction?
the repetitive pattern of the violence and the empty
promises to change. Perpetrators of IPV are often Gender-based violence: Fact or fiction? Paper
master manipulators and pathological liars. Although presented at the Virtual Inaugural Humanities and
I recognise the vibrancy of the multireligions of Social Sciences Alumni Conference. 4-5 November
humankind, I have focused on a Christian perspective 2020.
with regard to intervention. I purport that cognitive
transformation is required for long-term behavioural Bernardi, DA & Steyn, F. 2019. A model for female-
changes. For a Christian, the Holy Spirit does the perpetrated domestic violence. Victims & Offenders,
renewing work and can turn a robber into a saint. It 14(4),441-461.
is not a matter of “I must change”. It is a matter of
cooperating with the Holy Spirit and growing in life “Mother, you put my dad in his grave”: An intrinsic case
(i.e. gaining more of Christ). study of domestic violence. Paper presented at the
DR DELIA BERNARDI (UP) The inclusion of faith need not be seen as being CRIMSA International Biennial Conference. 2-4 August
deliab@mweb.co.za incompatible with secular service delivery. Most 2017, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
studies on human behaviour wittingly overlook
theological principles as if they are in conflict with Intervention for intimate partner violence. Paper
science. However, the human spirit is as integral to presented at the National NIHSS Doctoral Conference.
M
y name is Dr Delia Anastasia Bernardi and I human functioning as is the body and the mind (1 2-3 November 2016, Tambo Conference Centre,
am a postdoctoral fellow at the University Thessalonians 5:23). Johannesburg, South Africa.
of Pretoria’s Department of Social Work and Perhaps of particular importance is that faith
Criminology. transcends culture, race and tradition. Faith has the Intimate partner violence: Not a matter of patriarchy,
My research focus is intimate partner violence potential to “decolonise” intervention which is typically but rather a malfunction of conscience. Paper
(IPV) and intervention. My ontological orientation is based on modalities vested in western culture. A faith- presented at the Postgraduate Student Conference
that I derive some knowledge from past experience. I based programme is conducive to anti-oppression, on Humanities Day, 8 September 2016, University of
witnessed IPV throughout my childhood and even into equality and inclusion while still appreciating diversity, Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
adulthood. In accordance with the intergenerational as the person’s new identity or sense of self is found in
transmission of violence, I too fell prey to becoming the all-inclusive and universal Christ Jesus. The crucial RESEARCH PROJECT
a victim of partner abuse for many years. When I point is not to negate our cultural affiliation because Title: Evaluation of a Christian-based intervention
eventually terminated a physically abusive on-and-off the issue is not culture versus no culture, it is culture programme for perpetrators of intimate partner
relationship of eight years, I merely stepped into the versus Christ. Caring for Jesus Christ and living by Him violence
next one six months later when I got married in 1992. as the apostle Paul declared, “it is no longer I who live, Submitted for ethical clearance: 21 October 2020
I was married for nine years until I got divorced in but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Hence, Application conditionally approved: 26 November
2001. My ex-husband’s abusive behaviour continued I advocate a multidisciplinary or biopsychosocio- 2020
throughout his lifetime until he succumbed to spiritual approach to IPV that necessitates multilateral Application approved: 4 December 2020
COVID-19 in January 2021. Therefore, my research services, in conjunction with a family, community and
focus not only has a profound and personal church response towards the eradication of violence
significance for me, but I understand the phenomenon towards women, men and children.
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