Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University

18/06/2026

Join the Faculty of Humanities at the upcoming Eastern Cape Literature Festival 2026 ✨📚

📍 Settlers Monument, Makhanda
📅 26–28 June 2026

We are proud to celebrate the Faculty of Humanities' representation at the upcoming Eastern Cape Literature Festival, taking place as part of the National Arts Festival in Makhanda.

The Faculty of Humanities is represented by Prof Pamela Maseko (Executive Dean) and Buhle Bidi (lecturer and doctoral candidate) who will facilitate a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of translated literature, alongside Dr Athambile Masola and Prof Zakes Mda.

We also congratulate our talented Humanities creatives, Isivile Mxoli and Awodwa Mtshali, who have been selected to participate in this prestigious festival, showcasing the depth of talent, scholarship, and creativity within our Faculty.

This platform highlights the transformative power of language, storytelling, culture, and intellectual engagement, while affirming our commitment to advancing African literature and knowledge production.

Join us as we celebrate the voices, stories, and ideas shaping our future.

17/06/2026

When science and music meet 🔬🎶

Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to transdisciplinary engagement was on display at a recent seminar that brought together seemingly divergent worlds of quantum science and experimental music.

Hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Azwinndini Muronga, in collaboration with the Faculties of Science and Humanities, Quantum Technology and Experimental Music explored how scientific discovery and artistic expression intersect through shared themes of uncertainty, complexity, creativity and innovation.

Opening the event, programme director Lubabalo Saba framed the seminar as an opportunity to explore the connections between disciplines that are often perceived as unrelated.

“This evening invites us to reflect on how disciplines can work together not only to expand knowledge, but to deepen the human experience, ensuring that as science evolves, it continues to carry with it meaning, creativity and a distinctive human touch,” he said.

Keynote speaker Professor Thomas Konrad, Director of the Centre for Quantum Computing and Technology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal explored the promise and complexity of quantum technologies, particularly in the context of South Africa and the African context.

Read more: https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/When-science-and-music-meet

10/06/2026

Growing our Humanities community, one brilliant colleague at a time 📚💻🌟

On 27 May 2026, the Faculty of Humanities welcomed:

Prof Shelley Barry - Media and Communication 🎬
Ms Babalwa Mahanja - Sociology and Anthropology🌐
Mr Selwyn Milborrow - Languages and Literature 📚
Mr Siyamthanda Xotyeni - Music and Performing Arts 🎵

Our new staff members shared their scholarly interests and aspirations, while Executive Dean Prof Pamela Maseko, Deputy Dean Dr Jacqui Lück, and HR Service Provider Ms Bridgette Simon introduced colleagues to the Faculty's strategic goals, teaching initiatives, and academic support structures.

We are excited to have you join our Humanities community and look forward to your contributions to teaching, learning, research, and engagement.

09/06/2026

In loving memory of Banele Dulane. Gone from our sight, but his kindness, friendliness, and spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Join us as we celebrate the memory of Banele - a life that touched many.

04/06/2026

From 20 to 29 May 2026, Visual Communication and Applied Design lecturer, Micaela Scholtz, and Visual Arts lecturer, Vhuhwavho Sikhwivhilu from the Department of Visual Art visited the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) in Tallinn, Estonia, as part of an ongoing partnership between the institutions.

The visit was supported through ERASMUS+ funding. The objectives of this visit to the EKA included fostering academic and professional exchange between institutions, sharing best practices in evaluation and examination methods, and exploring potential avenues for future academic and creative collaboration.

Additionally, the visit aimed to provide insight into EKA’s student-focused events, such as the TASE graduation exhibition and the ERKI Fashion Show, as well as MA defence presentations to enhance participants’ understanding of innovative approaches in art and design education.

This mobility initiative supports both institutions’ strategic goals for internationalisation and modernisation by facilitating cross-cultural dialogue, academic networking, and the exchange of innovative methods.

04/06/2026

The Faculty of Humanities, in collaboration with the Faculty of Science and the DVC: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, is proud to present Quantum Technology and Experimental Music.

This unique interdisciplinary event brings together Prof Thomas Konrad, Director of the Centre for Quantum Computing and Technology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Ernest Dawkins, acclaimed Chicago-based saxophonist, composer, and educator, for an exploration of the connections between quantum science, creativity, improvisation, and musical innovation.

Supported by our partners the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, and featuring scientific presentation, live musical performance, and audience discussion, the seminar invites participants to engage with ideas from both scientific and artistic perspectives.

📅 Monday, 8 June 2026

🕟 16:30–18:00

📍 South Campus Auditorium, Nelson Mandela University

🎟 RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/uXVqtKwDU4

We look forward to welcoming staff, students, musicians, researchers, and members of the public.

01/06/2026

🕊️ In Loving Memory of Banele Dlulane 🕊️

It is with deep sadness that the Faculty of Humanities acknowledges the passing of our student, Banele Dlulane.

We extend our sincere condolences to Banele’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.

May his soul rest in peace.

🕊️ It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Banele.

As the Department of Music and Performing Arts, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.

Banele was a valued member of our department whose warm and kind spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

His absence will be profoundly felt, and he will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.

May his soul rest in peace. 🕊️

29/05/2026

🚨 MISSING PERSON ALERT 🚨

The Nelson Mandela University Faculty of Humanities is deeply concerned about the disappearance of music student Banele Dlulane.

Banele was last seen on 26 May 2026, wearing jeans and a red hoodie in the Gqeberha area.

If you have any information that may assist in locating him, please contact his family on 072 721 8966 or reach out to Humewood SAPS immediately.

Please share this post to help bring Banele home safely. 🙏

22/05/2026

As South Africa approaches the 50th anniversary of the 1976 student uprising, retired Major General Gordon Yekelo urged students at Nelson Mandela University to reflect critically on democracy, inequality and the unfinished project of freedom in post-apartheid South Africa.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Yekelo challenged students to think beyond elections and political rights, arguing that democracy must also be measured through the lived realities of ordinary citizens and the broader question of human security.

“Our democracy remains tested because many South Africans still live under conditions shaped by structural inequality,” he said.

Yekelo, who previously served as South Africa’s Ambassador to South Sudan and held senior leadership roles within the South African National Defence Force, drew on his experiences in the liberation struggle, exile, democratic transition and continental peacebuilding to reflect on the enduring impact of colonial and apartheid structures on contemporary society.

Read more at: https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/Former-SANDF-Major-General-urges-students-to-rethi

20/05/2026

Happening now!

Faculty of Humanities
Center for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution present
SOUTH AFRICA'S YOUTH AND DEMOCRACY:
A Human Security Perspective

20 May / 11:00am - 13:00pm
Council Chambers South Campus

RSVP: [email protected]