UNIZULU - The University of Zululand

Photo: Spha Gumede
A Centre for Sustainable Integrated Rural
Development (CSIRD) at the University of Zululand
(UNIZULU), was officially opened by KZN MEC for
Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Cyril Xaba.
OPENS A CENTRE
FOR SUSTAINABLE
INTEGRATED RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
Pictured: KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Cyril Xaba
and University of Zululand Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Xoliswa Mtose
officially opening the Centre for Suitable Integrated Rural Development.
T
he Centre was launched as a result of a partnership
forged between the KZN Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development and UNIZULU. In his
keynote address at the event, MEC Xaba said
the CSIRD would be an important vehicle to help achieve
the province’s Strategy for Agrarian Transformation. The
Centre will be offering education and training from skills
development up to a Masters and Doctorate Level. A key
component of its work will be research and development
as well as outreach work. “Through the CSIRD we will be
planting the seeds to develop our human capital to positively
change the Province’s rural landscape,” he said.
UNIZULU Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Xoliswa Mtose said:
“As a rural-based University not only is Rural Development a
subject that is close to our hearts but it is something we live
and breathe.” Prof Mtose also said that as the centre also
aims to formulate institutional policy on rural development
this would ensure that we all sing from the same hymn
sheet as we realise that when it comes to such important
areas of development we cannot afford to work in silos but
require clear policy to guide us. “It is however our hope and
vision that those who will gain the most from this initiative
are the multitudes of rural poor not only in this region but
throughout the whole of Africa,” said Prof Mtose.
The gathering heard that the curriculum offered at the Centre
will mirror that of the University of Free State’s Centre for
Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension.
According to Xaba the next step was going to be the forging
of a partnership between the two Centres.
“This is precisely what we are aiming at with the
establishment of the Centre for Sustainable Integrated
Rural Development. To work in partnership not just with the
University of Zululand but with other academic institutions,
as well as the private sector to nurture new ideas and find
innovative ways to tackle rural poverty and build an inclusive
economy,” he said.
Besides the theme of working in partnerships, MEC Xaba
emphasised the importance of education as well as research
and development in growing a country’s agricultural sector.
He pointed at how such an approach had helped South
Africa become a world leader in mining innovation.
MEC Xaba said that innovative ideas were needed to deal
with the challenges of rural poverty and building an inclusive
rural economy. He urged both the Rural Development
Institutions at the University of Zululand and the Free State
to work towards becoming centres of excellence, innovation
and expertise in the field of sustainable integrated rural
development.
Communications and Marketing Division
Ground Floor, Administration Building, KwaDlangezwa Campus
Tel: +27 35 902 6668 Fax: +27 35 902 6311 Email: [email protected] Web: www.unizulu.ac.za
READ MORE
UNIZULU Opens a centre for sustainable rural development Minister Nzimande speaks on skills shortage on Mandela Day Hockey players make the grade
Message from the Managing Editor Netball team moves up the ranks Historian wows audiences abroad Students strive to assist others to pass Boxing trio scoop medals
UNIZULU
Ongoye Online is a university community publication that is produced by the Communications and Marketing Division and designed by Artworks Communications
from the Managing Editor
Oh what a pleasure it is to see the
University of Zululand once again
taking the driver’s seat on projects
that have a positive impact on the
livelihoods of many.
Normah Zondo
Director: Communications
and Marketing Division
The Centre for Sustainable Integrated
Rural Development (CSIRD), which was
recently opened at the University by
the Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor
Xoliswa Mtose and MEC for Agriculture
and Rural Development Mr Cyril Xaba,
is proof that ours is a University that is
not detached to its surroundings.
As a rural-based University, it is no coincidence that UNIZULU
is increasingly playing a role in driving rural development and in
leading the charge in finding solutions to problems that affect
the rural communities.
We hope that the centre is the start of many partnerships that
CAMPUS NEWS
will see the University’s expertise being utilised for the greater
good of our communities
On the subject of doing things for the greater good of others,
we have recently emerged from participating in a successful
Mandela Day on July 18.
We were honoured that the Minister of Higher Education Dr
Blade Nzimande chose to celebrate Mandela Day at UNIZULU,
his alma mater.
While the celebrations were held on that day to coincide with
Madiba’s birthday we are well aware that Mandela Day is not only a
once-off event but something that should be celebrated each day.
In closing we are pleased to see our students excelling in the
various sporting codes. The giant has indeed awoken.
With women’s month upon us, we also take this opportunity to
thank all the women for huge role they play in shaping a better
future for our country. We wish you all the best for this month and
beyond.
Minister Nzimande speaks on skills
shortage on Mandela Day
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande
has made a clarion call to high school learners to further their
studies through technical and vocational education and training
(TVET) colleges, saying this would help address skills shortages
in the country. The Minister made this announcement during the
6th Annual Mandela Day Career Development Festival held at
uMfolozi TVET College in Esikhawini and University of Zululand.
“On completion of your grade 12 in 2015, many of you will need
to make important career choices that will shape your future.
Through these Mandela Day initiatives, we as a Department
continue to make you aware of the importance of furthering
your learning experiences either at a TVET college, University,
Learnership programmes or through any other forms of technical
training,” the minister said.
Dr Nzimande also said that the current administration, under
the leadership of President Jacob Zuma, took a decision that
technical and vocational education and training (TVET) must lie at
the heart of the skills and economic development of our country.
“It is precisely in light of this decision that in the past five
years we have been
hosting the annual
Nelson
Mandela
Career Expo at a
Technical and Vocational Education and Training College as
a way of profiling this important sector while providing much
needed career guidance to learners,” said Nzimande.
The Minister added that many learners often wonder why
they should study at a TVET College. The answer is quite
simple: these institutions offer industry-relevant education and
training to improve the chances for young people to get into
employment and perform socially useful work.
UNIZULU Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Xoliswa Mtose said the
festival aims to create awareness amongst the youth that they
must consider pursuing careers in the scarce skills fields. “This
is a step in the right direction for the economic development
of this country. It is not enough for young people to just be
educated, but we want them to be educated for a purpose,”
said Prof Mtose.
READ MORE
Page 2
Communications and Marketing Division
Ground Floor, Administration Building, KwaDlangezwa Campus
Tel: +27 35 902 6668 Fax: +27 35 902 6311 Email: [email protected] Web: www.unizulu.ac.za
UNIZULU Opens a centre for sustainable rural development Minister Nzimande speaks on skills shortage on Mandela Day Hockey players make the grade
Message from the Managing Editor Netball team moves up the ranks Historian wows audiences abroad Students strive to assist others to pass Boxing trio scoop medals
MESSAGE
Ongoye Online is a university community publication that is produced by the Communications and Marketing Division and designed by Artworks Communications
Hockey players make the grade
Two UNIZULU hockey players have
been selected to the South African
Country District (SACD) teams
following a good showing at the
annual hockey tournaments held
recently.
Warren van der Merwe was selected
to the SACD male team while
Isabel Mkhabela was selected to
the ladies’ team. Both players had
excelled at the hockey tournaments
held earlier this month with Van der
Merwe scoring the second highest
number of goals at the tournament
held in Limpopo from 4 to 2 July.
Mkhabela also impressed at the
tournament held in Port Elizabeth
from 14 to 19 July.
READ MORE
Netball team moves up the ranks
The University of Zululand female netball team has earned
promotion to the Pool B stream of the University Sports South
Africa (USSA) national tournament; this follows the team’s
domination of the Pool C stream where it was competing.
Historian wows audiences abroad
UNIZULU history lecturer Dr Maxwell
Shamase’s paper on Zulu queens,
Nandi and Monase, was well
received at the Ireland International
Conference held in Dublin recently.
Attendees at the conference held in
April were left in awe and demanding
more doses of Zulu history and
culture after the historian presented
his paper titled: “Zulu Queens Nandi
(c. 1764-c.1827) and Monase (c.
1797-1880), Through the Keyhole of
Oral History.”
READ MORE
Students strive to assist others to pass
In a bid to increase student pass rate and create a sense of
fellowship amongst students, the Faculty of Commerce,
Administration and Law at UNIZULU has introduced a
mentorship training programme. This developmental initiative
aims to facilitate the transition of first year students into university
life. The Faculty’s Academic Coordinator Dr Winnie Mthanti said
senior students will serve as mentors to the first year students
so as to contribute towards the personal, academic and social
development of these students.
The ladies from UNIZULU won gold in the Pool C stream after
a gruelling schedule which saw them take on six teams over
four days.
READ MORE
Boxing trio scoop medals
READ MORE
Page 3
An impressive win on points at the national
boxing tournament saw University of
Zululand (UNIZULU) student Zamafuze
Ngcobo scoop a gold medal. Ngcobo
(51kg) beat Bathabile Ziqubu, a member of
Team SA, in the finals. Ngcobo, who hails
from Ulundi, was one of three UNIZULU female boxers who were
part of the KwaZulu-Natal team that participated in the tournament
held in Grahamstown from 8 – 11 July.
Communications and Marketing Division
Ground Floor, Administration Building, KwaDlangezwa Campus
Tel: +27 35 902 6668 Fax: +27 35 902 6311 Email: [email protected] Web: www.unizulu.ac.za
READ MORE
UNIZULU Opens a centre for sustainable rural development Minister Nzimande speaks on skills shortage on Mandela Day Hockey players make the grade
Message from the Managing Editor Netball team moves up the ranks Historian wows audiences abroad Students strive to assist others to pass Boxing trio scoop medals
CAMPUS NEWS
Ongoye Online is a university community publication that is produced by the Communications and Marketing Division and designed by Artworks Communications