University of KwaZulu-Natal

University of KwaZulu-Natal The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is ranked among the top universities in South Africa in terms of research output.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a truly South African university that is academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society & demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages. Following its vision “To be the Premier University of African Scholarship”, UKZN is a respected global leader in several critical areas of research and teaching and learning. Th

e University was formed on 1 January 2004 following the merger between two historical institutions, the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. These two KwaZulu-Natal universities were among the first set of institutions to be merged in 2004 as part of government’s reform aimed at reconfiguring and restructuring Higher Education. One of the largest universities in sub-Saharan Africa, UKZN boasts five campuses based in two cities, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The University is a multicultural environment which houses more than 45 000 local and international students from around the globe. UKZN continues to “Inspire Greatness” and is home to people who are looking for more than just a university, but a place where inspiration thrives. It a place where staff and students reach new heights every day. For more information on the University of KwaZulu-Natal please visit www.ukzn.ac.za

02/09/2026

𝐔𝐊𝐙𝐍 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞

For UKZN alumna Mrs Sinempilo Ngubane, becoming a finalist in the Mrs South Africa pageant represents far more than a pursuit of the crown. It is part of a personal journey of rediscovery that began after a life-changing health scare.

In February last year, Ngubane was diagnosed with unstable angina and underwent surgery to have two metal stents inserted to keep her coronary arteries open. Her experience in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) prompted her to reassess her priorities and reconnect with the person behind her professional and family responsibilities.

“Surviving this health scare sparked a deep sense of purpose, inspiring me to seek fulfilment in ways that positively impact those around me,” she said.

The experience also encouraged Ngubane to revisit a childhood dream. Having once aspired to enter Miss South Africa Teen and always admired Mrs South Africa, she decided to enter the pageant this year.

“I wanted to show myself and other women out there that it’s never too late to chase your dreams,” she said.

Raised in KwaMpande, a rural community near Pietermaritzburg, Ngubane credits her father with instilling the discipline and perseverance that continue to shape her life. His tuck shop and taxi business also provided her with an early introduction to entrepreneurship, where she learnt about stock management, record-keeping and handling finances.

Education became another important part of her journey. She holds Bachelor’s and Honours degrees in Accounting and an MBA from UKZN. A qualified Chartered Accountant and Financial Director, she continues to maintain strong ties with the University through socio-economic development initiatives in collaboration with the UKZN Foundation.

For Ngubane, success extends beyond professional achievement. She values good health, time with loved ones and giving back by empowering young people through education.

Her Mrs South Africa journey has further strengthened her leadership, public speaking and networking skills, while providing a platform to mentor young women and contribute to community initiatives.
“Mrs South Africa has become a platform for self-discovery and purposeful impact,” she said.

Dressed by Qhawekazi Store

02/09/2026

𝐍𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐍𝐱𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐨: 𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about having the courage to use your voice, serve others and create space for those who come after you. This philosophy is at the heart of UKZN Student Representative Council Executive Deputy President Ms Noluthando Nkosazana Nxumalo’s journey.
Nxumalo is embracing an opportunity to represent students, contribute to institutional dialogue and inspire fellow young leaders.

A three-time UKZN graduate, Nxumalo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science and Law, a Bachelor of Arts Honours and a Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations.

Her journey, from growing up in Macekane to joining the University and becoming a senior student leader, has been shaped by perseverance, discipline and hard work. But for Nxumalo, achievement is not measured by titles alone. It is about the preparation, sacrifice and resilience that happen away from the spotlight.

Her leadership journey also carries a powerful message for young women: do not wait for permission to recognise your potential.

Nxumalo believes women belong in spaces where decisions are made, ideas are challenged and the future is shaped. Her leadership position demonstrates what is possible when young women step forward with confidence, purpose and conviction.

Yet leadership, she recognises, demands more than authority. It requires emotional maturity, effective communication, resilience and, above all, a willingness to listen and serve.

For young women watching her journey, perhaps her greatest lesson is this: consistent effort can open doors, but character determines how you walk through them.

“Female leaders have the opportunity to advocate for issues affecting women, create more inclusive spaces, mentor others and challenge systems that have historically limited women’s voices,” says Nxumalo.

Nxumalo’s story is one of ambition, service and purposeful leadership—a reminder that when one woman takes her place at the table, she can inspire many others to believe that they belong there too. She acknowledges the unwavering support of her parents, Mrs Phumzile Ngubane and the late Mr Sipho Nxumalo, as well as her sibling, Sihle Nxumalo.

Dressed by Qhawekazi Store

02/09/2026

Relive the moment 🎥

President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the podium at UKZN on 14 August 2026 for a Public Lecture hosted by the University ahead of the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, bringing together voices from across the region under one roof.

We proudly congratulate UKZN alumna Dr Thembisile Xulu on her appointment as Director-General of South Africa’s National...
01/09/2026

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.

01/09/2026

𝐀 𝐐𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝

A struggle to find the right clothes for her body shape led UKZN alumna Mrs Samukelisiwe Khanyile to start her own fashion brand. She founded Qhawekazi Styles Collection - named after her son “Qhawe” - which is a growing clothing brand with two branches across KwaZulu-Natal.

Khanyile is also a Partner at Lead Xavier, a consulting firm specialising in strategic planning, performance monitoring and evaluation, organisational alignment, leadership development and individual performance enhancement.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Human Resource Management and Supply Chain Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership, both from UKZN.

In addition to balancing her career and entrepreneurial ventures, she serves on the Audit Committees of several municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where she contributes her expertise in governance, accountability and organisational oversight. Driven by a commitment to executing challenging projects and transforming ideas into impactful realities, she strives to create sustainable value through every initiative she undertakes.

Beyond her professional achievements, Khanyile is deeply devoted to her family and values spending quality time with her husband and son, Qhawe.

UKZN was delighted to collaborate with Qhawekazi Collection, who dressed the inspiring women featured in our Women’s Month campaign.

Dressed by: Qhawekazi Store

31/08/2026

Join us for Navigating Manifestation: Courageous Conversations About Spiritual Freedom, a book launch featuring Prof Fayth A. Ruffin and her work, A Wounded Healer’s Approach to Spiritual Consciousness.

The conversation will explore spiritual consciousness, healing, conscious living and personal and professional growth, offering insights and perspectives for navigating life with greater clarity and purpose.

4 September 2026
COMSA Lounge, Westville Campus

Reserve your space and be part of this transformative journey.

Enquiries: [email protected]

We celebrate Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, on receiving the 2026 JOMBA! Contemporary D...
29/08/2026

We celebrate Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, on receiving the 2026 JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognises his decades-long contribution to South African and African contemporary dance and his enduring commitment to creating platforms and opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate and thrive.

A well-deserved recognition of a career dedicated to opening doors, building bridges and creating space for the arts to flourish.

29/08/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲

For Dr Lauren Hoyer, Senior Lecturer in Structural Geology at UKZN, geology is about solving some of Earth’s greatest puzzles. But, to her, it is about far more than studying rocks and landscapes. It is about uncovering stories, creating opportunities and ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, feels they belong in the field.

As the first woman to serve as Academic Leader of Geology at UKZN, Hoyer has not only broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated discipline but is also helping reshape the future of geoscience education through greater inclusivity and accessibility.

"I enjoy research in structural geology, but I have developed a real passion for geoscience education, particularly improving inclusivity and accessibility within our discipline," she said. "Above all, I am passionate about creating opportunities for student success and helping every student realise their potential."

Read more: https://ukzn.ac.za/news/redefining-geoscience-through-inclusion-leadership-and-authenticity/

Dressed by: Qhawekazi Store

Address

University Road
Westville
3629

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+27312601111

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when University of KwaZulu-Natal posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category