Dina Mamashela, Lecturer in Physical Science Methodology, says the next three years will be crucial for her and fellow council members appointed to advise the Minister of Basic Education on key policy matters. Photo: Supplied
By Malatji Monyelegwete – malatji.monyelegwete@ul.ac.za
The University of Limpopo (UL) showcases the impact of its academics beyond the classroom, with staff contributing their expertise to national policy and professional bodies
In a significant development, Dina Mamashela, a Lecturer in Physical Science Methodology within the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (DMSTE) at UL’s School of Education, has been appointed to the National Education and Training Council (NETC).
The appointment, announced by the Minister of Education, Siviwe Gwarube, places Mamashela among a select group of members responsible for advising the Minister of Basic Education on key policy issues outlined in the National Education Policy Act (NEPA), and matters arising from the South African Schools Act.
“As a member of the NETC, our primary role is advisory,” Mamashela stated. “We review draft national education policies and can recommend that the Minister commission investigations or research through the Department of Basic Education or independent experts. This ensures that decisions are evidenced-based and focused on enhancing national education policy and practice.”
Mamashela, who will serve a three-year term on the Council , brings over 18 years of experience in science education. Her professional background includes classroom teaching, school management, leadership roles in teacher unions, curriculum development, higher education lecturing, and postgraduate supervision. She has also played a vital role nationally as a marker, senior marker, and deputy chief marker for the NSC Physical Sciences Paper 1, ensuring quality assurance in assessment processes.
At UL, she has spearheaded curriculum innovation and STEM initiatives, including the UL–Anglo American Platinum Schools Programme. Currently, she serves as Secretariat of the School of Education Research and Ethics Committee, overseeing compliance and proposal review processes.
Reflecting on her appointment, Mamashela remarked, “This role places me at the intersection of policy, research, and practice. It offers a chance to engage in national discussions about the future of education and training while enhancing my own teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision. These experiences will not only enrich my scholarship but also enable me to bring national insights back to my institutional and community roles.”
She further acknowledged the support of UL’s Faculty of Humanities, the School of Education Director, and her department as crucial to her nomination. “This recognition highlights UL’s commitment to nurturing academics who influence both scholarship and society,” she added.
The Minister emphasised that expertise was the key criterion for appointing Council members. Mamashela reflects UL’s broader mission of cultivating thought leaders whose work advances national education priorities .
Through her role in the NETC, Mamashela is expected to influence curriculum transformation, teacher development, and academic quality assurance at a national level, illustrating how UL academics continue to connect research and practice while making a meaningful impact on South Africa’s education landscape.