UL Chancellor Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma slams GBV, encourages focused research with high impact

The University of Limpopo (UL) Chancellor, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma praised the university for successfully hosting its Autumn Graduations recently after a two-year break from in-person festivities due to hard lockdown regulations to curb the Covid-19 pandemic

Dr. Dlamini-Zuma was speaking at a closing ceremony after the ninth session, saying she was highly impressed with the quality of dissertations and theses as they seek to address the developmental needs of society.

The university conferred 4 170 undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Among those were 3 337 bachelor’s, 113 postgraduate certificates, 46 postgraduate diplomas, 473 honours bachelor’s, 473 master’s, and 28 doctoral degrees.

In her congratulatory message, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma encouraged academics to continue focusing on high-impact research that directly addresses unemployment, inequality, and gender-based violence, particularly against women and children. “Listening to the researchers’ titles, I was impressed, and I hope the university will help patent their work.

“South Africa is in a dire crisis and we need a skills revolution. Where we are today is a long way from the group of 1976 where the youth died for education. Today, as graduates, you have the responsibility to ensure that the material conditions of our people are met,” she said.

According to Dlamini-Zuma, UL’s geographical location provides the greatest advantage for producing research and a skilled workforce that will shape the economy.

She explained: “Limpopo Province is rich in agricultural activities, and by tapping into that area, our lives will be improved.”

The Chancellor also chastised those who instigate gender-based violence (GBV), particularly against women and children, and stated that all progressive men must help to reduce the high levels of GBV. She said she realised that GBV was shaped not only by physical abuse but also by undermining women.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mahlo Mokgalong, who was equally ecstatic, congratulated the university staff on hosting successful graduations to what he termed “pulling nine sessions of quality.”

According to Prof Jesika Singh, UL’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, the master’s and doctoral students produced excellent research in various research niche areas. Prof Singh encouraged academic staff and master’s students to pursue PhDs “…because doctorate holders have more opportunities and the studies at that level entail in-depth research in areas of critical importance to society as a whole.”

To top it all off, the Department of Mercantile Law produced four PhDs from its staff members in 2021, a feat never before celebrated. Acting HoD Adv Mafanywa Mangammbi stated that this was the foundation and that “we are working towards attracting more Ph.D. candidates, through quality offering, to increase the number of doctorates.”

By Reuben Maake