Change the world

Mandela University’s Dr Savania Nagiah inaugurated as member of SAYAS
 
Medical School senior lecturer Dr Savania Nagiah, was recently inaugurated as one of 10 of the country’s leading emerging scientists to become members of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).
 
SAYAS members are young scientists under the age of 40, who have PhDs and are deemed excellent in their fields of expertise.
 
Dr Nagiah’s research focus is the learning and teaching of molecular biology in medical education, and she lectures Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology in first- and second year MBChB basic science modules at the University’s Medical School on Missionvale Campus.
 
The Academy serves as the voice of young South African scientists and aims to bridge the gap between science and society. SAYAS is linked to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and provides a national platform where leading young scientists from all disciplines in the country can interact, and also access international networking and career development opportunities.
 
 
First full-length concert for Mandela University Choir
 
 
The Nelson Mandela University Choir with 24 members is presenting its first live, full-length concert to close the academic year on Friday, 28 October in the South Campus Auditorium.
The choir focussed solely on digital performances during the pandemic. 
 
The varied programme includes international works rooted in jazz and contemporary music genres, tributes to iconic South African artists, and a selection of traditional South African music. 
 
The concert forms part of the Univeristy's five-year celebrations, but also serves to close the academic year in an uplifting manner, through song. 
 
In addition to contemporary sacred works by Karl Jenkins (UK) and Bob Chilcott (UK), the choir will perform a selection of traditional American spirituals, gospel and soul including music by Kirk Franklin and Curtis Mayfield.
 
 
Steyn and Stubbs named Madibaz sports stars of the year
 
Madibaz national representatives Jeanie Steyn and Tristan Stubbs were recognised for their achievements by being named Nelson Mandela University’s sports stars of the year in Gqeberha last night.
Steyn, a master’s student in fine arts, was selected for the South African netball team for next month’s World Cup Fast5 tournament in New Zealand. She is also in the national squad for the World Cup, which SA will host next year.
 
Stubbs, a B.Com student, has developed into one of the country’s most exciting young cricketers and is currently with the national team at the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
 
The hard-hitting batsman sprang to prominence in the CSA T20 Challenge in Gqeberha this year before making his debut for the Proteas against India in Delhi in June.
 
The SPAR Madibaz Netball Club, which won the Nelson Mandela Bay league and finished runner-up at the University Sport SA tournament after making the finals for the first time, received the awards for club of the year and community outreach.
 
 
Treating diabetes using the old ways
 
Diabetes is the second leading cause of death due to disease in SA, after tuberculosis. Finding ways to treat diabetes using indigenous knowledge about natural remedies has won Dr NehemiahLatolla of Nelson Mandela University a place on the world stage of science communicators.
 
Dr Latolla was chosen as FameLab SA 2022 winner during the national leg of the International FameLab science communication competition held on Monday evening, 17 October 2022. (See our September #R2bP story). As the national winner, he will represent South Africa in the International FameLab 2022 competition in November 2022.
 
During the FameLab South Africa Final, ten young scientists showcased research from some of the top academic and research institutes across the country in a way that non-experts can follow along and enjoy. The ten finalists each presented a three-minute talk about their research using props and simple language. The talks shared a glimpse into the lives of young researchers in South Africa and the impact that they hope to have through their studies and work. FameLab is the biggest international competition that seeks and supports science communication talent. This year marked the celebration of the 10th season of FameLab in South Africa.
 
 
Inclusion on prestigious global list for Mandela Uni Alumnus
 
 
Mandela University Alumnus and Executive Director of the SA Cultural Observatory, based at the University, Unathi Lutshaba, has been honoured as one of the worlds’ Most Influential People of African Descent by the United Nations.
 
Included in Most Influential People of African Descent’s (Mipad's) global Top 100 Under 40 sector in the “activism and humanitarian” category, Unathi received the recognition at the UN’s headquarters in New York.
 
Recognised as one of SA's biggest champions of the arts and for her positive contributions to humanity, Unathi said at the event that “The creative world is no longer about art for art’s sake, but rather an undervalued and under-supported industry with untapped potential for generating economic growth and social unity”. She further commented that some of the big challenges facing the creative industry in South Africa are funding and access to markets.
 
 
 
Mandela University teaching alumni celebrated on World Teachers’ Day
 
 
Enlightening. Empowering. Transformative. Fulfilling. Humbling. Spiritual. Reviving. These were some of the words used by teachers to describe their profession during an appreciation luncheon hosted by Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Education in celebration of World Teachers’ Day on Wednesday (05 October 2022).
 
The Faculty invited its teaching alumni to honour their contribution to what has been known as the “noble profession” on the day that UNESCO marked to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation for the vital role that teachers play in education and development across the globe.
 
Representing various schools across the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, the celebrated teachers have been in the profession for period of as little as four months, to about 36 years.
 
Addressing the Faculty alumni, Executive Dean, Dr Muki Moeng, said the gathering was a gesture to appreciate them as a show of pride, gratitude and respect for them and their contribution to the profession.