Professor mandla makhanya clan

Despite his busy schedule, Professor Makhanya maintains active scholarship through regular publications in accredited journals. He is also a trainer for trainers of adult basic education. As a sociologist he is occasionally invited by the media to provide analyses of various political and sociocultural issues.

Professor mandla makhanya clan: Mafeje argues that tribal identities

With a doctorate in sociology, he had been involved both as an academic and as a Pro-Vice Chancellor, having started before the merger. Prior to his academic work, Professor Makhanya worked in sales and marketing for a division of a multinational corporation. Inthe University merged with Technikon SA and the Vista University Distance Education Campus VUDEC to form the current institution — dedicated to open admission, flexible and distance learning and increasingly using technology to enable its mission: social justice and social development through learning and research.

Mergers are difficult — different cultures, different processes and values. Following the change to the constitution, the ending of apartheid and the emergence of democracy inSouth Africa needed a new generation of capable, skilled and educated teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, scientists, agronomists and community development workers as well as entrepreneurs.

In practice, Professor Makhanya worked to secure a stronger role for UNISA in helping shape the research, teaching and learning agenda, not only in South Africa, but across the continent. The voice of UNISA began to be heard loud and clear in regional and continental social, economic and community development strategies, especially as they relate to climate change, health and the sustainable development.

This was not acceptable to me. The life of a Vice Chancellor is sometimes challenging. Not all stakeholders fully accept that they are not able to change the law or regulatory conditions under which UNISA has to operate. It involves developing a truly African approach to scholarship and research; increasing access to and success in learning for those traditionally denied access to higher education; rethinking all the systems and processes to focus on service and impact; constantly assessing and focusing on shared, ethical and servant leadership; and engaging stakeholders in a discourse for change.

As he begins his retirement and ends his tenure as Vice Chancellor, he looks back on his ten years in office with both pride at what has been achieved and frustration about not being able to do more. But then he understands that universities have a pattern of change, which is generally slower than any Vice Chancellor would like.

COVID has exposed the structural social and economic flaws and challenges faced across the continent. In the University of Athabasca in Canada conferred upon him a PhD Honoris Causa in recognition of his outstanding leadership at Unisa and his contribution as a distinguished scholar in distance education. Prof Makhanya has published widely in distance education.

Professor mandla makhanya clan: The University of South

He served in various leadership roles in the South African Sociological Association and eventually became its Deputy President infor a period of two years. During this time he also served as an editorial committee member of their journal Society in Transition. Professor Makhanya continues to supervise postgraduate students. He is also an external examiner for some universities.

He continues to publish scholarly work which helps him to have a finger on the pulse of the world of intellectuals.

Professor mandla makhanya clan: Browse 1, mandla photos

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