This Week @FORT HARE Vol 2, issue 9 - Institutional Advancement - University of Fort Hare
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Institutional Advancement
This Week
@FORT HARE Vol 2, issue 9
05 June 2020
Institutional Advancement Ne wsletter
ThisWeek@FortHare
INTRODUCING OUR NEW ADMINISTRATOR
- Mr Nhlanganiso Dladla ADRESSING DATA MATTERS
“The university
with DR CHRIS JOHL:
community welcomes Chief Information Officer
Mr Dladla and wishes
him well during his Due to the work-and-study-from-home requirements imposed Telkom data is only available in urban areas and this problem
tenure” by Covid-19 lockdown regulations, our university is pulling out
all stops to adapt to a new normal which necessitates that
is being addressed with the network operator. The iEnabler
system has been open to load the e-learning cellular data
universities be run remotely, until lockdown regulations are numbers from 30 April 2020. So far 7680 students have added
lifted or relaxed substantially. their numbers.
A key enabler for working and studying remotely is provision of Mobile network operators have been inundated with requests
the necessary tools. To this extent, the university’s Executive to load data for all higher education students in the country,
Management Committee (EMC) took a firm undertaking to as well as many scholars, and are struggling to keep pace.
ensure all staff and students have adequate data to operate Students who have not yet added their e-learning cellular data
their laptops remotely either for work or study purposes. numbers are encouraged to continue to add them, as data can
only be loaded onto numbers provided (by students) on the
Spearheading this mammoth task, is Dr Christian Johl, the iEnabler system.
university’s Chief Information Officer. He is supported by his
ICT team – a group of men and women who have been working Which networks are likely to load first?
tirelessly since shutdown, to ensure seamless connectivity for Telkom has been first to load data, albeit with the problem
the university community. mentioned above. Vodacom is in progress, having provided
some feedback that the systems are now ready to proceed.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the work force out of
The data is expected to be loaded by the end of the week. MTN
the workplace into homes. Technology has never before been
Mr Nhlanganiso Dladla has been appointed as the new Mr Dladla brings to the role expertise in education, rural and Cell C require a credit vetting process which is underway.
in such demand. The pandemic has left no place for choice to
Administrator for the university. He replaces Professor Loyiso development and local economic development. He has
respond, only immediacy. The fourth industrial revolution has Challenges
Nongxa whose term ended on 30 April 2020. His tenure served on several strategic structures in the province. These
been propelled into action by this pandemic,” said Dr Johl.
commenced on 1st June 2020. include the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, Eastern The scale of the effort required to load over one million SIM
Cape Planning Commission and Eastern Cape Development Amid his hectic schedule, the CIO created time to provide cards with data for Higher Education students alone, with
Mr Dladla’s appointment was announced by Higher Education Corporation, Ilima Community Economies Programme and four Mobile Networks operators, has been grossly under
clarity on the process:
and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande in the 7th April 2020 others. He has also served in community organisations that estimated. Lockdown regulations have made the obvious
edition of the Government Gazette. He is expected to serve in Staff Data solutions impossible, and other electronic mechanisms had to
drive agri-based cooperatives focusing on food security and
the role of Administrator for a period of six months. His duties economic development. At national level, Mr Dladla served The EMC has approved the allocation of data cards to all be sought. Each SIM card issued must be RICA’d. This process
will be to: employees. This project will increase the number of UFH requires personal information to be provided to the network
in Advisory Committes for former Education Ministers Sibusiso
data lines by an additional 360. Also, all staff datacards will operators. This is the primary reason that data needed to be
• Carry out the role, exercise the powers, perform the Bengu, Kader Asmal, Blade Nzimande (Higher Education) and
be loaded with 50 GB of daytime data and 30 GB of night- loaded onto existing SIM cards.
functions and execute the duties of the council to the Gugile Nkwinti (Rural Development).
time data. That process commenced on 1st June and is still
extent that such role, powers, functions and duties relate How to check your data
He holds a B Com degree in Accounting and Economics from underway.
to governance, and; the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, an MA Mobile Network Operators will send an SMS to inform of
Student Data any changes to a card, including data being loaded or when
• Ensure that a new council is constituted in accordance from Bentley University and a Masters in Education (Ed.M)
According to Dr Johl, student data is somewhat more contracts get migrated, as is the case with staff data cards.
with the institutional statutes within six months. degree from Harvard University.
complicated in that students need to add the cellular number
All queries can be directed to the ICT helpdesk email
The Administrator is not new to the University of Fort Hare. The university community welcomes Mr Dladla and wishes on which they wish to have their data loaded, via the iEnabler
address: ictservicemanager@ufh.ac.za
Some years back he worked for the university as the Dean him well during his tenure. system. Vodacom, Cell C and MTN will load 10 GB day time
data and 20 GB night time data, whilst Telkom will load 20 GB by Aretha Linden
of the Faculty of Management and Commerce. He was also by Tandi Mapukata day time data and 20 GB night time data.
Director of the Distance Learning Project.
Page 1 | 05 June 2020 Vol 2, issue 9 | Page 2
Institutional Advancement Ne wsletter
ThisWeek@FortHare
Click below to view the Virtual Graduation Videos and Programmes for each Faculty
VC’s
AUTUMN
GRADUATION
VIEW PROGRAMME VIEW PROGRAMME VIEW PROGRAMME
SPEECH
Delivered on
29 MAY 2020
VIEW PROGRAMME VIEW PROGRAMME VIEW PROGRAMME
What we are planning to do now is that for those I’m very happy to say that at this point in time, the
students who still wish to go on stage – we are planning university is very stable compared to where it was, at
a special ceremony in September. Further details on this this time in 2019. And it’s all thanks to the Management
one will follow. Executive Committee, the Extended Management Team,
the Deans, the Professors…but very, very importantly, to
Like all public universities in South Africa, we’re doing all Professor Nongxa himself. And we are very, very grateful
At the end of April last year the governance of the we can to salvage the 2020 academic year. The times for the time that he spent at Fort Hare.
Mr Chancellor, it is a pleasure for me to welcome
university was put under administration and Professor are extremely testing for us. What we have to do is very,
all the guests to this graduation, starting with the
very complex. However, we’ll do all we can to ensure I also wish to thank all the staff who’ve been part of this
Executive Management Team of the university, the rest Loyiso Nongxa was appointed as Administrator to
that this cohort of students - 2020, will complete their massive effort to put together this virtual graduation.
of the Extended Management Team, Deans, Directors, perform all the duties of Council. And I’m very pleased
studies. Even if it means going into 2021 – the first part It’s not been easy. A lot of people had to put in a lot of
academic staff, support services staff, and of course to report that during this time we have achieved a lot of
of the first quarter. effort. Staff in academic administration in the Registrar’s
the graduands themselves, their parents, sponsors and successes, a lot of progress.
Office, staff in the faculties, staff in Senex and Senate of
donors. Let me take this opportunity then to congratulate our
A new statute was gazetted this year on the 8th of May. the university, and very importantly, for the logistics and
graduands today. It’s been tremendous patience, other technical arrangements for this virtual graduation
We are holding this extraordinary graduation under very, We’re very proud about that. It takes us forward. We are
tremendous hard work on the part of all of them, on - the Department of Institutional Advancement and all
very trying and testing times. Despite all the challenges just about ready now to have a new Council appointed.
the part of all our academics, and of course, on the their staff for the great work that they have put it in.
that we face, especially with reference to the normal University rules – institutional rules are also being put in
part of all support staff in the university. So, this has
operations of the university, we have continued to place and finalised.
been a massive joint effort and again, we’re very proud In conclusion, I wish to say that we as the Management
record extraordinary achievements and successes in
This 2020 graduation ceremony is being held under that we have these graduates today to receive their of the university, and together with all our staff, we are
various areas.
very difficult conditions because of Covid-19. As a result qualifications. committed to make a success of the University of Fort
For example, in terms of the recently released we’ve had to re-arrange and re-configure the entire Hare. We will continue to draw inspiration from the
I also wish to thank the former Administrator of the motto, invented and popularised by generations of Fort
Department of Higher Education’s research report, graduation season this year.
university, Professor Nongxa, whose term ended at the Hare students in the past, namely: Khula Nokholeji Khula!
the University of Fort Hare continues to achieve great
At this ceremony we are awarding 2711 qualifications. I end of April this year. With him, we achieved a great
successes there and we are among the best performing
am aware that many of our students would have loved to deal of successes. The statute is now in place, thank Thank you very much everyone for being part of this
universities in the country. We also are, in the country
be onsite – to be on campus to receive their certificates. goodness to him, and he engaged in campus-wide ceremony and all the best to the Class of 2020.
per capita, the best university in terms of production of
They would have loved to walk across the stage. consultative processes.
PhDs. Prof Sakhela Buhlungu
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Institutional Advancement Ne wsletter
ThisWeek@FortHare
UFH in the News - WATCHING THE
BCM MAYOR 2020 VIRTUAL Dear 2020 Law Graduates
GRADUATES AT 59
GRADUATION
I am so proud of all of you: LLB and other graduates
(B Com Law and Diploma in Local Government Law &
Administration) from the Faculty of Law.
CEREMONY…
Source: Daily Dispatch, published on 2 June 2020. Your time at Fort Hare has been one of the most
Click here to view original article turbulent in recent times. Most of you joined the
Faculty in 2015 and 2016 at the height of Fees Must
Against All Odds
Fall protests. As a result, you had to contend with
much at the very outset of your academic journeys.
“My grandmother said to me Subsequent years were not easy either.
while I was still a young girl: Mr Actor Katurura, Deputy Dean, Law Faculty pens The year 2017 was characterised by sporadic
‘Don’t start something you can’t a heartfelt congratulatory note to his students: protests and concomitant disruptions to the academic
programme for as much as half, if not most, of that
finish.’ I’ve lived by those words academic year.
since then. I have a dream and In 2018 there was a two-month workers strike in the
that dream must be achieved,” middle of the year, leading to the first semester being
completed only in August! In the midst of all of this,
the Faculty (and the university) was confronted by
a sexual harassment scandal that made national
After going back to school in 2015 to complete her matric at the “When I pursued my matric in 2015, I also registered with headlines.
age of 55, Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana has Witwatersrand University to do a post-matric certificate.
added another feather to her cap - a degree from the University I was under so much pressure that I lost a lot of weight,” In 2019 the university was placed, and remains under
of Fort Hare. Now 59, the Duncan Village-born politician Matana said. Her peers sometimes questioned her drive for administration.
could not contain her excitement when she graduated with a further education, but she was determined to push further. In addition to all of the above, during 2015 and
Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration at Fort Hare’s 2016 you had to deal with the apprehension that
virtual graduation ceremony on Friday. “I don’t want only people in aprons at my funeral. I also want came with the Council on Higher Education (CHE)
academics in their academic regalia so people know that I’m national review of LLB programmes. This raised a
Hardships forced Matana to drop out of school in Standard 7 also a graduate,” Matana said. real possibility of programmes losing accreditation!
(Grade 9) about 40 years ago, and a relative offered her a job Thankfully, our programme was not impacted.
at Castolina Textiles on the West Bank. She credits her political She cites Nomantombazana Botha, a former deputy minister of
home, the South African Communist Party, for playing a huge both local government and arts & culture, as a huge inspiration Undeterred:
role in her decision to go back to school a mere five years in her quest to become educated. “My grandmother said to
• You formed more Law student societies than any
before reaching pension age. me while I was still a young girl: ‘Don’t start something you can’t
other group before you
finish.’ I’ve lived by those words since then. I have a dream and
Speaking to the DispatchLIVE on Monday, Matana said she’d that dream must be achieved,” she said. • Participated in, and won more moot court
opted to go back to school as she realised the importance competitions than ever before,
of education, not only in improving people’s living standards. “It was challenging as I was juggling roles in my personal
“Education also improves your life; your interpretation of the and working lives. My wish now is to obtain that red gown - • Bagged articles and prestigious scholarships from
world is altered when you are educated,” she said. a doctorate. “I’m currently doing a postgraduate certificate in premier law firms and other benefactors. The list
of achievements is endless...
monitoring and evaluation and from there I want to pursue my
Matana, a former BCM council speaker and mayoral Master’s degree,” Matana said. She had hoped to be capped And now you are graduating virtually amidst the
committee member, said education has played a role in at the graduation ceremony with her father watching from the COVID-19 pandemic.
her understanding of legislative documents. “For me, good audience but, amid lockdown restrictions, this was not to be.
governance is understanding the legislative framework. “He would’ve witnessed his only living child on the stage being If ever there was an ‘Against all odds Group’, You are
Without understanding, it is easy to fall into a trap of going it!
capped and collecting that important paper.“ Unfortunately
against the legislation. Mr Actor Katurura is Deputy Dean and Senior Lecturer
my siblings never got to experience a graduation and have You are conquerors. Congratulations! Well done.
in the Faculty of Law
passed on,” Matana said.
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Institutional Advancement Ne wsletter
ThisWeek@FortHare
ISASIPHINKOSI MDINGI:
Law Graduate and Social Activist
UFH LAUNCHES commands global attention
2020 SISA UFH Law graduate and young social activist, Isasiphinkosi
NGEBULANA
Mdingi, is on a mission to change society for the better.
“There is a great need to
Today, 5 June 2020, Mdingi will give a live talk on the American volunteer our time in finding
UNDERGRADUATE
Space and Makerspace Dushanbe Tajikistan Facebook page.
solutions to the current crises
The global online platform profiles young social activists and
in the world”
SCHOLARSHIP affords them the opportunity to share their experience. Her
topic is: Activism that brings positive changes into society.
FOR LAW AND Mdingi graduated from Fort Hare in 2017 and is currently a
Masters of Public Administration in Education Economy and
ACCOUNTING Management candidate, at the University of Science and
Technology Beijing, China.
STUDENTS She advocates for access to quality education, sexual
reproductive health rights and self-determination. The aspiring
Curriculum Development Specialist is devoted to the fight
against gender-based violence and all forms of discrimination.
Her passion for social justice has led her to be selected and
lead in several influential organisations. These include the
The University of Fort Hare is proud to announce the launch of Internship Opportunities at Sisa Ngebulana Foundation following:
a new scholarship which prioritises first year South African, full
In addition to the R200 000 donation, the Sisa Ngebulana • Local President of Junior Chamber International (University
time Law and Accounting students at the university.
Foundation will also provide internships and stipends to of Fort Hare East London Campus)
Named after its benefactor, proud UFH alumnus and self- selected students in a programme tailored towards the field • Eastern Cape Youth Advisory Member: United Nations
made property mogul, Dr Sisa Ngebulana, The 2020 SISA of Property Development. This programme will be structured Population Fund (UNFPA)
NGEBULANA Undergraduate Scholarship For Law and to enhance the employability of the successful graduates • Recipient of Activate! Change Drivers Programme
Accounting will benefit unfunded students who are pursuing through development of entrepreneurial skills. Successful
• Recipient of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stifttung- University
degrees in the fields of law and Accounting for the first time interns will be selected on merit through a transparent process
of Fort Hare Autumn School on Social Democracy and
in 2020. in line with the donor’s guidelines.
Political Economy. violence within the campus community. The policy was
The five scholarships will be awarded to academically The University of Fort Hare appreciates Dr Ngebulana’s • Recipient of the Preparing Global Leaders Summit implemented and became effective in 2019.
deserving 1st year students with excellent matric results. compassionate support and relentless commitment in (Leadership training program hosted by the Russian
addressing deep seated aspirations of students who come Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Mdingi says in her upcoming talk, she hopes to remind her
OTHER FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The Fort audience that the global community is facing many challenges
Administration)
Hare Foundation in particular, will continue to nurture its that need everyone, especially young people.
Dr Ngebulana’s association with the University of Fort Hare’s
partnership with him on behalf of the university. In 2018, she was honoured by the United States Department
Alumni Office dates back many years. He has donated “There is a great need to volunteer our time in finding solutions
of State in a ceremony held in Washington DC, as part of the
generously to several causes and fundraising initiatives. Dr Ngebulana is the founder and Chairman of the Billion Group. to the current crises in the world. These include the slow
10 Emerging Younger Leaders globally. She was recognized
He is also the founder of Rebosis Property Fund Ltd. for her fight against GBV in and outside of university campus. economic growth, high unemployment and poverty rates,
In addition to the five scholarships, his most recent contribution
GBV, violation of human rights especially women and children
is an amount of R200 000 - donated via the Sisa Ngebulana Issued on behalf of the Fort Hare Foundation Throughout her academic career at the UFH, she has led and minority groups; discrimination, prejudice, racism, lack of
Foundation, as part of a fundraising initiative that was set up by Tandi Mapukata marches and facilitated dialogues on GBV and engaging with access to quality education and health care. We need solutions
with 35 other highly esteemed UFH alumni. This is the biggest
policy makers. In 2016, she was among the young women because injustice and inequality affects all of us.”
single contributor by an alumnus of the University of Fort Hare.
who drafted a memorandum demanding the university to
The proceeds of the fundraising initiative were used to clear by Aretha Linden
implement a policy to address sexual and gender based
the debt of 78 students who graduated recently, on 29 May
2020.
Page 7 | 05 June 2020 Vol 2, issue 9 | Page 8
Institutional Advancement Ne wsletter
ThisWeek@FortHare
Nozuko Lawana - Language and Writing
PhD candidate scores an Advancement Programme
invitation to the 7th Lindau
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Meeting in Economics Science
In a bid to ensure continued academic support to students In order to benefit from this selfless service, students are
“Do not let your background define your future. during the Covid-19 lockdown period, the Language and required to book an online consultation by emailing any
Chase your dream no matter what the Writing Advancement Programme (LWAP) team, based TLC or LWAP consultant.
within the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC), has
circumstance” moved its services online.
Booking an online consultation
The email must include the following details:
PhD Economics student Nozuko Lawana is among 373 Young issues. The world is a mosaic of different cultures and a single LWAP was established to address academic writing
challenges. Highly trained consultants offer personal, • Student’s name and surname,
Researchers from 60 countries - and only four from South perspective cannot apply in all these cultures. I am determined
Africa - that have been invited to the 7th Lindau Meeting in to gather all the wealth ideas for my career development”, she one-on-one assistance, in a friendly, non-threatening • Student number
Economics Science to be held in Germany next year. said. atmosphere. The programme aims to facilitate, guide, • Faculty, and
collaborate, recommend and offer advice on writing
• Exact detail of what they require assistance with.
The meeting takes place every three years and was initially Prof Forget Kapingura, associate Professor in Economics, academic essays and research.
scheduled to take place in August this year. However, due holds Lawana in high regard, describing her as an “emerging A consultant will be in contact within 48hours to arrange a
to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the five-day gathering was Economist with great potential.” He cites two articles authored Using a mobile phone, students are now able to get
way forward which will include communicating via Skype,
postponed to August 2021. It brings together young economists by Lawana which were published in peer-reviewed journals assistance with their assignments from LWAP consultants.
WhatsApp voice notes and Blackboard. Collaborate will
from around the globe and Laureates of the Sveriges Riksbank recognised by the Department of Higher Education and This includes assignment reviews, online academic
be used for feedback sessions.
Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Training. writing tutorials and study skills.
Meetings are based on the principle of dialogue and the
Her first article titled: Decomposing socioeconomic inequalities
different sessions are designed to activate the exchange of
in alcohol use by men living in South African urban informal
knowledge, ideas and experience among delegates.
settlements, was published in the BioMed Central Public
Lawana was selected following a rigorous process that started Health Journal.
with an application through the Academy of Science of South
Her second article titled: Lifestyle risk factors, non-
Africa (ASSAf). She was shortlisted by ASSAf and her application
communicable diseases and labour force participation in
was sent to the Council for Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting for
South Africa, was published in the Development Southern
a further selection process. In the end, her motivational letter
Africa Journal. This article is part of her thesis, which is in its
and an assessment based on her competitiveness earned her
final stages. It was initially presented at the 5th Biennial African
a spot.
Health Economics and Policy Association 2019 Conference.
In addition to pursuing her PhD in Economics, Lawana also
“These are outstanding achievements and her hard work is
serves as a PhD Research Trainee at the Human Sciences
paying off well,” said proud Prof Kapingura.
Research Council. She is also a recipient of the European
Union of Independent Students and Independent Students The young goal-driven scholar hails from Gqodi Location in
Academic German scholarship programme. King William’s Town. She says being selected to attend such
a prestigious engagement is proof that anything is possible.
At the meeting, Lawana will present a paper from her PhD
thesis on non-communicable diseases and labour market “Do not let your background define your future. Chase your
outcomes in South Africa. dream no matter what the circumstance”, she said.
She plans to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact Lawana’s next target is a post-doctoral fellowship in Economics
with young scholars, Professors and specialists from diverse and dedicating time to produce research publications,
professional and cultural backgrounds around the globe. including policy briefs that will influence socioeconomic
“The exposure is important for interaction and integration of
related policies and service delivery. 2020 East London Language and Writing Consultants:
Mr Halalisani Nkosiyethu Xulu, Ms Kerenza Moodley, Ms Thokozani Sithole, Ms Juliet Mukumbi, Ms Gugu Tom, Ms Khanyisa Twani
diverse ideas and perspectives pertaining to various global by Aretha Linden
Page 9 | 05 June 2020 Vol 2, issue 9 | Page 10
ThisWeek@FortHare
your weekly newsletter
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor-in-Chief: Tandi Mapukata
Writers: Aretha Linden, Mawande Mrashula & Asaduma Baloyi
Graphic Design & Layout: Alida Mundell
Photography & Videography: Tim Wilson & TK Matokazi
Creative Specialist: Tim Wilson
Marketing Advisor: Khotso Moabi
Social Media Specialist: Velani Mbiza Gola
FOR COMMENTS, IDEAS AND STORY LEADS:
Tandi Mapukata | tmapukata@ufh.ac.za
Aretha Linden | alinden@ufh.ac.za
Submission deadline 5pm Tuesdays
05 June 2020 | Vol 2, issue 9
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