Prof Marwala shares his vision on the Fourth Industrial Revolution - University of Johannesburg
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ISSUE #2 September 2018 OFFICIAL UJ ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Prof Marwala shares his vision
on the Fourth Industrial Revolution
ESTHER MAHLANGU CHIEF JUSTICE PROF ROBERT
recognised for MOGOENG MOGOENG FRY ENGLE
her legacy as a Acknowledged for his notable The 2003 Nobel
cultural entrepreneur. contributions within the laureate in economics.
judiciary sphere.
HKLM/0481
HKLM/0481
NEW! FULLY ONLINE
NEW! FULLY ONLINE
Our Programmes are now more accessible.
Our Programmes are now more accessible.
Towards the end of 2017, UJ launched four 100% online only programmes. These first-of-its-kind online
degrees
Towards were theof
the end Master
2017, UJof Public Health,
launched four the
100% Master ofonly
online Public Management
programmes. andfirst-of-its-kind
These Governance, the Master
online
of Education Management, and the Master of Education in Information and Communication
degrees were the Master of Public Health, the Master of Public Management and Governance, the Master Technology.
of Education Management, and the Master of Education in Information and Communication Technology.
UJ has now launched its second batch of 100% online only programmes, including the following
four
UJ has additional online programmes:
now launched its second batch of 100% online only programmes, including the following
four additional online programmes:
- Bachelor of Commerce in International Accounting
-- Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Human Resource Management
in International Accounting
-- Advanced Diploma in Financial Markets
Bachelor of Human Resource Management
-- Advanced
Advanced Diploma
Diploma inin Transportation
Financial MarketsManagement
- Advanced Diploma in Transportation Management
By going online, UJ is offering learning opportunities that accommodate logistical
challenges
By such as
going online, UJ full-time
is offeringemployment, geographical
learning opportunities location,
that family obligations,
accommodate logistical
and a host such
challenges of other challenges
as full-time that our modern
employment, studentlocation,
geographical body faces.
family obligations,
and a host of other challenges that our modern student body faces.
To find out more, visit online.uj.ac.za and for any specific questions,
To findenquiries@online.uj.ac.za
email or call
out more, visit online.uj.ac.za and0800 980specific
for any 354 (tollquestions,
free).
email enquiries@online.uj.ac.za or call 0800 980 354 (toll free).
CONTENTS
02
Prof Marwala
Sharing his vision
on The Fourth
Industrial Revolution
11
Prof Basie von Solms
Research Professor in UJ’s Academy
for Computer Science and Software
Engineering
22
Itumeleng Sekhu
Burn survivor,
+
media personality and
motivational speaker
6 Esther Mahlangu recognized for her legacy as a cultural entrepreneur.
8 Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng acknowledged for his notable contributions within the judiciary sphere.
9 Prof Robert Fry Engle, the 2003 Nobel laureate in economics receives an honorary doctorate from UJ.
10 Prof Omotayo Arotiba is honored with Professorial Inauguration.
13 JIAS, advancing excellence and diversity.
18 Professorial Inaugural address of Prof Marlize Lombard.
20 UJ researchers discover family of silver-based anti-cancer drugs.
24 Motheo Khoaripe, eNCA business journalist and markets anchor.
26 Mike Sharman, living his best life.
28 Roger Haitengi, Namibian athlete and head of UJ’s Athletics Club.
31 Unbeaten UJ women take USSA football title.
32 UJ takes seventh USSA squash title.
34 UJ Choir wins at the World Choir Games 2018.
39 UJ Library hosts a series of events.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 1
PROFESSOR TSHILIDZI MARWALA WAS APPOINTED AS THE
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG’S SECOND VICE-CHANCELLOR
AND PRINCIPAL IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. AN EMINENT
SCHOLAR WITH A DISTINGUISHED RECORD. HE HOLDS MORE
THAN 45 HONOURS AND AWARDS, INCLUDING THE ORDER OF
MAPUNGUBWE, SOUTH AFRICA’S HIGHEST HONOUR, GRANTED
BY THE PRESIDENT FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE
INTERNATIONAL ARENA.
“My vision is to position the new forms of machine intelligence,
University of Johannesburg in the breakthrough materials and
Fourth Industrial Revolution”, said approaches to governance that
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala in his rely on cryptographic methods.
inaugural speech. “Those who will
Prof Marwala said that UJ was
thrive in the Fourth Industrial age
a leading university in such
will have to understand the world,
technologies and it should
and the University of Johannesburg
be linked to the innovation
should therefore be at the forefront
architecture of South Africa
of laying down a foundation for the playing “a critical role in increasing
University of the 22nd century”. the productivity of our industrial
But what exactly is the Fourth sector and, thereby, reducing the
Industrial Revolution? And what challenges of unemployment,
does it specifically mean for UJ? inequality and poverty”.
Prof Marwala described the Fourth “We should create an environment
Industrial Revolution as one which for our staff and students to
is going to integrate humans and master the tools of the Fourth
machines, the physical and the Industrial Revolution”, he said. “We graduates must have fluency of
cyber, a technological revolution should bring technology into our ideas. Fluency of ideas means that
that will transform the world. He classrooms, whether by means of our graduates must be able to
explained how the First Industrial blended learning or robotic tutors. come up with multiple ideas about
Revolution occurred in England in We should use technology to
a topic. Our graduates must be
the 17th century, bringing the steam monitor the progress of
active, agile and adaptive learners”.
engine and the mechanisation our students”.
of goods. The Second Industrial Prof Marwala stressed that the
“We should increase the graduation
Revolution happened largely in the other vital skill for the Fourth
rates of our students. We should
United States and was connected Industrial Revolution is judgement
increase the qualification levels of
to the generation of electricity. The and decision making. “A robot
our staff. We should deepen our
Third Industrial Revolution came will not be able to decide how
international profile by bringing
about because of the invention of the world into our classrooms and we should deal with migration
semiconductors in the 1950s, giving taking our staff and students into of destitute people or about
us a transistor and ushering in the the world. We should aim to have ethics or how to convince a
electronic age. 20% of our staff to be international leader of a country that war is an
by the year 2025 and 15% of our inappropriate way of
The Fourth Industrial Revolution,
students to be international by the handling disputes”.
he said, is the advent of cyber-
year 2020”. He said students should be treated
physical systems involving entirely
new capabilities for people and “We are required to train scientists well and that campuses should be
machines as technology becomes and engineers who understand safe spaces for generating new
embedded within society and humanities and social sciences. and very often provocative ideas.
even within our bodies. He used We are to train social scientists “UJ will master the Fourth Industrial
examples such as genome editing, who understand technology. Our Revolution only if we invest in
2 ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
Prof Tshilidzi Marwala
shares his vision
our implementation capacity and Prof Marwala told Impumelelo “I have visited divisions and
infrastructure. Our approach should recently that significant progress faculties on all four campuses. I
facilitate open engagements. It had been made in the course of the have interacted with our students
should facilitate blended learning year, from streamlining registration and unions to deal with all the
where technology is the integral to resolving labour issues. He outstanding issues, especially
part of teaching and learning”. said that his major challenge around salary negotiations. We
was increasing the graduation
He said one of his immediate have overhauled our systems of
rate of students. “Also how do I
priorities was the newly established financial governance to prevent
create a culture of responsible
Johannesburg Business School, future lapses in governance. I have
behaviour, of working hard and of
which would “facilitate the flow of met with industrial players to create
being ambitious in our students?”
the latest technology, leadership he asked. “How do I take UJ to programmes and projects
and management to our industrial industry and bring industry to that are of mutual benefit. Now
and government sectors”. Another UJ, especially given the serious is the time! I therefore call all our
was to establish a Medical School. financial governance challenges we stakeholders in society, industry,
“Again, we need to mobilise experienced last year that led to government, domestic and
support from both local and the departure of senior leaders of international as well as our alumni,
national governments to achieve our university? How do staff and students to join me in
this. We will be seeking also the I deal with outstanding issues this great initiative of taking our
participation of the private medical around accreditation and how do University into the Fourth Industrial
industry. Our Medical School should I create a university of the Fourth Age. Let us jointly mobilize our
Industrial Age?” intellectual and physical resources
allow graduates with three-year
degrees to complete a medical He said he had adopted a strategy to facilitate success in this
degree in four years”. of communication. great initiative”.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 3
Accountancy@UJ
A Leader in Accounting Education
SAICA ITC
2018 results
South African Institute of
Chartered Accountants
Initial Test of Competence
Congratulations
to Simon Basson
achieving the
number 1 position
Another UJ candidate,
Brett Black, was also
placed in the Top 10.
#UJAllTheWay
Accountancy@UJ
@UJAccountancy
accountancy@uj.ac.za
www.uj.ac.za/accounting
011 559 3153
The Future
College of Business and Economics Reimagined
— A N ATO L E F R A N C E
Honorary
“Through my art, I have seen Mahlangu, who with song, cheers
the world. In turn, the world and a standing ovation accepted
learned about my Ndebele an honorary doctoral degree from
heritage. I speak isiNdebele, I walk the University of Johannesburg
isiNdebele and I wear isiNdebele (UJ) on Monday, 9 April 2018.
– it is my culture. I am humbled
and honoured to receive this “With this honorary doctorate,
prestigious accolade for keeping we recognise Esther Mahlangu
my culture alive for the generation for her legacy as a cultural
to come after me.” This was entrepreneur, skillfully negotiating
the sentiment of South Africa’s local and global worlds, and as an
foremost Ndebele artist and educator. Indeed, as a visionary,
international icon, Esther Nikwambi she traverses what to others are
6 ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
insurmountable political barriers. Swedish fashion designer, and Culture Award, an award from
From now on it is Dr Mahlangu!” Eytys, who embroidered Ms the French Ministry of Culture, two
said Professor Federico Freschi, Mahlangu’s designs on to the awards from Radio Ndebele, and
the Executive Dean of the Faculty Doja Mahlangu series. many others from South Africa
of Art, Design and Architecture and abroad.
Over the past three decades,
(FADA) at UJ.
Ms Mahlangu has exhibited both “In the context of current debates
Ms Mahlangu began painting as a mural and canvas paintings in South African institutions of
child. At the age of 10, her mother throughout Europe, Asia, North higher learning on questions of
and grandmother, in accordance and South America, also capturing decolonisation of the curriculum,
with tradition, taught her the art of the imagination of more than Ms Mhlangu is a living example of
Ndebele homestead wall painting one generation on social media how authentic African knowledge
and beadwork. Her work came through charitable campaigns.
systems can be articulated
to international attention in 1989
She collaborated with American meaningfully and sustainably”,
after her inclusion in the important
singer, songwriter, musician and said Prof Freschi.
exhibition Magiciens de la terre,
actor John Legend in a 2017
held at the Centre Pompidou “In her, we have an icon worthy
Belvedere Vodka advertising
in Paris. of being looked up to by the next
campaign, along with RED
generation of creatives, and the
In 1991, she painted the 525i model (a Bono-founded charitable
University, in particular. FADA is
for the BMW Art Car Series, the organisation) to raise awareness
first woman and the first person greatly honoured to confer the
and raise funds for the fight
from outside Europe or the United against HIV/AIDS in Africa. degree of Philosophiae Doctor
States to do so. Her designs also honoris causa upon her.”
As a national icon and custodian
covered the tails of British Airways Ms Mahlangu concluded:
of heritage Ms Mahlangu has been
aircraft in 1997, and the new Fiat “This honour bestowed on me
honoured with awards and medals
500. today binds me to this institution
by Government many times, and
In 2017, artist Imani Shanklin by more than one South African that shares my passion. I have
Roberts celebrated her with a president. She received the Order respect for the University
mural on a Tribeca boulevard in of Ikhamanga, silver class, in 2006, and its endeavours to
New York. In collaboration with as well as the Mpumalanga Arts promote Africanism.”
Doctorates
Esther Mahlangu
“THIS HONOUR BESTOWED ON ME TODAY BINDS ME
TO THIS INSTITUTION THAT SHARES MY PASSION.
I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS
ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE AFRICANISM.”
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 7
Honorary Doctorate Chief Justice
Mogoeng Mogoeng
“The Constitution of the Republic
of South Africa challenges all of us
to recognise that once upon a time
there were injustices in this country
and today, we believe that South
Africa belongs to all who live in it
and may God bless South Africa.”
These were the sentiments of
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng,
who was acknowledged with an
honorary doctoral degree by the
University of Johannesburg (UJ) on
Tuesday, 27 March 2018.
The University conferred an
honorary doctorate on Chief
Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng in
recognition of his pioneering
commitment to serving humankind
by upholding the independence
of the judiciary and by promoting
access to justice in tangible ways.
This has earned him widespread
respect and admiration for
serving humankind.
Speaking ahead of the conferral,
the Chancellor of UJ, Prof
Njabulo Ndebele highlighted the
significance of such an honorary
From left: The Registrar, Professor Burger Kinta,
degree – both to the recipient
and chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng.
and to the University, pointing out
that this honorary doctorate is
THIS HONORARY DOCTORATE IS CONFERRED UPON conferred upon Judge Mogoeng
JUDGE MOGOENG AS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR as an acknowledgement of his
notable contributions within the
HIS NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WITHIN THE JUDICIARY judiciary sphere - which should
remind South Africans to take the
SPHERE - WHICH SHOULD REMIND SOUTH AFRICANS TO
Constitution as a guide that will
TAKE THE CONSTITUTION AS A GUIDE WHICH WILL GIVE give us unity to build our country
and to reconcile us all as South
US UNITY TO BUILD OUR COUNTRY AND TO RECONCILE Africans.
US ALL AS SOUTH AFRICANS. Mogoeng Thomas Reetsang
Mogoeng, born in 1961, is the Chief
Justice of the Republic of South
Africa, having assumed office
on 8 September 2011. Through
his exemplary leadership of the
judicial branch of government,
he has steadfastly advanced the
8 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOconstitutional values of human
dignity, equality and freedom;
non-racialism and non-sexism;
the supremacy of the Constitution
and the Rule of Law.
“Through his actions, Judge
Mogoeng has been concretising
each of the core values of the
University. An unquestionable
ethical foundation is evident
from his judgements in the
Constitutional Court, delivered
without fear or favour, as well
as from his public addresses
and publications. He has earned
trust and credibility through
judgments that were critical of
executive decisions and conduct;
of parliamentary rules and
conventions; and of legislation
that does not conform to the
Constitution, resisting political
pressure and maintaining judicial
Prof Robert Fry Engle
independence”, said the Executive
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof
Letlhokwa George Mpedi.
Judge Mogoeng’s commitment to
judicial independence has a wider WORLD-RENOWNED ECONOMIST
purpose: promoting access to
justice by regenerating the judicial The 2003 Nobel laureate in features, autoregressive conditional
system. “His quest for institutional economics, Prof Robert Fry Engle duration and more recently, dynamic
was acknowledged with an honorary conditional correlation models,”
legitimacy of the judiciary is
doctoral degree by the University of says Prof Van Lil, the Executive
rooted in the realisation that
Johannesburg (UJ) on Monday, 19 Dean of the College of Business
many South Africans felt alienated
February 2018. and Economics.
from the court system”, said
Prof Mpedi. “This is a proud moment for both Prof Engle’s Autoregressive
the college and myself. An honorary Conditional Heteroscedasticity
During his tenure as Chief
doctorate is conferred upon an models (ARCH) have become
Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng has individual as an acknowledgment indispensable econometric tools
made a decided impact on and for his/her notable contributions employed by private and public
contribution to South African to a specific field or outstanding sector economic researchers and
society. This is clear from two service to society which relates practitioners operating as financial
awards made to him in 2017. to the universities vision, mission, market analysts and economic
Mogoeng Mogoeng has received values, and strategic goals and decision makers.
the Biko Fanon award from the objectives. Association with the
Prof Van Lill points out that the
Pan-African Psychology Congress university forms part of the reason
University is honoured by Prof
for contributing to psychological why we confer honorary doctorates.
Engle’s acceptance of a UJ honorary
liberation. The award commends Today we honor and celebrate
doctorate in Economics. “The
him for contributing to public Professor Robert Fry Engle” says the
commitment of the CBE School of
awareness and creating a source Vice Chancellor of the University of
Economics to quality econometric
of hope for morality in the country. Johannesburg, Professor Tshilidzi
education and training will be
He was also voted 2017 South Marwala.
enhanced through association with
African of the Year in a public poll “His research has also brought into Prof Robert Engle - a global leader
hosted by News24, having been being, innovative statistical methods in econometric risk-modelling”,
nominated by a panel of such as co-integration, common he says.
journalists and experts.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 9From left: Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Professor Omotayo Arotiba, Professor Debra Meyer, Professor Emmanuel Iwuoha
PROFESSORIAL INAUGURATION
Prof Omotayo Arotiba
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal biosensors and sensors (Sense it); Mrs Margaret Bamidele Arotiba
of the University of Johannesburg 2) Electrochemical technologies, (Ughoton, Okpe, Delta State). He
(UJ), Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, such as electrochemical completed his BSc Honours and
and the Executive Dean of the oxidation, photoelectrochemical MSc in Industrial Chemistry at
Faculty of Science, Professor oxidation, electrocoagulation, the University of Ilorin and the
Debra Meyer, hosted the ionic diode for water treatment University of Benin, respectively,
professorial inauguration of (Treat it); 3) Materials science, both in Nigeria. He proceeded to
Omotayo Arotiba, Professor in nanotechnology, membrane South Africa for a PhD in Physical
Applied Chemistry at UJ. composites, and electrochemical Chemistry (Electrochemistry
characterisation. Sensors and speciality) with a scholarship from
The inauguration took place
biosensors are analytical devices the National Research Foundation
at the Council Chambers,
that are capable of providing
Madibeng Building, Auckland South Africa at SensorLab,
qualitative, semi-quantitative and
Park, Kingsway Campus on Department of Chemistry,
quantitative information about an
Monday 6 August 2018. University of the Western Cape
analyte. They are characterised
(UWC) under the supervision of
The inaugural lecture titled, Sense by low cost, simplicity, fast
Prof Emmanuel Iwuoha and Prof
it, Treat it, Electrochemistry in response/analysis, ease of use,
Priscilla Baker.
Action, highlights research in possibilities of on-site or point of
the fields of electrochemistry, care application, miniaturisability, He joined the Department of
photoelectrochemistry, analytical etc. Electrochemical technologies Applied Chemistry (UJ) in 2011
electrochemistry, nano- offer a complementary or where he is now a full Professor
electrochemistry, materials science alternative approach to water (since Oct 2016). Prof Arotiba
and electrochemistry of materials treatment. These technologies are is the Director of the Centre
from 2006 to date. sustainable, easy to design and for Nanomaterials Science
operate, environmentally benign, Research at UJ; the pioneer and
Professor Arotiba’s research
sustainable and can remove leader of the Electrochemistry
is based on the application
recalcitrant pollutants. Research Group at UJ; and
of electrochemistry to solving
environmental, water, biomedical Prof Omotayo Ademola Arotiba also the current Chairperson of
and industrial challenges. More was born in Nigeria into the family the Electrochemistry Division
specifically, Prof Arotiba’s research of Chief David Omotayo Arotiba (ElectrochemSA) of the South
looks at: 1) Electrochemical (from Ipele, Owo, Ondo State) and African Chemical Institute (SACI).
10 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOProf Sebastiaan Hendricus (Basie)
von Solms is a Research Professor
in the University of Johannesburg’s
Alumnus, Research Professor
Academy for Computer Science
and Software Engineering, and the and one of UJ’s longest
longest serving UJ employee, with
nearly five decades (48 years) of
IT research and innovation under
serving employees
his belt.
He is also the Director of UJ’s Prof von Solms joined UJ as a converted by a punch card
Centre for Cyber Security, and an lecturer in 1970, in the newly machine to a set of punch cards
Associate Director of the Global established Department of for submission to the mainframe.
Cyber Security Capacity Centre of Computer Science. He completed There were no such things as
the University of Oxford in the UK. his PhD in Computer Science at UJ desktop computers”, recalls
in 1972 – one of the first in South Prof von Solms.
A specialist in research and Africa – and was promoted to
consultancy in the field of senior lecturer. In 1978, he became In the early 1980s, the University
information and cyber security, Chairperson of the Department of created its first hands-on
Prof von Solms has written laboratory for Computer Science
Computer Science, a position he
and presented more than 150
occupied until 2006. students, consisting of Burroughs
papers, most of which have
B20 mini-computers – one of the
been presented at international “I started out long before anybody
had even heard of the Internet first such labs in South Africa. “A
research conferences and/or
or cyberspace. Back in those few years later, the IBM PC was
published in international subject
journals. He has supervised more days, there were basically only launched, and labs were refitted
than 150 postgraduate students, big mainframe computers, and with these new ‘wonder machines’.
and is well known in the media students had to prepare their Still, the idea of portable
as one of South Africa’s most programs on coding forms. computers didn’t yet exist”,
authoritative cyber security experts. The programs had to then be remembers Prof von Solms.
Prof Basie von Solms
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 11In the late 1990s, computer networks members across all industries. At
developed faster as the Internet UJ, we have been widely involved
evolved. “I was very privileged to have with accountability of members of
seen the dawn of this discipline, to be boards, as cybercrime is the number
part of and experience the massive one threat for companies across all
developments in the IT fields over sectors”, he says.
the years.
Thus the demand for IT graduates
“I am proud that I could, over is huge, says Prof von Solms. “It is
the years, be part of establishing acknowledged globally that the
Computer Science and Informatics demand for expertise in the cyber
as an academic discipline, and be field is among the highest, if not
part of the internationally acclaimed the highest, among all professional
Academy for Computer Science and disciplines”, he says.
Software Engineering that we now
have at UJ”, says Prof von Solms. As a result, the certificate courses
in the Centre for Cyber Security
In 2005, Prof von Solms was awarded
are constantly oversubscribed by IT
the ICT Leadership Award by the
employees, while full-time students
South African IT industry and the
can barely finish the four-year
Computer Society of South Africa
degree before they are head-hunted.
for “exceptional thought leadership
“We struggle to get lecturers and
qualities and sustainable contribution
postgraduate students, because the
to the development and growth of
demand out there is so high”, he says.
the South African IT Industry”. A year
later, the South African Academy for In 2011, Prof von Solms was awarded
Science and Arts awarded him the the Alumni Achievers award by
MT Steyn Medal for Scientific and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
Technical Achievement. University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth,
In 2009, the book Information Security where he actually started his
Governance, co-authored with his academic studies, in 1965, when
brother, Professor Rossouw von it was still the University of Port
Solms, was published internationally Elizabeth.
by Springer. The book documents the In 2016, Prof von Solms was elected
experience and research resulting as a member of the Academy of
from cooperation between the two
Science of South Africa, which
brothers over 10 years.
honours the country’s “most
The following year, he received the outstanding and celebrated scholars”.
Computer Society of South Africa He is also a Fellow of the Computer
(CSSA) Distinguished Service in ICT Society of South Africa, a Fellow of
Award, as well as the 2010 IFIP TC-11 the British Computer Society, a
Kristian Beckman Award, for “his Fellow of the Oxford Martin School
never tiring work towards broadening of the University of Oxford and a
the meaning of Information Security Chartered Information Technology
in various aspects”. Also in 2010, the Professional (CITP).
SA Institute for Computer Scientists
and Information Technologists He is a past president of the
awarded the Pioneers in Computer International Federation for
Science and Information Technology Information Processing (IFIP), which
Award to Prof von Solms for his he is now an honorary member of,
contribution to IT, and specifically and is the vice-chair (Africa) for the
Information Security, over the IEEE’s Special Interest Group on Big
last 40 years. Data and Cyber Security.
Prof von Solms says cybercrime is “My journey started early and is
now massively pervasive worldwide, coming to an end, but the future lies
with Africa being a “hotbed” of open for the present generation to
cybercrime. “Cybercrime is no develop applications that we cannot
longer a technical issue, but an even envisage at this stage”,
issue that concerns company board says Prof von Solms.
12 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOJIAS:
Advancing
Excellence
and Diversity
The Johannesburg Institute “New conversations start here”,
of Advanced Studies (JIAS) says JIAS director, Professor Peter
promotes advanced research Vale. We are sitting in the Cartoon
in the humanities and natural Room, one of the Institute’s
sciences, and is the city’s first fully conference spaces, its walls lined
fledged institute of its kind. JIAS is with the works of contemporary
a joint initiative of the University South African political cartoonists.
of Johannesburg (UJ) in South “JIAS creates the conditions in
Africa, and Nanyang Technological which scholars can deliver cutting-
University (NTU) in Singapore, and edge interdisciplinary thought
is based in an elegant Roman and research at the highest
style building in Westdene, academic level”, he says. “This is
Johannesburg. a place to work, think, talk and
deliberate, and the greatest luck
of all was finding this property. It’s
made all the difference because
of its wonderfully conducive
atmosphere. It’s like a little college
in Oxford or Cambridge in the
heart of an African city.”
Built on a hillside, with playful
concrete cherubs adorning
its rooftops, the landmark
JIAS building was formerly
a guesthouse, and JIAS now
uses it for conferences and
workshops and accommodation
for participants, visiting fellows
and academics. The building
also houses the JIAS staff
offices. The accommodation is
gracious; and there are shaded
courtyards, generous lounges and
libraries, conference spaces and a
communal dining area.
“Institutes for advanced studies
have their early origins in
monasteries”, explains Prof Vale.
“The modern versions of institutes
like these began with Princeton in
the USA in the 1930s, when they
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 13started an institute for advanced main programmes is the Writing imaginative collection of short
studies that aimed to be at the Fellowship. A dozen residence stories featuring funerals and
very top of research and higher Writing Fellows come to stay at ancestors and satirical flair.
education. One of the first JIAS for four months to work on While Mhlongo recently led a
fellows, would you believe, their chosen subject. The writers JIAS seminar about African myth
was Albert Einstein”. apply for the fellowship and a and magic realism, the subject of
selection is then made. Last year African ontology was the concern
Today’s institutes of advanced
there were over 300 applicants of another Writing Fellow, Dr
studies locate themselves
from South Africa, Asia, Uganda, Elvis Imafidon who teaches in
in different ways within the
Nigeria, Kenya, the USA and India. the Department of Philosophy
global academic world. JIAS is
South African author, Niq Mhlongo, of Ambrose Alli University in
a university-based institute as
was one of the Writing Fellows Nigeria. Ontology is the study of
opposed to free-standing institutes
who stayed at JIAS this year to metaphysics and the nature of
such as those in Princeton, Berlin, being, and he looks at how African
Radcliffe, and Stellenbosch. work on his new novel. Born in
concepts of reality affect the
Although rooted within UJ and Soweto, Mhlongo’s first highly
African idea of the good.
acclaimed novel Dog Eat Dog was
linked to NTU, JIAS collaborates
published in 2004 by Kwela Books In another field, that of urban
with other institutions of higher
and was translated into Spanish planning, Writing Fellow
learning throughout the country.
under the title Perro Come Perro. Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, did a
Launched in May 2015, JIAS is in His most recent book Soweto under comparative project on spatial
its fourth year now, and one of its the Apricot Tree (Kwela 2018) is an inequality in urban spaces in
14 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOJIAS is an
ongoing conversation...
JIAS IS A JOINT INITIATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
JOHANNESBURG (UJ) IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (NTU) IN SINGAPORE
Delhi and Johannesburg. In 2016, and donate books. And they also connect with leading scholars in
she did research in India while visited a prison, where the Writing their fields. These sessions feature
based at the Centre for the Fellows engaged with more than intense collaboration with scholars
Study of Developing Societies 100 inmates. JIAS gave readings at the NTU, as well as with Nobel
in New Delhi, enabled by and talked about how to produce Laureates.
Fulbright-Nehru Academic and written texts and poems. “It was
Professional Excellence Research incredible what came out”, says In the spring term, JIAS has topic
Award. Pamela Maseko, an Prof Vale, “it was agreed that an sessions, which include colloquia
associate professor at Rhodes anthology of poetry written by – the jewel in the crown of JIAS
University in the Eastern Cape, the inmates would be published.” events – in which international
was researching language policy JIAS and individual writers experts in the public and
and planning in education, donated books to the Correctional professional sectors gather for
language development, and Services Library. intense debate about a specialist
the historiography of isiXhosa Apart from the Writing Fellowship, subject. In 2016, for example,
literature. JIAS also hosts a series of JIAS hosted a hugely successful
The Writing Fellows host a series workshops, conferences and colloquium on Why the Brain
of weekly seminars during their colloquia throughout the year. Matters, which was attended by
stay at JIAS, and one gets a “We host visiting lecturers more than 50 participants from
sense that there is real academic and academics, we do book more than 27 countries. The
and critical thinking across an launches, we have conferences on
colloquium led by Prof Willem
incredible range of subjects here. everything from the decolonisation
Hendrik Gispen, Professor Emeritus
of thought to artificial intelligence”,
“As you can imagine”, says Prof of Neuroscience and former
says Prof Vale. “JIAS is an ongoing
Vale, “the lunch conversation conversation”. VC of Utrecht University in the
at JIAS is totally dynamic and Netherlands, and a range of global
can include from poetry and The annual JIAS work program- experts made presentations.
dark matter to the nature of me is divided into three terms of
equal length, the summer term On 22 October 2018, JIAS is
the universe. There is real multi-
disciplinary thinking here. JIAS is a (mid-February to mid-May); winter hosting a colloquium on Digital
wonderful experiment”. term (from the start of June to end Finance in Africa’s Future:
August); and spring term (from Innovations and Implications.
JIAS also works in the field and mid-September to mid-December). Trevor Manual will deliver the
within communities, says Prof Vale. In the summer term, JIAS has its keynote address at the opening
In April this year, for example, a open session for students from any session. With some 50 experts
team of the new Writing Fellows discipline, encouraging them to
participating in panels and
went to the Polokwane Literary pursue intensive reading, research
workshops, the colloquium seeks
Fair in Limpopo. The Fair is or writing.
held by the Polokwane Cultural to map out developments in the
In the winter term, JIAS has fields of digital finance and try to
Services Department and JIAS has
university sessions, which are open understand the social and
attended for the last few years.
to departments and faculties political implications.
This time the JIAS team went to within UJ. These sessions aim to
three high schools in Mankweng encourage UJ staff to broaden For more information visit the
township to engage with learners the scope of their research and to JIAS website www.jias.joburg
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 15UJ_T&SCM_50yrsCelebration_AD_A4_AlumniMAG.indd 1 2018/05/03 9:59 AM
2018-08_STH Alumni Bar_A4 print ad_v01_repro.indd 1 2018/08/08 11:35
Professor Alexander Broadbent and Professor Marlize Lombard
Professorial Inaugural address:
Prof Marlize Lombard
THE FUTURE OF HUMAN ORIGINS RESEARCH
LIES IN INTER-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH PROGRAMMES,
AIMED AT UNDERSTANDING GENE-CULTURE,
BRAIN-CULTURE AND GENE-BRAIN CO-EVOLUTION.
According to Professor Marlize “Around two million years ago the population history of sub-
Lombard, the Director of the when these early hominins roamed Saharan Africa, aligning it with
Centre for Anthropological our grasslands and where many the archaeological records of
Research at the University of fossil discoveries have been the region.”
Johannesburg (UJ), human origins made since, mostly by non-South
researchers will need to integrate African researchers in a still male She highlighted that the artefacts
fossil, archaeological and genetic dominated field. Yet, the work of excavated by archaeologists are
records with state-of-the-art South African women scientists human-made material culture, the
methods, and global trends and is greatly influencing what we tangible products and extensions
debates; while dedicating the are learning about the genetic of the human mind. “Lyn Wadley,
knowledge thus gained to the and cognitive origins of our own my mentor, A-rated scientist,
youth and to their futures in species, Homo sapiens”, she said. and the first woman professor
a region that gave birth to in archaeology in South Africa,
Prof Lombard pointed out worked several prominent Stone
our humanness.
that Prof Himla Soodyall was Age sites, and her cognitive
Professor Lombard explored the a trailblazer in the field of archaeology on material culture
questions what make us human mitochondrial DNA, which showed from these sites demonstrates how
(Homo sapiens or modern human, that all living humans stem ancient hunter-gatherers had fluid
i.e., ‘us’), and how, where and when from one ‘great, great, great … intelligence that allowed them
did we gain our humanness, when grandmother’, a woman who lived to conceive of and use complex
she delivered her professorial in sub-Saharan Africa (perhaps knowledge systems to resolve
inauguration address, Human even southern Africa), and most everyday problems innovatively”.
Origins in Southern Africa: A Stone closely resembled a San woman
Age Archaeologist’s Reflections on of today. “Her mentee Carina “It is then to the human mind
the Past and Future. Prof Lombard Schlebusch now works from – a mind that is capable of
sketched some of the paradoxes Uppsala in Sweden, from where wisdom and reason, and a mind
and puzzles around the discovery she is exploring ancient human that is flexible enough to think
of the first fossil skull of a young DNA in a collaborative project simultaneously both scientifically
hominin child in South Africa with myself and other scientists and creatively – that I find myself
almost a century ago. in an endeavour to reconstruct drawn to explore the origins of our
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 19humanness here in southern Africa. of our humanness – there can be such as neuro-archaeology, and
Working with cognitive scientists no science, no art, and indeed reconstructing the full genomes
from Scandinavia, we are no Fourth Industrial Revolution of people who lived millennia
delving into the earliest symbolic without them. This way of thinking before us were inconceivable. “The
behaviours, what stone tools has its neurological foundations
in the precuneus, an area of the future of human origins research
can reveal about human now lies in inter-disciplinary
brain in which only Homo sapiens
cognitive evolution, and the displays a general enlargement.” research programmes, aimed
evolution of causal cognition”, at understanding gene-culture,
said Prof Lombard. Prof Lombard stressed activities
such as bow hunting was brain-culture and gene-brain
In a first study of its kind they used instrumental in shaping the co-evolution. As human origins
EEG (electroencephalography) modern human brain. “A brain researchers, our task will be
scanning that provided the first with which Africans colonised the to integrate fully our fossil,
direct neuro-archaeological globe – outwitting and outlasting
archaeological and genetic
all other human groups, becoming
evidence for praxis, the human records with state-of-the-art
ancestral to us all. It also alludes
ability, based on ‘ideas’ or to our abilities to gain causal methods, and global trends and
‘imaginings’, to knowingly play out knowledge, and to reason about debates; whilst dedicating the
different scenarios in our minds outcomes based on it, which is key knowledge thus gained to the
before enacting them. to the human way of thinking.” youth and to their futures in a
“Such conscious imagination and Prof Lombard concluded that a region that gave birth to
ideation are quintessential traits few decades ago, lines of research our humanness.”
UJ researchers discover
family of silver-based
anti-cancer drugs
A new family of potential silver-
based anti-cancer drugs has been
Esophageal cancer cells are
known to become resistant to
Fewer side effects
discovered by researchers at the current forms of chemotherapy. Apart from needing a much lower
University of Johannesburg (UJ). dose than an industry standard,
“The UJ3 complex is as effective
The most promising complex in the UJ3 is also much less toxic.
UJ3 has been successfully tested in as the industry-standard drug
Cisplatin in killing cancer cells “In rat studies, we see that up to
rats and in several human cancer
in laboratory tests done on 3 grams of UJ3 can be tolerated
cell lines in laboratory studies. The
human breast cancer and per 1 kilogram of bodyweight.
complex is as effective against
melanoma, a very dangerous This makes UJ3 and other
human esophageal cancer cells, as
form of skin cancer, as well”, says silver phosphine complexes
a widely-used chemotherapy drug,
Professor Marianne Cronjé, Head we have tested about as toxic
but at a ten times lower dose, and
of the Department of Biochemistry as Vitamin C”, says Professor
much lower toxicity against non-
malignant cells. at the University of Johannesburg. Reinout Meijboom, Head of the
Department of Chemistry at the
In research published in BioMetals, “However, UJ3 requires a 10 times University of Johannesburg.
UJ3 is shown to be as effective lower dose to kill cancer cells. It
against human esophageal also focuses more narrowly on If UJ3 becomes a chemotherapy
cancer cells, as a widely-used cancer cells, so that far fewer drug in future, the lower dose
chemotherapy drug in use today. healthy cells are killed”, she says. required, lower toxicity and greater
20 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOfocus on cancer cells will mean create cancerous tumors. To do standard laboratory equipment,
fewer side effects from this, they need far more energy which shows good potential
cancer treatment. than healthy cells do. for large scale manufacture.
The family of silver thiocyanate
UJ3 appears to target the UJ3 targets this need for
phosphine compounds is very
mitochondria, resulting in energy, by shutting down the
large. We were very fortunate to
programmed cell death to “powerhouses” of a cancer cell,
test UJ3, with an unusually ‘flat’
kill cancer cells - a process the mitochondria. The complex
chemical structure, early on in
called apoptosis. When a cancer then causes the release of the
our exploration of this chemical
cell dies by apoptosis, the result is “executioner” protein, an enzyme
family for cancer treatment”,
a neat and tidy process where the called caspase-3, which goes
says Prof Meijboom.
dead cell’s remains are “recycled”, to work to dismantle the cell’s
not contaminating healthy cells command centre and structural Research on UJ3 and other
around them, and not supports, cutting it up for recycling silver thiocyanate phosphine
inducing inflammation. in the last stages of apoptosis. complexes at the University
is ongoing.
Certain existing chemotherapy Unusual compounds
drugs are designed to induce
UJ3 complex and the others in the
Research funders
apoptosis, rather than “septic”
cell death which is called necrosis, family are based on silver. This The research was funded by the
for this reason. makes the starter materials for Technology Transfer Office of
synthesizing the complex far more the University of Johannesburg,
Cancer cells grow much bigger economical than a number of the National Research
and faster, and make copies of industry-standard chemotherapy Foundation of South Africa,
themselves much faster, than drugs based on platinum. “These and the Technology Innovation
healthy cells do. In this way they complexes can be synthesized with Agency of South Africa.
From left: Professor Reinout Meijboom, Professor Marianne Cronjé, Dr Zelinda EngelbrechtItumeleng Sekhu
against all odds
“I WAS ABLE TO PUSH PAST THE BARRIERS OF LOW
SELF-ESTEEM AND DISCOVER MY STRENGTH, RESILIENCE
AND UNIQUE ABILITY TO SEE THAT BEAUTY GOES
DEEPER THAN SKIN.”
Itumeleng Sekhu is the founder Tshwane, Sekhu got severely burnt Sekhu’s mother was her guiding
and MD of the Itumeleng Sekhu when a candle fell on her at home. light throughout her childhood
Foundation, a philanthropic NPO, She was only 11 months old. Her – “through her strength and
and author of the book What right hand, as well as four fingers tenacity, she continued in life, no
do you see?, which is her story of on her left hand, were amputated matter what storms hit her” – but
courage and fortitude in the face as a result. “I was practically raised ultimately it was Sekhu’s faith that
of the permanent disfigurement in Muelmed Hospital in Pretoria enabled her to find her path in life.
she suffered after being burnt in a until I was about 15 years old.
“I was determined to live my
fire as a toddler. I had 104 surgical procedures,
and in-between I attended Hope
life as God intended. It was my
Sekhu, 30, graduated from UJ acceptance of Him as my Father
School in Johannesburg and
in 2014 with a BA in Audiovisual Pretoria School, which are both that was instrumental in helping
Communications, majoring in schools for physically challenged me to navigate my way through
communications, psychology and learners”, she says. the obstacles that constantly
media studies, sponsored by the threatened to overwhelm me”.
Dischem Foundation. By then, she Although she was a bright learner,
school was difficult at times, she “I was able to push past the
was already a media personality,
says, because “the other children barriers of low self-esteem and
working with a number of Christian
were mean and continually called discover my strength, resilience
programmes including ONE Gospel
me names, even though we were and unique ability to see that
channel (DStv) and Friends Like
all disabled”. “I grew up with low beauty goes deeper than skin. My
These on SABC 1, as well as The
self-esteem, as 90% of my face is challenge to readers of my book
Sound Revival and The Sacred
scarred. The word beauty was rare. is to look beyond the scars on the
Space on Metro FM, and Making
I even tried to commit suicide on outside, and see who I am, a strong
Moves on Bonngoe.tv.
numerous occasions”, she recalls. woman with a beautiful soul and
“My psychology major equipped indomitable spirit”, she says.
What do you see? takes the reader
me to have good relations in the
on her emotional and spiritual While at UJ, Sekhu became a
media and in my life. I have been
journey, firstly through the physical project manager for the Sbusiso
able to relate to almost everyone
pain, and then through the pain Leope Education Foundation,
in both the workspace and in my
of being rejected and ridiculed as which assists hundreds of students
personal life”, says Sekhu.
a young girl because she with bursaries to continue with
Born in Makapanstad near was different. tertiary education. She was in
22 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOcharge of organising seminars for the past seven years. Through As a motivational speaker,
in South Africa, which brought these candles, I want to assist Sekhu has delivered talks to
together entrepreneurs. She was other people to discover their numerous corporates, institutions,
also communications manager inner light, to ensure that they organisations and events, focusing
for Map Christ, and a brand reach their full potential”, on the power of self-esteem, and
Ambassador for Dove Unilever. says Sekhu. of a persistent and confident
mind. “Tell yourself that I’m going
She is also a social media Sekhu has also conquered the to do it, it will happen”, she says.
manager for I Do magazine, and keyboard of her computer, as To students, her advice is, “study,
recently launched her new venture, well as the steering wheel. “Even and study very hard, you can get
manufacturing candles. “I have though I have only one finger, a bursary. My dreams push me to
found my inner light, and been my thumb, I can type 35 words success. Reach your dreams and
fulfilling my purpose in the media per minute and can drive myself dream more dreams of where
industry, in both TV and radio, anywhere in the world”, she says. you want to see yourself”.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 2324 ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
Motheo Khoaripe
eNCA business journalist
and markets anchor
Motheo Khoaripe, 32, is a business and by midday, I’d be at work, then they’ve developed into fully fledged
journalist and markets anchor for return for a 7.30 pm psychology businesses is gratifying. “I want to
eNCA, best known as anchor of the class”, he says. help black people to be part of the
channel’s Moneyline show. economy, to give them the right
It didn’t get easier afterwards.
tools to equip them adequately
He cut his teeth in broadcasting Despite Khoaripe’s degree, he
to get ahead in business, and
on YFM radio station, which he sold pots for two years in order to
make ends meet. “I managed to to learn and talk about money
joined in 2012 as a news and sports
reporter before moving to Power get by. We all have fight in us, and comfortably”, he says.
FM as a business reporter in 2014 I rely on my unassailable faith that His TV job aside, Khoaripe has also
for a year. He joined eNCA in 2015. my life is part of a bigger plan. I partnered with a financial advisor
am here to add something to the to improve financial literacy and
“As a business reporter, I’ve
world, so even when things don’t educate high school learners as
discovered there is a section of
go according to plan, I take that well as young professionals. “I want
society that will never get to know
as only a life lesson more than to teach as many people as I can,
how money works. It’s not that
something that would break me. as soon as I can, to become money
people don’t have money, it’s that
So always rise above the challenge, wise, to learn how to keep money,
they just don’t know how to use it”,
knowing it will be a reference point not only spend it”.
he says, adding: “I’d like to teach
for my next challenge”, he says.
young people about money before To this end, he is also working to
they get money. And to tell the Khoaripe was 24 when he started introduce a workable financial
stories untold”. working at YFM, under the literacy programme into the South
guidance of Zukile Majova, the African curriculum system. “The
Khoaripe matriculated at
editor of the station at the time. practical aspects of finance need
Wordsworth High School in Benoni,
At Power FM, he was mentored
with merit, in 2006. “My mind to be understood by all”, he says.
by Siki Mgabedeli, and produced
wandered and I found it difficult He is inspired by the underdog.
Power Business and Power
to concentrate. I loved sport more “Everyone has a war story. Those
Perspective shows.
than my books, to be honest. I who make it to where they want
did really well in the Quiz and JSE At eNCA, dissecting his first budget to be, despite the odds stacked
challenge team”, he recalls. speech remains the highlight of against them. Those people
his career. “It was a chance to inspire me”.
As a boy, he had his mind set on
delve into its depths, fully unpack
being a soldier or Navy officer. Last year, Khoaripe was named
it and help people understand its
“I also did well in cricket so I also among the Mail & Guardian’s Top
significance. A chance to serve
had a dream of representing the 200 young people.
others”, he says.
Proteas”, he says.
Khoaripe says he has noticed how Plans for the future? “I want to get
Instead, he enrolled at UJ, into the agriculture technology
many people encounter “glass
completing his BA in Corporate business. It’s something I have
ceilings” when it comes to money.
Communications in 2010. Money been passionate about for a long
“The financial jargon doesn’t help
issues made it a tough journey. time. So going back to school to
the masses to understand their
“It was also very important to get a new set of skills is part
financial issues. That’s why I love
me to prove to my parents that I of the plan.
the world of finance, and business
was deserving of all the sacrifices
journalism. It’s a platform for me to I would also love to lecture a
they’d made for me to go to
bridge that gap”, he says. course on financial journalism
varsity. I did promotions and odd
gigs to help them pay the fees. I For the same reason, telling stories and journalism in the modern
would go to class in the morning about start-up businesses and how era. So lots to do!”
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 25Mike Sharman is the co-founder at West Hollywood’s well-known In 2015, Bidvest Media, a
of Retroviral, an award-winning Ha Ha Café. “Stand-up comedy division of Bidvest Group Limited,
digital communications agency and marketing are linked, so that purchased a majority stake in
that creates online word-of-mouth training stood me in good stead. Retroviral, though Sharman
spread for cutting edge brands, I am passionate about brand still retains an interest in the
using bespoke strategy, social presentation, and I love speaking company and continues to lead
media and web tactics. and performance. It’s like my its nine-strong team in his typical,
church”, he says. He’s also travelled disruptive, entrepreneurial way, in
A high energy, loquacious 35-year
extensively – “travel is my guilty offices in Sandton.
old, Sharman is also co-founder
passion”, he smiles.
of Webfluential, a platform that “My day starts at 7.45 am and I
establishes relationships between Sharman returned to South Africa work until 5 pm. I was full-on in
consumers and brands through in 2006, then wrote a one-man the early days, working late at
influencers. He was named one show and took it to the National night, but it’s important to have
of the Mail & Guardian’s top 200 Arts Festival in Grahamstown, but balance. In my spare time I’m with
young (under 35) South Africans ultimately decided to immerse my family, and I love listening to
in 2013. himself into the career path he podcasts and reading everything
set out on at RAU. He worked for to do with tech start-ups”, he says.
With more than 12 years of start-up PR agencies, and did a
marketing agency experience, In his book, Sharman entwines
stint with an agency in London
Sharman has worked on brands business insights and universal
between 2008 and 2010, which he
such as Nando’s, RocoMamas, premises of first hires, cash
says was vital to developing his
Kreepy Krauly Wrangler, Castle flow challenges, brand building,
business acumen and honing his
Lager BraaiPhone, Russell Hobbs networking and pitches, with his
skills as a marketer in the digital
and Beeno, to name a few. “I storytelling approach, delivering
space. “Through working for other
love making stuff go viral”, says a compelling read complete with
agencies, I got to experiment in
Sharman, who had his debut armed robberies and fancy-dress
a team, on big accounts, and
business book, The Best Dick competitions, while partnering
tapped into a network of the right
published last year (2017). with some of the world’s best
people”, he says.
known brands.
Brilliant at self branding, and Retroviral was launched in 2010
famed for dressing up in eye- Sharman writes in the preface
and quickly carved a niche for
popping costumes for the brands “From scribbling logos and
itself as an agency that gets
he’s working on, Sharman has formulating some semblance
people talking about brands,
appeared on TV, radio and print of a new agency model – that
through tactics like design, blogger
media numerous times, and is combined PR, digital and
relations, community management
described by his friend, radio activation – on napkins at multiple
and viral video production and
personality Gareth Cliff – in the London Starbucks, to starting
distribution. Among his first briefs
foreword to his book – as one Retroviral with no business plan
were Absa’s digital channels, and
of those “pioneering, fearless and not a solitary client, this is my
SAB’s campaign for Miller beer.
entrepreneurs, with a frontier personal entrepreneurial odyssey”.
quality to them that often A huge highlight was producing
Sharman is married, and has
propels them into the digital content for Nando’s.
two children with a third
stratosphere internationally”. “Retroviral seeded various Nando’s
on the way.
campaigns, including its ‘Last
Sharman matriculated at King Dictator Standing’ campaign,
Edward School in Houghton in depicting Zimbabwe president
2001, then enrolled for a marketing Robert Mugabe in a video playing
communications degree at UJ with dictators such as Colonel
(then RAU) in 2002, completing it Gaddafi. It was the first marketing
in 2004. It was the “right degree”, campaign in South Africa to
he says, even though he initially attract one million YouTube views
had his heart set on acting and in less than one week”,
more creative pursuits. “I liked the says Sharman.
mixture of communications and
More recently, Retroviral executed
business. I got to dabble in the
the online communications for
audio-visual, in politics, business
all the #5GumExperience parties
management and marketing, and
and was the seeding agency
picked up solid business principles
behind the Douwe Egberts yawn-
along the way”.
activated coffee vending machine.
After graduating, Sharman “We work with bloggers and online
decided to go to acting school influencers, and of course I’m big
in Los Angeles, enrolling in an on Twitter (he has over 16 200
eight-week stand-up comedy followers). I’m very tech driven”,
course that culminated in a show says Sharman.
26 ALUMNI IMPUMELELOYou can also read
