In spite of what is happening around us, the UMP Community has come together and decided that this lockdown and the pandemic and the consequences we are feeling, will not stop us dead in our tracks. It will not put an end to our academic dreams or achievements, and it will not stop us from pursuing greatness.

To the Class of 2020, our fifth one to graduate and our first one to celebrate a virtual graduation: HALALA! And thank you! You are an inspiration to all of us and in you we see a reason to go on and to keep on doing what we are doing. To the staff and students who are continuing with their classes and studies online amidst really trying circumstances, thank you. Keep it up! We will get through this, and we will get through this together, and stronger than before!

As a community at this university, we persevere, we continue to strive, we continue to achieve and perform to the best of our ability under circumstances that test us on every level. Thank you for continuing this journey with us, for putting your best foot forward and for climbing this mountain with us and not letting the obstacles of 2020 put an end to your academic goals and dreams.

Our UMP ENACTUS team has given us every reason to be proud! The group scooped up several awards at 2020 National Competition. They achieved all this under challenging circumstances, which saw other universities pull out. Congratulations to Dr Ferdinand Niyimbanira and his team.

This month's newsletter is filled with stories that bring hope and inspire. They all show that we are better together and that we can achieve whatever we put our minds to.

Professor Thoko Mayekiso
Vice-Chancellor

The University of Mpumalanga's fifth graduation ceremony, and its first virtual graduation, was a monumental day as both undergraduates and postgraduates acquired their hard-earned certificates. Although students did not get the chance to walk on the stage, they will forever be the first to have graduated virtually and can always go back to the channel and watch the proceedings in case a family member missed it.

Opening the ceremony UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said: “Every year we gather in this magnificent academic forum to affirm the achievements of our students, and to reaffirm the intellectual bonds that connect us to those who have crossed the stage and have graduated from our great institution and to those who will do so for centuries to come. As the Vice Chancellor, graduations represent one of the special moments I cherish in my leadership journey when graduandi cross the stage and are capped or have their hand shaken.”

Professor Mayekiso addressed the circumstances of this year’s graduation ceremony and said that the university would make provision for a traditional stage crossing.

“Unusual circumstances have prevented us from being together this afternoon. We are, however, united and together in the UMP spirit. At the appropriate time, we hope to present you with the opportunity to cross the stage and experience this special moment with your families, your friends, and the UMP community as a whole. The graduation ceremony today, although unique, includes most of the traditional elements that make a UMP graduation special. This is a moment of pride in your achievement and anticipation for the opportunities, challenges and accomplishments that lie ahead. You are graduating at a time like no other in history. Memories of this period will remain with you for as long as your lives endure. You can leverage this historical moment, not to trip and fall but to thrive and stand tall, knowing in your heart of hearts, that this too shall pass. May you from this adversity be creative enough to offer solutions that will bring prosperity to humanity in despair,” she added.

The Vice-Chancellor once again congratulated the graduates and asked them to remember, acknowledge and thank those who have helped them along the way. “It is crucial to bear in mind that while this occasion is about you, there are also other people who have contributed significantly to your getting to this delightful point in life. Those who supported and nourished you, those whom you will never be able to thank enough, such as your families, your loved ones, members of your communities, your funders, and lecturers to mention a few. Please take a moment to thank them.”

She ended her message with hopes that UMP had equipped its graduates with the capacity and ability to lead fulfilling lives, “lives that will proceed to empower and enrich other lives and in so doing, contribute to making the world a better place.”

Professor Mayekiso sent the Class of 2020 off with a powerful HALALA before handing over to the Dean of Students, Dr Paul Maminza who read the Chancellor, honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message of congratulations to the Class of 2020. 

The University of Mpumalanga has produced 495 graduates, which included 21 students who graduated Cum Laude, 15 recipients of the Academic Excellence award and 22 of the Vice-chancellor’s scholarship award.

Well done Class of 2020!

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrisplPhoto.

Their winning streak began in 2017 and they have been on a roll ever since. Not even COVID-19 could get the team down. UMP ENACTUS adapted to the ‘new normal’ and lived up to UMP’s value of adaptability. They competed under difficult circumstances and went on to become overall winners of the Nedbank Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Award, the Harmony LED Chamber Award and the Harmony Business Solution for Community Development Award. All of these awards were for their Hatching Hope project. 

For their Re-fuel (plastic waste management) project, the group won the FORD C3 Building Communities Project Partnership Award (Finalist) and came second in the Unilever Waste Plastic Challenge Award. They also collected: The Qualifiers trophy, Most Passionate Team Award and came fifth in the Semi-Finalists' Award. 

UMP ENACTUS President, Confidence Ndlovu says the team is extremely excited and proud of their achievements. 

“The competition was really tough this year but with hard work and passion we managed to pull through. Team work has always been our winning element. As president of the team I’m so humbled by the efforts of each and every member of my team. This is a group of committed young leaders and they are the future of this country,” she said. 

This year, due to the regulations governing the National Lockdown, ENACTUS South Africa decided that the National Competitions were to be held via virtual platforms. This decision required participating teams to work remotely on their presentations, which presented some challenges for the teams to overcome. 

Ndlovu said that UMP gave the team their full backing and support, and thanked the Dean of Students and ENACTUS Business Advisory Board Member, Dr Paul Maminza for making sure the team was well prepared and on time. 

“They ensured that our ENACTUS Task team arrived on campus on the 5th of July to prepare everything, including script memorizing, presentation filming, and that the mandatory reports were ready before the 8th of July,” she said.

UMP ENACTUS coordinator since 2016, Dr Ferdinand Niyimbanira who also scooped the 2020 Faculty Advisor of the Year Award, said that these achievements are an affirmation that the team is really changing people’s lives and that they have been consistent in the last four years. 

“The team feels ecstatic and motivated to produce work of a high calibre while improving the quality of life of the people we work with on our projects. We believe that entrepreneurial actions can create a better world for all,” he added.

“We are happy that our contribution to economic development is through instilling an entrepreneurial mind-set, not only in our beneficiaries but our students as well. The national competition is always a platform that allows our students to enhance their soft skills and gives them the opportunity to keep the UMP flag flying high.

“With COVID-19 and the national lockdown, the preparation for the competition was unusual but interesting, and also a great experience. Thanks to technology, COVID-19 did not stand in their way. Where there is a will, there is always a way. The UMP ENACTUS team was committed and made a grand effort to make their presentation a reality,” he said. 

Dr Niyimbanira also thanked UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso and the Management team, who provided the team with data, accommodation, video recording and transport to visit the project sites, and finally, the UMP community for always showing their support to the team. 

Ndlovu continued that the team would not have been what it is had it not been for Dr Niyimbanira’s support. “His contribution has been paramount. From establishing the team in 2016 to building the most resilient entrepreneurial leaders today." 

Equally invaluable has been the support they team has received from ENACTUS Assistant Coordinator, Mr Themba Lukhele who said that ENACTUS has been a vehicle through which the university’s vision is being realized. Strategic partnerships are one of the core values and visions of UMP, and ENACTUS has captured this perfectly. 

“Since its inception, the UMP ENACTUS team has been actively involved in a number of community development projects wherein collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships have been established with various stakeholders in local communities,” he added.  

“These include local municipalities, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, tribal authorities, entrepreneurs, and community members from different communities within the province."    

The UMP Community is extremely proud of the ENACTUS team who seem to have internalised the advice from Professor Mayekiso in her message on 10 June 2020 to Staff and Students when she wrote: “Determination is about putting your heart, mind and soul into what you want to achieve and about pursuing your goals relentlessly.” 

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.

“I'm really impressed with the University's efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus. And the consistency of maintaining the rules is what I'd regard as a highlight of my period being on campus,” says final year student Moses Timana.

He further says the challenge of balancing home life, school work as well as managing his mental health was too much for him. “The anxiety that came with living during a pandemic. Data was another major problem. I never realised how expensive data was because we always have free Wi-Fi at school.”

Mr Trust Nkomo from Student Affairs says only 83 students have been allowed back to campus. “These learners are those that reside on campus and the rest come to university daily. Before entering the university we had to ensure that staff and students are screened, have masks on and that they practice social distancing.”

Student Wellness
Coping with studies and the pandemic was another major issue and the university has ensured that student counselling is available to provide psychological support to students who will have difficulty coping. Student counsellor Xolile Sibuyi says she is available to see students strictly by appointments, walk-ins are not be allowed unless it’s a crisis.

“Counselling services are still available to students who are studying at home. I also have the option of using virtual or telephonic counselling for those who don’t feel like coming to the office or those who are not at the university. Students should be aware that I am limiting physical contact,” she says.

Monalisa Lwinga who is doing a Master of Science in Agriculture says it’s a relief to be back because she is struggling with a mental illness.

“I'm seeing a therapist but I’m happy with how I’ve adapted mentally and physiologically. Initially I thought the rules about social distancing were going to drain me. I though being alone in our rooms was going to kill me but now that I'm here, it's not like that at all.”

Students who need psychological assistance can email: Xolile.sibuyi@ump.ac.za to make an appointment.

Science laboratories
The University has opened and prepped two computer labs. These adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines: decontamination, social distancing stickers and there is enough hand sanitizer at entry points.

Head of the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Tembisa Ngqondi says: “Our labs have good spacing and they can hold 120 students, so we decided to skip one computer because it gives 2 meters distance from one computer to another one. In terms of the entrance in the computer lab and also in the offices we have also placed lines for social distancing and sanitizers are at the port of entries.”

Professor Ngqondi explained that one-on-one consultations with lecturers take place in boardrooms and students and staff are not  allowed to have consultation sessions inside offices as before. “The boardrooms are more spacious and have been prepped with signage in terms of where one should be seated.”

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture student, Gbenle Joel is impressed with the set-up in lecture halls and laboratories.

“It actually feels really good to be back on campus. The lecturers are really supportive and they are trying their best to help us recover the time we've lost. I have managed to adjust to the schooling environment, the learning has been going smoothly so far. It’s really easy to adjust because the environment is conducive to learning – all the facilities needed have been provided, and there is less distraction as compared to studying at home,” he says.

The University staff and management continuously ensure that all COVID-19 safety measure, regulations and protocols are followed and that students understand, respect and adhere to the regulations.

“We even have the Department of Health who is assisting us with the entry of students and staff members. In case one has a high temperature or has been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, we have a quarantine room in building 13 and then an ambulance will come and take them to the hospital for testing,” says Mr Nkomo.

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe and Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied

“As your proud Chancellor, it is my pleasure to deliver my message to the University of Mpumalanga’s graduating Class of 2020. The annual fellowship with the University and the broader community of this Province of the Rising Sun is a special celebration. It is also an opportunity for us to witness our progress in transforming lives. Like nearly every country around the world, we are in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, and are under strict nationwide lockdown.

Indeed, life on and off campus has been forever changed and will continue to change as we adapt to the Age of COVID-19. With the reality of illness and death around us, it is natural to worry about physical survival, emotional wellbeing and financial security. You have been looking forward to the world of work and to contributing to our society.

New Possibilities
Your families and extended families have been looking forward to you creating a better life not just for yourself but also for your family and community. As graduates, you have now joined the brains trust of our nation by virtue of your academic endeavours and it is at this time that we look to you and the faculty of this impressive and young institution to help us fashion a new future. This is the time for you to join hands and intellects and to help provide leadership to our nation.

Like all crises, COVID-19 is laden with many new possibilities. It is an opportunity for us to act on valuable proposals and ideas that were not accorded the necessary urgency and resources until this pandemic came along.

You are now suitably qualified – not just as graduates, but also as young, gifted and energetic members of our society – to anticipate and realise a post-COVID South Africa that is better than the country we had a month ago. This year, the University of Mpumalanga’s academic harvest is an impressive 495 students from 14 qualifications, with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas being conferred. In six of the programmes, we have produced our very first generation of graduates. This is worth celebrating, given the youth of the institution itself.

Crowning Achievement
It reaffirms the love and value of education to the people of Mpumalanga, as well as how families, communities and the University are working together to grow South Africa.

This itself speaks volumes about the resilience, discipline and passion of our young South Africans. Your adoption of healthy life choices; your respect for funding by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme; your partnerships with citizens who are less fortunate, and your exercise of your natural inquisitiveness has moved our society forward. And now, your crowning achievement of a qualification – one that will hopefully be the first of many more to follow.

Young people are the heart of our country, and I hope our country’s wellbeing will be at the heart of your own ventures into life beyond the walls of this university. As you embark on this next phase, always remember that resilience, persistence, hard work and determination is what got you to this point. It is what will carry you into the future.

Should you someday stumble and fall, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and carry on.

Best of luck, and well done!”

Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
Chancellor, University of Mpumalanga

Picture @ChrisplPhoto

From the days when students sat silently at the symbolic feet of the scholar/ teacher and read books in the library, to today when technology is being increasingly used to enrich and facilitate learning (and, unfortunately, books are seldom read) – teaching and learning has changed and will continue to change as new ideas and technologies are developed.

Learning, which was once a relatively passive activity for students, now requires much more active participation from students and new approaches from staff. Academics and teachers have to be adaptable, must be open to new ways of doing things and must be prepared to change in the interest of providing the best possible education to their students.

Adaptability and change have always been a necessary part of an academic’s life, and I can remember when, with some reluctance, I prepared my first PowerPoint slides many years ago. However, while previously we have had some control over the pace of change, that has not been the case in the past five months.

A change in pedagogy
Like many universities, the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has supported the provision of blended learning, where traditional classroom practices are enhanced by the judicious incorporation of e-Learning activities. Blended learning increases the richness of content and allows for more flexible learning systems that address the needs of a more diverse group of students, all with different learning styles.

E-Learning allows asynchronous learning where students are not tied to the standard lecture timetable and can rather create their own learning schedules; it allows for learning to occur beyond the formal classroom, including when students are on work integrated learning; and it promotes the development of academic independence and lifelong learning.

Since 2017, when the Policy for e-Learning was approved, UMP has invested resources in developing its Moodle teaching and learning platform and in preparing staff and students for the use of e-Learning. By the start of the 2020 academic year, the uptake of e-Learning and the use of Moodle was significant across UMP, the majority of staff had received some training in its application, and many students were familiar with Moodle having used the platform in previous years.

As a result of this work, when the call came to switch from a blended approach to teaching and learning to remote or online delivery, many of the staff and students were able to make the transition relatively easily. However, the inequality that is such a prominent feature of many aspects of life in South Africa, and which affects both staff and students, has made the implementation of online teaching and learning problematic for some. Many of the students at UMP report that they have all the support they need for online learning, with a dedicated study area, computer and Internet connectivity, and supportive family and friends.

Others report the opposite and are expected to help with housework during the day, or care for younger siblings, share a room, do not have access to the Internet and can only work at night. The challenges that such inequality pose are not just felt in South Africa, but in many other countries in Africa and indeed in the world. At a recent webinar entitled Cross-Continental dialogues on Higher Education: How are universities coping with the COVID-19 crisis?, the President of the University of La Rochelle in France reported that the university was given three days’ notice to prepare for shutdown and online teaching, and that they also faced problems of social inequality as many students could not access digital devices.

This point is made to emphasize that we are not alone in facing these challenges and we do not necessarily have to find original solutions. We can and are learning from colleagues elsewhere in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

The harsh reality of social inequality should be seen as a challenge rather than a justification for the call made by some students and student organizations to halt online teaching. Universities are working together, with the support of the Department of Higher Education and training, and the Council on Higher Education, to innovate and to ensure that the two gaols, being that the 2020 academic year is not lost, and that no student is left behind, are achieved.

Willing and active participation
The successful implementation of online learning requires willing and active participation of both staff and students, and students at UMP have demonstrated considerable agency by supporting their lectures in, for example, the distribution of learning materials.

While technology enhanced and online learning has its real benefits, it cannot easily replace the face-to-face interactions that characterise the classroom and it does not easily replicate the learning that occurs between students in large classes, in the dining halls and on the sports fields. The students of UMP have demonstrated a clear preference for PowerPoint presentations that include either a voice-over, or video of the staff member, and many staff members have responded to this call.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic will pass and universities and their core activities of teaching and learning, research and engagement will return to normal. What that normal might look like in terms of teaching and learning remains to be seen but it should include an even greater uptake of blended learning.

The requirement to switch from contact to online teaching has forced us to rethink our conception that good teaching and learning can only occur in the classroom or in the laboratory. It has opened our eyes to other possibilities and what can be achieved using technology. However, this is not the end of face-to-face teaching and the new normal must make room for the human and social interactions that take place on a campus.

@ Professor Ric Bernard is the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academics at the University of Mpumalanga. The opinions expressed in this article are his and may not reflect the views of the University of Mpumalanga

Titled, Reading Across The Diaspora: Writing Ourselves Into The Curriculum, the Pan-Africanist Collection, the university started the reading corner a year ago with the intention to promote and honour published work by authors from across the African diaspora. It has been well received and has become a firm favourite with staff and students alike.

Director of Library and Information Services, Ms Zanele Mathe says they received overwhelming feedback. “One of the suggestions we received was to share leisure books that could help with mental stimulation, stress reduction and vocabulary expansion. Another recommendation was for us to upload a weekly series of African Literature, which we implemented and it has become a success.”

“It’s working well and we’re receiving great feedback from staff members and students. The University is committed to uploading a new book every week. At the moment we don't have specific contributing authors. We identify titles ourselves from our special collection and check if an e-version is available. When it is, we post the link on Moodle. We intend to keep this as part of our regular services, so it won't really end.”

Third-year student Sipho Mogopudi is a book fanatic and one of the students who suggested uploading African Literature. “I love reading. I get to create and imagine new worlds that I've never seen before. I like seeing other people achieving the best for themselves and being independent throughout their lives,” he adds.

“I suggested African Literature because I've noticed that most students only know and are interested in anything and everything American. I wanted students to be exposed to our African lifestyle and history. Mogopudi says that African literature is close to his heart. “It holds the richest information about our background and what values other African countries outside South Africa can offer. If our students become aware of their African heritage, they will soon realise that Africa is gold and very rich.”

He adds that books such as: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and This Bitch Of A Life by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti enlighten and liberate Africans about their roots. To take the project forward Mathe says the Library Services Centre is planning to create a platform that will promote local authors.

“We’re looking at giving local authors an opportunity to review books. We hope this will allow the UMP community and the public to enjoy the diversity of their stories. We also want to honour the intersectional ties that bind cultural experiences together.”

Some of the books that have been uploaded during the lockdown include: Half a Yellow Sun by Nigerian Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, I Do Not Come To You By Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and The Uncertainty of Hope by Zimbabwean Valery Tagwira.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrisplPhoto