The institution was also asked to draft policies on recruitment and selection, employee wellness, staff retention and the redrafting of the whistle-blower medium.

Speaking on Newzroom Afrika, a news channel on DSTV, Commissioner Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, praised the UMP for the progress the institution has been made to refine existing structures, policies, employment equity, and aligning processes as recommended by the commission.

“The University of Mpumalanga stood out in terms of holistically taking on the recommendations that we made, which are of course binding.”

“They made incredible strides in terms of policy, and they have made good strides of daily activities where they are engaging with students, from Vice-Chancellor all the way through to management,” she said.

Gender Forum
Another recommendation by the commission was that the university create a gender policy that has an operational plan with clear allocation of responsibilities, time for monitoring and for the evaluation of transformation. The Gender Forum was to be formed to drive the policy by 2019/2020

UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said that the university already has a policy on gender equality, which was approved by University Council in April 2014.

Dr Mofokeng was impressed with the university’s initiative and said the Vice-Chancellor presented something remarkable to the commission.

“The university has an Interim Gender Forum that they have set up. It is a great structure that we can use to advise and advance gender equality on campus based on their best practice.”


Transformation
The CGE noted that the university had appointed an executive director, who forms part of management, as a gender transformation manager.

It then recommended that a senior manager be appointed for the implementation of employment equity plan to ensure that the institution is transformed against a culture of patriarchy and Mr. Molelekwa Rachidi has since been appointed into the position.

The CGE also advised that the university implement the New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) to recruit female lecturers. The Vice-Chancellor voiced that the university had been implementing the New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) since 2016.

To this, Dr Mofokeng applauded the great work and improvement in terms of representation between men and women in management and the same improvements with the university SRC.

GBV Dialogues
Following the commission’s recommendations that the university use measures such as dialogues, workshops and campaigns to create gender policy awareness, the university has run several workshops on sexual harassment as a form of discrimination in the workplace. Three workshops were held in May: the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training and other influential women supporting student groups came together to discuss issues related to gender-based-violence (GBV) and how female students could be protected.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the workshop turned into a brainstorming session with the group of women and female students deciding to include groups such as: Boys-to-Men, Sisterhood and other interested groups in the discussion. The group, which included everyone present, became known as the Interim Gender Forum Information Sharing Group.

“On 21 June 2019, staff members who work closely with students, student leaders, and student societies that work closely with GBV from both campuses, attended the information sharing session. Different organisations were invited to join in the discussion,” explained Professor Mayekiso.

The organisations that provided the knowledge base and practical steps to aid students with GBV as well as preventative measures included individuals from the Department of Social Development, the South African Police Services and Advocates from the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Justice. This eye-opening session enabled participants to gain more knowledge about the subject, including human trafficking.

Other significant and successful workshops and dialogues by UMP include:
The Gender-Based Violence Imbizo with the Deputy Minister in the Department of Higher Education and Training. On 25 April 2019, UMP collaborated with the Department of Higher Education and Training and HEAIDS hosted a dialogue to address Gender Based Violence issues within higher education institutions.

The university co-hosted the 15th Annual Conference of the South African Chapter: International Association of Women Judges at the Mbombela campus. The conference themed: Women Empowerment: A Shawl and a Shield in the Fight Against Sexual and Gender-Based-Violence attracted women from across the country, neighbouring countries, universities and various law bodies.

At the hearing UMP Vice-Chancellor promised that the university will put more effort and priority to focus on Gender Equality at both campuses.

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures Cleopatra Makhaga

The commission had recommended that the university embark on a few measures such as developing dialogues, workshops or campaigns to sensitise the university community on issues of sexual harassment, gender-based violence and the disciplinary code of staff and students. We fulfilled all these and more. Read on.

Our collaboration with local and international institutions of higher learning is proving to be a great success as our students studying Agricultural Sciences, have recently returned from summer school at Dalhousie University in Canada.

Gabriel Mashiloane and Monica Ngomane were part of a group of 15 students from different countries around the globe, chosen to explore articulated programmes in Agriculture. Read their story to find out how they will plough back the learnings into their studies going forward.

UMP School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences celebrated Cybersecurity month by hosting a breakfast session to engage with stakeholders and discuss way forward on Digital Safety while e-Skilling communities in Mpumalanga.

One of our vision as a university is to produce innovative and resourceful learners who are responsive to the ever-changing business landscape. Bachelor of Development Studies student, Nkateko Mambana is one such student. She juggles her studies with running a successful business, selling freshly produced shakes to promote a healthy lifestyle among students and staff on campus.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our staff, students and stakeholders for a great 2019. Together we have learned from each other, shared experiences and exchanged wisdom, which will be with us for years to come. I wish you safe holidays.

Professor Thoko Mayekiso
Vice Chancellor

Before the learning began, the students were introduced to Canadian lifestyle, given a tour and taken on a trip to Halifax Campus, which is part of the university. They also explored the diverse programme areas of the faculty, the culture, facilities, and services available through the campus and local community..

Meaningful Course Work
For their studies, the students were taught through lectures, presentations, tours and learning labs organised by each department. In turn they also had to participate in guest speaker forums, local and community tours.

Ngomane loved the lectures, saying the content was related to some of the concepts covered by the UMP course in the Bachelor of Sciences in Agriculture studies.

However, she was fascinated and could not contain her excitement about the rest of what they learned. “We learnt about landscape architecture, horticulture and how to generate income with different flowers. We also saw how dairy cows and milking robots work. It was the first time learning about dairy and poultry farming on Dalhousie Campus. The following week we were taken to a local commercial farm where we got to see all of it happen in front of our eyes,” she said.

Ngomane and Mashiloane also explored the aquatic life. They were shown how to keep and breed fish outside the sea. Doing practicals of opening an oyster and determining its gender using a microscope stood out for the learners.




Experiential Learning
This study was followed by Entomology, which focuses on different insects. They also went to the laboratory to view some of the insects under the microscope.

Mashiloane, who was considered the most informed student in the group, was highly enthralled by the business side of the learning experience. With dairy farming, for example, he was impressed by how small farmers generate income with the support they receive from their communities.

“For example, the city of Truro has a farmer’s market event that takes place every Saturday, where all the small holders have an opportunity to sell their produce. It was one of the places that we were lucky to visit,” he said.

After the visit to the market, the students had to work as a group to understand how the agricultural business operates, from the wholesalers to the consumer.

Newfound Respect for UMP
Mashiloane said the visit to Canada gave him a newfound respect for UMP for the opportunities they create for their students.

“Now I respect my lectures even more, particularly Prof Siyongwana, who has been a key role player in my development. Canada solidified the meaning of creating opportunities. As a young man I had always dreamed of travelling the globe, but I never imagined that UMP would make that vision real. It is through the relevant, excellent delivery of the management that I could live my dream,” he said with pride.

For Ngomane, this was not the end of her journey studying in Canada. She plans to go back.

“Going to Canada was the best thing ever because I now stand a chance to do my master’s there. I won a 1000 Canadian dollars’ worth of scholarship (about R11 200) through a group game called Agriculture Challenge. I know the money is not enough. I will apply for another scholarship so that I can go back and study there.”

The students who participated in the Dalhousie University programme received non-credited certificates for completing the course.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied by Ngomane and Mashiloane

Head of School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (ICT) at UMP, Professor Tembisa Ngqondi, said the purpose of the networking session was for all stakeholders to meet and join forces regarding the e-Skilling of communities, and how to drive the mandate of Cybersecurity in Mpumalanga.

“As a CoLab we need to talk and share our experiences. We want to find out where we can enhance in making sure that the province is actually benefiting from the national initiative that is being presented to the communities.

Ngqondi further said that the UMP School of ICT will write modules, which will make sure that communities are learning and getting the kind of skills they need.

“When you go to all the Colabs you will hear about e-Literacy and digital integration and all other components that actually enrich that particular drive of literacy."

National Energy MISA ICT Project Manager, Mr Jacques Fortuin spoke about phishing: the fraudulent practice of scamming people to gain access to their sensitive information such as passwords, banking information.

“It is important to learn about how scammers are targeting people through social media to build better phishing lures, for example on your browser, Facebook, Twitter and many more."

“Research has shown that social media uses a lot of energy all over the world not only in one country or one computer but all over the world. Scammers use mostly social media and this causes technological harm,” warned Fortuin.

Ms Sekgana Makhoba from the MICT SETA said the organisation's partnership with universities was to create a pool of graduates that can contribute to innovative solutions.

“We work with key role players in the development of technologies and products related to 4IR. We also work with stakeholders in each sub-sector to set realistic targets, assess provision and access across provinces, regions, industries, occupations and different size companies, and identify weaknesses,” she added.

“We are also expanding skills development to rural areas. SETA’s strategy is aimed at increasing access to occupationally directed programmes for previously disadvantaged communities including the townships.”

The breakfast networking session was facilitated by the Director of Library Services Ms Zanele Mathe and Professor Phindile Lukhele-Olorunju set the tone when she welcomed the guests.

@ Story and Pictures by Cleopatra Makhaga

Shongwe started participating in sports at UMP soon after she was accepted to study at the university in 2016. She plays netball for UMP Siyabuswa Campus in the Nkangala League. Her team has also won the Mpumalanga Championship title, which led to them taking part at the Spar National Netball Championships in Gauteng.

“Throughout my university life I have been part of the Siyabuswa campus and university team. I became Vice-captain of the Siyabuswa campus team last year and was also appointed the captain of the university team.”

Boosted by mentorship
Not wanting to take all the credit, Shongwe attributed the team’s success to Siyabuswa campus sports officer, Mr Agree Mokoena whom she describes as a great mentor.

“Mr Mokoena has always been supportive. He went as far as being our trainer. We will always appreciate his dedication, help and encouragement.”

In turn, Mokoena described Shongwe as hardworking and committed to meeting every goal that is set out for her. “She has shown leadership qualities throughout her time at UMP. She captained both the campus and the UMP USSA teams in 2018.” Mokoena added that Shongwe’s dedication and hard work also showed in her ability to juggle sports and academic work.

Focus on education
Apart from playing sports, Shongwe is a BED Foundation Phase final year student. This year she was also part of the first group of UMP student teachers to engage with a group of students from St. Gallen University of Teachers Education in Switzerland.

Shongwe said being a part of this Swiss-South Africa inter-Cultural programme gave her a chance to learn more about Swiss culture and how the Swiss education system differed from South Africa’s, which was a valuable lesson.

Sporting roots
Hailing from Schoemansdal, Nkomazi in Mpumalanga, Shongwe started playing netball at a young age in Fairview Academy Primary School. She continued playing at Suikerland Secondary School where she completed her matric.

When she is at home in Nkomazi, she plays for Bernini Girls netball team, which is in the Enhlanzeni League. She says her love for netball will never fade and will continue playing for a long time to come.

@ Story Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @Chrisclphoto

“The smoothies are healthy snacks and meal replacements. There’s also a three-day challenge cleansers that assist with weight-loss and for detoxing for those that want to trim down.”

Though it looks like she has made it in business, but Nkateko explains the hardships she endured at the initial stages. Raising capital for the business was her biggest challenge.

“Money is still a challenge. I feel like if I had financial back up, I could be flourishing in a different way. Transport is also another problem, as I don’t have a car to do deliveries. I still travel by public transport and that affects delivery time.”

“I once tried to train someone to assist with making the smoothies so that I focus on my studies but that did not work out. I am not a perfectionist but I just feel like no one will have the same interest and passion for your craft. The quality of the shakes was not the same.”

Campus Support
Nkateko reveals that both her parents run successful businesses and continue to inspire her to never give up.

“I come from a family of business minded people. My mother was a food caterer a few years back and my father is still in business. I’ve always had the thought of starting a business but I never knew how to go about it.”

The innovative student advertised her business on campus, making students taste her shakes. She says the positive feedback made her to launch it.

“I knew I needed to start my business soon but it was not easy, as I had no funds. I remember that time I had less than R100 in my bank account. Today LA TIARA is blooming. It is the support that I receive on campus that keeps me going.”

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures Instagram