The Link - issue 1 2009 - University of South Africa

Building a research
HUB at UNISA
2009

CONTENTS
03 Clothing catalogue
04 Unisa Alumni collaborations
07 The African focus
08 Transformation at Unisa
11 Research cover story
22 Alumni profiles
28 Association form
31 SBL alumni news
35 Graduation schedule
36 Registration for 2010
38 College inputs
42 Unisa foundation
44 Lesotho chapter profile
48 Careers
56 Unisa Music Foundation events
60 Unisa Press
64 The arts at Unisa
69 2010 Soccer World Cup
issue one 2009 1

Editorial
foreword
Hi and welcome to the first issue of the Link Magazine for 2009 which, as we promised
last time, is packed with stories about alumni and Unisa – your alma mater.
As you will see, we have dedicated the cover story of this edition to research at our
institution. Unisa has developed a vibrant research culture, which is reflected in the
steady increase in research output and the measures in place to encourage young, black
and women academics to become active researchers. For a full picture of the state of
research at Unisa, please turn to the feature that starts on page 11.
The section on alumni is still available for you to read on page 22. Unisa alumni are
our pride and this time we have the likes of Peter Truter and Lindiwe Montshiwagae as
role models. These are alumni who have made great strides in their careers – and, of
course, Unisa has been with them on the way.
On page 69 we take a look at some of the benefits South Africa will score by hosting
the soccer World Cup in 2010. In the words of football expert Mr Gary Bailey, who recently
visited Unisa to tell staff more about the event, the World Cup next year will be the biggest
business happening ever in South Africa. According to Mr Bailey, it will be an event of immense
economic significance and will also fill every soccer-loving fan with excitement.
Our young academics programme is growing from strength to strength and in this
edition, we introduce you to three young academics who are seeing Unisa and their careers
with fresh eyes after participating in the Young Academics Programme. Read more
on page 48.
The Unisa Foundation has embarked on a fundraising campaign to raise the necessary
donor funds for the furbishment of the Unisa Florida Science Laboratories. Part of
the campaign is to solicit funds from both local and international donors as well as sending
special appeals to alumni to become involved in this worthwhile initiative in the life of the
University and indeed the country.
We always ensure that the arts at Unisa are covered in the Link. This time we take a
look at The Journey to Freedom, which is a uniquely South African multimedia art project
that recently returned after an extensive tour of the United States. The Journey to Freedom
has attracted many accolades and is rightfully regarded as a groundbreaking project that
integrates cloth work and digital work in one project. Read the story on page 66.
I hope you enjoy the first issue of the Link Magazine for 2009. Don’t forget to fill in your
Alumni Association form. This is a magazine that belongs to you – our alumni. Feel free to
contact the editorial team with your comments, as well as suggestions on topics you would
like to see us cover. Enjoy.
Editorial Team
Busisiwe Mahlangu, Amanda Masina,
Patricia Lawrence,
Frankie Mojapelo
Published by The Unisa Foundation
& Alumni Relations
University of South Africa
PO Box 392 0003
Vista Building No 263
Skinner Street
Pretoria
Tel: +27 12 337 6082/6035
Fax: +27 12 337 6171
Website: www.unisa.ac.za
Email: alumni@unisa.ac.za
2 the LINK

The Unisa shop sells University memorabilia, corporate gifts and Unisa clothing. The Unisa shop is
currently selling its products at graduation ceremonies, registration halls and alumni meetings. To
place an order, please phone the Unisa shop on 012 429 2737 or send an e-mail to Maria Rachekhu on
rachesm@unisa.ac.za or visit www.unisa.ac.za
Clothing catalogue
Advertising Backpack R90,00
Aluminium cover A5 note pad in
hardboard holder R100,00
Silver pen R25,00
Dash exhibition Bag R100,00
Lanyard R10,00
Wave caps R45,00 each
issue one 2009 3

Unisa Alumni collaborations
Issuing a challenge to the
Unisa alumni community
Officially opening the Unisa Alumni Business Breakfast held
at the Protea Restaurant on the Muckleneuk Campus on 30 July
2009, University Registrar, Prof Louis Molamu, said that alumni
are meant to network, reconnect and stay engaged. Ms Patricia
Lawrence, Director: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations, said
that the aim of the business talks is to ensure that the alumni community
stays engaged in the service of humanity.
In his address, Mr Brian Molefe, Chief Executive Officer of
Public Investment Corporation (PIC), issued a challenge to the
Unisa alumni community. He said this community has various
critical skills that it can and should use to contribute to change
for the better the abject living conditions that define those who
populate the vast landmass called Africa. He said that the opening
of the Unisa campus in Addis Ababa is a move that suggests the
need to engage the rest of the continent, not to conquer, not to
exploit, but rather to form partnerships, to expand businesses and
to share skills.
He added that partnerships are needed with other institutions
4 the LINK

of higher learning in other parts of the continent. There are institutions
such as the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), the United Nations (UN) and the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in place that can be used to ensure
that Africans achieve the vision of Nkwame Nkrumah, that Africa
must unite; of Julius Nyerere, that Africa must be self reliant; and of
Nelson Mandela, that we must volunteer our time to do good.
Mr Molefe said that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
is, together with Brazil, regarded as the lungs of the earth because
of the rain forests in the two countries. “Although the DRC is
blessed with strategic natural resources, tragically that country is
amongst the poorest in the world,” he said. He added that DRC’s
problems are challenges for Unisa alumni and they needed to mobilise
business to help the revival of the DRC.
“You may ask why this focus on Africa when I could be talking
about global recession, market turbulence and the like. The point is
that, as far as Africa is concerned, whether there is global financial
meltdown or not, our subservient position in the world order of
things puts us in a permanent recession,” he stressed.
He said that Africa had moved in the direction of self reliance
and pointed to the example of the Pan African Infrastructure
Development Fund (PAIDF), which was established to drive
infrastructural development in Africa. PAIDF, which is made up of
African public pension funds and was initiated by the PIC, is already
engaged in oil industry services infrastructure in Nigeria and
a telecommunications project in Kenya, and will soon start work on
a transport project in Kenya and property development in Ghana.
Mr Molefe emphasised the need to relook at the effectiveness
of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research
(CODESRIA) and the African Political Science Association. “These
are bodies that must lead us in the areas of research,” he said.
Quoting Tanzanian poet, Jwani Mwaikusa, he concluded that
alumni need to channel their fighting energy to resolve in a positive
manner the problems that confront the economy, the problems that
confront poor people, and the problems that impede the transformation
of South Africa.
The event was jointly organised by Unisa Alumni Relations and
the School for Business Leadership (SBL) Alumni Association.
Page 4, from left: Prof Louis Molamu,
Ms Patricia Lawrence, Mr Brian Molefe,
Mr Ezra Ndwandwe (Managing Director of
Dual Point Consulting) and Ms Deanna Voge’t
(SBL Alumni Relationship Manager)
On this page: Mr Ezra Ndwandwe (Managing
Director of Dual Point Consulting) and
Ms Patricia Lawrence, Director Unisa
Foundation & Alumni Relations
issue one 2009 5

The
Zimbabwe
Chapter
Upcoming Alumni chapter breakfast meetings – 2009
CHAPTER DATE TIMES ACTIVITIES
Botswana 12 September 09:00 Election Breakfast Meeting
Polokwane 22 September 8:00 Golf Day
Cape Town 16 October 19:00 Alumni Gala Dinner
Mauritius 31 October 09:00 Election Breakfast Meeting
Unisa/
Kopanong Hall
5 & 6
November
8:00 both
days
Convenors Workshop
The Zimbabwe Chapter convenors held a meeting with Unisa alumni at the
NSSA Café in June 2009 to explain the Chapter’s mandate to its new members.
The convenors also discussed how to market the Chapter and looked at the possiblity
of alumni volunteering in educational settings. The newly elected committee
members of the Zimbabwe Chapter are hard at work planning the year’s events.
One such event is a dinner function planned for later in the year.
6 the LINK

The Africa Focus
Unisa sets sights
firmly on the continent
As Unisa has repositioned itself to serve humanity, the African continent and its voice
have become imperatives for the University. Dr. Joseph Diescho, Director International
Relations and Partnerships, writes about what his department aims to do.
Unisa, one of the largest universities on
the African continent has a renewed commitment
to serving humanity with an African
spirit and from the perspective of Africa’s
economic and human development needs.
The University is poised to do exactly that by
responding organically to the voice of Africa
calling for a better future for all who dwell on
the continent.
As a University joining the family of
institutions offering education and training
via Open Distance Learning (ODL) Unisa
seeks to do its part in academic, research
and documentation enterprises. Part of
repositioning the University entails growing
emphasis on taking Africa’s research and
scholarship endeavours to greater heights
so that in the end Africans are placed as the
originators, chroniclers and reposers of their
own thoughts, ideas, inventions and creations.
It is important at this point of tertiary
learning and teaching to bring back honour
and dignity to Africans so that the perception
that Africans are only at the receiving end of
knowledge production is contextualized and
contested. This is part of the broader transformation
agenda of the University.
Unisa needs partners on this journey
of growth in order to deliver better education
and training. Hence the University will
work in partnership with other compatible
institutions and organizations in the
country, across the African continent and
in the broader international community.
Collaborations and partnerships are mechanisms
with which to reach more people
either as service providers or students to
achieve its short, medium and long term
strategic objectives of serving humanity with
excellence and pride, located firmly on the
African soil.
As the age-old adage instructs, “charity
begins at home”. Africa is the University’s
primary operational site. Partnering and collaborating
with other African, governments,
universities, training institutions and other
agencies pursuing the goals of development
and capacity building are of cardinal
importance. In this process of building these
strategic collaborations and partnerships,
Unisa respects the operational jurisdictions
of its strategic partners and will strive to work
in the spirit of collegiality and synergies.
Critical in delivering quality service is
the care and after care the University must
demonstrate to its students, especially those
who are beyond South Africa’s borders.
The directorate for International
Relations and Partnerships is the
University’s custodian of all the formal memoranda
and agreements with international
partners, prospective, present and future.
The directorate is there to serve the Unisa
community in its outreach programmes
and projects.You can contact International
Relations on 012 429 2075.
issue one 2009 7

Transformation at Unisa:
Five years on
The year 2009 marks an important milestone
in the development of Unisa. The new
Unisa – created by the merger between
the former University of South Africa and
Technikon Southern Africa, and the incorporation
of Vudec, Vista University’s of
Distance Education Campus – is celebrating
its fifth anniversary. It is only fitting that
the University should pause, take stock,
acknowledge and celebrate what has been
accomplished in the past five years.
The National Plan for Higher Education
(2001) set out an ambitious agenda for the
restructuring of higher education in South
Africa. The first indelible imprint on the new
higher education landscape was a series of
mergers that would reduce the number of
higher education institutions from 36 to 23,
the main aims being to ensure a more equitable
distribution of higher education facilities
and resources, to create a greater critical
mass of personnel and capacities, and to
introduce a new institutional type – comprehensives.
The six comprehensive institutions
would offer both academic and vocational
tertiary qualifications.
On 1 January 2004, the new University
of South Africa was established as the single
dedicated distance education and comprehensive
institution in South Africa.
Up to now Unisa’s journey has been
marked by many achievements and the
University is set to transform itself into a dynamic
open distance learning institution and
be true to its vision to become ‘the African
university in the service of humanity’. Unisa
has planned a series of events to celebrate
its achievements. To date, a five-year publication,
“Five years of transformation” and a
symposium on comprehensive universities
have been launched and a review workshop
is planned for later in the year.
Academic celebration of
five years post-merger
Unisa celebrated five years post-merger at
its first 2009 autumn graduation ceremony,
which was the event for the conferring of
two honorary doctorates. Prof. Kader Asmal,
Professor Extraordinary in the Faculty of Law
at the University of the Western Cape, delivered
the keynote address. Prof. Asmal was
the key driver during the merger process in
his capacity as former Minister of Education.
His address focused on the theme ‘The
merger – social engineering or educational
necessity?’
Giving an overview of the rationale
behind the mergers of various higher education
(HE) institutions, Prof. Asmal stressed
that the primary purpose of the mergers was
educational, with a view to creating HE institutions
that were “sustainable and responsive
to both national and global needs”.
According to Prof. Asmal, the merger
between the old Unisa and Technikon South
Africa, and incorporation of Vudec, to create
a single dedicated distance education
institution had various benefits, including
developing a clear focus and strategy for the
role of distance education in contributing to
national and regional goals. This aim has
seen application in the new Unisa adopting
a new model for distance education, namely
open and distance learning (ODL). Prof.
Asmal applauded Unisa for this development,
which is a major shift from the traditional
correspondence model, and recognises “the
importance of social interaction in the education/learning
process”.
Unisa also paid tribute to two outstanding
individuals who have contributed
to the betterment of society, exemplifying
the University’s values of excellence, integrity,
and social justice and fairness. The
recipients of the honorary doctorates were
Dr Anna Theresa Masamo Mokgokong and
Archbishop George Francis Daniel. Article
supplied by Corporate Communications and
Marketing.
8 the LINK

issue one 2009 9

Research cover story
Building a
research hub at Unisa
Research at Unisa is vibrant
and thriving. Bold plans are
being carried out to transfer
skills to the new generation
of researchers, to promote
scholarly exchange with
leading academics elsewhere
in Africa and to engage in
robust intellectual debate
on issues pivotal to the
development of the continent.
10 the LINK

Word from the Vice Principal:
Academic and Research
Professor Rita Mare
In line with the vision of the University, namely towards “the African
University in the service of humanity”, Unisa strives through the
focus areas defined in the Unisa Institutional Research Plan to be
relevant and responsive to the needs of South Africa and Africa.
A university is in essence a community
of scholars and the excellence of a university
is ultimately measured by the excellence
of its scholars and researchers. The quality
inherent in academic programmes, the
reach of community engagement projects
and the impact of research are all to a very
large extent dependent on the excellence,
innovation and enthusiasm of the institution’s
scholars.
In its Strategic Plan, Unisa 2015: An
Agenda for Transformation, as well as in
the Research Policy, Unisa declares that
one of its strategic objectives is to promote
and encourage quality research. To achieve
this objective, Unisa strives to provide an
enabling environment in which researchers
can flourish and gain in stature nationally
and internationally. Unisa creates this
enabling environment by providing amongst
others; research time for researchers
through research and development leave
and the human resource allocation model,
funding for research and opportunities to
liaise with African and other international
scholars, funding and support for postgraduate
studies and infrastructural support in
the form of an excellent research-focused
Library and electronic facilities and services.
Unisa further provides incentives for
researchers in the form of awards for NRF
rated researchers and for Department
of Education subsidised publications.
Excellence in research is further recognised
by the Chancellor’s Prizes, the Principal’s
Prizes for young upcoming researchers and
the Women in Research programme. Unisa
is aware that it will only be able to maintain
and improve its academic standing and
scholarly activities if it actively builds capacity
and ensures that there is a transfer of
research skills from the aging cohort of researchers
to the young upcoming academics.
Apart from the intensive research and supervisor
training provided for by the Research
Directorate, mentorship and scholar development
programmes are becoming increasingly
important at Unisa. Senior Researchers are
now incentivised to mentor young academics
in a variety of ways.
In line with the vision of the University,
namely “towards the African University in
the service of humanity”, the University
strives through the focus areas defined in
the Unisa Institutional Research Plan to
be relevant and responsive to the needs
of South Africa and Africa. As is evident
from this overview of research at Unisa,
the University can be rightfully proud of its
scholars and researchers for the contribution
that they are making to knowledge
production.
issue one 2009 11

From the Desk of the
Executive Director, Research:
Sharing research
Prof TS Maluleke: ED, Research
Few South African institutions can
match Unisa in its commitment to providing
support and recognition for its researchers
and its postgraduate students. Research
capacity development at Unisa is recognised
and ensured to be part of every
aspect of capacity building which is included
in aspects such as training, recognition and
support offered to researchers.
Research training
The Unisa Research Directorate provides
training for nearly a thousand staff members
who participate in the annual research
capacity building programme which covers
more than 60 percent of the total Unisa
staff complement! This is a positive step
towards addressing a real and felt need.
Above all, it means that through our research
capacity building programme, we
are making an invaluable and long term
investment in research development at the
institution and in this country. Although the
training is aimed at our staff members, our
postgraduate students are also welcome
to participate and are provided with merit
bursaries regardless of nationality.
Recognition and
Support for Researchers
Unisa provides various forms of support
and recognition for researchers who are
excellent in their work. The Chancellor
and Principal’s Prizes for Excellence in
Research – as well as a host of incentives,
awards and rewards - are all designed to
recognize and encourage that calibre of
researchers. Though it is difficult to put a
financial tag on this, Unisa expends more
that R10 million a year to guarantee various
forms of support for its researchers.
We have awards and incentives
dedicated to women, young and rated researchers
who excel and sustain their excellence.
Each year, the Principal and Vice
Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Pityana
fetes the newly rated researchers at a special
event held at his own residence. The
actual and total value of the expert support
and recognition provided for researchers
cannot be reduced to money. It is Unisa’s
humble but long term contribution to human
resource development in the country.
Seminars, Lectures,
Workshops and Conferences
On any given day Unisa is abuzz with seminars,
lectures, workshops and conferences–
organized at departmental, college and institutional
level. A few stood out for me during
2008: the Steve Biko Memorial Lecture
presented by Professor Pityana himself; the
Annual Founder’s Lecture; the talk given by
Mr Gwede Mantashe of the ANC General as
part of the pre-elections series of debates
as well as the lecture of Professor Catherine
12 the LINK

highlights at Unisa
Odora Hoppers on the challenges facing
education in South Africa.
In collaboration with the College of
Human Sciences Graduate School, the
Research Directorate orginised more than
ten lectures and workshops. Some departments
host their own series of talks and
lectures which proves the fact that Unisa
does provide an atmosphere most conducive
for research.
Collaborations
Unisa collaborates with several key stakeholders
in research – the most crucial being
the Departments of Science and Technology
as well as the newly formed Department
of Higher Education. We also collaborate
with SANPAD (South Africa Netherlands
Partnership for Alternatives in Development).
Professor Maluleke is the HESA Higher
Education South Africa representative on
the SANPAD Board. We also collaborate
intensevely with the Academy of Science of
South Africa (ASSAF). The collaboration with
the Fulbright office is also growing as one of
our young staff members is on sabbatical as
a Fulbright Scholar in the USA. We also have
a signed collaboration agreement with the
Human Sciences Research Council.
NRF Rating
In 2008, Unisa registered 43 applications
for the National Research Foundation
(NRF) rating which is the highest number in
any single year. Until then, our numbers of
researchers applying for ratings have been
between 15 and 25 per annum. We have
every reason to be pleased with the response
received from researchers for this initiative.
It indicates that NRF rating is becoming part
and parcel of our research culture and that we
are serious about raising our research profile
and becoming a major research player in this
country.
Contributors
Professor Rita Mare
Professor Tinyiko Maluleke
Professor Mamokgethi Setati
Professor Rosemary Moeketsi
Professor Michele Havenga
Professor Pam Ryan
Professor Rushiella Songca
Dr Godfrey Netswera
Dr Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo
Ms Nthabiseng Motsemme
Ms Lindiwe Mabuza
Ms Adri Humphreys
Ms Erica Flinspach
Ms Adri Tolmie
Ms Deanna Voge’t
issue one 2009 13

Programmes for
young, black women
researchers at Unisa
Young black women researchers, also
known as YBWs, have access to a number
of programmes aimed at facilitating their
growth and development as researchers.
These programmes include the National
Research Foundation’s (NRF) Thuthuka programme,
the Masters and Doctoral Support
Programme and the Unisa-SANPAD
Research Capacity Building Programme.
NRF Thuthuka
The Thuthuka programme falls within
the Institutional Capacity Development
directorate of the NRF. It funds young researchers
under the age of 45 within three
sub-programmes: Researchers in Training
(RiT), Women-in-Research (WiR) and the
Research Development Initiative for Black
Academics (REDIBA).
This initiative is specifically aimed at
addressing equity in research development
Female
Total
Male
Black Coloured Indian White Black Coloured Indian White
2001 1 1 1 1 1
2003 1 9 10 4 1 5 15 5 15
2004 2 1 16 19 7 1 8 27 8 27
2005 2 1 18 21 8 1 2 11 32 11 32
2006 8 1 17 26 7 1 2 2 12 38 12 38
2007 5 1 18 24 9 1 1 1 12 36 12 36
2008 4 2 13 19 5 1 2 1 9 28 9 28
Male
Total
Grand
Total
21 3 4 91 119 41 6 7 4 58 177 58 177
NRF Thuthuka 2001 – 2008
Male
Total
Grand
Total
14 the LINK

y targeting black and women researchers
below the age of 45. It uses a funding formula
where Unisa matches every cent the
NRF awards.
The Thuthuka programme was launched
at Unisa in 2001 with just one grant holder.
By 2008, this figure had grown to a group
of 177 active researchers in various disciplines.
The table on page 14 provides a detailed
demographic breakdown of Thuthuka
recipients at Unisa over the years.
Master’s and
Doctoral Support Programme
Currently, up to 50% of Unisa staff members
lack a doctoral degree – which is the basic
tool for research. To address this problem,
the Research directorate initiated the
Master’s and Doctoral Support Programme
(MDSP) in 2008.
The MDSP was designed to complement
the Thuthuka programme by giving
support to staff members eligible or already
enrolled for postgraduate studies but who,
for reasons such as citizenship or age, do
not qualify for Thuthuka funding.
In its first year, the MDSP has provided
financial support for doctoral and master’s
studies to 30 academics, of whom 14 are
women. The MDSP will also offer targeted
postgraduate training and support to grantholders.
Unisa-SANPAD Research
Capacity Building Programme
According to figures from the NRF, the
national figures for throughput rates for
PhD students stood at a disappointing 13%
in 2006. This is low in comparison to other
countries such as Brazil and Australia,
whose throughput rates were 20% and 16%
respectively.
The gap in throughput rates highlights
the momentous task South African universities
face in trying to ensure that PhD
students not only complete their degrees
but complete them within a certain period
of time.
As a response to this challenge, Unisa is
introducing a joint training programme with
SANPAD.
Known as the Unisa-SANPAD Research
Capacity Building Programme, the initiative
will provide continuous specialised support
to a group of Unisa PhD students so as to
enhance their chances of successfully completing
their degrees on time.
The initiative is aimed at existing Unisa
PhD students who are in the early stages of
their doctoral programmes. The total training
period for students adds up to seven weeks
spread across the year, while supervisors
receive training for a total of six full days.
The training sessions are facilitated by carefully
selected experts/coaches from South
Africa and the Netherlands.
The final selection of candidates was
carried out by SANPAD and took place in
early May 2009, followed by the launch of
the Unisa-SANPAD Research Capacity
Building Programme in June 2009.
This is a unique pilot project that Unisa
is embarking on to fast-track its PhD candidates.
The Research directorate has high
hopes that the rewards from this investment
will only bear sweet fruit!
College of Law
grows its own timber
The purpose of the Grow Your Own Timber
initiative in the College of Law is threefold:
N Nthe employment equity profile of the
College must be more reflective of the
country’s demographics;
NNthe
postgraduate throughput of the
College must be greatly improved in order
to reach the Ministerial targets set for
Unisa, and
N Nresearch capacity must also be increased.
The Grow Your Own Timber initiative entails
the appointment of postgraduate research
assistants, whose tuition and research
progress is then individually monitored.
Their progress is reported on quarterly to
the College Research and Higher Degrees
Committee.
Proof of the high calibre of participants
attracted to the scheme is that the two 2006
permanent appointees both received awards
at the Unisa 2008 Women in Research
awards ceremony for their publications.
In addition, several former participants
who are now colleagues in the College of
Law have published in accredited journals
and attended conferences. Two of these colleagues
presented papers at the Codesria
Conference in Cameroon in December
2008. One is also a member of the Unisa
Council, representing the academic staff
who are not members of Senate. Without
exception, the candidates who have thus far
been permanently appointed have become
respected colleagues in the College of Law.
To date they have published 12 articles in
accredited journals.
In line with the strategic objective of
Unisa to develop, support and encourage
black, young and women researchers to
realise their full potential, the College of Law
has put various strategies and mechanisms
in place to make this possible. Although the
College has covered a considerable amount
of ground in creating a conducive environment
and enhancing research activities in
the College, black and especially female
researchers still lag behind their peers.
Realising that this is an area that needs
special attention, the College hosted its first
Research Indaba on 20 March 2009. This
was an awareness seminar meant to help
young researchers to take full advantage of
Unisa development initiatives such as the
Master’s and Doctoral Special Programme
(MDSP) and the NRF’s Thuthuka. In 2008,
the College had two NRF Thuthuka grant
holders and five MSDP grant holders.
The College is planning to host
various research workshops and seminars
throughout 2009 as a means to further
develop a cohort of young, black and female
researchers and consolidate research activities
in the College.
Research Scholarships
and Fellowships
Being connected to the international higher
education community is an essential part of
the academic development of Unisa and its
researchers.
Since mid 2006, the Research
Directorate has focused its energies on
increasing the participation rates of Unisa
issue one 2009 15

staff members and students who take advantage
of the rich opportunities offered
by international scholarships and fellowships.
Our targeted advertising campaign
has meant that a broader spectrum of
researchers have seized these available
opportunities, creating opportunities for
self development. Our simple goal is to
continue to intensify the marketing of
these Calls for International Scholarships;
Fellowships and Bursaries in 2009, and
therefore continue to harness the clearly
increasing number of staff and students
who are benefiting from these international
exchange programmes. Since 2007
the following staff members and students
have been beneficiaries of publicised
international scholarships and fellowships
from the Research Directorate (see information
in the table below).
NRF rated researchers
One of Unisa’s 2015 Strategic objectives
is to increase the number of NRF rated
researchers by 10 annually to reach a minimum
of 250 by 2015. The NRF evaluation
and rating process benchmarks the level of
competency and standing by researchers
throughout the country.
It does this through a peer review
process in the various disciplines, ultimately
allocating a researcher within rating categories
that range from A (one of the best in
your discipline in the world) to L (late entrant
into the research field).
Unisa started participating in the
NRF rating system in 1984. To date, the
University has fielded more than 210 applications
and more than 180 ratings have
been awarded. Since 2008 Unisa has seen
a surge in the number of NRF rating applications
from 18 in 2007, 39 in 2008 to 45
in 2009.
Some of Unisa’s distinguished
researchers over the years with a B1
rating include Professor Bishop (2000),
Professor Fouche (2004), Professor
Sofianos (1996), Prof Weinberg (2003),
Professor Neethling (2009) and Professor
Carruthers (2009).
Increasing ODL
Research within Unisa
As part of its 2015 strategic objectives,
Unisa intends to increase the amount of
open distance learning and reflexive research
outputs to 10% of its total research
output. Emanating from this objective, the
Senate Research Committee (SENREC) has
established an ODL Research Task Team.
Its chairperson is Professor Dele Braimoh
who also happens to be the incumbent of
the United Nations Education, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair in
ODL at Unisa.
The ODL Research Task Team has
members from every college and its mandate
is to put together and implement strategies
towards meeting the 2015 objective.
The first step taken by the Task Team
was to put together an ODL Research
Workshop that brought all colleges
together to discuss the opportunities
and challenges for ODL research. This
workshop took place on 30 October 2008
and made important recommendations
to SENREC for a positive ODL research
culture.
In collaboration with the Research
Directorate, the Task Team developed an
ODL research database that reflects current
and completed ODL research projects,
including conference papers, journal publications
and Master’s and Doctoral qualifications
in ODL.
Thirdly, Professor Jarvis from Surrey
University who is an outstanding scholar
in ODL, was invited during the month of
February 2009 to deliver a lecture on
“Teaching whole people through distance
education”. The lecture was highly inspirational
and was well received by Unisa
academics.
2007
SANPAD Training Workshops.
NNMs P Segalo from Department of Psychology
NNMr VT Zengele Department of Education Studies
2007
Clare Hall Research Visiting
Fellowship at Clare Hall for period
October 2008 – June 2009
NNProfessor P J Botha – Department of New Testament
and Early Christian Studies
2007
Knowledge Interchange and
Collaboration Programme (KIC)
NNProfessor WB le Roux – Constitutional
International and Indigenous Law
2007
Fellowships and Bursaries –
NNCommonwealth Scholarship
– Mr. K Means: Department Environmental Sciences
NNUS Fulbright Scholarship –
Ms PJ Segalo: Department of Psychology
2008
Clare Hall Research Visiting Fellowship 2010
NNProfessor JM Potgieter Department of Private Law
University of Michigan African Scholars Exchange Program
NNMr D.S Matjila- Department of African Languages
NNDr Annet Wanyana Oguttu – Department of Mercantile Law
Third World Organisation for Women in Science (TWOS)
Postgraduate Fellowships 2009–10
NNMs Vimbai Mhuka from Department of Chemistry to
MSc converting to PhD research Programme.
16 the LINK

Creating conditions that
are conducive to research
CSET African
Scholar Programme Launched!
The Executive Dean of the College
of Science, Engineering and Technology
launched the African Scholar Programme in
2008 to explore how the College can contribute
to Unisa’s vision of being the African
University in the service of humanity.
The question that we need to explore as
a College is how we as scientists, engineers
and technologists can be responsive to the
opportunities and challenges that practising
our science in Africa presents for us. This
programme is an opportunity to navigate this
exploration with fellow scientists, engineers
and technologists from elsewhere in Africa.
It is also important that we interact with and
support the work of other scientists in Africa.
As a College we hope that this initiative will
create opportunities for us to start collaborations
with other African scholars who work
in our areas of research.
To date, three scholars have been
hosted through the African Scholar
programme. The first two scholars were
Professor Berhanu Abegaz and Professor
Jean-Boptiste Gatzintsi, both of the
University of Botswana. Professor Abegaz,
an internationally renowned phytochemist,
talked about “Indigenous knowledge, culture
and scientific research in African universities”.
Professor Gatsinzi, an algebraic
topologist, gave a mathematician’s perspective
of indigenous knowledge and scientific
research on the African continent.
Professor Paulos Gerdes was the third
scholar to be hosted in the programme. He
is the Director of the Centre for Mozambican
Studies and Ethno-Science and a full
professor of mathematics at Universidade
Collaboration is key
The Centre for Corporate Citizenship
(CCC), in partnership with the Unisa
Research Directorate, has started an
academic network which seeks to promote
collaboration amongst academics
and other stakeholders who have an
interest in the discipline of Corporate
Citizenship.
The thinking of the two partners is
that one perspective or discipline no
longer suffices to understand an increasingly
complex and uncertain world.
On the other hand, trans-disciplinarity
enhances understanding by engaging in
deliberation and collaborative research
that transcends conventional academic
comfort zones.
How should trans-disciplinarity
manifest in an academic environment?
While there are no right or wrong
answers, experts participating in transdisciplinarity
need to continually interact
and engage in open discussion and
dialogue as equals. They can use formal
and informal approaches to achieve the
objectives of trans-disciplinarity. Formal
approaches include conferences,
publications, book chapters, books and
lectures while informal approaches may
include networking, brown bag seminars,
media articles and radio shows.
The CCC and the Research
Directorate recently put academic collaboration
to the test by arranging a
trans-disciplinary debate inspired by the
World Economic Forum’s 2009 annual
meeting held in Davos, Switzerland.
issue one 2009 17

“As long as there is no political will from powers to change, we will not
move forward as the problem lies at the level of implementation.”
Pedagógica in Maputo, Mozambique.
Professor Gerdes, who has authored 63 scientific
books and 62 reviewed articles, is also
President of the International Study Group
for Ethno-Mathematics and Vice-President of
the African Academy of Sciences, Maputo.
His extensive knowledge on the field
of mathematical ideas in African history
was tapped at a seminar held at CSET on
11 March 2009. During the seminar, Prof
Gerdes presented Mathematical reflections
from Ancient Egypt, Hellenistic Egypt, Islamic
Egypt and the Maghreb during the ‘Middle
Ages’, and further discussed research on
scientific ideas embedded in African cultures.
The College hosted another two
African Scholar Programme seminars this
year. The seminar was addressed by Prof
Sospeter Muhongo, who is the founding
Regional Director of the International
Council for Science Regional Office for
Africa (ICSU ROA), based in Pretoria.
Professor Muhongo is also Chair of the
Science Programme Committee (SPC) of
the UN-proclaimed International Year of
Planet Earth (IYPE) and a member of the
Southern African Regional Universities
Association (SARUA) Science and
Technology Advisory Group. He was
elected to Chair the Steering Committee
of the European Union-funded project,
“African-European georesources observation
system” (AEGOS).
The last seminar of the year will be
in September and will be addressed by
Prof Francis Gudyanga, whose teaching
and research expertise are in the area of
Extractive Metallurgy and Electrochemical
Engineering.
Shaping our future post-Davos
In 2009, interest in the annual meeting of
the World Economic Forum in February
was not confined to Davos, Switzerland.
A debate led by a panel of experts also
sparked a lively debate at Unisa on. The
debate “Shaping our future post-Davos
2009” was organised by the Centre for
Corporate Citizenship (CCC) and Unisa’s
Research Directorate.
Dr Sunette Steyn of the CCC led the
discussion with a report on her experiences
at Davos. As a young global leader, she
attended the meeting for the second time
this year. She observed that it was difficult
to attend some of the plenary sessions
because of the popularity of the event this
year. Corporate social responsibility enjoyed
centre stage for the first time this year and
spiritual leaders were very visible. The
compensation of CEOs, public private partnerships
and the role investment in infrastructure
could play to soften the effects of
the economic meltdown and climate change
were some of the central issues.
Dr Kwandiwe Kondlo, Executive
Director: Democracy and Governance of the
Human Science Research Council (HSRC),
said the political difficulties the world is currently
experiencing have a history of power
imbalances. “As long as there is no political
will from powers to change, we will not move
forward as the problem lies at the level of
implementation,” he said.
Professor Olu Akinboade, Director of the
School of Economic Sciences in the College
of Economic and Management Sciences,
said that the current economic climate may
have positive spin-offs for Africa as investors
burn their fingers in the United States
and Europe. Interest rates here are very
attractive when compared to what investors
can get elsewhere. He warned, however,
that nations in Africa depending on overseas
assistance will suffer as the economic
meltdown intensifies.
Professor Carel van Aardt of the
Bureau of Market Research blamed government
intervention for the current crisis.
He said it was the Clinton administration’s
request for greater credit leniency for the
poor that led to the current situation. He
also called for a balance between climate
control and economic growth, and said it
was not easy for business to implement
climate-friendly ways of doing business as
this costs money. Referring to the usefulness
of infrastructure development to prop
up the economy, Professor Van Aardt
indicated that the same amount of money
being spent on infrastructure in South
Africa is also leaving the country. “Neither
unfettered capitalism nor socialism will
work,” he said.
18 the LINK

A
B
4
R
Hey Sam,
I’m happy to hear that you’ve decided to continue with your studies. But did you know that you
now HAVE to apply before you can register
Well, application closes on 16 October 2009 and costs R150.
086 167 0411 or from their site – www.unisa.ac.za and apply online.
Ab4R!
Take care,
George
Xx
PS – If you want them to send you a reminder one week
before the closing date, just SMS ‘UNISA4’ to 32695.
SMS costs R1.
TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 108045
Learn without limits.

Improving postgraduate education
Women in
Research Audit
As its name suggests, the Women in Research (WiR) initiative aims to promote the participation of
women in research at Unisa. Thanks to a recent audit on women researchers, the University has a
clear picture of where women researchers stand and what needs to be done to raise their profile.
At a SANPAD Women-in-Research
Workshop on 29 January 2009, Dr Cheryl de
la Rey, the former CEO of Council on Higher
Education, raised the issue of human capital
development as a major challenge facing
South Africa.
She highlighted the positive news that nationally
the success rates of men and women,
as well as enrolments, were levelling for both
genders. In addition, there was evidence that
in South African higher education institutions,
there were more female than male junior lecturers
across the board, indicating that things
were moving in the right direction for gender
equity in higher education.
However, despite all these positive challenges
in the higher education landscape, it
still remained the norm that the higher one
went within these same institutions, the fewer
the number of women relative to men.
And Unisa is not exempt from this national
trend. Despite the higher percentage
of women enrolments, as well as staff members,
women continue to be the least represented
in senior academic and administrative
positions.
This was the context in which the Unisa
Research Directorate launched the Womenin-Research
(WiR) Initiative. Among its
multiple objectives, WiR aims to conduct research
into women’s experience and participation
in research at Unisa. With this in mind,
the Research Directorate commissioned the
Bureau for Market Research (BMR) to conduct
the first WiR Audit at Unisa.
The involvement
of women in research
The broad objectives of the WiR Audit were
to establish the position, level of skills and
expertise and needs of women researchers
at Unisa. It addition, it was envisaged that
information gathered from the WIR Audit
would facilitate the development of strategies
to enhance the numbers and quality of support
available to women researchers.
All women who were employed as academics,
researchers or professionals within
service departments or directorates were
invited to participate. This constituted 620
permanent academics and professional staff.
From this group, 139 women participated in
the Audit, securing a 22,4% participation rate.
(120 eligible observations are required to
secure valid and reliable statistical analyses.)
The WiR questionnaire probed the following
themes:
NNTeaching and learning without research
involvement.
NNResearch supervision and/or mentorship.
NNParticipation in own research for study
purposes and/or team research.
NNNon-involvement in research activities.
NNTeaching and learning with some research
involvement.
The preliminary results of the Audit sample
gave a generally positive indication about
the high level of involvement of women in
research. However, when we get into the
details of their participation, the picture
changes. It appears that most women were
involved in research either to complete their
postgraduate qualifications, or to publish an
article in an accredited journal.
A further point of concern was that very
few women researchers participated in team
or interdisciplinary research, with the majority
preferring to undertake discipline-specific
research.
While the outcomes of the WiR Audit give
us an interesting window into what women
researchers are actually doing at Unisa, they
also pose some challenging questions for
us about those women who are not involved
in research. This is particularly important as
official Audits usually miss out on this group
of researchers, who are in fact, the target of
these progressive policies and strategies.
The WiR initiative will continue to investigate
the position of women researchers
at Unisa with a view to gathering quality
information that can be fed into support and
development strategies.
20 the LINK

issue one 2009 21

Alumni profiles
Peter Truter
Keeping his eye on the ball
It’s Tuesday evening and the Hudson
Park High School Centenary Hall in East
London is a blur of movement as the
Border Bullfrogs start their weekly training.
In hot pursuit of the ball, they propel their
wheelchairs across the floor at a speed that
makes you blink and brace yourself for a
metal-on-metal collision.
Apparently, collisions happen all the
time in wheelchair rugby, which is after
all a full contact sport. “Your chair is your
instrument and you use it to hit the guy
holding the ball,” says Peter Truter, captain
of the Bullfrogs, who represent the Border
Region in the SA National Wheelchair
Rugby League. “There’s a lot of speed and
loud noise in wheelchair rugby but it’s not
as violent or as bone-jarring as it seems.
The rules are strict – no punching or high
tackles – and you are so well protected in
your chair.”
For Peter, learning to play wheelchair
rugby was a big factor in getting his life
back on track after a car accident at the age
of 18. That feeling starts to diminish when
you realise you can greatly increase your
mobility and build up your body strength
through this kind of exercise.”
He has since become one of South
Africa’s top players, not only captaining the
Bullfrogs but also being chosen for the SA
National sides that toured United Kingdom
in 1998, New Zealand in 2003, Brazil in
2005 and Australia in 2007.
While wheelchair rugby helped Peter
with his physical recovery, his Unisa studies
kick-started his mental rehabilitation.
How studying
helped him to focus
“The important thing after an accident like
mine is the setting of goals, to try and do
things by yourself,” he says. “I was in a flat
spin after my accident in so many ways and
Unisa had a massive mental impact in focusing
my life. In those circumstances, there
is nothing better than to have an outside
entity saying, ‘Yes, you’ve achieved something.’
When you get your exam results and
see ‘pass, pass, pass’, you know you are
getting somewhere.”
Interestingly, Peter did not turn to Unisa
after his accident – he was already a student
at the time. “I tried studying full time at
the University of Port Elizabeth for a year
after leaving school, but it wasn’t my thing - I
liked earning a salary while studying. So I
decided to change to Unisa and enrolled for
a BA in History and Ancient History, which I
have always been passionate about.”
Resuming his studies after a year-long
break following his accident, Peter recalls
how accommodating Unisa was about his
situation.
“The exam venue wasn’t accessible at
all in those days and it worried me a great
deal. I contacted the University and they
said no problem, they’d sent an invigilator
to my house. They made it so easy for
me at a difficult time. I was still very selfconscious
about being in a wheelchair and
if I had had to struggle to get in and out
of the exam venue, I would have been so
stressed I would probably have failed the
exam.”
Instead, he passed with flying colours
and went on to graduate in 1998.
Adapting to life’s twists and turns
Sadly, he has not pursued further studies
in History and Ancient History as he once
hoped to, due to the physical circumstances
of being in a wheelchair, but switched to
business and finance, in the shape of an
MBA from Potchefstroom University. “I
realised I had to make realistic and practical
study and career decisions,” says Peter,
who works for the Eastern Cape Provincial
Treasury, in the Supply Chain Management
Office, under Contract Management.
And he’s more than comfortable with the
turns his life has taken. “I’m happily married,
with three kids, I have a good job at the
Provincial Treasury and I’m captain of the
Bullfrogs, a club I started! I’m a very happy
man.”
Asked what keeps him motivated when
the chips are down, Peter says: “My motto is
President Theodore Rooseveld’s saying, ‘Do
what you can with what you have where you
are’. That’s my mantra.”
What advice would he give to a young
person in the same position he found himself
at the age of 18? “Don’t push anything,
don’t rush anything, and take each day as
it comes. Most importantly, know that what
you do is what you want to do and not what
someone else wants you to do.”
22 the LINK

Refilwe Taeli
Believe in yourself
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try
again. This saying could have been invented
for Refilwe Taeli, who doesn’t know the
meaning of giving up.
“Yes, I’m a determined person – but I
never realised how determined I was until
I started doing my BCompt honours,” says
Refilwe, a member of the advisory team at
KPMG Forensic.
Until then, academic success had
always come naturally to Sowetoborn
Refilwe, who was an achiever at
Sandringham High School and sailed
through her undergraduate studies at the
University of Johannesburg.
Then in 2005, heart set on becoming
a chartered accountant (CA), she registered
as a full-time honours student at the
University of Johannesburg. At the end of
the year, however, for the first time in her
life, she had the sobering experience of
failing an academic programme. “That was
tough,” she recalls. “I had always been a
high achiever and therefore to face failure
was difficult.”
Digging in her heels, she registered
again for honours, this time at Unisa. At the
same time, she joined auditing firm KPMG
as an articled clerk.
Simultaneously doing your articles and
your accounting honours is the hard route
to follow on the way to qualifying as a CA.
The honours programme is notoriously demanding
and being a full-time articled clerk
is equally arduous. Together, they are a tall
order. Even so, Refilwe went ahead.
Again, she didn’t make it through the
honours programme but, still refusing to
admit defeat, registered for the third time.
“It was a battle of the mind and there
were times when I thought I just wasn’t
equipped,” says Refilwe, “but I made it. The
trick was good time management, a lot of
discipline and the support of my family and
study friends, as well as KPMG.”
With her honours behind her, she
tackled the next milestone in the career
path towards becoming a CA: in March
2008, Refilwe sat for the first part of the
compulsory board examination of the South
African Institute of Chartered Accountants
(SAICA). “But I was unsuccessful so I sat for
the exam again in March 2009,” she says.
The exam results are due out in June 2009
and, if the news is good, Refilwe will face
her final hurdle, the second part of the board
exam, in November this year.
In the mean time, having completed
her articles at the end of 2008, Refilwe
has been appointed to her new position at
KPMG Forensic, where she is involved in
investigations into corporate fraud and governance
matters.
While her work and preparations for the
final stretch before qualifying as a CA are
her main priorities right now, she has also
been giving some thought to where she
would like to be in five years’ time. “I see
myself in a stimulating industry that encourages
continuous learning, and being surrounded
by people who believe in me, give
me direction and help me fulfil my potential,”
she says. “I also want to have grown in my
relationships, personal and professional.”
In addition, Refilwe has set her sights
on pursuing a leadership development
programme and getting involved in a community
service project. “I strongly believe in
giving back,” she says.
On the topic of developing her leadership
skills, Refilwe says. “Currently there
is much debate about how the country
needs leadership. It is encouraging to see
institutions such as the African Leadership
Academy developing young leaders. I am
inspired to do my part in fulfilling the country’s
need for leadership.”
issue one 2009 23

Mr Simphiwe Gwala
a man from a humble background
Some people pack so much into one
lifetime that it can be exhausting just listening
to them talk about it. A life like that
surely deserves to be recorded.
Someone who has lived such a life and
is, indeed, writing a book, is Siphiwe Gwala,
the uMgungundlovu District Municipality’s
Strategic Executive Manager: Community
Services.
Gwala was born in 1948, the same
year as the Nationalists came to power and
created their notorious apartheid policy. He
smiles proudly when he mentions several
other well-known figures born in the same
year: King Goodwill Zwelithini, former KZN
Premier S’bu Ndebele and the former
Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature,
Willies Mchunu. Unlike the racist doctrine,
Gwala has not only survived but gone on to
thrive and make his mark in fields as diverse
as local politics, health, sport and the prison
service.
Gwala’s life is summed up by how he
wants to be remembered: “As a person
who came from a humble background and
worked for the nation as an activist in social
and political life.”
Like so many of his and previous generations,
Gwala became an activist in response
to his experience of racism. He has many
stories to tell of discrimination, like being
banished from the “white” section of the
Wembley bus and, as a young adult, eating
leftovers and sleeping in the back of a van
while white colleagues stayed in hotels.
Gwala says his political education
only really began at high school. Born in
KwaMachibisa, Edendale, he was the only
surviving child of a single mother, Minah
uMaZuma, who was a domestic worker
earning £3 a month. Their life was “nomadic”,
moving from one rented back room
to another, with young Gwala attending several
schools. At one stage he lived with his
grandmother, uMaZondi, in Esigodini and
later with the family of his late uncle, Anton
Mbeje, in Sobantu.
Despite this constant moving and running
away from school when he was 10,
Gwala managed to pass his junior certificate
(Standard 8) when he was 17, and won
a merit bursary from the South African
Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) to study
at a college of his choice. He attained his
matric at Inkamana Roman Catholic Mission
High School in Vryheid in 1967. It was there
that he learnt about the freedom struggle
from some of the more worldly-wise pupils
from Swaziland and Johannesburg. Their
discussions occurred on a neglected tennis
court in the short break between supper and
study period every evening. Gwala became
“imbued with enmity towards white South
Africans. I remember being excited that
year when I heard that Verwoerd had been
stabbed. And then in 1972, I met Baba Harry
Gwala [no relation] and my formal political
education began. I used to spend a lot of
time with him, one-on-one, and he taught
me and conscientised me, especially about
communism.”
His antagonism to whites only dissipated
in 1988 when he realised that “all races
were suffering, not just blacks. I imagined
what it must be like to be a white child
cared for by a black domestic worker, like a
foster mother, until adolescence came. And
then suddenly you are told that blacks are
devilish and dangerous. That must make
white children suffer psychologically. Maybe
we were suffering, but white young people
of our age were brainwashed to believe in
racism.”
After school, Gwala was unable to
study medicine because he had not studied
maths, so he opted for something as close
as possible. He concedes that it was an
unusual choice for a young Zulu male, and
admits he was sometimes laughed at when
asked what he did and he answered: “I am
a psychiatric male nurse.” He qualified with
a certificate in psychiatric nursing from
Madadeni Hospital College in Newcastle in
1971. He worked in this field for 10 years,
before an experience changed the course of
his career.
24 the LINK

Photograph by Julia Denny-Dimitriou
Gwala becomes quiet as he recounts
the story: “Because you work with psychiatric
patients, you develop preconceived
ideas and assumptions about them. We had
a patient who kept vomiting and complaining
of pain, but we did not believe he was ill, just
pretending. Eventually he died of stomach
cancer, an unnecessary and preventable
death. This had a great impact on me and
I decided to switch to general nursing.” He
completed a diploma in general nursing, arts
and science in 1983 at Edendale College of
Nursing.
This career change saw him find his way
into the prison service in 1985 to work in the
hospital in the old Pietermaritzburg prison in
Burger Street. He tells of the kind of discrimination
he encountered there: “To go to the
‘non-white’ toilet I had to walk a long way,
when the whites’ toilet was right next to the
hospital. I had an illegal key cut and the very
first time I used the toilet, the colonel walked
in and found me. He threatened to discipline
me if I didn’t hand over the key.”
Gwala describes his move to the prison
service as “infiltration”. “Many detainees
were held without trial in the prison, so the
ANC gave me the job of ensuring that they
were well treated. I used to carry messages
between prisoners and the outside.
I was never caught, although I think the
authorities began to suspect something by
the late eighties.” He was also a founder of
the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union
(Popcru) in 1989 and worked with Gregory
Rockman, Zwi Mdletshe, Russell Ngubo and
others.
Gwala talks proudly of his family life,
which, although not without difficulties, has
given him great pleasure. He became a father
in 1965 at 17. Angry, his mother refused
to pay for further education and made him
go out to work before he discovered he had
won the SAIRR bursary. The mother of his
daughter became his first wife, with whom
he also had three sons. They divorced,
and in 1983 he married Thembi Ngcobo,
a senior professional nurse at Fort Napier,
who was medically boarded in 1998. They
have two children, Thuthuka and Nandi.
Like the struggle icon, Nelson Mandela,
Gwala was also a keen boxer. He started to
box at the Edendale YMCA in 1963 under
the late champion Joe “Axe Killer” Ngidi.
He fought 131 amateur fights and represented
Natal in the lightweight division at
the SA Games in 1970 before qualifying as
a professional boxer in 1971. However, he
was forced to choose between nursing and
boxing, so he gave up fighting to manage
other professional boxers.
Gwala prides himself on being “a perpetual
student”. He holds a postgraduate
diploma in marketing management and completed
an Honours degree in criminology
from the University of South Africa (Unisa)
earlier this year. He is also a keen vegetable
gardener, but that story will have to wait for
his book.
He is busy with the first chapter of his
memoirs, entitled “A cadre with hidden commissars”.
He plans to write five chapters.
However, given how much he has already
crammed into his life, by the time he comes
to write chapter five, he will have done so
much more that another whole chapter will
probably be necessary. Perhaps even two.
Siphiwe Gwala is perhaps best known
for his involvement in local politics. He
was one of the first people elected as a
municipal councillor in 1995 and served as
Mayor of the Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi
Transitional Local Council from 1997 to
2000. The ANC then deployed him as
Speaker of the Umgungundlovu District
Municipality from 2000 to 2003. He took up
his current post in 2003. Since December
2007, he has also been the South African
Communist Party Provincial Treasurer.
*The UF &AR wish to thank Julia Denny-
Dimitriou, Senior Writer at The Witness
newspaper for permission to reprint the article
about Mr Harry Gwala who is an alumnus of
Unisa and Convenor of the Pietermaritzburg
Chapter. The article was published in The
Witness on 29 October 2008.
issue one 2009 25

Join the Unisa Alumni Update
your Details Campaign
PERSONAL INFORMATION
by filling in this form!
Title:
Surname:
Student No:
Ref No:
First Names:
Maiden Name:
ID No:
Personnel No (If you are Unisa staff member):
Postal
Address:
Residential Address:
Country:
Tel No:
Cell No:
Fax No:
E-mail address:
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Qualifications:
Name of Qualifications:
Institutions:
Year obtained:
College:
Current studies:
Qualifications:
Faculty
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
Employer
Name:
Position:
Sector:
Address:
Department:
Section/Unit:
Company website:
Tel no:
Fax no:
If unemployed, what is your main activity?
Are you self employed? Yes No
Name of company:
You can send your form by post to Unisa Foundation & Alumni Relations, P O Box 392, Unisa, 0003, or fax it to (012) 337 6171,
or send it by e-mail to alumni@unisa.ac.za For further information, contact us at the Unisa Alumni Office (012) 337 6082/6035.
26 the LINK

Lindiwe
Montshiwagae
The merits of true empowerment
Born in Soweto in 1971, Lindiwe
Montshiwagae has travelled a long road
to get where she is today: the corporate
finance and investor relations manager at
one of South Africa’s top empowerment
mining houses. Unisa has been part of her
journey.
Lindiwe, a firm believer in getting
ahead without favours or handouts, fits
like a glove into the culture at Merafe
Resources Limited, which mines in ferrrochrome
and coal. “I’m proud to be part of
a successful BEE company that stands
for true empowerment. Merafe’s success
didn’t come about through shares given
to well-known people or a big company
takeover. It was earned on merit.”
Merafe is officially the Most
Empowered mining company on the
JSE, having been rated top in the latest
Empowerdex/Financial Mail survey.
Most of the company’s directors and
top management are black and its biggest
shareholder grouping is the Royal
Bafokeng Tribe, consisting of about 300
000 Setswana-speaking people in the
North-West province.
Says Lindiwe: “The Bafokeng have
done so well in the mining sector and
now they’re giving back by building roads,
schools and clinics. Being associated with
this fills me with pride.”
Succeeding against the odds
Lindiwe herself has much in common with
the millions of ordinary South Africans
whom black economic empowerment is
intended to benefit. Born in Mafole North
in Soweto, she was the youngest of five
children of working-class parents. “My mom
was a domestic worker for the better part of
her life and my dad worked for half his life as
a petrol attendant and then as a driver for a
tool manufacturing company.”
Like many of her generation of
Sowetans, her schooling was severely
disrupted, twice by political turmoil around
her (in 1976 and ‘77 and then again in
1986) and the third time when she was
targeted by a local gang of thugs, the ‘Jack
Rollers’, who were notorious for kidnapping
and raping young girls at gunpoint.
“They came to my house three times
and I wasn’t there, but the third time my
parents decided enough was enough and
took me to Swaziland,” says Lindiwe. “That
was very traumatic and also cost me yet
another year of school. Altogether, I lost
three years of schooling, which was why I
was already 20 when I matriculated.”
Although she passed matric more than
respectably, with a C aggregate and exemption,
she was unable to obtain a bursary
to study full time at a university. “For
me, Unisa was the only affordable option,”
says Lindiwe, who enrolled for the BCompt
degree in 1992.
While studying, she joined Standard
Bank on a mentorship programme for two
years, then signed up to do her accounting
articles at auditing firm Coopers & Lybrand
(now PriceWaterhouseCoopers). In 1997,
immediately after completing her BCompt
degree, Lindiwe stayed on at Unisa for her
BCompt honours, which took her three
years to complete. Lindiwe is currently
busy with the second year of an MCom in
Financial Management.
Changing career directions
Although she had originally intended to
qualify as a chartered accountant (CA),
she changed career directions and joined
a major merchant bank, first doing financial
accounting and then corporate finance. “It
is unheard of to get a position in corporate
finance unless you are a qualified CA but my
boss was willing to give me a chance. I was
lucky.”
Lindiwe started at the bottom of the
corporate finance ladder as a junior
analyst researching mergers and acquisitions.
She proved herself quickly and soon
moved up the ranks, becoming an advisor
on JSE listing requirements.
It was in this capacity that she crossed
paths with Merafe Resources Limited,
which recruited her in 2005 as corporate
finance and investor relations manager.
“What is so nice for me is to see how
we have grown,” says Lindiwe. “In 2005,
Merafe’s market capitalisation was R750 million;
in June 2008, it was up to R10 billion.”
While no company is escaping the
current economic recession unscathed,
Merafe Resources remains financially
healthy, with a cash balance of R540 million
in the bank in March 2009.
As the person responsible for dealing
with the South African and international
investment community, including analysts,
pension funds and asset managers,
Lindiwe can take her share of credit for
the company’s success. “I have real responsibilities
and am given the latitude to
suggest things and see them being implemented.
We practise true empowerment
here.”
issue one 2009 27

Association form
Unisa Alumni Association
Membership Form
THE Unisa Alumni Association is a group of Unisa graduates
organized to help Unisa to meet its social and educational responsibilities.
The University of South Africa Alumni Association was established
in order to mobilise alumni in the service of the University
and to improve the level of engagement between the institution
and its alumni. The Alumni Association and the Alumni Chapters
are a vehicle to advance the vision and mission of the University
as it strives to become "the African University in the service of
humanity".
The University invites you to join the Alumni Association by filling
in your details and pledge below.
1. Biographical Information:
Title:
First Names:
Surname:
Maiden Name:
Student no:
ID No:
Ref No:
Personnel No
(If you are Unisa staff member):
Postal
Address:
Residential
Address:
Country:
Tel No:
Fax No:
Cell No:
E-mail address:
28 the LINK

2. Qualifications
Qualification
(eg Certificate, Degree)
Institution & College/School (eg Unisa:
Economic and Management Sciences)
Speciality
(eg. BCom Marketing Management)
Year completed
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Employment Details
Employer Name:
Sector:
Position:
Address:
4. Membership Amount (Membership will be renewed annually)
Minimum amount:
R150 pm/pa
or other
amount:
NOTE: Donation in-kind will also be appreciated
5. Payment Method
Cheque
Debit Order
Action
date
15 th OR 30 th Stop order:
(For Unisa staff members only)
Bank: Branch code: Account no: Type of account:
For direct deposit, use the following account details: Bank: ABSA, Account name: Unisa
Foundation and Alumni Relations, Account no: 01011550653, Branch code: 632005. NB:
Please code your reference as AA/Your ID number (eg. AA/7201255405086)
I, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . authorize Unisa Finance Department to debit/deduct the amount of R .............
pm/pa as specified above (see 4 – membership amount) from my account/salary (Unisa staff members) for payment of Alumni
Association Membership.
Signature
Date
issue one 2009 29

UNISA SBL
Spread your wings –
you have the potential to
reach greater heights.
You are the only one who holds
the key to your door of success.
At Unisa SBL we believe that
everyone has the potential to be
a leader. That is why we offer
affordable, quality education
to enable you to reach these
greater heights.
Visit www.sblunisa.ac.za for more information on our exciting offerings:
• Executive Development Programmes
• Management Development Programmes
• Project Management Programmes
OR
Contact us to discuss customised corporate training and development
TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 108036
Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL)
Cnr. Smuts and First Avenue, Midrand, 1685
Tel: +27 11 652-0208/0000 Fax: +27 11 652-0299
Email: sbl@unisa.ac.za
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
First in Leadership Education in Africa

SBL alumni news
Events Events
Inaugural lecture of Prof P Venter, Professor of Marketing
Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL):
A new look at marketing intelligence: contemporary views and
directions for future research.
In this lecture, Prof Venter examines the current literature on
marketing information systems and marketing intelligence and concludes
that prevailing views are challenged in mainly three areas.
‘Existing views have not fully considered the
effects of theoretical developments such as
competitive intelligence, business intelligence
and knowledge management and its implications
for marketing information systems.’
Firstly, existing views have not fully considered the effects of
theoretical developments such as competitive intelligence, business
intelligence and knowledge management and its implications for
marketing information systems.
Secondly, from a marketing perspective, the lack of integration of
structured and unstructured data is a persistent and serious problem.
Thirdly, the focus in the study of marketing intelligence has traditionally
been on system elements, largely ignoring the role of humans
in processing and presenting intelligence to decision-makers.
In response to these criticisms, a new model for marketing information
systems is developed incorporating competitive intelligence,
business intelligence and knowledge management. In particular, the
concept of liaison devices in marketing intelligence is defined and
presents a new perspective in theory as well as a direction for future
research. Finally, the need for more actor-based research in this field
is emphasised.
issue one 2009 31

Role of business
in society revisited
Front, Dr Jopie Coetzee, Dr Claudelle
van Eck (COO: Institute of Internal
Auditors. South Africa and Chairperson:
SBL alumni association); Back, Mr
Michael Glensor (HR Manager: Liviero
and SBL alumni association member),
and Ms Deanna Voget
What is the role of management and
business in society? What kind of business
leader does the world need today? Dr
Jopie Coetzee, Senior Lecturer: Strategic
International Business at Unisa’s Graduate
School for Business Leadership (SBL),
shared his view on these and other related
questions in his topical discussion entitled
“The social contract with business: What
lies beyond social corporate responsibility?”
during a breakfast talk hosted by the SBL
alumni association on 19 May 2009.
According to Dr Coetzee, many global
leaders and thinkers share a common world
vision. Business, political and societal
leaders aspire to deliver a “world order
of inclusive globalisation”, that is, a world
where human security in its broadest sense
is assured, where global poverty has been
significantly eradicated and humanity at
large benefits from globalisation.
Dr Coetzee said this dream will only
come true if new values, mindsets, roles and
responsibilities, especially in the world of
business, are adopted. It would also require
a new kind of business leader able to envision
and lead the way to a world order of
inclusive globalisation.
Dr Coetzee’s presentation was followed
by a lively question-and-answer session in
which the changing role of business and a
need to revisit the education of tomorrow’s
business leaders were debated. Ms Deanna
Voget, SBL Alumni Relations Officer, says
the SBL alumni association regularly hosts
such events with the aim of creating a
knowledge and networking platform for business
people and alumni..
32 the LINK

Unisa SBL’s oldest alumnus
rekindles fond memories
As he walked down the Unisa SBL corridors on 23 June 2009,
91-year-old Reverend Arthur Colin Kain, Master of Business
Leadership (MBL) class of ’69 graduates, looked fondly at some of
the old pictures on the wall, his memory clearly recalling most of
the faces on them. Reverend Kain seems to be Unisa SBL’s oldest
living alumnus. He resides in Cape Town and is still very active, assisting
with invigilation during exams. In fact, part of his recent visit
to Gauteng included submitting a copy of a thesis which he, as the
external examiner considered excellent.
Reverend Kain completed his BCom degree with Unisa and
worked as a production engineer in the freight-rail industry. He later
registered for his MBL and jokingly commented on the cost of £25
per module, in those days. He also mentioned that in those days,
the focus of the MBL was mostly on finance and was pleased to see
how the content of the programme has evolved to cater for the everchanging
business environment.
Shortly after completing his degree, he was called into the
ministry where he has faithfully served till today. When asked if the
MBL has in any way assisted him in the leadership and administration
of his church, Reverend Kain said, “Absolutely. The MBL’s case
studies are still a winning methodology! While I was an engineer,
leadership and strategy were very important, when I joined the ministry;
I realised that I can contribute to the leadership and management
of the church more efficiently,” he says.
“I have kept in touch with a few of my former study group members
and we send each other Christmas cards every year”, says
Reverend Kain.
The Unisa SBL’s MBL degree will be in its 45th year of offering
in 2010, and has together with the school’s MBA contributed to over
a third of South Africa’s MBA/MBL graduates pool.
‘...in those days, the focus of the MBL was mostly
on finance and I was pleased to see how the
content of the programme has evolved to cater
for the ever-changing business environment.’
Ms Deanna Voge’t, SBL Alumni Relations
Officer with Reverend Colin Kain
issue one 2009 33

Unisa alumni chapter events
Graduates urged to
become Unisa ambassadors
More than 200 graduates from the
University of South Africa converged on a
Durban hotel on Saturday 20 June 2009
“to map a way forward regarding how to
market their old academic institution”.
The social get-together was attended
by Unisa’s Registrar, Prof Louis Molamu,
the Director of the Unisa Foundation, Ms
Patricia Lawrence, and the President of
the Convocation, Prof Themba Sono. They
all called on the institution’s graduates to
internalise the motto and the ethos of their
alma mater.
Prof Sono encouraged graduates to
always talk positively about Unisa and
called on them to market, promote and
become the custodians of the University’s
legacy.
Prof Sono added that Unisa’s motto
is Pro Gentibus Sapientia, which literally
means “learning in the service of humanity”
and that the motto must be taken to another
level by everyone associated with Unisa.
The KwaZulu-Natal Unisa Alumni
Breakfast concluded with the election of
the regional Alumni Association, whose
primary function will be to organise student
participation in Unisa activities.
*This is an edited version of the article
written by Mr Nkonzwenhle Mqadi from
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
He is a media practitioner, socio-political
commentator and a freelance writer.
Prof Molamu, Unisa’s Registrar,
the newly elected Convenor of the
Durban Chapter, Mr Steve Mkasi
(centre) and Prof Sono
Bloemfontein, Tshwane and East London
The meeting in Bloemfontein was held at the Orangia Bowling
Club on 14 March 2009. Prof Louis Molamu, Unisa’s Registrar,
addressed alumni about Unisa, its Convocation and the history
of the convocation. Mr Ben Mooka Khabele was re-elected as
Convenor of the Unisa Bloemfontein Chapter and will serve the
Chapter for the next three years.
Meanwhile, the Tshwane Chapter Meeting took place at the
Protea restaurant on the Unisa Muckleneuk campus on 7 March
2009. More than 150 alumni attended the meeting and elected Mr
Musa Robert Mashinini as Convenor of the Pretoria Chapter and
Ms Winnie Dlamini as group leader of the subcommittees.
The East London Chapter meeting, which was held on Saturday
28 February 2009, was attended by 90 alumni. Ms Patricia Lawrence,
Director: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations, the speaker of the
day, spoke about what the Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations
office will be focusing on in 2009. She stressed that the focal area will
be fundraising among alumni and encouraging alumni to participate in
University projects so as to further develop the institution. Mr Bongiswa
Xhati was also elected as convenor of the East London Chapter and
Mrs Sheila Petersen as the group leader.
34 the LINK

Particulars of graduation ceremonies for September and October 2009
NO DAY DATE TIME HALL PLACE COLLEGE DIVISION
100 Monday
14
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees: Law (A-B) & Human Sciences (A-B) &
Economic and Management Sciences (A-C) + (W-Y)
& Science, Engineering and Technology (A-E) &
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (A-K)
101 Tuesday
15
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees: Economic and Management Sciences (D-J)
102 Wednesday
16
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees: Economic and Management
Sciences (K-L) + (V)
103 Thursday
17
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA Degrees: Economic and Management Sciences (N-R)
104 Monday
21
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA Degrees: Human Sciences (C-O)
105 Tuesday
22
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Diplomas: Law (A-Y) & Economic and Management
Sciences (A-Y)
106 Monday
28
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees: Law (C-Y) & Science, Engineering and
Technology (F-Y) & Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences (L-Y)
107 Tuesday
29
September
18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees: Economic and Management Sciences (S-U)
108 Thursday 1 October 14:00 Exhibition Centre DURBAN
109 Friday 2 October 10:00 Exhibition Centre DURBAN
Degrees: Law (A-Z) & Human Sciences (M-N) &
Economic and Management Sciences (A-O)
Degrees: Human Sciences (A-L) + (O-Z) & Economic
and Management Sciences (P-Z) & Science,
Engineering and Technology (A-Z) & Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences (A-Z)
Diplomas: All Colleges (A-Z)
Degrees:Law (Z) & Human Sciences (P-Z) & Economic
and Management Sciences (Z) & Science, Engineering
and Technology (Z) & Agriculture and Environmental
110 Monday 5 October 18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Sciences (Z)
Diplomas:Law (Z) & Human Sciences (A-Z) &
Economic and Management Sciences (Z) & Science,
Engineering and Technology (A-Z) & Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences (A-Z)
111 Tuesday 6 October 18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA
Degrees + Diplomas: Alternative date for all Colleges
112 Wednesday 7 October 18:00
ZK Matthews
Great Hall
PRETORIA Degrees + Diplomas: Alternative date for all Colleges
Cape Town
113 Thursday 15 October 11:00
International
Convention
Centre
CAPE
TOWN
Degrees + Diplomas: All Colleges (A-Z)
* Master’s and doctoral degrees representing all colleges at the ceremonies in Pretoria are distributed equally. Supervisors and promoters will be informed in
writing of their candidates’ graduation dates.
issue one 2009 35

Apply before
registering for
studies at Unisa!
Unisa has launched a wide-ranging campaign in various media for the 2010 application
and registration process. The Ab4R campaign is also to inform you our alumni and the
general public about the application and registration process for people wishing to study
and enrol for the first time with Unisa. You might know of a person who wants to study for
the first time with the University. Please tell them the following:
Apply first before registering.
Applications close on 16 October 2009 and they cost R150.00.
They can obtain an application form at a Unisa Regional Office or
phone the contact centre on 086 167 0411 or from the site
– www.unisa.ac.za to apply online.
Sms ‘UNISA4’ to 32695 to receive an Application reminder one
week before the closing date. Sms costs R1.
Registration dates 2010
Category Opening date Closing date
Master’s and doctoral studies 1 July 2009 1 April 2010
S1/2010: internet, postal, SAPO and fax 1 December 2009 16 January 2010
S1/2010: self-help 7 December 2009 22 January 2009
SATURDAYS 9 January 2010 | 16 January 2010
Year modules, S2/2010, honours (including
CTA): internet, postal, SAPO and fax
Year modules, S2/2010,
honours (incl CTA): self-help
1 December 2009 4 March 2010
7 December 2009 4 March 2010
SATURDAYS 20 February 2010 | 27 February 2010
Honours and master’s students who write
Jan/Feb 2010 exams and whose subsequent
registration is dependent on such results
1 April 2010
S2/2010 21 June 2010 16 July 2010
SATURDAYS 3 July 2010 10 July 2010
Registrations will close at 12:00 on 24 December 2009 and re-open on 4 January 2010
36 the LINK

TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 108045
Learn without limits.
issue one 2009 37

College inputs
College of
Human Sciences
The 2008 academic year was a year of abundant opportunities for the College of
Human Sciences, which therefore produced many highlights. Report supplied by
Professor Rosemary Moeketsi, Executive Dean, College of Human Sciences.
Academic Citizenship
In 2008 the College of Human Sciences
instituted a Scholars Development Plan
which over the next three years will focus
on developing, capacitating and mentoring
young and promising colleagues.
The College hopes to provide its young
academics with opportunities for short fellowships
at partner institutions to enhance
their knowledge in specific academic areas
such as tutoring, learner-support, massification
of higher education, on-line teaching
and learning, mentorship, team research
and leadership and management.
The Department of Communication
Science took the lead in establishing
the Campus Radio Station (UFM).
Broadcasting on FM98.9, with a temporary
licence from ICASA the station broadcasts
24 hours a day.
The Department of Political Sciences
facilitated the student publication, Student
Chat. A number of issues appeared during
the year.
The Department of Teacher Education
started to implement open educational
resources developed collaboratively with
other African scholars on a continent-wide
project facilitated by the Open University
(UK). The department also hosted a
capacity development programme for
Nigerian teachers.
Community Development
Two projects, in particular, reflect the commitment
of the Centre for Development
Studies towards poverty alleviation and
transformation:
NNthe Programme in Development for
Development Practitioners, which is
presented to employees of World Vision
International.
NNthe UNISA/WK Kellogg project, entitled
“Training and mentoring development
facilitators, managers and planners for a
transformative integrated rural development
in southern Africa”.
The Department of Health Studies was
tasked by the National Department of
Social Development to undertake a situational
analysis on the prevalence and
needs of orphaned and vulnerable children,
all under the category of “child-headed
households.” The study received funding
from the German Development Bank (KfW
Bankengruppe). It commenced in May
2007 and has now been completed. The
purpose of the study was to explore the
phenomenon of child-headed households
and to provide scientific information about
the impact and implications on the policies
of the Department of Social Development.
The results of the study were well received
and address the welfare of children, as
well as that of the family. The findings
concern identity documents, grants, school
attrition, social maladies of poverty and
programmes, personal development, and
communication.
The Strategic project “The Bright Site
of Sunnyside” was approved by Unisa’s
Management Committee. The objective of
the project is the establishment of a Service
Learning Site for the Department of Social
Work in Sunnyside. Qualifications with a
service learning component are increasingly
under pressure to provide students with
opportunities for work integrated learning
(WIL) facilities and placements. This strategic
project will be undertaken in collaboration
with the Thomas Edison State College of New
Jersey and the University of Pennsylvania
in the USA, both of which have introduced
similar projects in their communities.
38 the LINK

Tuition
The free basic online course in African
Languages is ready to be launched and
the website is live. CDs with the Northern
Sotho, Setswana and Zulu versions were
distributed at the official opening of the
University during January 2009. The official
launch of the project was planned for the
first week of February 2009.
The Department of Art History, Visual
Arts and Musicology introduced the first
module in the “Music for Life” short learning
programme.
The Department of Communication
Science piloted a computerised assessment
and feedback system for formative assessment
of assignments. The purpose of the
system is to increase the quality of feedback
to students as well as to ensure consistency
in marking and scoring of assignments. This
is particularly important where teams are
marking large volumes of assignments. A
very successful one-week winter school was
presented at which M and D students were
trained in research methodology. .
The Department of Development
Studies introduced five new honours papers
in 2008. The Department of History compiled
new second and third-level modules
during the year for introduction in 2010.
The Department of Philosophy made
arrangements for the transition to a semester
system in 2009. With the exception
of COS 261 (Formal Logic 11) and COS
361F (Formal Logic 111), all the core
modules for a Philosophy major have been
semesterised. Apart from an independent
major in Philosophy, the department also
offers a major/sub major in Philosophy as
part of the PPE programme as a further
option for students.
After sharing the College Excellence
in Tuition award with the Department of
Afrikaans, the introductory Community
Psychology tuition team also won the 2008
National Award for the Best Courseware
judged by the National Association of
Distance Education and Open Learning in
South Africa (Nadeosa).
Research
Two junior lecturers in the Department of
English Studies were awarded Fulbright
scholarships, as was a lecturer in the
Department of Psychology. In the
Department of New Testament Professor P
Botha was awarded the prestigious Clare
Hall Fellowship from Cambridge University
for a one-year research period.
During the year the Research
Directorate made two post-doctoral
grants available to the College of Human
Sciences. The recipient of the College
Principal’s Prize was Ms J Hanekom of the
Department of Communication Science.
The College Chancellor’s prize was
shared by Dr P R Bosman, Department of
Classics and World Languages, and Prof P
H Swanepoel, Department of Afrikaans and
Theory of Literature, in the School of Arts,
Education, Languages and Education. In
the School of Humanities, Social Sciences
and Theology the prize was shared by Prof
RS Viljoen, Department of History, and
Prof CW du Toit, Research Institute for
Theology and Religion. In the School for
Graduate Studies Prof P Higgs, School for
Graduate Studies, was the sole recipient.
The College conferred a total of
79 Doctoral degrees and 191 Master’s
degrees. 24 accredited journals were produced
or edited by the College.10 newly
promoted professors delivered their inaugural
lectures.
issue one 2009 39

The Unisa College of Law
The Unisa College of Law’s Centre for Business Law, in co-operation
with Nedbank, will be hosting the 1st International Conference on
Trans-Border Commercial Law on 19-20 October 2009 in Sandton.
The conference will deal with developments in commercial law, with
specific focus on trans-national transactions. Very distinguished
international experts will participate in the conference, including
Professors Sylvia Kierkegaard, Henry Gabriel and Willem Grosheide.
Professor Kierkegaard teaches policy frameworks in the field of privacy,
i-Law at the University of Southampton. security and data protection.
She is an advisor to various international Professor Gabriel is a member of
organisations, such as the Brussels-based the UNIDROIT Governing Council.
European Privacy Association, which interacts
closely with the European Parliament the American Law Institute, and he was
Furthermore, he is an elected member of
and other EU institutions to provide new Chair of the American Bar Association
Business Law Section Committee on
Sales Law from 1992-1996.
Willem Grosheide is a professor at the
University of Utrecht. He practices law at the
Amsterdam Bar and he is an advisor to the
Ministry of Justice with respect to copyright
and related issues. He is a Member of the
Board of the Netherlands Association for
Copyright Law, the Board of the Association
Literaire et Artistique Internationale
(ALAI), and of the Board of the Association
for the Advancement of Teaching and
Research in Intellectual Property.
Several prominent South African lawyers will
also present papers. If you would like to attend
the conference, or want to contribute in any
other manner, please contact Ms Moira Roux
at (012) 429-8432 or rouxma@unisa.ac.za
40 the LINK

issue one 2009 41

UNISA foundation
Incubating the future:
Unisa’s science Laboratories
on the Florida Campus become Unisa Foundation’s
primary fundraising focus for 2009 / 10.
‘This development is an
exciting one as it will
mean that Unisa will no
longer have to outsource
its practical training
requirements to other
universities as it did in the
past and will for the first
time be able to offer its
students fully equipped
practical training facilities.’
As Unisa evolves through its restructuring
process, it has undertaken to re-examine government’s
educational objectives and where
appropriate, re-prioritise its own objectives.
Research in this context has taken
the centre stage and Unisa is prioritising,
expanding and improving research and academic
output rates in Science, Engineering,
Technology, Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences. This will in turn address the structural
and infrastructural deficiencies that
limit its capabilities in this regard.
As a result, the new Unisa Science
Centre is being developed on the
University’s Florida campus which will
become a home to the College of Science,
Engineering and Technology as well as the
College of Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences. “This development is an exciting
one as it will mean that Unisa will no longer
have to outsource its practical training
requirements to other universities as it did
in the past and will for the first time be able
to offer its students fully equipped practical
training facilities,” said Mr Frankie Mojapelo,
Deputy Director of the Unisa Foundation.
The University is confident that this will
make a significant difference to the overall
throughput rate of its science students. In
alignment with the strategic objectives of
the University, the Unisa Foundation, the
fundraising arm of the University, has priori-
42 the LINK

issue one 2009 43

tised the establishment of the new Science
Centre – with the equipping of its research
and teaching laboratories becoming the
primary focus for 2009/10. An intensive fundraising
initiative is underway.
According to the Unisa Foundation
and Alumni Relations Director, Ms Patricia
Lawrence, it is anticipated that through the
development of sustainable partnerships
with corporate leaders, government and
non governmental organisations, the new
Unisa Science Centre will be able to make
a significant impact on industry and the
broader community by providing the skills so
desperately required by the sector.
Many innovative sponsorship options
are available to donors, including naming
rights, research collaborations, training and
development, capacity building and skills
development.
Potential donors wishing to find out
more about the above project are invited
to contact Ms Patricia Lawrence, Director,
Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations at
Tel: 012 337 6126 or via e-mail at
lawrepb@unisa.ac.za
44 the LINK

Many innovative sponsorship
options are available to donors,
including naming rights, research
collaborations, training and
development, capacity building
and skills development.
issue one 2009 45

The Chair in Genocide Studies
Unisa’s Primedia
Holocaust and Genocide Unit
The Primedia Holocaust and
Genocide Unit is positioned to bridge the
knowledge gap between the advanced and
theoretically sophisticated field of Holocaust
studies and the emergent field of colonial
and post-colonial genocide studies.
The Unit aims in short to address the
status of the Holocaust in globalised knowledge
systems, promote understanding of
the Nazi genocide in a broader historical
and theoretical context and to challenge
traditions of exceptionalism with regard to
African genocides by broadening the scope
of research beyond narrow geographical or
ideological focuses.
Research
The Unit under the auspices of the Unisa
Graduate Studies Programme, has identified
several principal areas of research
activity which involve the development of a
graduate studies programme for MPhil and
DPhil student researchers with a particular
focus on inter-disciplinary and comparative
genocide studies. Student researchers are
encouraged to participate in the School for
Graduate Studies seminar series
The Unit is currently exploring the feasibility
of a student exchange programme with
Rwanda’s National University in Butare and
is promoting a partnership between Unisa
and the California based Shoah Foundation.
Recent Projects and Activities
The Primedia Holocaust and Genocide
Unit has in recent months established a
variety of partnerships and participated in
several joint educational initiatives.
Dr Anthony Court, senior researcher in
the Primedia Holocaust and Genocide Unit,
led a delegation of students and scholars to
Rwanda from 17-24 August, 2008. The study
group was composed of students from three
Gauteng universities and a delegation from
the United States and it was organised in
partnership with the Johannesburg Holocaust
Centre, SAUJS, the AJC Africa Institute in
New York and RO1120. The tour was generously
sponsored by Stanley Bergman and the
Africa Institute. The purpose of the tour was to
explore the circumstances and consequences
of the 1994 genocide that claimed the lives of
an estimated 800 000 victims, and to gauge
progress made in post-genocide reconciliation
and reconstruction.
Unisa hosted the International
Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27
January, 2009. The event was organised
by Dr Court in partnership with the United
Nations Information Centre in Pretoria and
the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre.
The Executive Director of Voices of
Rwanda, Mr Taylor Krauss, was the guest of
the Unit from 26 April to 21 May. Mr Krauss
gave several public lectures in Pretoria,
Johannesburg and Cape Town as well as a
seminar in the School for Graduate Studies
seminar series. Mr Krauss and Dr Court
held extensive discussions with Unisa senior
management, library and archive in regard
to a proposal to establish Unisa library as
a repository of the Voices of Rwanda oral
history data-base. Negotiations are ongoing.
Prospective MA and PHD in the field of
genocide studies are invited to contact Dr
Court for assistance.
Email: courtam@Unisa.ac.za
Postal Address:
Primedia Holocaust and Genocide Unit
PO Box 392
Unisa 0003
Pretoria
Republic of South Africa
46 the LINK

issue one 2009 47

Careers
Follow up on young academics project
Young academics find their
place in the sun
Unisa’s Young Academics Programme is aimed at developing a critical
mass of academic talent for the future. Three up-and-coming academics
who attended the first round of the programme say it has changed their
view of the University and given fresh impetus to their careers
Ms Langutani Masehela
A new sense of purpose
Filled with a sense of purpose and radiating
passion for her job, Langutani Masehela
says she can’t wait to get to the office each
morning. What is more, this is how she has
felt ever since she completed the Young
Academics Programme towards the end of
last year.
Emotionally and psychologically, the
impact of the experience was enormous,
says Langutani, a lecturer in the Department
of English Studies. “My self-esteem has
been elevated to another level and my attitude
is so positive. I arrive at work between
6.30am and 7am, not to escape the traffic
but because I want to do my work.”
How did her participation in the Young
Academics Programme infuse her with
such energy and excitement? By bringing
her into contact with other young scholars
and helping her to see how she fits into the
bigger picture at Unisa, she says.
“Because the University is so huge,
you tend to stay within your own environment,”
Langutani explains. “The result is
that you can become ignorant; you end up
not knowing much about what is happening
outside your immediate responsibilities.
Also, as a young lecturer, you do not always
have the space to voice your concerns and
frustrations. It was lonely sometimes.”
Not any more. “The Young Academics
Programme gave us that voice, they gave
us that space,” she says. “They encouraged
you to ask questions and gave you
a platform to express yourself. I think we
were hungry for that kind of interaction and
that human touch meant a lot to us. In the
process, we made friends and bonded, and
began to realise our own worth. Now I feel I
have a purpose.”
Power modules in
ODL lead the way
Indeed she does have a purpose. Langutani
works with one of five “power modules” that
Unisa is developing as prototype courses for
open and distance learning (ODL). Entitled
48 the LINK

‘Practising Workplace English’, her team’s
module has more than 7 000 students and is
helping to blaze the way for the University to
harness the full potential of ODL.
“I’m very excited to be part of the group
spearheading ODL in our department,” says
Langutani. “ODL is directly linked to the
Unisa vision: Towards the African university
in the service of humanity. If you apply ODL
principles, you really can serve humanity.
Through ODL, you reach so many people
and have a listening ear that lets you put
yourself in the shoes of your students.”
Empathy for students is a quality
that her time on the Young Academics
Programme brought out strongly. “That’s
where we learnt to be much more worried
about the wellbeing of our students, and
to put yourself in their position,” Langutani
says. “When a student calls and asks for
your assistance, how you respond is really
important. Tomorrow, that person is going
to pass and graduate and I will have contributed
to that.”
Langutani, who was born and raised in
Giyani in South Africa’s northernmost regions,
say she dreamt of being a university
lecturer for as long as she can remember.
“I remember asking my mother what kind of
degree I could do to become a lecturer. Of
course there was none.”
So she registered for a BA in English,
Linguistics, Psychology and Sociology at the
then University of the North (now Limpopo
University). After graduating, she went on
to complete a teaching diploma at her parents’
insistence. “They were convinced that
teacher training was the basis of any career,”
Langutani explains. Next, she moved
to the University of the Western Cape to do
her Honours in Linguistics.
Then, still intent on becoming a university
lecturer, she knocked at the door of the
University of Venda. “They were stranded
with a pile of exam scripts and no Linguistics
lecturer or marker,” she recalls. “When I
arrived looking for a job, they thought it was
a godsend.”
She lectured there part time for six
months and then full time for almost 10
years, during which time she married, had
two children and completed her Master’s
in Applied Linguistics at the University of
Johannesburg.
In January 2007, she started out
at Unisa where, thanks to the Young
Academics Programme, she has found her
voice and her place in the sun. “I’m loving it.”
Dr Genevieve James
Seeing the world with new eyes
“Open your eyes and see the world as
you’ve never seen it before. Be bold and
strong enough to insist on justice and to
help deal with the challenges of the 21st
century. Do not be satisfied with just getting
a degree.”
This is the message that Dr Genevieve
James carries across to her students, and
it’s a message that she both practises
and preaches. As a specialist in Urban
Missiology – the critical reflection of the faith
community in the context of cities – she has
visited some of “the most hellish places on
earth, including the brothels of New Delhi
in India, where young women and even
children are commodified and live lives of
absolute torture”, she says.
“As missiologists, part of our role is to
go to these hellish places and write authentically
about the world, telling it as it is and
conscientising people about their agency.”
For example, Genevieve has developed
a gender violence and rape programme
for facilitators working with children aged
three to five, an age group in which youngsters
are particularly vulnerable to adult
predators. “The programme uses puppets,
pictures and an old Testament story, that
of the rape of Tamar, to conscientise children
about sexual assault,” she says. The
programme is used in several countries
across the world, from Europe to the Pacific
islands.
Child abuse, human trafficking, incest,
gender violence, the sex industry, migrancy,
xenophobia, urban renewal and the impact
of globalisation on cities … the study of
Missiology in an urban context delivers
an endless array of research topics. Not
surprisingly, Genevieve is developing into a
prolific researcher.
Since joining Unisa in 2006 from the
University of KwaZulu-Natal, she has not
only developed her facilitator’s guide based
on Tamar’s story but also published an article
on this topic in the Journal of Semitics,
been the keynote speaker at an international
conference in Norway on the role of faith
development and written a chapter on
migrancy to South Africa for a Unisa Press
book called, From Our Side: Development
Perspectives. “I was at the book launch in
London when the news broke about the
xenophobic outbreaks in South Africa, and
had to come up with answers as to why it
happened,” she recalls.
In 2007, Genevieve completed her doctorate
on the social interventions of megachurches
in urban contexts, drawing from
her studies on Pentecostal and Charismatic
churches in the Latin-American context.
“Brazil, where I studied for a while before
coming to Unisa, has similar problems to
South Africa, including serious crime and
a significant gap between the rich and the
poor.” In January 2008, Genevieve was appointed
editor of Missionalia, an internationally
recognised missiological journal.
Valuable lessons learnt
Meanwhile, through the Young Academics
Programme, her eyes have been opened
to a side of Unisa that she had not known
existed before. “The project was excellent
in raising your awareness of the operations
of Unisa. You become aware of the other
departments and who they are and what
they do. I met other young academics whom
issue one 2009 49

I really bonded with. There is a tendency for
young academics to feel isolated and the
programme has brought us together.”
Genevieve says she learnt valuable
lessons about how Unisa and its management
structures operate and about the
broader education landscape. “The project
catapulted us into a level of awareness we
did not previously have and we came back
so much more knowledgeable about higher
education.” One of the most invigorating
elements of the programme was the opportunity
for open interaction with Unisa’s top
management, she says. “We were encouraged
to be as critical as we wanted to, to be
as free-thinking as we wished, and so, we
became emboldened.
“I no longer feel that because I am
young, I have little to contribute. Now I
know that I can engage on a level that is
informed and for the benefit of the Unisa
community. In the dark clouds of uncertainty
that haunt many younger scholars,
the Unisa Young Academics Programme
has been a silver lining.”
Liza on an international conference
held from 3–8 August 2009 with the
title ‘Building human capacity in South
Africa through Public Administration
education at UNISA’.This paper
followed from an assignment done in
the young academic programme
Ms Liza van Jaarsveldt
Equipped to
serve students better
An ornamental elephant from India, a photograph
taken in Poland, a tiny pair of clogs
from Holland … each of these mementos on
Liza van Jaarsveldt’s office bookshelf represents
an opportunity that has come her way
as a young academic at Unisa.
“Unisa treats me very well,” says Liza,
a lecturer in the Public Administration and
Management department in the College of
Economic and Management Sciences. “I
have opportunities to attend international
conferences and go on training programmes,
I’ve received Thuthuka research
funding and, on the Young Academics
Project, I got to be a full-time student again
for three months! How lucky can you get?”
Luck seems to have little to do with it - as
Liza’s research and academic credentials show.
She started out at the University of
Pretoria, where she received her BA, BA
Honours and Master’s degree in Public
Administration. While doing her Master’s,
she was appointed as an assistant lecturer,
and then spent two-and-a-half-years lecturing
Public Administration at the Central
University of Technology in the Free State.
Liza arrived at Unisa in 2006 after successfully
applying for a lecturing position
advertised in a Sunday newspaper. “I was
so happy to get it,” she says.
Since then – less than three years – Liza
has delivered nine conference papers, coauthored
four research articles in accredited
journals and published one article on her own.
She is also busy with her doctorate, is
the book review editor for POLITEIA (the
South African Journal for Political Science
and Public Administration) and serves on
various internal departmental committees.
Students keep you young
And let us not forget the biggest part of her
job – being a lecturer. “I mark thousands of
assignments and exam scripts, and have
a lot of contact with students, especially
over the phone,” says Liza. “I often go on
to MyUnisa (the electronic student portal)
to see what the students are saying on the
forums and to leave information for them so
they can see I’m there.”
She thrives on this interaction. “I love
working with students - they keep you
young. Most students are excited to be studying
and they attach a lot of value to higher
education. They are so eager to study and
get a degree, and to find out how they can
improve. It’s really inspiring!”
Her own hard work and boundless
enthusiasm explain why Liza was chosen to
participate in the first round of Unisa’s Young
Academics Project, fondly known as YAP.
For three months, from September to early
December 2008, Liza and 15 other young
academics became full-time students again.
“We did assignments and prepared presentations,
learnt a lot about management and
open distance learning (ODL), and travelled to
Rustenburg and Johannesburg to get a better
understanding of how Unisa’s regions work.
We also attended a Conference on Higher
Education in Grahamstown, and visited the
Pretoria-based units that handle assignments,
exams, study guide production and so on.”
Every link counts
in the value chain
All of this was an eye-opener. “I realised for
the first time how big Unisa is and how my job
is only a small link in the chain,” Liza says.
“This gave me a much better understanding
of how the University works. I now know who
to contact if I have a problem or question,
and how to give better service to my students
when they contact me with a problem.”
Liza was also impressed by the willingness
of senior academics and members of
management to spend time with the Young
Academics. “People with really important
jobs in top management took time out to talk
to us and answer our questions … and we
asked some pretty difficult questions.”
Other highlights were getting to know
the programme coordinator Prof Rosalie
Finlayson, who Liza says “was an amazing
mentor and inspiration”, and the friendships
she made. “I love the group I was in and we
have become good friends and I still see
them from time to time. I also really appreciated
the presents we received from Unisa,
the books on management from Prof Barney
Erasmus.
50 the LINK

Financial tips
Cash is King!
Every business, no matter whether formal or informal, small or big has to
understand the importance of the money-game. Dr John W Hendrikse,
Profitpoint software (pty) ltd, explains how the money-game works.
The money-game is expressed
in the following saying:
NNSales is vanity
NNProfits is sanity
NNCash flow is ecstasy
For any business to survive
and succeed it has to achieve
the following financial goals
1. It has to be profitable
2. It has to have a positive
cash flow
3. It has to achieve sales that are in
excess of the break-even
4. It has to have an adequate gross
margin (gross profit %)
5. It has to have liquid resources in order
to meet its current and long-term
obligations
6. It has to have a return on invested
funds greater than the cost of finance
7. It has to achieve an adequate payback
period on invested funds
The key to achieving the above goals is the
concept of CASH CONVERSION. This is
the ability of the business to convert profits
into cash flow in as short a time as possible.
It is great to have profitable sales and increasing
sales in excess of the break-even,
but it is a disaster if the sales are not quality
sales in that the sales are to customers who
do not pay, or are slow-payers, resulting
in negative cash flow and pressure on the
bank balance (and an increasing overdraft).
Thus every new and established business
needs to evaluate its business model
particularly in relation to sources of finance
and terms of trade:
NNWill the business offer credit to customers?
NNWhat credit will be obtained from suppliers?
NNDoes the business need to carry an investment
in inventories (stock in trade)?
NNHow capital intensive (fixed assets) is the
business?
NNWill these assets require financing?
NNWhat is the scope and size of monthly
fixed overheads?
The above will influence the working capital
needs of the business. This refers to how
much money is required from the trade
creditors and bank overdraft to finance
inventories, debtors and cash overheads.
Working capital requirements also influence
the overdraft facility required or the additional
funds that the owners must invest in
the business.
The key to the financial survival and
success of every business is to manage the
cash flow and to this end the areas to be
managed are:
1. DEBTORS RECEIPTS
Fast and firm action has to be taken on
debtors who are not paying or are slow
payers.
Remember, a debtor is a customer who
not only has enjoyed your goods or services,
but also has your money/cash flow in
their bank account instead of in yours.
issue one 2009 51

2. CREDIT CONTROL
To minimise the risk of debtors defaulting,
ensure before a credit sale takes place that
you have a completed credit application and
personal suretyship signed as part of credit
risk management. The agreed credit terms
must allow you to charge interest on overdue
invoices, but first prize is to get paid.
3. BAD DEBTS
If you understand the cost of a bad debt,
one will realise that it is a high price for
losing control over your debtors. For example,
if a debt of R10 000 credit sales with
a net profit of 10% goes bad, you need a
subsequent sale of R100 000 banked to
recover the bad debt of R10 000!
4. SETTLEMENT
DISCOUNTS TO DEBTORS
To encourage slow payers to pay and to accelerate
collections, one needs to motivate
your debtors to pay – enhanced settlement
discounts might to do the trick. For example,
a debtor who might take 60 days beyond
the terms to pay, will cost the business an
average ± 3%. Offering the debtor a 5% settlement
discount accelerates the receipt, reduces
the risk of a bad debt. and represents
a small price for collecting the full debt.
5. SETTLEMENT
DISCOUNTS FROM CREDITORS
It may happen that you have surplus cash
funds and are aware of creditors who might
have cash flow problems. Offering a settlement
discount of 7.5% to 10% for immediate
cash settlement to a creditor would be a
good return for prompt payment.
So, in these difficult times the lesson
for any business – cash or credit – is
to run your business effectively on a cash
basis. In other words, you should on a daily
basis monitor and control the bank balance,
the inflows and collections from cash sales
and account sales and debtors, the outflows
and payments to creditors and suppliers,
and cash expenses.
At the same as one is monitoring the
funds flow, it is imperative to maintain excellent
external relations with customers and
suppliers, as well as with one’s employees.
If they are motivated, they will go the extra
mile to ensure that the business remains
profitable and successful.
For further information contact Dr John W
Hendrikse at (021) 712 3737 or direct at
(021) 712 5600 or fax (021) 712 9292 or
e-mail drjohn@profitpoint.co.za or visit the
website at www.profitpoint.co.za
‘So, in these difficult times
the lesson for any business
– cash or credit – is to run
your business effectively
on a cash basis. In other
words, you should on a daily
basis monitor and control the
bank balance, the inflows
and collections from cash
sales and account sales and
debtors, the outflows and
payments to creditors and
suppliers, and cash expenses.’
In today’s volatile job market it is vital that one
makes appropriate choices for the career
you wish to explore and embark upon. We
all know that the global economy is on a
downward slope at present and retrenchments
in the workplace are fast becoming the norm
rather than the exception.
It has been reported across the national
media that in excess of 208 000 people have
lost their jobs within the last five months. This
frightening statistic, released by Statistics
South Africa does not confine itself to a particular
industry or business sector , but rather
affects all facets of employment including the
informal and commercial sectors. Statistics
Economic turndown affects
job market
South Africa also revealed that of the 208 000
job losses to have occurred this year, 47 000
of those affected are not intent on finding new
employment. This will have a negative impact
on the economy and careers in general as
those who are now unemployed will have to
depend on unemployment or social benefits
for their survival. This can only have a detrimental
effect on financial resources which are
scarce at this time. Contrary to popular belief
the financial sector has also been adversely
affected by the downturn in the economy
with nearly 12 % of job losses coming from
this sector. Despite the fact that many professionals
in the economy are competent
individuals, companies simply do not have the
resources to cope with the high demand for
employment even in the professional sectors
of the economy.
It seems at this stage that unless you feel
that your current position is very unstable,
or that there is no chance of development
within your current company, that you should
focus on excelling in your current position and
working towards internal promotion, until such
time as the economic downturn is reversed.
These are not the days to leave a company
without a guarantee that you have already secured
another position, and remember that if
there are retrenchments in your new company,
you may well be in line to be retrenched first.
Appreciate your current position and strive to
put everything into it with the aim of getting
everything out of it
Ian Kern-Martin – consultant Origen Capital
52 the LINK

issue one 2009 53

Chapter profile Lesotho
Dr Mokete – A man
of many traits
The Lesotho Chapter has its own jewel hidden in the
mountains. That is none other than Dr Musi Mokete who
is a medical doctor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, activist,
educator, editor and writer to mention a few. Busisiwe
Mahlangu took a trip down to Lesotho to get to know the
man, who still at the age of 74, practices medicine.
He’s worn many hats to cover many why did you choose Unisa?
grounds and has achieved many things that Dr M: I studied for my BSc degree
many dream of achieving in their lifetimes. through Unisa between 1955 and 1958. This
More to that, he is an alumnus of Unisa and was for an entry into the medical field which
lives a life of giving which has left an indelible
mark on the lives of many people.
Question: Why did you choose your
has always been my passion.
Question: Can you give me some background
on yourself? Where you grew up, hope you would achieve, career-wise or
particular field of study and what did you
the schools you attended, your interests and personally, after completing your studies?
hobbies, and perhaps some detail on your Dr M: BSc degree was one of its kind
family background and outlook.
and we were the ‘pioneers’ of it. These
Dr M: I was born in Teyateyaneng, studies gave us a chance to work very hard
Lesotho in 1935. I am married to Mme and to believe in one’s self. The degree was
Mabataung Thuli Mokete and we have been varied and therefore gave all of us a broad
blessed with five children. The medical field base to build on the language foundation
seems to have taken the first interest in my and to be able to study psychology.
family. I am an Ophthalmologist myself and Question: Can you describe your circumstances
while you were studying?
there’s a combination of medical professions
in our family. We have an Ophthalmologist, Dr M: It was during the turbulent times
Urologist, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Optician/ of Apartheid and nothing came easy. There
Optometrist and an Interior Designer.
were moments when it was especially
Question: When and what did you difficult to enter the field of medicine and
study through Unisa and, most importantly, Apartheid required one to use the quota
Dr Mokete
system. I had to struggle and study hard.
And in the end we had our graduation ceremony
which was the first of its kind in the
field of science.
Question: You have ties with all your
Alma Mater… What is it that makes you
have a special bond with Unisa?
Dr M: I keep my ties with all my Alma
Mater. I am an alumnus of the Hebrew
University, Hadassah Medical School. I have
a specific interest in education. Education
gives a key to the world and I regard Unisa
as a great University. I consider material
from Unisa as still formative and relevant to
today’s world. Unisa has changed my way of
learning and still feel proud of it and would
recommend to anyone wanting to study.
Question: How did you end up being in
other parts of Africa, especially during those
times?
Dr M: The quota system was used to
the advantage of many institutions that
did not necessarily want to advance black
people. So, I applied to different Universities
and it was not easy. I only succeeded in
1962 to get acceptance at the Hebrew
54 the LINK

University in Jerusalem. It was one of
the best Universities at the time. It was a
growing University and opening its doors to
Protestants. To us it signified Africa coming
into its own and I wanted to be a part of it.
Question: How did students interact
with each other at the time? What were your
life experiences?
Dr M: Students interacted a lot and
robustly in those days. We met students
from other Universities and even went to the
extent of raising funds ourselves to meet
with other students. On the other hand, life
taught me to grab everything I could find in
terms of learning which was particularly profound
while I was a Senior House Officer:
Peadiatrics in Nigeria in 1970-71. With a
group of colleagues, we decided to stay
during weekends when other people went
home to learn all the additional techniques
in the field of laboratory.
Question: What are your influences?
Dr M: I have been influenced a lot by politics.
Many people had escaped from South
Africa and were our teachers. Many people
also came and spoke to students while I was
in other African countries as well. Remember
that it was at the time when countries like
Ghana and Israel were politically engaged
and celebrating their independence and I for
one could not escape being an activist.
Question: You are a well travelled
man and have held various positions that
required you to represent your country,
Lesotho…
Dr M: I have represented my country in
many ways and also still travel the world to
various conferences to speak about various
issues concerning my profession. I was a
member of a delegation to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in Geneva between
1972 and 1979. I have also been a part of
a Lesotho Government Delegation to the
Commonwealth Health Conference in 1972
and 1978 respectively. Our missions were
mainly to club with medical associations in
order to share the body of knowledge within
the various aspects of medicine as well as
to disseminate information, methodologies
and research with other doctors. This is how
the Christian Health Association of Lesotho
Board came into being in 2002 till this day.
Question: What has your highest
achievement been?
Dr M: The highest award for me has
been His Majesties Award of “Commander
of the most meritorious of order of Mohlomi”
Question: Your life has stood up for
volunteerism or the culture of giving. Has
that been a family value?
Dr M: However my wife, Mme
Mabataung has been very supportive of me
and the activities that I do. My other activities
include her as well because we work
together on educational projects. We’ve refurbished
a school to establish a secondary
school and the funding of it has come from
our pockets. In the project we have managed
to also get the Ministry of Education
to pay for the teachers. This school will host
students who wish to enroll for technical programmes
and who cannot make it through
the academic programme.
Question: What is your legacy?
Dr M: I think that my legacy remains
with the people who have been looking up
to us. We pay back by educating others and
that is what makes us happy. I always say
that volunteer work does nobody any harm
and one can in fact share their success with
other people.
Question: Any aspirations?
Dr M: I am keen on getting the Chapter
recognition in the country because of the
trust that has prevailed between Unisa and
Lesotho people. I am currently working in
the background to develop intellectual capacity
and process for students in general.
My wife and I will continue to promote education.
We have dedicated a prize in biology
since 1987 which is in the loving memory of
both our parents.
Question: What would you like alumni
to learn?
Dr M: Keep studying and knowledge is
power and make it as broad as possible.
Facts about the Lesotho Chapter – a jewel
in the mountains.
Name of convenor: Kalanda Kasongo
Place: Lesotho, Maseru
Profession: Lecturer in ICT
Married: Yes with three children
Study: Obtained Junior degree in Congo
as well as Master’s in Computer Science.
Second Master’s with Unisa. A PHD completed
awaiting graduation.
No of alumni: active members are 175
who attend meetings from time to time
Upcoming events: Dinner in August
2009 and General Assembly of Alumni in
July in preparation for dinner. There will
be fundraising activities to help us deal
with the establishment of Libraries in high
schools.
issue one 2009 55

1
3
4
Photo 1: Jacqueline Wedderburn-Maxwell,
Vicente Espi & Avigail Bushakevitz
Photo 2 & 3: Johnny Mekoa with his Jazz Octet
Photo 4: Pops Mohammed in Concert playing the Kora,
the Mbira and the African Mouth Bow
Photo 5: Avigail Bushakevitz,
first prize winner of the 2nd Unisa National String Competition
56 the LINK

2
UNISA music foundation
events
5
Since the beginning of this year the
Unisa Music Foundation had a very busy
schedule offering a great variety of concerts
and several other events. However, the
backbone of this Foundation’s activities is
the dedicated teaching of the 42 music tutors
involved in the community music development
programme in the Tshwane metropolitan
area and in correctional facilities such
as Baviaanspoort and Pretoria Central.
These tutors encourage their students to
enrol for the Unisa theoretical and practical
music examination. The pass rates of these
candidates are improving annually due to
the hard work of both tutors and students.
Since the transformation of the old Film
Auditorium into an intimate Concert Hall
seating 200 persons, the Music Foundation
began presenting free lunch hour concerts
in order to give free music to music lovers.
The first such performance took place on 23
January featuring the Johnny Mekoa Jazz
Octet. Johnny summarized the opinions of
all professional musicians who performed
here when he wrote: “A great performance
space!! Congratulations to Unisa.”
The newly renovated Unisa Conference
Hall on the Sunnyside Campus with a capacity
of 400 was the venue used for the Violin and
Piano Duo Recital. The winner of the First
Unisa National String Competition during
February 2009, (violin) Zoe Beyers was accompanied
by German pianist, Florian Uhlig.
The yBird Ensemble led by Dr Chats
Devroop also performed in a free lunch hour
concert in the Film Auditorium on Friday, 13
February which featured Noel Stockton (piano),
Chats Devroop (saxophone), Werner Spies
(bass) and Hugo Radyn (drums). Dr Devroopis
is the newly appointed Deputy Director
(Professional) in the Directorate of Music after
the retirement of Prof Hubert van der Spuy.
The other concert venue at Unisa, the Z
K Matthews Great Hall, which has a seating
capacity for 1000 people, hosted a Festival
of Russian Culture from 4 to 7 March under
the auspices of the Ministers of Arts and
Culture of the Russian Federation and
that of South Africa. Soloists of the Galina
Vishnevskaya Opera Centre and a folk
music group from St Petersburg entertained
audiences during this week.
The winner of the First Unisa
International Organ Competition, the Polish
organist, Waclaw Golonka performed a solo
recital on the magnificent Rieger Concert
Organ in the ZK Matthews Great Hall, on
Sunday, 15 March 2009.
The undisputed highlight of the music activities
at Unisa thus far was the official inaugu-
issue one 2009 57

The winner of the First
Unisa International Organ
Competition, the Polish
organist, Waclaw Golonka
performed a solo recital
on the magnificent Rieger
Concert Organ in the ZK
Matthews Great Hall on
Sunday, 15 March.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
and her band of musicians
at Dr Miriam Makeba
Concert Hall
ration of the Dr Miriam Makeba Concert Hall
on 6 March 2009. On this occasion, spoken
tributes to Mirriam Makeba were delivered
by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of
Unisa, Professor Barney Pityana who called
this ‘a very eventful occasion in memory of
the one who loved humanity dearly through
song and dance’.
Mirriam Makeba’s grandson, Nelson
Lumuba Lee, also paid tribute to his legendary
grandmother while Prof. Sebiletso
Mokone- Matabane unveiled the plaque
announcing the new name of the venue
which is now called the “Dr Mirriam Makeba
Concert Hall”. The tribute by Professor
Mokone-Matabane, Deputy Chairperson of
the Unisa Council stated: “Your voice and
music kept hope alive for many of us while
in exile. Your warmth, passion and commitment
to the liberation of the continent was
a great lesson to us. Thank you for giving
of yourself. Your memory will continue to
inspire generations to come”.
A musical tribute was paid by exciting
performances of Mirriam Makeba’s legendary
songs such as the Click Song and
Pata Pata by the Soshanguve Youth String
Orchestra and the ‘Princess of Africa’,
Yvonne Chaka Chaka and her band. This
inauguration ceremony and concert enjoyed
wide media coverage which makes the
Mirriam Makeba Concert Hall, a true a jewel
in Unisa’s stable.
Recently, the 2nd Unisa National String
Competition 2009 was held and after an
exciting final round of this event on Friday
3 July 2009, the winners were announced.
The first prize went to Avigail Bushakevitz
(21), Jacqueline Wedderburn-Maxwell (16)
received the second prize with Vicente Espi
(22) obtaining the third. The best cellist in
the competition, Jacques-Pierre Malan (21),
received a total amount of R12 000 in special
prizes. Finalist performed as soloists with the
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra which
was conducted by Arjan Tien.
58 the LINK

Bow Project concert
a night to remember
The Bow Project concert that took
place in the Dr Miriam Makeba Concert Hall
seemed to be just what the doctor ordered
for Unisa’s music lovers. The project was
initiated by the New Music Indaba founderdirector,
Dr Michael Blake, as part of the
National Arts Festival.
According to Dr Blake, “The Bow Project
is a concept of taking traditional music and
having a classical composer put a classical
melody to it.” He added that the term “bow”
was chosen because the bow instrument
is a traditional South African instrument.
“Andrew Tracey, the musicologist, said
that he wanted to see the bow instrument
becoming the National Cultural weapon in
South Africa,” added Dr Blake.
The night was filled with melodies offered
by Mantombi Matotiyana, a traditional
Xhosa singer and bow instrument player.
Mantombi Matotiyana’s sound took the
audience on a mental journey to the deep
rural Xhosa villages of the Eastern Cape.
She shared the stage with the Nightingale
String Quartet. Personifying the old Xhosa
men when smoking their pipes, the quartet
sat in circle on a well-lit stage. The audience
clapped passionately to the music and got
“lost” in the music.
The lighting system of the Miriam Makeba
Concert Hall added to the lively atmosphere
that was created by the performers.
The concert was arranged by the
Department of Art History, Visual Arts
and Musicology in the College of Human
Sciences, and made available through
the generosity of the College of Human
Sciences and its Executive Dean, Prof RMH
Moeketsi.
Pops Mohamed in
concert at Unisa
One of the legends of South African
music, the multi-instrumentalist Pops
Mohamed, thrilled his audience during a free
lunch hour concert in the Dr Miriam Makeba
Concert Hall on Friday 17 July 2009 with fascinating
performances on the Kora (a harp
from West Africa), the Mbira (a thumb piano
from Zimbabwe) and the African Mouth Bow.
After his lunch hour performance,
Pops Mohamed was invited to lunch in the
Protea restaurant. He was joined by Dawid
Kahts (graphic artist from Unisa Press and
guitarist), Alet Joubert (Events Coordinator
of the Unisa Music Foundation), Kgomotso
Boshielo (Secretary of the Unisa Music
Foundation), Pops’ fiancée and Ayo Solanke.
Pops wrote in our autograph book: “Thank
you so much for inviting me and Ayo. We had
a great concert and look forward to performing
here again. The acoustics were great and so
were the people and the organisers!”
issue one 2009 59

60 the LINK
John Seakalala Mojapelo

Unisa press books
The corner people of Lady Selborne
by John Seakalala Mojapelo
With a foreword by the Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr Gwen Ramakgopa.
Unisa Press Hidden Histories Series
Lady Selborne was a comparatively
small place, situated in an area on
the slopes of the gentle Magaliesberg
mountains to the west of the city centre of
Pretoria. The township was approximately
two square kilometres in extent. A rivulet
called Swart Spruit ran lazily from west
to east along the southern border of the
township. This was a scenic and fertile area
with pleasant weather throughout the year.
From anywhere in the township, people had
a view of the city centre with the imposing
Union Buildings, the seat of government, on
the horizon.
By 1942, the multiracial Lady Selborne
was home to about 22 000 people, the
majority of whom were Northern Sotho, but
it also included Nguni, Shangaan, coloured,
Indian, white and Chinese people. It was to
become the largest Group Areas Act dispossession
project in Pretoria.
Author John Seakalala Mojapelo dedicates
the book ‘to the 3,5 million victims of
the heartless social engineering policy enforced
through the pernicious Group Areas
Act by the former white minority government
in Pretoria, and particularly those in Lady
Selborne’.
“Lady Selborne stands in the same
league as other iconic multiracial townships
like Sophiatown in Johannesburg,
District Six in Cape Town and Cato Manor
in Durban …. It was called the township
of “Clevers” (township city slickers) – it
was home for trail-blazers like Dr William
Frederick Nkomo, Potlako Leballo, Stephen
Sondag Tefu and Philip Kgosana (politicians),
Can Themba and Arthur Maimane
(journalists), Bob Leshoai and SP Kwakwa
(educationists), Ernest “Shololo” Mothle, Joe
“Lopez” Ngoetjana and Betty Mthombeni
(musicians), and birthplace of international
luminaries like Vusi “The Balladeer”
Mahlasela and poet/musician/artist Lefifi
Tladi … .
“Lady Selborne embodies the cultural
heritage of the City of Tshwane and therefore
it is vital that the story of this township be
conveyed to all the residents of South Africa.
“… . On behalf of the City of Tshwane,
the generation of today and the generations
to come, a special acknowledgement is
given to all those who contributed in collating
this record that spans six decades,
especially John Mojapelo, who championed
this mammoth task with unwavering passion,
determination and vision.”
Dr Gwen M Ramokgopha
Executive Mayor, City of Tshwane
issue one 2009 61

Join the Unisa
circle of excellence
order your convocation ring
The rings are custom made to order and can be ordered via th Unisa website at:
www.unisa.ac.za (Alumni, Graduation Ring), via www.serica.co.za (Universities, Unisa) or by
contacting Desiree: 082 412 4865
Priced from the 9 karat classic at R2 140 to the 18 karat signet at R5 870
The larger Signet and
the elegant Classic
62 the LINK

From our side. Emerging
perspectives on development
and ethics
Editors: Steve de Gruchy,
Nico Koopman and Sytse
Strijbos
Published within the
SAVUSA series, by Unisa
Press & Rozenberg, the
Netherlands
Format: 245 x 165mm
(Laminated softcover)x + 293pp
Item number: 7918, November 2008. ISBN 978 90 5170 974 2
SA price: R200.00(VAT incl)
Other countries in Africa: R215,00(Airmail incl)
America: US$ 35,00(Airmail incl)
Europe: Contact Rozenberg at http://www.rozenbergps.com/
From our side is a collaborative effort of younger scholars in
southern Africa and the Netherlands who are interested in the
relationship between development and ethics, from a Christian
point of view. The 17 chapters result from a unique set of partnerships;
these partnerships have embraced people in both the
South and the North, signalling a desire for a global dialogue
led by Africa on matters which have a strong impact upon the
continent.
SA price: R270 (VAT incl)
Empire & cricket. The
South African experience
1884-1914
Bruce Murray & Goolam
Vahed (editors).
With Foreword by André
Odendaal
Format Econocrown
Other countries in Africa: R370.00 (Airmail incl)
(Laminated softcover, with over
70 rare historic photographs),
360 pp ISBN 978-1-86888-
540-4, 2009, Unisa Press
Rest of the world:US$51.00 (Airmail incl)GB₤30.00 (Airmail incl)
€40.00(Airmail incl)
This is the gripping story of how cricket lay at the heart of social
and political developments in South Africa and the wider Empire,
brought to life with numerous historic photographs of players and
cricketing sites. The book’s contributors, from the UK, South Africa
and Australia, describe how cricket acted as a vehicle for Empire,
and explore its impact on race and class. It maps the role of the
small and tightly knit white elite with overlapping interests in cricket,
politics and business, as well as the largely ignored world of ‘nonwhite’
(African, coloured and Indian) cricketers and politicians.
World Rights: Unisa Press
SA price: R160.00 (VAT incl)
I listen, I hear, I grow.
My autobiography
Ramaphakela Hans
Hlalethwa, Unisa Press
Hidden Histories Serie
Series Editors: Russel Viljoen,
Johannes du Bruyn &
Nicholas Southey
Format: 240 x 170 mm, Pages:
viii+125pp
Other countries in Africa: R180.00 (Airmail incl)
ISBN 978-1-86888-541-1,
Item: 8032, Publish Year: 2009,
Rest of the world: US$30.00 (Airmail incl), GB₤ 18.00(Airmail incl),
€23.00 (Airmail incl)
This remarkable life story offers young and old, white and black
South Africans, an insight into life as it was in the country at the time
when Ramaphakela Hans Hlalethwa grew up. We are given a picture
of family life and values, with vivid descriptions of both comical
situations and tragic events. We follow Hans in his hard slog to succeed
in his chosen profession, education. It is vital for those who did
not experience apartheid and what this did to the people of South
Africa themselves, to be able to follow Hans’ experiences: white
prejudice, police action, arrests and detentions, sabotage and meetings,
the so-called ‘political funerals’ of the 80’s and much more.
Those citizens who now, post 1994, can live free lives and who do
not know what a passbook is, will find this book an eye-opener.
Throughout his life, Hlalethwa’s religious belief shines brightly, culminating
in his ordination as a Deacon in the Catholic Church. His
parish church in Soshanguve became almost as famous as Regina
Mundi in Soweto as a centre for activism and opposition to the hated
apartheid system, where he also was a fieldworker for the Justice
and Peace Commission of the Pretoria Archdiocese. This is a most
readable description of a life, which includes a set of unique and
historic personal photographs, and which is narrated in the author’s
very own way of telling it as it was.
SALES: Unisa Press: Mrs Theart & team: tel +27 12 429 3448 / fax +27 12 429 3449 thearl@unisa.ac.za
MARKETING: Samantha Miller millesa@unisa.ac.za tel +27 12 429 8978 cell 084 586 5569.
Marketing Manager Hetta Pieterse tel +27 12 429 3182 pietehc@unisa.ac.za
issue one 2009 63

64 the LINK

The arts at Unisa
This is a dusk painting entitled – “Unisa” – Acrylic on board-100cm x 120cm by MJ Lourens.
website www.prefab.co.za and my e-mail is info@prefab.co.za.
issue one 2009 65

Journey to freedom
After an absence of four years, The
Journey to Freedom project has finally
returned to South African shores. Using
music and physical and digitally animated
embroideries, it a story told on many layers
about reconciliation and the resilience of
the human spirit in overcoming atrocities.
Central to the work is the concept of the
working together of artists of different backgrounds,
different racial groups, different
educational levels and different points of
reference.
In the multimedia project that forms
part of The Journey to Freedom, the unique
embroideries of the people of the Boitumelo
(Hillbrow) and Intuthuko (Etwatwa) sewing
groups express their personal histories.
When looking at the history of our
country, we are generally reminded of our
heroes but it is not often that we hear or see
the experiences of ordinary people. The
members of the Boitumelo and Intuthuko
groups (all of whom were unemployed)
wrote down their experiences of the past
and present struggles and hopes. Extracts
of the stories were then translated into
drawn images and embroideries. The
women (and two men) involved in this phase
of the project had had no formal art training,
but the exquisite dedication of the handcraft
has made these works a visual pleasure.
The groups were guided by artist-facilitators,
whose expertise added greatly to the craftsmanship.
The project is groundbreaking in the way
it integrates cloth work and digital work in
one project.
The embroideries were scanned and
digitally animated by a small group of
multimedia artists. The spirit of the project
is entwined with storytelling and in a wider
sense, related to the oral tradition of our
continent. The authenticity of the embroideries
and the tone, text and rhythm of
the music were respected by the digital
artists. The resulting artistic dialogue
between divergent groups developed as a
sub-theme within the project. Celebratory
concerts involving Melodia Unisa Chorale,
Gcina Mhlophe, Preston Sihlangu (‘Presss’)
and Natalia Molebatsi took place and the
multimedia animations were projected on a
9-metre screen above the performers during
these occasions.
The project won gold at the FNB Craft
Now 2004 awards. From the beginning of
2005 until the end of 2008, the Journey to
Freedom narratives moved to the United
States as part of the Weavings of War travelling
exhibition, curated by Michigan State
University Museum.
As part of Weavings of War- Fabrics of
Memory - the Journey to Freedom narratives
travelled to museums in seven states,
namely Vermont, Pennysylvania, Wisconsin,
Michigan, New York, Connecticut and Florida.
When the embroidered panels returned
from the United States in 2008,
the University of Michigan Museum wrote
that this was the project that presented
them with the most possibilities for educational
discussions and projects, and they
requested that Unisa present them with a
proposal for another project, which they are
willing to fund.
The project has also been widely acclaimed
in South Africa:
Woolworths incorporated some of the
embroideries into their publication of the
New School Syllabus for Design in 2005.
The South African government department
of Arts and Culture recently published
a book about narratives in local embroideries
and has included the Unisa Journey
to Freedom project.
The Helen Suzman Foundation requested
permission to use images of these embroideries
on the cover of their publication contributing
to a community in the wider sense
The two sewing groups have gained
considerable exposure through the Journey
to Freedom project.
Boitumelo, which is facilitated by Erica
Luttich, a final-year student in the Visual
Arts Department, won the 2007 Ekhurhuleni
Sculpture Award with a mixed media performance
and embroidery artwork. They
have sold work to the Art Bank and the
Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce.
The Intuthuko group, facilitated by Celia
de Villiers, a Unisa graduate and lecturer
in the Visual Arts Department, have become
totally sustainable and have started
exporting their embroideries to America,
Canada and Japan.
CREDITS
The Journey to Freedom multimedia project
was coordinated by Gwen Miller, with
Wendy Ross as project advisor.
Celia de Villiers, Erica Luttich and Sonja
Barac were artists-facilitators
administering and guiding the two groups of
embroiderers: Intuthuko Sewing
Group and Boitumelo Sewing group
consisting of:
Intuthuko: Pinky Lubisi, Thembisile
Mabizela, Zanele Mabuza, Angie Namaru,
Lindo Mnguni, Julie Mokoena, Salaminha
Motloung, Angelina Mucavele, Thabitha
Nare, Nomsa Ndala, Maria Nkabinde,
Cynthia Radebe, Sannah Sasebola,
Rosinah
Teffo, Lizzy Tsotetsi and Dorothy Xaba
Boitumelo: D. Emmah Mphahlele, Lilian
Mary Mawela, Ameliah M. Makhari,
Martinah P. Mashabela, Naledzani R.
Matshinge, Gloria Melula, Elisa D. Mahoma,
Linda Mkhungo and Florah Raseala.
66 the LINK

issue one 2009 67

Unisa Art gallery
Unisa Art Gallery – Exhibition Schedule for 2009
Name of Exhibition
Student exam (Gallery closed to public)
Date
20 October – 27 November
4 th Year student exhibition opening November
Then and now
Eight South African photographers
A highly acclaimed photographic
exhibition featuring the work of eight South
African documentary photographers was
shown at the Unisa Art Gallery from 31
March until 8 May 2009.
Entitled ‘Then and Now’, the collection
comprised photographs taken both before and
after South Africa’s transition to democracy.
The project was initiated and curated by
the photographer Paul Weinberg. The other
contributors are David Goldblatt, George
Hallett, Eric Miller, Cedric Nunn, Guy Tillim,
Graeme Williams and Gisèle Wulfsohn.
Almost all of them were members of
Afrapix, the collective photo agency that played
a central role in documenting political conflict in
South Africa in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Weinberg explains the project as follows:
“During the 1980s, the overriding
priority of South African documentary photographers
was to record political conflict,
and more personal forms of photographic
expression were kept in the background.”
“The transition to democracy freed them
to explore other, less political subjects,
broaden the scope of their work beyond
South Africa’s borders, and re-examine their
approach to photography. The purpose of
this project is to record the contrasts – and
the continuities – between their earlier and
later work. The result is a fascinating record
of a country in conflict, and then in a state of
reconstruction and rediscovery.”
The Then & Now project is managed
by the Centre for Curating the Archive in
the Michaelis School of Fine Art of the
University of Cape Town. It has been
funded by the Conference, Workshop and
Cultural Initiative (CWCI) Fund, a partnership
programme between South Africa and
the European Union; and the Rare Book,
Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
at Duke University in the United States.
The exhibition is travelling South Africa
as well as the United States, Europe and
Australia.
The Unisa Art Gallery is contactable at
(012) 429–6823, ukun1@unisa.ac.za.
68 the LINK

‘The biggest business
happening ever in our lifetime’
The much-anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup will happen soon in South Africa, which as
the host will be representing the whole of Africa. The event will have huge impacts on the
overall development of the country, according to well-known soccer expert Gary Bailey.
Gary, a former Manchester United
goalkeeper and member of the English
team that played in the 1986 World Cup.
Leading up to 2010, the government
has committed to a massive infrastructural
investment of R485 billion. During 2010, an
estimated 400 000 visitors to our shores –
220 000 from overseas and 180 000 from
Africa - will spend about R15 billion in just
four weeks. Then, with half the world’s population
watching just the final, South Africa
should see a significant increase in tourism
after the event.
Post-Cup tourists are likely to be drawn
not only by the spectacular views of South
Africa that football fans around the world will
see in 2010, but also by the country’s commitment
to tourist-safe conditions.
Safety of all visitors guaranteed
“The South African government and the
nine host cities have all signed contracts
guaranteeing all visitors to South Africa for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup, absolute safety
during their stay,” Gary says.
“With that in mind, huge amounts of
money are being spent upgrading police
skills and their equipment, to the point where
FIFA are convinced that all visitors will be
safe. My hope is that we can keep those
same standards going after the World Cup.
Imagine how tourism will increase if all of our
nine host cities are safe for any tourist!”
According to the GamePlan2010.com
website, Finance Minister Trevor Manual
has allocated an extra R10 billion to put
government’s safety promises into practice
for 2010. The money is being spent on
recruiting more police, installing CCTV networks
and improving the equipment used for
policing. More visible policing will be used in
the build-up to the World Cup at roadblocks
and on trains, and the 10111 emergency
services are being overhauled for greater
efficiency.
The private sector anti-crime group
Business against Crime has also come to
the party with a R19.2 million donation for
police training, and the government has
come up with another R77 million from the
Criminal Assets Recovery Fund.
As for threats such as terror attacks and
hooliganism among football fans in 2010,
Gary says Interpol will be in control of any
terrorism situations. “Police from the various
countries will keep an eye on their own fans,
and this should enable them to recognise
trouble makers and also use their understanding
of their own fans to calm down
difficult situations.”
Business opportunities aplenty
As part of their GamePlan 2010 presentation,
Gary and Andre Arendse explored the
multiplicity of business opportunities around
the 2010 World Cup, especially in accommodation,
food and drinks, language services,
transportation and logistics, security, insurance,
tourist souvenirs and corporate gifts.
“Besides the service and products
required to ensure that this World Cup is
the best ever, there will be opportunities for
businesses and organisations to network
with other companies from abroad,” says
Gary. “By applying the right knowledge and
strategies, businesses and South African
citizens can make the most of 2010 and
leave a legacy for our children.”
He says it is vital that corporate South
issue one 2009 69

Africa be seen spreading the benefits of the
World Cup to poorer communities. “Please
try and source any African-type gifts from the
rural communities, and please don’t be shy
about letting them know that corporate South
Africa is helping the poorer communities!”
Dismissing concerns that the tournament
could fall flat if Bafana Bafana were
to be knocked out early, Gary says: “I don’t
believe so. Firstly, both the hosts Austria
and Switzerland were knocked out of the
Euro 08 champs in the first round and it was
still a great tournament. Secondly, it’s vital
for South Africans to support all African
countries as this is an African World Cup,
and we also have to show solidarity with our
neighbours in Africa after the terrible happenings
of xenophobia in early 2008.”
Visit www.gameplan2010.com for more
details about the good news and business
opportunities around the 2010 World Cup.
Be 2010 language ready!
Be ready to welcome 2010 visitors in an
African language of your choice.
Unisa launched its latest and exciting
initiative, in March 2009, which is a website
where you can learn some basic phrases
in an African language free of charge. The
University has made this opportunity available
to all South Africans and visitors alike,
to learn some basic proficiency in an African
language of their choice.
This is extremely convenient as South
Africa will be bustling with people from all
over the world to attend the 2010 world Cup.
You can seize the opportunity to learn languages
that you’ve yearned to learn. On the
other hand, mastering South African languages
might seem to be a barrier to visitors
moving around the country. To make this
short courses accessible, Unisa has made
a website available which one can use from
your own comfort and time. The website offers
a choice of 5 African languages, namely
Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana,
Xhosa and Zulu.
The courses are prepared in a way
that will enable you to learn basic survival
language. The phrases you will learn are
relevant to anyone who would like to learn
some basic phrases in an African language.
According to Dr Gerda Mischke, the project
coordinator, courses are structured according
to themes, such as “Greetings and
courtesies”, “Transport and finding your
way” and “Shopping and sport”. Learning
takes place by means of text, sound and
video clips. Registration is not necessary
and progress is measured through selfassessment.
The Pan South African Language
Board (PanSALB) is said to be excited
about the initiative which adds to the
celebration of rich and diverse cultures of
South Africa. Mr Chris Swepu, Acting CEO
of the Pan South African Language Board
(PanSALB), stressed the importance of
South Africa using a number of its official
languages to welcome 2010 World Cup
visitors to the country, and to give them the
opportunity to experience the rich linguistic
and cultural heritage of our country.
The free basic online courses can be
accessed online from anywhere in the
world simply by going to www.unisa.ac.za/
free_online_course and clicking on the
language of your choice. Information supplied
by Corporate Communications and
Marketing.
70 the LINK