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Pulse
Walter Sisulu University
Issue 36
May 2018
THE
LAND
ISSUE W SU
Walter Sisulu University
1
IN THIS ISSUE
3 Editorial 15 Gospel star capped
4 Thirty - the new brilliant
16 WSU’s Dr Billionaire
6 R800 million debt biggest threat
18 Let’s talk circumcision
7 Paid to learn
8 Between the cracks
10 Queenstown Campus
supercharged
19 3 PhD’s for Faculty
11 The act of giving
20 WSU snippets
12 Ngcukaitobi’s truth to power
14 Reap: a new path
Pulse is an initiative of the Department of Marketing, Communication and Advancement and is available in print and on the WSU
website. We bring you news, updates, events, opinion pieces as well as visuals of Walter Sisulu University. If you have any vibrant
and newsworthy stories you would like us to cover from your campus, faculty or department, please contact Sinawo Hermans on
telephone 043 702 9378 or send an email to shermans@wsu.ac.za
2 W SU
Walter Sisulu University
EDITORIAL
Yonela Tukwayo
Senior Director: Marketing, Communication & Advancement
M
y spirits are high as I write this editorial letter because
I am still reeling from May 2018 graduation season. We have to change the culture of WSU to be one that fosters
Nothing gives me greater job satisfaction than graduation togetherness. Each person within the WSU community must
ceremonies because they are evidence that WSU is fulfilling its play their part to the best of their ability. During 2018, we will
primary role for existence, which is to educate its students. I am launch a Customer Service Charter, which will greatly assist with
particularly proud of the efforts of our lecturers who put their maximising output from staff. What is different about WSU’s
sweat and tears, hearts and souls into their jobs. We have seen charter is that it is not for employees only but it also highlights
spectacular progress in our throughput rates. In May 2016, WSU the basics that need to be in place from everyone that interacts
had 4,800 graduates, in May 2017 5,100 graduates and in May with staff. The Charter is built on the principles of Batho Pele
2018 5,900 graduates. The academics have not lowered pass (People first) and Ubuntu, something that we are all too familiar
marks or relaxed their criteria, staff and students are simply with. Of course culture change is a long and involved process
working harder and their efforts are truly appreciated. The but I am confident that we can all contribute to building a WSU
only dampener in my excitement is that WSU did not get the that we are proud of.
opportunity to honour Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with
the honorary degree she had so graciously accepted. Her death On another note, WSU will be celebrating two centenaries this
came just four weeks before the day she was due to be conferred year. We know that Mama Albertina Sisulu would have been
with the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Social Science. 100 years old this year. The Queenstown Campus will host a
memorial lecture of Tata Walter and Mama Albertina Sisulu in
Another highlight for this first half of 2018 was the excellence July 2018. In September 2018 the Mthatha Campus will host the
displayed by the WSU rugby team, who performed very well Nelson Mandela Centenary International Research Conference.
in the 2018 instalment of the FNB Varsity Shield games. Our WSU is among four universities across the world (in the United
students did us proud and lifted the profile of WSU when they States of America, United Kingdom and Kenya) that will host such
came second overall in the universities’ rugby tournament. A conferences.
positive team spirit secured their success.
Walter Sisulu University is a national asset with potential for
People that are interwoven and work towards a common goal great exploits for the advancement of the Eastern Cape, South
will always succeed. My wish is to see more togetherness, Africa and the world. We must all be a part of securing its future
understanding, collaboration and support from WSU for the sake of the development of our people and the benefit of
stakeholders. For the sake of our future as an institution, we future generations.
have to pull together and apart. When divided, we will fall and
when we fall, nobody will benefit…..not staff, not students and Phambili WSU Phambili!
certainly not our communities.
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
3
4 W SU
Walter Sisulu University
THIRTY
THE NEW BRILLIANT
How WSU is Bridging the Money Gap
T
hird stream income has the potential to mitigate because donor fatigue is something funders experience,”
student debt and transform WSU into a legacy Welcome said.
institution, according to the university’s newly
appointed Institutional Advancement director, Silvanus Staff at the university may also authorize a monthly debit
Welcome. from as little as R10 from their monthly salaries that will
contribute towards needy students.
The ambitious 30-year-old explained the purpose of an
advancement office as a mechanism to enhance third WSU has a string of influential alumni in provincial and
stream income for organizations by sourcing funds national government as well as corporate to whose
through means of government subsidy, bursaries, generosity the university intends to appeal.
infrastructure development and sponsorship.
“It is their money that is supposed to assist in keeping the
WSU has already established a bursary fund which university alive. If WSU were to be closed permanently,
is due to be launched officially, wherein all university it would have a direct impact on their careers and
stakeholders can invest with their time, care and money. qualifications,” he added.
“Our focus as Institutional Advancement at WSU is to As a historically disadvantaged university, WSU as a rural
source funding for student bursaries by putting in place institution has an advantageous selling point but Welcome
strategies that will curb the student loan burden through warned about Institutional risk management that speaks
donor funding and we’re going to achieve this by engaging to brand reputation.
our alumni and corporate,” said Welcome.
“WSU is notorious for student protests within the higher
WSU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Midgely has education fraternity which is bad for funding. Donors
been a consistent donor to the university since he took fear that they may fund infrastructure that will only be
office in 2016. Upon his first month up to the end of that destroyed during these protests,” said Welcome.
year, the VC made consecutive monthly donations of R20,
000, which was then increased to R25, 000 in his second He also pressed on the importance of a positive image
year at WSU. for the university that can only be achieved by spreading
good internal stories to the public and media through
For the good practice of transparency and accountability; proactive public relations management.
and to ensure that donor funds are sourced and used
responsibly, WSU has developed funding policies that will Silvanus Welcome goes on to say our alumni should be
both protect and empower WSU stakeholders. proud to have a WSU qualification that carries the name
of a struggle stalwart and political liberator, Walter Sisulu.
“What we have is a fundraising policy to be followed by
all staff when going out to source funding. We are giving He then concludes saying WSU students must be our
staff the opportunity to identify their own donors and ambassadors and hoist the WSU flag high with pride
sponsorships, but this must be done within the guidelines by going out there and not thinking any less of their
of policy that require proposal submissions to our office. qualifications.
We do not want staff sourcing funds without assistance
By: Sinawo Hermans
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
5
R800M
DEBT BIGGEST THREAT
WSU VC & Principal Prof Rob Midgley posing with graduation ushers in Mthatha
W
SU Vice-Chancellor Prof Rob Midgley flagged the University residences and lecture halls were not created
endemic challenge of student debts as one the most overnight, and there is no quick-fix solution. All stakeholders
critical challenges confronting the University’s efforts in have to pull together. Having said this, I must acknowledge the
providing adequate services to students. ongoing support from the Department of Higher Education and
Training, which assists us greatly with infrastructure grants,” he
Addressing a fervent crowd at Butterworth campus graduation asserted.
ceremony in May, Midgley said there exists a direct correlation
between unpaid fees and the University’s ability to deliver Midgley quickly shone light on the grim realities the institution is
satisfactory services across the University. faced with, highlighting that the University would this year receive
funding from the higher education and training department to
“For the sake of WSU’s future, we need financial stability and we enable WSU to start construction on two residences, in Mthatha,
need past and present students to pay their debts so that we can as well as either Queenstown or Butterworth.
embark on further major renovations on existing residences and
lecture halls,” he said. He said another grant will be secured to enable the University to
do major renovations at the Mthatha campus, which faces bleak
The University’s systematic challenge of inadequate infrastructure conditions with regards to accommodation.
also didn’t escape the attentions of the Vice-Chancellor.
“We know that this will not solve our accommodation problems,
In an alarming and sobering account of the infrastructural but it is an important start,” Midgley hastened to add.
challenges facing the institution, Midgley shared with the
audience the staggering R850 million infrastructure backlog the During the May graduation season, the Chancellor awarded
University is currently grappling with. qualifications to 5,983 graduates across our four campuses.
“The unpleasant accommodation conditions at some of our By Thando Cezula
6 W SU
Walter Sisulu University
PAID M
illions of rands are set to be pumped into WSU’s
coffers in the next three years in a desperate bid
to help provide stipends to students involved in
TO LEARN
training with various companies.
A substantial delegation from the Council for the Built
environment (CBE), led by its CEO Priscilla Mdlalose,
descended upon WSU’s Potsdam Site on Wednesday 7
February 2018 to formally ink the three-year partnership
that will see students receiving a monthly stipend of R3000
beginning as of the beginning of the 2018 academic year.
BUILDING STUDENTS TO RECEIVE STIPENDS AS PART OF THEIR TRAINIING
“As the CBE, central and critical to our mandate is to
champion the fostering of relations between students and
industry in a bid to harness and lay a platform for there
to be training opportunities for our youth,” said Mdlalose.
She said also pivotal to their role as an organisation is
to realise the transformation of the built environment
sector through the opening up of doors to previously
disadvantaged black youths to participate in the sector.
A visibly heartened WSU Vice Chancellor & Principal
Prof Rob Midgley welcomed the intervention from CBE,
highlighting the importance of such initiatives in changing
the lives of the poor for the better.
“At WSU we don’t pretend to be what we’re not – we don’t
Prof Rob Midgley and CEO Priscilla Mdlalose signing a twinning compete with the highly resourced universities because
MOU in East London our reality is unique and different. We unashamedly cater
for the poverty stricken masses of our communities who
would otherwise never gain access to the doors of learning.
We therefore want to thank you (CBE) for your support in
reinforcing our efforts to carry out this mandate,” said Prof
Midgley.
With only two years left on its accreditation term of the
Built Environment programme, Midgley reassured the
council that the University was putting in the necessary
effort to ensure another accreditation come 2020 when
the current accreditation term lapses.
By Thando Cezula
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
7
BETWEEN THE CRACKS
FREE EDUCATION & MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE
T
he maternal ritual of self-sacrifice for the Her daughters, Pamela and Siyamamkela are the first to
proverbial “key-to-success” was once again at graduate in the family with qualifications in Management
the centre of WSU’s graduation ceremonies and Human Resource, respectively.
this week.
“I’m very excited but I am worried that they will struggle
Three cleaning staff at the university’s Butterworth finding employment because they have not received their
Campus celebrated their daughters’ graduation certificates as a result of student debt,” added Maci.
ceremonies against staggering financial odds –
a narrative far too familiar at WSU and broader However, according to WSU spokesperson, Yonela
South Africa. Tukwayo the university has stated that employers do
accept academic transcripts as proof of completed
“My daughters had much difficulty furthering qualifications.
their studies because I did not have money. I
managed with the help of NSFAS and loan sharks,” The scenario doesn’t change much with another graduate’s
said a cleaning company’s on campus employee, proud mother, Nokuzola Mcwakumbana, who described
Thembeka Maci. the experience of putting her daughter through tertiary
8 W SU
Walter Sisulu University
education as ‘touch and go”.
“The situation was touch and go. We had to tighten our “Free education will allow a lot of academically
belts and go to loan sharks at times,” she said. deserving youth access to education where
young people do not feel excluded based on
Both mothers of graduates started working at the their financial background,” Mtethwa added.
university campus in 1994 and 1991 respectively, before
the current cleaning company took over the contract in Thembeka’s daughters, Pamela and Siyamamkela
1998. said they were grateful for theirs mothers
tenacity and commitment to their success.
When the cleaning company was contracted by the
university in 1998, employees were paid a pittance of R700 by Sinawo Hermans
which has since increased to R3880 before deductions.
The university’s Butterworth Campus rector professor
Victor Mtetwa expressed his pride and joy that his staff
and local community see the value of education and
transformation it can bring.
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
9
QUEENSTOWN CAMPUS where it belongs, towards being a leading
African institution of quality and honour.
SUPERCHARGED
“The launch of these two faculties aligns
with the institutions vision to expand
the Queenstown Campus. We have a
vision of building a new campus on 115
hectares of prime land in Queenstown,
which has already been donated by the
Enoch Mgijima Municipality to WSU” said
Tukwayo.
From its first days, WSU’s Queenstown
campus has always been comprised of a
small group of students and staff. For many
years the Queenstown Campus operated
as a satellite site of Butterworth Campus,
depending to Butterworth Campus in
many administrative, management and
procurement functions. Even the Faculties,
Academic Departments, Deans and HoDs
were situated in Butterworth Campus,
only a limited number of academic
programmes were offered at Queenstown
site.
With the advent of change and the
introduction of the new Divisional
Management Model by the Administrator
in 2014, each campus was given the
mandate to operate semi-autonomously
and was able to have its own Campus
Management (Campus Rector, Deans,
HoDs and Managers), Staff (academic and
support) and Resource Allocation (budget,
infrastructure etc). Institutional offices
continue to play an essential oversight
role, with the office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and executive
directors overseeing and aligning
Queenstown Campus student and Student Representative Council member Khayakazi Charles
celebrates the launch of the two faculties.
efficiencies within the institution.
The Queenstown Campus Management
demonstrated excellent strategic
leadership and direction in motivating
and presenting to the Institutional
C
heers and joyful sounds of Mahlomaholo reiterated the view that the Management and Council, the need for
praise filled the auditorium introduction of these new faculties was a the introduction of a second Faculty
building at the Walter Sisulu vital move that had taken years to come at Queenstown Campus, which was
University Queenstown Campus recently into formation and how the campus rector approved in 2017 for 2018 academic year.
as they proudly hosted the launch of two and his team ‘worked extremely hard to
of its new faculties introduced this year. make it a reality, showing their devotion to President of the SRC Lerato Tshefu got the
the growth of WSU.’ crowds rumbling with awe as he presented
The new faculties, namely the Faculty of his speech on how as the campus is steadily
Economics and Information Technology With excitement and a bit of goose-bumps moving towards where it desires to be and
Systems and the Faculty of Education visible on his face, QTN campus Rector despite challenges, they continue to fight
add to the expanding vision and goals of Prof McGlory Speckman, said that for for the true will of students.
the Queenstown campus as they mostly him and the entire WSU community, the
serve the second largest geographical new faculties symbolised a new birth in “We are happy to be at this point and
area within the Eastern Cape, the Chris an already rising family, a family glued by without interruptions to the student
Hani District Municipality. determination, understanding and a vision academic calendar. The two faculties will
so bright it burns. ensure more poor families get access to
The faculties offer Management Sciences, free, quality higher education” said Tshefu.
Economics and Finance and Information With bountiful knowledge of the history Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the
Technology Systems; Curriculum and future plans of the university, WSU University Prof Rob Midgley said he is proud
Studies and Improvement Programmes spokesperson and Senior Director at of the campus and with the developments
respectively. the Marketing, Communication and of a new campus, he anticipates greater
Advancement (MCA) office, Yonela achievements ahead.
During his speech, the Deputy Vice- Tukwayo expressed how vital this moment
Chancellor for Academic Affairs is for the university as a whole and how BY: Simo Cele
and Research, Prof Mahlomaholo each success drives the university closer to
10 W SU
Walter Sisulu UniversityA
little charity can go a long way as
proven by WSU’s Vice-Chancellor
and Principal, Professor Rob
Midgley with his handsome monthly
donation that should inspire a ripple
effect within the university community.
Under stringent austerity measures
taken by the University recently,
coupled with other such donations;
those in need within the university
could find themselves in a more
rewarding and conducive space.
Midgley said life is more than climbing
the corporate ladder and financial
status, but if one is able to extend a
hand to help another they should do
so.
“Universities play an important role
in one’s life, especially in providing a
platform for one to succeed and to
be financially independent. It seems
fair and reasonable to say thank you
to those who assisted you along the
way to be in a privileged position.
And if the money is used to assist
others potentially to be in the same
situation, then why not get the
satisfaction of seeing others improve
their circumstances. Life should not
only be about oneself, but also about
THE ACT OF
how one contributes to society,” said
Midgley.
GIVING
In addition, Midgley was emphatic on
how the money should have a direct
impact on students and staff at the
university as opposed to the university
itself.
“The act of giving is not for the benefit
of WSU, except perhaps indirectly.
One gives because one is inclined to
help others improve their lives. The
benefit will go to needy people within
the Institution, hopefully, not the
Institution itself,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor hopes his act of
giving will serve as a clarion call that
will petition WSU convocants and
alumni to reciprocate to the university.
“Life is not only about oneself and
one’s family. If one is able to help
others, then one should do so. I get
a salary that is more than I need to
live on. I am therefore able to assist,”
Midgley added.
However, Midgley pressed that there
is no point in giving an amount that
leaves nothing for distribution after
bank charges and other administrative
costs.
Professor Midgley has been a
consistent donor to the university
since he took office in 2016.
By Sinawo Hermans
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
11NGCUKAITOBI’S
TRUTH TO
POWER
12 W SU
Walter Sisulu UniversityA
dvocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi’s “The Land historical distortion when it came to land and that
Is Ours” book launch at WSU resonated the former University of Transkei – now WSU -
with audiences at the height of a national conditioned him to speak truth to power.
political upset around land expropriation without
compensation. “This idea of writing is not exclusively White and I
learned this here at WSU because we had Black
The alumnus and former SRC president of avid academic writers who lectured us. You had
the university shaped insight on injustices of Black men and women standing before you
colonialism and Land Acts that now sow a rift commanding a subject, analyzing and overcoming
along racial lines within the country. it,” added Ngcukaitobi.
Truth was his point of departure – and truth he He was making reference to the lesser known fact
told. that the inventors of constitutional law in South
Africa were Black lawyers and academics dating
“Helen Zille tells everyone that Blacks must be back to Tiyo Soga and John Tengo Jabavu in the
grateful for colonialism because it gave us an 1800’s.
independent judiciary. What nonsense! The
historical fact is that the ideas of constitutional law The charismatic orator commended WSU’s
germinate from Africans. They germinate because standing saying that if it weren’t for the university
Africans are trying to workout a system that will be he would not have had acquired tertiary education.
based on fairness because it is fundamentally an He said WSU is an important site of education and
African idea to be fair to someone else. It is called empowerment.
Ubuntu,” he added.
“In an environment that is supposed to
Ngcukaitobi continued to explain that the genius disempower, it is also possible to be empowered.
of these African legal minds was that they merged It is here that I first learned of Robert Sobukwe.
western legalities with fundamentally Afrocentric This university was broad and gave me social
ideas. consciousness. There is a paradox in a place
that is supposed to disempower you – you find
“They insisted that these ideas be the future of yourself,” said Ngcukaitobi.
SA,” he said.
He further expounded on his expressions saying
After having been commissioned to write a bill on that Black universities were called “bush colleges”
land expropriation by the government in 1998, and “third tier institutions”.
but was ever passed, Ngcukaitobi said that the
government has no backbone when it comes to “Being in a historically Black university gives you
land. self-pride. WSU taught us that unless there’s
integration between your degree certificate
“In the last 23 years the government has never and community struggles, the piece of paper is
expropriated any land, but only that of Black irrelevant,” he concluded.
people in order to build roads and Eskom stations
but never to Whites. We do not have a legal Postal Services and Telecommunications deputy
problem in this country we have a political one,” minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams attended
said Ngcukaitobi. the book launch to share words of support and
encouragement with the author.
The author said he was always shocked by the W SU 13
Walter Sisulu University
By Sinawo HermansREAP:
A NEW PATH
W
ith just three months in operation at University of the Western Cape.
WSU’s Buffalo City Camps (BCC), the Rural
Education Access Programme (REAP) This past weekend, the REAP team organized their student empowerment
organization has begun its work of empowering gathering together with Harambee. WSU students got to learn computer
WSU students which were evident in their two-day literacy and also a session on the building of a better and self-aware
workshop held at the weekend. individual. The gathering, one of many the REAP team hopes to hold,
aims at engaging with the students in a neutral environment where they
The workshop, held by the REAP alongside its sister won’t only teach, but also allow the students to get involved and guide
organization the Harambee social enterprise, an one another.
organization that accelerates youth employment
opportunities in and around Buffalo City. Both the According to Ntantiso, the REAP is specifically designed to cater for the
organization are under the Bumb’Ingomso non- rural and disadvantaged child entering the dynamic and cut-throat world
profit social organization. of higher education. They aim at becoming close friends and support
systems for the students, they aim at supporting them throughout
“The WSU REAP office began this year with the university lie, work and throughout life.
intention of focusing on WSU’s disadvantaged
first time entering students, providing them with “REAP has been helping us with coping with the transition from high school
necessary skills and most importantly to minimize to university. It’s the first time learning about the computer systems and
the drop-out rate and also being a source of also social awareness” said first-year public relations student Awonke
guidance, support, and mentorship,” said REAP Simakade.
counselor Ziyanda Ntantiso.
Although this year the organization is only running its pilot project,
Ntantiso heads the WSU REAP alongside two other REAP has already partnered with WSU’s Centre for Learning, Teaching
colleagues of hers all with impeccable knowledge Development (CLTD) to further their vision and also forming similar
in the field of development studies from Rhodes relations with other institutional student developmental bodies.
University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the
By Simo Cele
14 W SU
Walter Sisulu UniversityA
sensational performance by award-winning gospel artist Siyanda
Dyonase during the graduation ceremony held in May at the Butterworth
campus capped off one of the proudest days of his life as a WSU student.
Performing a rendition of one his songs with the University’s Butterworth
campus choir, the 30-year-old from Ngqamakhwe, who graduated with a
national diploma in tourism management, capped off what he described as a
challenging academic journey.
“Balancing between my love for music and performing with my commitment
to my academics has been quite a tough act to achieve. There are times I’ve
had to sacrifice paying gigs because I have classes to attend, and times where
I’ve had to sacrifice classes because of major musical commitments,” said an
exhilarated Dyonase.
With two albums under his belt, two qualifications in his name (the other
from a local college), as well as a stint as a presenter at a local radio station,
Dyonase has had to work extraordinarily hard in his quest to achieve his
goals.
He attributes his hard work and dedication to the fighting spirit he has had
to muster as a result of his impoverished background, which left him with no
choice but to strive for success.
GOSPEL STAR
CAPPED
“I was the first person from my family to attain a higher education qualification.
I’ve had to take the responsibility of getting my family out of a desperate
situation of poverty in my own hands because the situation dictates that I do
so,” said Dyonase.
He is currently enrolled in the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
programme at the Butterworth campus on a fulltime basis and is also gearing
himself up for going back to the studio to record his third album.
Never one to be rash in his decisions, Dyonase says he is well alive to the
importance of a qualification to fall back on just in case things don’t go
according to plan in the music industry.
“Music, though I love it, can be a seasonal thing – you’re here today, and at the
drop of a hat, you’re gone tomorrow. It thus becomes important that I secure
my future as best I can with qualifications,” he said.
By Thando Cezula
Siyabonga Dyonose holding his music album after putting on a stela
performance with the Butterworth Campus choir during graduation.
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Walter Sisulu University
1516 W SU
Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU’s
DR BILLIONAIRE
M
thatha-born businessman and property mogul Sisa
Ngebulana encouraged students to always, in spite
of negativity and scepticism, remain steadfast and
resolute in pursuance of their dreams and aspirations.
In an impassioned address to a partisan crowd of over 2000
students and their friends, families and University staff,
Ngebulana, CEO of Billion Group, a property development
company, characterized education as a powerful tool that
can help one unlock the power within to change the world
and influence people.
“In so many ways, your graduation marks the beginning
of something new, and just as this honorary doctorate
celebrates my past contribution to the business and real
estate sector – it marks and important milestone as I will be
breaking ground on about three new malls in the country,”
said a visibly excited Ngebulana.
Over and above being an admitted attorney of the High
Court, Ngebulana is a qualified estate agent and has been
in the real estate sector since 1991, wherein he started his
career in KwaZulu-Natal selling house before moving to
Cape Town where he worked for an agency specializing in
commercial property.
“So I have had the best of both worlds in real estate –
residential and commercial property,” he said.
Ngebulana was conferred with a Doctor of Commerce
degree (Honoris Causa) for his immeasurable contribution
in the advancement of commerce and economic
improvement of the country, with a particular focus on the
poor and the rural contexts.
“These initiatives have contributed immensely to the
advancement of our country’s foundational values of
enhancing human dignity, equality and transformation of
society that are compatible with WSU’s vision and mission,”
WSU Vice-Chancellor & Principal, said Dean for the Faculty of Commerce and Administration.
Prof Rob Midgley (left) with
Mthatha born businessman,
Dr Sisa Ngebulana (right) By Thando Cezula
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
17LET’S TALK
CIRCUMCISION
Dr Mmampho Gogela-Smith
T
he contentious issue of ‘ulwaluko’, traditional male “Secondly, the study was influenced by my status as a single
circumcision, has been thrust at the forefront of public mother at the time; and thirdly, the paucity of research studies
discourse yet again, this time, via a thesis instituted by a conducted on women’s feelings and perceptions on the custom
WSU academic in pursuance of her doctoral degree in Political motivated me to explore this phenomenon from an interpretive
and International Studies. phenomenological point of view,” added Gogela-Smith.
Dr Mmampho Gogela-Smith, a manager at the University’s She says she intends to use her academic prowess to supervise,
Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) at the mentor and coach the emerging, new generation of scholars
Buffalo City Campus, was bestowed with the honour at Rhodes to mitigate and offset the negative effects of failing to deliver a
University in April. sufficient cohort of masters and doctorates.
The thesis, titled “Perceptions of ulwaluko in a liberal democratic “Such challenges impede the production of knowledge economy
state: is multiculturalism beneficial to AmaXhosa women in the in the country. I also want play a more formidable role in the
Eastern Cape Province of South Africa?”, sought to investigate intriguing academic debates that are taking place in South Africa
the intersection between culture, gender issues and politics. on curriculum transformation in higher education. Lastly, as a
reflective practitioner, I feel that it’s critical to pursue scholarship
“The study was influenced firstly, by my experience in teaching of teaching and learning. We all know the famous adage in
Lifestyle Management. With regards to the HIV/AIDS module in academia: publish or perish!” asserted Gogela-Smith.
the course, I observed that any attempt to discuss circumcision
as a possible risk-reduction measure for HIV infection was met An avid believer in the adage of life-long learning, Gogela-Smith
with a strong objection and open hostility from Xhosa men, and said she plans to explore the untested waters of research
sometimes complete withdrawal,” said Gogela-Smith. and knowledge production even further in a bid to become a
professor someday.
The male students, according to her, argued that it was
inappropriate and against traditional rules for women, boys and “At the top of my intellectual/career goals is Higher Education
other cultural groups to speak about ulwaluko. studies which will undoubtedly add merit to the work I do in
academic development.
She said the defiant and defensive stance adopted by the male
students prompted many a heated debate within the classroom. By Thando Cezula
18 W SU
Walter Sisulu UniversityT
he massive NMD Great Hall at the Mthatha campus A TRIO OF PHD’S FOR THE FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL
reverberated in mass hysteria as a trio of doctoral degrees SCIENCES: Dr Sampson Matope (left), Dr Senzani Metoza
were conferred during the second day of the WSU graduation (centre), Dr Jongikhaya Mvenene (right)
ceremony programme in May.
First in line to receive their just academic rewards was Dr
Sampson Matope, whose thesis is titled “Exploring the level of
student engagement among undergraduate students in an
institution of higher learning in the Eastern Cape.”
The study was premised on a research question that delved into
what the level of student engagement among undergraduate
students during and after teaching and learning process was.
“The major findings of the study showed that there are some
practices within the institution that foster student engagement
3
such as; the use of group work, giving learners higher order
questions, brain storming and community engagement
programmes. The research study also revealed that the seating
plan in the lecture halls foster lecture method which is thus
PHD’S
commonly used during teaching and learning.” said Matope.
Second in line to ascend the stage was Dr Senzani Metoza, who
deep submersion into the effects of overcrowded classrooms
was embodied in a thesis titled “Teaching experiences in
overcrowded classes in secondary schools of one education
district in South Africa.”
Metoza’s work was aimed at establishing strategies that can be
used by teachers in overcrowded classes in the country’s schools,
more especially in rural disadvantaged schools, where there was
FOR FACULTY
dire need of resources.
“The study was informed and guided by these objectives:
challenges faced by teachers teaching in OCs, resources, learner
performance, enhancing teaching and learning, intervention
programs. The findings reveal that overcrowded classes, amongst
other issues, are characterized by noise, disruption, under-
utilization of learning devices and poor assessment practices.
It is recommended that school governing bodies should exert
pressure to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to provide
necessary infrastructure,” he said.
Metoza suggested that should such challenges fail to be
addressed, learners and teachers in the Eastern Cape could
move to other provinces with attractive learning and working
environment.
Rounding of the trio was Dr Jongikhaya Mvenene, whose historical
perspective on indigenous knowledge systems was aptly captured
in his thesis titled “The implementation of indigenous knowledge
systems in the teaching and learning of South Africa History: A
case study of four Mthatha high schools.”
By Thando Cezula
W SU
Walter Sisulu University
19WSU IN CASE
YOU
MISSED
SNIPPETS IT
WSU alumnus and qualified Walter Sisulu University
medical doctor, Kwanda struck it lucky when they
Nogemane makes a courtesy received an opportunity of a
consultation for WSU lifetime to host and manage
Chancellor, Ambassador the National Pollution
Shelia Sisulu, during Laboratory.
graduation at the Buffalo
City Campus. The Department of
Environmental Affairs
(DEA) and WSU signed
a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) for
The university would like to WSU to host the National
congratulate its transport Pollution Laboratory as part
staffer, Ntsikelelo Jikwana on of the Operation Phakisa
obtaining his Btech degree Projects.
in Public Management.
Ntinga Ntanga Ndini!!!
WSU Community celebrates
the endless life of uMama
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
#RestInPower #Qhawekazi
#Imbokodo #Enkosi
Pulmonologist, Prof Marina
Xaba-Mokoena, who opened
the first faculty of medicine
and health sciences at the
then-University of Transkei,
now Walter Sisulu University.
WSU is deeply saddened
to hear of the passing
on of, Mama Nomzamo
A Pictorial Narrative of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela,
WSU’s Buffalo City Campus whom the university had
Open Day Held at Potsdam nominated to honour for her
on Friday, 20 April. contribution to the liberation
struggle and community
engagements.
The shocking news comes
just a month before
the WSU graduation
ceremonies where she was
to be conferred an honorary
doctoral degree in Social
Science (honoraris cause).
20 W SU
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