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The Faculty of Science at the Tshwane University of Technology hosted its annual two-day Research Day event on 14 and 15 October. Focusing on "Harnessing Science and Transformative Digital Technologies to Accelerate Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," it highlighted the Faculty’s commitment to aligning scientific research and education with global sustainability targets.
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by Phumla Mkize
With artificial intelligence (AI) applications set to give a $136-billion (R2.3-trillion) boost to the economies of four African countries by 2030, a study by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has found South Africa to be among the least technologically ready to exploit the opportunities.
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by Gerrit Bester
In a remarkable feat, three distinguished academics and consummate performing artists from the Faculty of Arts and Design have successfully earned their Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degrees in Education Management from the Haaga Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland. What truly sets Drs Laetitia Orlandi, Roland Moses and Rostislava Pashkevitch-Ngobeni apart is their ability to achieve this milestone while juggling their demanding roles as both educators and artists.
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by Phumla Mkize
South Africa’s arts and entertainment royalty gathered in Pretoria as the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) awarded honorary doctorates to Prof Pitika Ntuli, Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautloa, Wouter Kellerman and Samora Machel.
The ceremony, which featured outstanding artists and liberation struggle activists on and off the graduation stage, was held at TUT’s Pretoria Campus on 17 October.
Two-time Grammy award winning flautist, Kellerman; artist, curator and recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautloa; renowned sculptor, poet and academic, Prof Pitika Ntuli, as well as the late former President of Mozambique Samora Machel were conferred honorary doctorates.
The ceremony was attended by global art icon Dr Esther Mahlangu, who is also a TUT honorary doctorate recipient; award-winning playwright and actor John Kani; Ndebele-music songstress Nothembi Mkhwebane and one of the pioneers of modernist painting in South Africa, Kagiso Mautloa, Dhlomo-Mautloa’s husband.
Also in attendance was Malengane Machel, the son of the late former leader of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), who accepted the honorary Doctor of Public Affairs degree on behalf of his father who was honoured posthumously.
Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautloa with Prof Tinyiko Maluleke.
Prof Pitika Ntuli
TUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, explained that honorary degrees were awarded not only as a recognition of excellence, but as a reflection of the values that TUT upholds. These values include integrity, compassion, diversity, inclusion, equity and accountability.
He said the recipients were chosen for their outstanding contributions to society, which align with TUT’s mission of creating knowledge that addresses societal challenges.
“Excellence attracts excellence, and greatness attracts greatness,” he said highlighting the process behind selecting individuals of character and remarkable achievement.
Prof Maluleke added that the honourees were not only recognised for their past achievements, but for their enduring influence on society.
Machel, who was accompanied by his wife Grace, said Pretoria was a special place for his father because he fought against Apartheid, which was seated in Pretoria.
“This is special day for my family because it is also my mother’s birthday,” he added, honouring Graça Machel, who turned 79 on 17 October.
World-renowned artist, arts administrator and activist, Dhlomo-Mautloa, was conferred the Doctor of Art and Design (Honorus Causa) for her contribution in teaching, curating, preserving and writing about art.
Dhlomo-Mautloa’s daughter Molebogeng Mautloa, who is also a fine artist now practising as a graphic designer, said she was grateful that her mother was honoured while still alive. She said that as a fine arts student at the University of Cape Town she studied about her parents in her first year of her degree as part of art history.
Molebogeng is the eldest child of Dhlomo-Mautloa’s and Mautloa. “It dawned on me then, the massive influence that they had in art in South Africa and how important their voices are,” she said.
Dhlomo-Mautloa is highlighted as being the first professional Black curator in South Africa in the early 1980s in the book Mihloti Ya Ntsako: Journeys with the Bongi Dhlomo Collection. The book is written by Pfunzo Sidogi, the Head of the Department of Fine and Studio Arts at the Faculty of Arts and Design at TUT.
Kellerman – who was honoured with the Doctor of Performing Arts (Honoris Causa) – shared anecdotes of rejection and failure on his way to becoming a global superstar as a middle-aged flautist.
Kellerman, who studied Electrical Engineering and ran a software engineering company before deciding to pursue music fulltime in his 40s, spoke of how his first album was rejected by international record labels.
“It is just not our thing,” he recalled the response he received from one record label, adding that this was as his CD was on the executive’s desk still covered in plastic and unopened. The DVD recording of the album would later win a South African Music Award (Sama).
Kellerman performed a moving solo flute tribute, composed as a dedication to former president Nelson Mandela titled The Long Road. The piece was awarded the Global Peace Song Award in 2016.
Prof Ntuli, who received the Doctor of Language Practice (Honoris Causa), delivered a provocative poem celebrating the languages in South Africa.
Ntuli attended the ceremony with his wife, poet Antoinette Ntuli.
Wouter Kellerman
Samora Machel
Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautloa
Malengane Machel
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First published in the Daily Maverick on 16 October 2024
by Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of TUT
Tito realised a long time ago that political rhetoric would neither lull nor dull the pain of oppression and economic exclusion. From the time when he served as Reserve Bank governor, through the years when he was Finance Minister, Tito tirelessly orchestrated a policy framework aimed at the creation of an inclusive economy.
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The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is pleased to announce that on 17 October 2024 at the Theunis Bester Hall - Pretoria Campus, honorary doctorates will be conferred on four outstanding individuals: Prof Pitika Ntuli, the late Samora Machel, Bongi Dhlomo and Wouter Kellermen.
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by Phumla Mkize
Top innovators and scientists have challenged students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) to develop smartphone applications (Apps) to respond to local problems and needs. Among the scientists who threw the gauntlet at students was Dr Livhuwani Masevhe.
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by Phaphama Tshisikhawe
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is proud to announce the selection of Dr Kelly Marnewick and Dr Carmen Myrna Leonard to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Future Professors Programme. This highly competitive national initiative aims to nurture and advance a next generation professoriate, generating knowledge embedded in local challenges, connected globally.
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by Amogelang Aysha Ramatena
Mangkgateng Seshibe serves as a shining example of how education and a commitment to community upliftment can foster positive change.
The proud alumna of the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Ga-Rankuwa Campus, Mangkgateng completed her National Diploma in Economics Management Analysis in 2021 and postgraduate qualifications in Economics in 2022/23.
Currently, Mangkgateng works as an Alumni Data Analyst Intern at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). Her role involves tracking and analysing alumni’s progress in their careers and lives, as well as evaluating the impact of a GIBS qualification on their success. She also helps maintain alumni relations and plays a key role in organising alumni events.
Mangkgateng's commitment to community service is remarkable. She founded Pads-R-Us, a non-profit organisation supporting underprivileged young women with sanitary towels, toiletries and mentorship. Her entrepreneurial ventures, Eden Events and Eden Gifting, reflect her passion for people, nature and giving back to the community.
In 2019, Inside Education named her one of South Africa’s top 100 shining stars. Her inspiring work has been featured on Conversations with Mama, Radio 2000 and Tshwane FM.
Mangkgateng credited TUT for shaping her academic and personal growth.
"TUT provided a strong foundation in understanding economic development and its societal impact. The support I received helped cultivate my passion for data analysis and community empowerment."
TUT Alumna Mangkgateng Seshibe
Through her academic, professional and community-focused efforts, Mangkgateng Seshibe demonstrates the profound impact of education and leadership on success.
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The Tshwane University of Technology once again took the lead in business and information management, together with Durban University of Technology, in hosting the first Biennial Interdisciplinary Conference of Business and Information, “Business and Information Management Realities in a World of Global Disruption of 4IR and Beyond”, in Umhlanga from 3-4 October 2024.
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The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is pleased to announce that Minister in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Honourable Ronald Lamola will deliver a keynote address at the annual legacy lecture to honour and celebrate the legacy and times of Dr Tlou TT Cholo. The event will take place at the Freedom Park Heritage site, on 11 October 2024.
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Mmatumelo Lebjane speaks to Oupa Segalwe, TUT journalism alumnus and the author of the controversial, yet mind-blowing unauthorised biography titled “Lucas Mangope: A Life”.
Oupa Segalwe, Head of Communication and Stakeholder Relations at the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a journalism and communication expert known for his effective communication skills. Before joining the SAWS, he worked as the Spokesperson for the Office of the Public Protector, SA for about 13 years.