MEDUNSA UPGRADE - University of Limpopo

The Centre for Academic Excellence
THE RIGHT TO SUCCEED LIES AT
THE HEART OF THE CAE
e‘ENTHUSIASM IS THE YEAST
THAT MAKES YOUR HOPES
SHINE TO THE STARS. Enthusiasm
is the sparkle in your eyes, the
swing in your gait. The grip of
your hand, the irresistible surge of
will and energy to execute your
ideas.’ Henry Ford’s words might
have been uttered with Professor
Monie Naidoo, Executive Director
of the University of Limpopo’s
Centre for Academic Excellence
(CAE) in mind. Naidoo is a
people-centred and positive
personification of enthusiasm.
Naidoo grew up in Durban, in
a home that treasured the value of
education combined with constant
encouragement. It was here that
her love of education was first
triggered. Naidoo’s schooling was
also in nurturing environments.
She first attended St Anthony’s,
a small Catholic school near
Greyville Race Course – ‘where
every child felt valued and loved’
– which was followed by another
supportive schooling experience at
Durban Girls High. She
remembers that during her stint as
head prefect, her still-present
philosophy to take the initiative
and to ‘just do it’ was instilled.
‘I thrived and achieved under
these positive influences.
I appreciated them and became
aware of their overall value in my
life, as well as the impact that
supportive environments can have
P A G E 1 2
on people’s lives in general. After
matric I trained to be a teacher at
the University of Durban-Westville
and started teaching physical
science and biology. I’m delighted
that I have this background in
science and I find it still helps me
today.’
Then came the early 80s and
the government’s bizarre
tricameral parliament proposal.
Naidoo became involved in
activism work, primarily through
SADTU (the SA Democratic
Teachers Union), with her focus
on race and gender equity. ‘A lot
came out of those activism days;
a lot of understanding of people’s
experiences under the systems in
power and a determination to
unite and work against inequality.’
This led to work as a gender
activist. Naidoo is still involved in
voluntary gender and development
work.
‘When I did my honours,
I chose counselling psychology
because by then I recognised that
it would be a valuable skill,
I obviously had no idea just how
valuable it would prove to be in
my life. In fact, when I reflect on
the path my life has taken, the
courses I have done, the projects
I have been involved in, I marvel
at how they have all contributed
so richly to my career – and more
particularly, to the work I am
doing here at this university.’
Naidoo’s string of
qualifications has more than
equipped her for her job, as has
the experience she has gained.
Her qualifications include a UDE
from the University of Durban-
Westville; Diploma Special Ed.
from Unisa; BA and BA (Hons)
from Unisa in Psychology and
Economics and Counselling
Psychology respectively; an MA
from the University of Natal; B.Ed
from Unisa; and more recently a
Certificate in Higher Education
Management from Wits Business
School; and an MBA (cum laude)
and D.Ed, both from Unisa. The
combination of education and
business management has worked
well for her, she notes.
Other experiences that have
added richly to her skills includes
a stint as Chairperson of the
Foundation of Tertiary Institutions
of the Northern Metropolis Board;
membership of the IUT (Improving
University Teaching) Advisory
Board, Partner-Mentor of the
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
Foundation; and serving as a
panel member of institutional audits.
Naidoo’s first experience at
Medunsa was in 1996, when she
was appointed to establish and
head up the Directorate of Equal
Opportunities, which was the
brainchild of Professor Ephraim
Mokgokong, then VC of the
university. The aim, says Naidoo,