University Of Venda

29/05/2026

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠💙

Today's GTCI Student Workshop at the UNIVEN Art Gallery focused on promoting intercultural competencies through the learning of Chinese, led by Professor Patrice Kabeya Mwepu from the Confucius Institute at Rhodes University.

An insightful session filled with knowledge and cultural exchange

29/05/2026

https://youtu.be/yYtU9He68hU?si=4Jii2cOBWtEecR2f

In this episode we featured Dr Mpho Daswa, a Doctor of Philosophy i...

29/05/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 l 𝐃𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐢 🎓🔥

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education proudly celebrates 𝐃𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐛𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧(Curriculum Studies) degree from the University of Venda on 22 May 2026.

Dr Ananias Mukondeleli, Born in Tshiswenda Village, approximately 9 km from Dzanani (Biaba), and currently residing in Tshirolwe Village, Dr Mukondeleli began his educational journey at Mungomani Primary School and later completed his Standard 10 (Grade 12) at Frank Ravele Secondary School in 1993. His academic journey has been shaped by continuous growth and an unwavering passion for teaching and learning.

He obtained the following qualifications over the years: Diploma in Education (Makhado College of Education, 1999), Advanced Certificate in Education in Education Management (North-West University, 2007), BEd Honours in Education Management, Law and Systems (North-West University, 2010), Advanced Certificate in Education in Geography Education (North-West University, 2012), Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (Regenesys School of Business, 2016), Master of Education in Curriculum Studies (University of Venda, 2018), and finally his Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (University of Venda, 2026).

His Master’s research focused on:
𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝟏𝟐: 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐳𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭,” 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥.

His Doctoral research is titled:
𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭, 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞.

The study was inspired by the high failure rate in Social Sciences within the Intermediate Phase, particularly in the Vhembe West District, where he is actively involved as an educator. His research contributes meaningfully to curriculum studies, teacher development, and the improvement of Social Sciences education, especially in rural schooling contexts.

Professionally, Dr Mukondeleli serves as a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education at the University of Venda under the Department of Professional and Curriculum Studies. He is also the full-time Principal of Tshikombani Primary School, where he continues to lead with excellence and inspire both educators and learners.

He extends sincere gratitude to his supervisor, 𝐃𝐫 𝐍𝐌 𝐍𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨, and co-supervisor, 𝐃𝐫 𝐑𝐌 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚 for their guidance and mentorship throughout his doctoral journey. He also deeply appreciates the unwavering support of his wife and children.

Congratulations to 𝐃𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐢 on this remarkable academic milestone. The Faculty of humanities Social Sciences and Education congratulates him on his achievements and wishes him continued success.🎓🔥

29/05/2026

📚 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐬 💙

Your semester marks matter, make this weekend count.

The University of Venda wishes all students focus, strength, and success as you prepare for your examinations 💙🎓

29/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐝𝐢 𝐍𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬🎓🔥

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education proudly celebrates the achievement of Sagwadi Nkuna, a 23-year-old from Giyani in Limpopo, who was awarded the Best Student Award in the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Her success reflects outstanding academic excellence, dedication, and commitment throughout her university journey.

During her final year, she was engaged in both work-integrated learning and research, which required focus and commitment.
In the same period, she experienced the painful loss of a loved one, which deeply affected her emotionally. Despite this, she chose to persevere and continued working towards completing her degree in record time.

She extends her gratitude to her lecturers, 𝐃𝐫 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐯𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐚 for their guidance and support, and to her family for their love and encouragement. Her story reflects resilience, strength, and determination in the face of adversity. The Faculty of humanities Social Sciences and Education congratulates her on her achievements and wishes her continued success.

29/05/2026

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬- 𝟐𝟐𝐧𝐝. 💙

How Chinese studies are embedded in the academic project of Rhodes University

The 22nd Understanding China Workshop gathered key stakeholders for a focused engagement on how Chinese Studies is embedded within the university’s broader academic projects. The session created space for reflection on international collaboration, knowledge production, and the growing role of China–Africa academic exchanges.

A highlight of the programme was the keynote address delivered by Prof. Patrice Mwepu, Co-Director of CIRU, who offered insights into the value of integrating Chinese Studies within contemporary higher education. The workshop continued with discussion and Q&A sessions that encouraged open dialogue and meaningful academic exchange.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲.

29/05/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞

The Internal Audit landscape at the University of Venda is evolving, bringing with it a strengthened focus on accountability, improved institutional systems, and enhanced decision-making support. With the introduction of the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS), Internal Audit is increasingly recognised not only as a compliance and reporting function, but as a strategic partner that helps the institution manage risk, improve processes, and create sustainable value.

Internal Auditors at UNIVEN are trusted advisors and allies. They are value protectors, essential to responsible organisations, critical thinkers, and safeguards of integrity and good governance.

In a rapidly changing higher education environment, universities are expected to respond effectively to emerging risks, operational challenges, and growing demands for transparency and accountability. Through a proactive and insight-driven approach, Internal Audit at UNIVEN plays a key role in identifying areas for improvement, strengthening governance structures, and supporting the University’s strategic objectives.

This transformation reflects a strong commitment to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring that Internal Audit remains independent, relevant, and fully aligned with the University’s vision for excellence and sustainable growth.

29/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐨𝐳𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐨 𝐙𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐞 | 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 l 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬🎓🔥

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education proudly celebrates the inspiring achievement of Nozipho Zwane, a 23-year-old from Brakpan, who has been awarded the Best Student Award in the Bachelor of International Relations.

Nozipho’s journey is a true reflection of resilience, determination, and perseverance. She shares that being defunded by NSFAS could have brought her academic journey to an end, but instead, it motivated her to work even harder and remain focused on her goals. Through every challenge, she continued to persevere, successfully completed her degree, and emerged stronger and more resilient.

She extends her heartfelt gratitude to her International Relations lecturers, especially 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐳𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐨, for their guidance, mentorship, and unwavering support throughout her academic journey. She also sincerely appreciates her friends for their encouragement and support along the way.

Above all, Nozipho expresses deep appreciation to her family, her mother, father, and siblings, for being her greatest support system and the foundation of her success. The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education proudly congratulates Nozipho Zwane on this remarkable achievement and wishes her continued success in all her future endeavours.

29/05/2026

🎓 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 (𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲.

His academic journey has been marked by consistent excellence and outstanding performance. In both 2023 and 2024, he was named the Overall Top Achiever in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education 🏆🏆 a clear reflection of sustained dedication rather than coincidence.

During the 2026 Autumn Graduation, he once again distinguished himself by being named the Overall Top Achiever in the Faculty. He was awarded the Nthambeleni Attorneys Inc Award, a Certificate of Excellence, and the prestigious Faculty Medallion, further cementing his reputation as a leading academic performer within the faculty.

This achievement is a true reflection of discipline, hard work, and academic excellence, as well as a testament to the support system that stood with him throughout his journey.

29/05/2026

| Celebrating excellence on the global stage 🌍

Congratulations to Ndinae Kevinae Mapila from the Green Technology Confucius Institute at the University of Venda for securing Second Prize at the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Competition South Africa Finals. Competing among top students from leading universities across the country, this remarkable achievement marks a historic milestone for UNIVEN.

We also congratulate Tshililo Khwathisi for his outstanding participation and representation of the university through language, culture, and international exchange.

Your achievements continue to strengthen global partnerships and showcase the power of intercultural learning and academic excellence.

29/05/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝟐 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫

The Daily Investor, one of South Africa's most widely read financial news platforms, has published a feature on our university titled The tiny town in rural Limpopo that has a university making R2 billion a year.

It tells the story of how UNIVEN grew from 177 students in 1982 into an institution that now generates more than R2 billion a year, and how Thohoyandou has grown alongside us into a regional economic centre. This is the kind of independent recognition that strengthens our standing with government, donors, business and the students we hope to attract.

Read more: https://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/133063/the-tiny-town-in-rural-limpopo-that-has-a-university-making-r2-billion-a-year/

Article by: Daily Investor
Journalist: Shaun Jacobs