UKZN Alumni

21/10/2026

UKZN Alumna Wins 2026 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)-born artist and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) alumna Sphumelele Zondi has been named the overall winner of the 2026 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition.

For Zondi, the achievement reflects a creative journey that began in rural KZN, where everyday experiences, creativity and storytelling shaped her understanding of art.

“I honestly could not believe it,” Zondi said of her win. “I was overwhelmed with joy, excitement, and at the same time shocked.”

Now based in Johannesburg, Zondi explores themes of memory, childhood, home and lived experience through her art. She transforms everyday discarded materials, including cardboard and paper, into sculptures that reflect personal and collective stories.

Zondi completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree at UKZN, where she developed an interest in ceramics and sculpture. She later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art from the Durban University of Technology.

During her postgraduate studies, Zondi shifted from working primarily with clay to exploring mixed-media techniques.

This transition opened new creative possibilities. Rather than viewing discarded packaging, grocery boxes and other everyday items as waste, Zondi began recognising their potential to convey memories and meaning.

Read More: https://bit.ly/47rF4u5

20/10/2026

UKZN Alumna, Dr Shamila Ramsookbhai Combines Art and Storytelling

For University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) alumna Dr Shamila Ramsookbhai, creativity has been a lifelong interest. Her childhood fascination with words and illustrations developed into writing, art and running a pottery studio.

Ramsookbhai’s University connection spans several decades. She completed a BA in Fine Arts at the former University of Durban-Westville in 1988, followed by a Higher Diploma in Education (UHDE) in 1990 and honours and Master’s degrees in English Literature and Cultural Studies in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Her father, a talented signwriter and artist, influenced her love of art and words. She recalls spending hours looking through Blackie’s Illustrated Dictionary, fascinated by its combination of words and pictures.

Financial difficulties initially threatened her plans to attend university, but her mother’s employer provided the R143 needed for registration. Bursaries and scholarships later supported her studies. “I am a product of bursaries and scholarships,” she says.

Ramsookbhai credits several lecturers with influencing her development. Dr Vedant Nanackhand taught her printmaking during her Fine Arts studies, while Professor Labby Ramrathan provided guidance during her doctoral research. She describes Ramrathan as “a gem and a mentor”.

Read More: https://bit.ly/4yTLYEk

19/10/2026

Hey Alumnus✨

Be inspired by our Quote of the Week! 🤩

“I want to see what happens if I don’t give up.”

Words by Siyathokoza.

19/10/2026

A Global Champion for Justice: UKZN Celebrates Alumna’s Nobel Peace Prize

UKZN alumna and former lecturer, Dr Navi Pillay, has joined the distinguished ranks of South African Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, after being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to international justice and the pursuit of accountability for grave human rights violations.

The award, announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, recognises Pillay’s contributions to international justice and her efforts to ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay has built an extraordinary career in the service of human rights and the rule of law, earning international recognition as one of the leading advocates for justice and human rights across the globe.

Her distinguished record includes serving as a lawyer defending anti-apartheid activists, as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as a Judge of the International Criminal Court, and as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. She also chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Throughout her career, Pillay has contributed to the development of international justice. Her work has helped strengthen the legal frameworks through which crimes against humanity are investigated and prosecuted.

Read More: https://bit.ly/4hQLf0K

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

WaFunda ISA applications open

🎓 UKZN students: An opportunity to help you take your next step

If you have outstanding university debt that is preventing you from graduating, there may be support available.

We’re pleased to share the WaFunda Income Share Agreement (ISA), an alternative funding solution designed to help eligible students settle qualifying final-year university debt.

The WaFunda ISA offers:
✅ No upfront payments
✅ No monthly interest or hidden fees
✅ No surety or collateral required
✅ Repayments only begin once you’re earning a living salary
✅ Ongoing support with your career, finances and wellbeing

The programme is also designed to pay it forward as your repayments help create opportunities for other students to complete their studies.

You may be eligible if you:

→ Are currently in your final year or have already completed your studies
→ Have outstanding final-year university debt of between R15,000 and R200,000
→ Have a South African bank account
→ Have a household income below R600,000 per year
→ Are not over-indebted or under debt review
→ Have no criminal record
→ Are not immediately continuing with further studies after graduation

📢 2Applications are now open. If you meet the eligibility requirements, find out more and apply directly through WaFunda:
Social
👉 wafunda.com/isa

14/10/2026

The School of Arts, Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) warmly invites you to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the African Music and Dance (AMD) Programme.

To RSVP: https://shorturl.at/Arusz

To donate: https://ukzn.devman.co.za/devman/AMDLegacyFund/giving/

13/10/2026

Dear UKZN Alumni

My name is Sithembile Shabangu, and I am currently completing my Master’s research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). I am reaching out to you as a UKZN alumni to ask for your assistance with my research.

My study is on investigating the distribution process of alumni publications by universities, using UKZNTouch Alumni Publication as a case study. The purpose is to better understand how alumni receive and engage with university alumni publications, as well as their preferences regarding print and digital platforms.

Your experience as a UKZN graduate is valuable to this research, and I would greatly appreciate it if you could take some time to complete the survey.

The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/4hUks27

Your participation is voluntary, and the information provided will be used strictly for academic research purposes. Responses will be treated with confidentiality and will not be used to identify individual participants in the reporting of the research.

If you are able to participate, I would be very grateful if you could complete the survey by 23 October 2026.

Your response will make a meaningful contribution to my research and will help ensure that the findings reflect the experiences and views of UKZN alumni.

Thank you for your time and support.

Kind regards
Ms Sithembile Shabangu
Master’s Researcher
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Email: [email protected]

Supervisor:
Dr L Ngema

Ethical clearance:
HSSREC/00009758/2025

My name is Sithembile Shabangu, a Master's student from the School of Media and Cultural Studies, School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s College of Humanities.  I am conducting this study as part of my Master’s research to understand how alumni publications are distributed ...

13/10/2026

From its inception, has been different.
Built for students, but more importantly, built by students who recognized a need within their own community and chose to create solutions. Students who understood that leadership is demonstrated through action.

Over time, the initiative has grown beyond its founders, reaching aspiring healthcare professionals and established practitioners alike. What started as an idea has become a movement.

This is the story of .
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12/10/2026

Hey Alumnus✨

Be inspired by our Quote of the Week! 🤩

“Your title will always be rewarded with a glass mug, but you will always deserve a Styrofoam cup.”

Words by Simon Sinek