Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize and academics Professors Ernest Khalema, Maheshvari Naidu, Nobuhle Hlongwa and Nogwaja Zulu recently met with Dr Saleem Badat of the Andrew W Mellon Foundation to discuss their research projects that were made possible through funding from the Foundation.
The School of Built Environment and Development Studies in partnership with the residents of Quarry Road West (QRW) informal settlement and the Urban Futures Centre at the Durban University of Technology hosted a photovoice exhibition showcasing photographs taken by residents as part of a broader Narratives of Home and Neighbourhood: Reimagining Urban Planning Project.
Operations Manager in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, Dr Phumelele Zakwe, graduated with her PhD in Business Administration.
UKZN staff member Dr Zifikile Phindile Shangase received a PhD in Public Health for her study on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients with regard to smoking; the barriers to cessation among current smokers with DR-TB and hospital staff’s knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices with regard to smoking.
Lecturer in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies Dr Judith Ojo-Aromokudu, graduated with her PhD in Architecture. Her research focused on what informs the spaces created in informal settlements and how residents live and carry out their daily activities within these spaces.
Ms Minenhle Nxumalo was all smiles when she graduated with her Masters in Development Studies. Her research focused on the perspectives and experiences of female traders in securing their livelihoods in Warwick Market, the challenges they face, their daily working conditions and their reasons for trading.
UKZN staff member Dr Majahamahle Nene Mthethwa received his PhD in Architecture for his study on collectively accepted makings of Afrocentric sources that would inspire Afrocentric placemaking and architecture in contemporary urban built form as well as promote social equality, justice and a sense of belonging.
Ms Sinethemba Zungu received her Masters in Housing for her research on Post-settlement Support Challenges of Land reform housing beneficiaries: A case study of the Oakford Priory Housing Project. ‘I have prodigious interest in the land reform programme, and my curiosity as to why it has not been impactful in South Africa is what led me to this research topic.’
Five students working in the field of civil society supervised by Dr Shauna Mottiar of UKZN’s Centre for Civil Society (CCS) graduated in the discipline of Development Studies.
Staff member Mr Nkanyiso Shange was awarded a Masters in Housing for his research on the eThekwini Municipality’s allocation process in the low-income Cornubia Housing Project.