University of Venda Alumni

24/10/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬. 💙

Research is evolving, and so are the tools available to researchers. But how can Artificial Intelligence be used meaningfully and responsibly throughout the research journey?

The Research and Postgraduate Studies Division invites students and the broader research community to a webinar with Prof K. Gorejena, exploring “ICT in Students’ Research: The Use of Artificial Intelligence.” Join the conversation as we examine the role of AI in supporting students’ research journeys, from proposal development to completion.

Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/358901311232600?p=fkIr9j0pGRz3Zc6ekh

18/09/2026

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐞 | 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠. 💙

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Strategies to Mitigate Substance Use amongst Learners of Rural Secondary Schools in Collins Chabane Municipality, Limpopo Province: A Participatory Rural Action Approach

As UNIVEN celebrates its Spring Graduation, we shine a light on the research behind the newly minted doctorates, the questions explored, the knowledge generated, and the contribution these scholars are taking into the world.

𝑪𝑰𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵
In her thesis titled Strategies to Mitigate Substance Use amongst Learners of Secondary Schools in Collins Chabane Municipality, Limpopo Province: A Participatory Rural Action Approach, she developed and validated strategies to address substance use amongst school learners. Guided by the Roy Adaptation Biopsychosocial Model, she used Participatory Rural Action Approach. Data were gathered from 32 learners at two schools through interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed using tech's open-coded method.

Findings associated substance use with disruptive behavior, mental health challenges, poor academic performance, and strained relationships, driven by peer pressure, curiosity, family conflict, poverty, stress, and psychological distress. Drawing on practice theory, SWOT analysis, and the BOEM framework, she formulated strategies promoting adaptive coping, learner identity, counseling, awareness, recreation, and multi-sectoral collaboration. These interventions strengthen school programs, nursing practice, policy, community action, and learner well-being. One article is published, two manuscripts and a book chapter under review.

This research speaks directly to𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝟑: Good Health and Well-being, particularly through its focus on mental health, substance use prevention, early support and the well-being of learners. By developing strategies that promote adaptive coping, counselling, awareness and support, the research contributes to healthier outcomes for young people. It also connects with 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝟒: Quality Education, as substance use can affect learners' academic performance, relationships and ability to participate meaningfully in school. Strengthening school-based programmes and support systems can contribute to safer and more supportive learning environments. The research further speaks to 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝟏𝟔:Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through its emphasis on community action, multi-sectoral collaboration and strengthening systems of support around learners.

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐌 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨-𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐫 𝐌. 𝐄. 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐢 & 𝐃𝐫 𝐍. 𝐒. 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐰𝐚

Congratulations, 𝐃𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐞! As you step forward as a Doctor of Nursing, may your research continue to strengthen prevention and support systems for young people, inform nursing practice and policy, and contribute to healthier, safer and more supportive school communities. 🫵🏾🔥

17/09/2026

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐃𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬 | 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.💙

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Service of Quality of Road Public Transport in Secondary Cities: Experiences from Leeto L Polokwane Phase 1A, South Africa.

As UNIVEN celebrates its Spring Graduation, we shine a light on the research behind the newly minted doctorates, the questions explored, the knowledge generated, and the contribution these scholars are taking into the world.

𝑪𝑰𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵
Service quality of road public transport in South Africa has become an increasingly pressing challenge, yet remains under-examined, particularly in secondary cities. Using the City of Polokwane as a case study, this thesis investigated the service quality of Leeto La Polokwane Phase 1A to develop an integrated spatial planning framework for improving road public transport in South African secondary cities. The study explored spatial network coverage, quality of transport facilities, and in-transit commuters' perceptions. It advances theoretical understanding by situating road public transport planning within the institutional, spatial, and socio-economic realities of South African secondary cities.

Methodological innovation demonstrates the triangulation of spatial analysis, traffic surveys, and commuter perception surveys to generate actionable insights for network expansion, service rationalisation, and equity-oriented spatial planning. The proposed Integrated spatial planning framework Offers a context-specific Adaptive approach to a multimodal system Where BRT functions in synergy with Existing paratransit and minibus and conventional bus services.

This research speaks directly to the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly the ambition of providing safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. It also connects with Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through its focus on infrastructure, integrated planning and approaches to strengthening multimodal transport systems.

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐫 𝐄 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢; 𝐂𝐨-𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐉 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐫𝐚 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟 𝐓 𝐆𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐨

Congratulations, 𝐃𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬! As you step forward as a Doctor of Urban and Regional Planning, may your research continue to inform the planning of cities, strengthen public transport systems and contribute to more connected and inclusive communities. 🫵🏾🔥

10/09/2026

The UNIVEN Alumni community proudly congratulates Prof. Fulufhelo Netswera on attaining a C2 NRF Rating, a significant recognition of his scholarly contribution and commitment to research and knowledge production.

From being a UNIVEN alumnus to serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Netswera continues to exemplify what it means to give back to and advance the institution that helped shape his journey.

We celebrate this achievement with pride!

28/08/2026

🌸 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Meet Dr Fatima Peters, a researcher and climate psychology scholar whose work is advancing conversations around climate justice, research and transformation.

Dr Peters completed her PhD, The Role of Critical Research Methodologies in Climate Psychology, at the University of Johannesburg in July 2026. Her groundbreaking research champions decolonial, Indigenous, feminist and justice-oriented approaches to climate and environmental research.

As Chair of the Climate, Environment, and Psychology Division (CEPD) of PsySSA, she continues to champion community-centred approaches to climate justice, particularly in rural communities.

✨ Celebrating women who are transforming knowledge and creating meaningful change.

28/08/2026

28/08/2026

𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: 𝐃𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦

Dr Tondani Nethengwe perceives leadership as more than merely occupying a position of authority. For her, it comprises service, resilience, continuous learning and, perhaps most importantly, creating opportunities for others to rise.

Read More: https://www.univen.ac.za/news/building-resilient-economies-dr-nethengwe-on-women-leadership-and-the-transformative-power-of-tourism/

28/08/2026

🎓 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The University of Venda proudly prepares to celebrate a significant milestone in the academic journeys of the Class of 2026.

The Spring Graduation Ceremony will honour the dedication, resilience and academic achievements of our graduates as they transition from the University into new opportunities and make their mark in society.

This moment represents more than the attainment of qualifications, it is a celebration of excellence, transformation and the University’s commitment to creating future leaders. 🎓✨

📅 11 September 2026
📍 UNIVEN Auditorium
🕘 Morning Session: 09:00
🕐 Afternoon Session: 13:00

We look forward to celebrating this prestigious occasion with our graduates, families, staff and the broader UNIVEN community.