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02/09/2026

We proudly congratulate UKZN alumna Dr Thembisile Xulu on her appointment as Director-General of South Africa’s National Department of Health.

We celebrate this significant achievement and wish her every success as she takes on this important leadership role.

31/08/2026

The Heartbeat of the Nation: Celebrating the Women Who Sustain South Africa

Within the halls of our University, excellence takes many forms, and, as we celebrate Women’s Month, our celebration reaches every corner of our Institution.

We honour the researcher whose intellect and curiosity push boundaries in the laboratory; the student stepping boldly into her future with courage and ambition; the woman who quietly carries unseen personal battles while continuing to show up for her work and studies; and the mentor whose wisdom, care, and guidance uplift those around her, quietly shaping the very fabric of our academic community and society.

This special edition is dedicated to recognising the remarkable contributions, resilience, and achievements of the women who enrich the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) community and South Africa as a whole. To feature every extraordinary woman across our campuses would require endless pages. While our spotlight shines on a few specific stories in this Women’s Month edition, we celebrate the collective triumph of every single woman across our Institution.

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

31/08/2026

Hey Alumnus✨

Be inspired by our Quote of the Week! 🤩

“It is only by helping others, that we are best able to help ourselves.”

Words by Amina Randeree

28/08/2026

🌟 Help Us Celebrate One of Our Own!

Meet UKZN alumnus Rodney Naidoo, a 2026 Telkom Forty Under 40 nominee in the Marketing & Communications category. 🚀

Rodney Naidoo is an entrepreneur and MBA candidate at the UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership (completing September 2026). He holds a BCom and BCom Honours in Marketing Management from UKZN and is the Founder and Managing Director of Blackbridge Holdings, a specialised digital marketing agency bridging commercial strategy, data-driven marketing, and artificial intelligence.

His recent selection for the 2026 Telkom Forty Under 40 South Africa Awards in the Marketing & Communications category highlights his work in pioneering modern MarTech solutions. Under his leadership, Blackbridge Holdings delivers end-to-end solutions spanning high-impact influencer marketing, data-driven performance marketing, and comprehensive social media management. The agency also deploys advanced Agentic AI workflows and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) through its GEO-Lighthouse service to help South African businesses remain visible and competitive in an evolving AI-search ecosystem.

Representing UKZN’s entrepreneurial spirit, Rodney competed in the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity KZN Regional Rounds. His competitive recognitions include selection for the Google Hustle Academy Digital Growth Initiative, the African Technology Forum AI Challenge, and the Rizepreneur Select 2026 cohort. Beyond business, Rodney served as a voluntary student mentor within the Wits SAIBPP Mentorship Programme, reflecting his deep commitment to knowledge sharing and empowering the next generation of leaders.

26/08/2026

UKZN Science Centre Showcases Inclusive Science at National Science Month Launch

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Science Centre, based in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, participated in the launch of National Science Month 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology’s Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng, Vereeniging.

The event marked the expansion of National Science Week into a month-long national programme aimed at creating more opportunities for meaningful public engagement with science, technology, and innovation. It was held under the theme, ‘Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone’.

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

25/08/2026

Genetics PhD Candidate Named Finalist in National Women in Science Awards

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) PhD candidate in Biological Sciences Ms Makwena Melita Sebone is a finalist in the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), an initiative aimed at advancing gender equity and empowering women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Sebone is based at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) and is conducting research on pelagic ecosystem structure and biodiversity patterns along the South African coastline using DNA metabarcoding of marine zooplankton communities. Her research is supervised by Professor Sandi Willows-Munro, Dr Ashrenee Govender-Paul, Professor Johan Groeneveld and Dr Jenny Huggett.

Her research uses zooplankton and DNA-based data to understand how ocean conditions shape marine biodiversity, supporting better biodiversity monitoring, conservation and management of South Africa’s marine ecosystems.

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

24/08/2026

President Ramaphosa Affirms UKZN’s Role as a Platform for African Scholarship and Regional Dialogue

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) role as a leading centre of African scholarship and an important space for regional dialogue was highlighted when His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, recently delivered the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Public Lecture at the University’s Westville campus.

In his keynote address, Ramaphosa highlighted UKZN’s contribution to the realisation of SADC's Vision 2050, recognising the University’s work in regional value chains in agro-processing and critical minerals; ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and digital inclusion; climate-resilient agroecology; and human capital development through youth and women entrepreneurship programmes.

The President also commended UKZN scholars for their contributions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the University’s leading contribution to the discovery of the Omicron variant in 2021 and its significance beyond South Africa.

“This university displayed its outstanding capability when it came to advising government, but more importantly, which was a benefit to our continent, was when it led us in research in discovering various strains of COVID-19, namely the Omicron variant. I may have taken a little long, but today I pay tribute to the scientists, the researchers, intellectuals, academics and the leadership of UKZN and say: we pay homage to you for the excellence that is displayed here.”

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

24/08/2026

Hey Alumnus✨

Be inspired by our Quote of the Week! 🤩

“Approve yourself.”

Words by Maya Angelou

Shared by Makgauta Tsotetsi

19/08/2026

🌟 Alumnus of the Month: Dr Lawrence Malinga

Meet Dr Lawrence Malinga, a proud UKZN graduate and leading researcher shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

From crop protection to innovative pest management, his work is making a meaningful impact in South Africa and beyond.

Discover his inspiring journey and see how he continues to Inspire Greatness! ✨

18/08/2026

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of the Tumelo Seliane Education Fund (TuSEF).

Tumelo Seliane was a UKZN medical student remembered for his resilience, compassion, selflessness and commitment to servant leadership. His life and values inspired the establishment of TuSEF in 2016 by the UKZN MBChB Class of 2015, in partnership with the UKZN Foundation. The Fund continues his legacy by supporting academically deserving medical students facing financial hardship and helping them complete their medical studies.

Over the past decade, TuSEF has become an important source of support for medical students in need. The 10-Year Anniversary Gala Dinner will celebrate this legacy while raising funds towards the establishment of a sustainable R1 million Endowment Fund for future generations of medical students.

📅 Friday, 18 September 2026
🕕 18:00
📍 K-RITH Building, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN
🎟️ R1 000 per person
📌 RSVP by 28 August 2026

Table sponsorship packages are also available.

We invite UKZN alumni, colleagues and friends of the University to join us in celebrating a decade of impact and investing in the future of our medical students.

Please submit your RSVP using the attached QR code or this link: https://api.minidev.cc/p/r/Fl0vWokLJQ

Empowering dreams. Building community. Changing lives.

Address

Alumni Relations, University Of KwaZulu-Natal, 232 Mazisi-Kunene Avenue
Durban
4041

Website

https://alumni.ukzn.ac.za/

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