Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences-STUDENT INDABA

The faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the university of Zululand recently hosted a student Indaba. The theme of the conference was “critical thinking and social responsibility among students”.  The purpose for this STUDENT INDABA was to look at critical thinking and discuss issues more especially in Social Sciences and humanities. The event was attended by over three hundred students from both KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay Campus most of the attendees were from the faculty of humanities and Sciences.

The Dean of the faculty Professor Mogomme Masoga officially opened and welcomed all present and gave a motive for the conversation, “this is your event, we wanted to have a conversation with you in terms of your life as students and your life out outside campus. The reason for us for meeting here this afternoon is to look at critical thinking. We would like you to become critical thinkers especially in Social Science and Humanities. Whatever you learn in class should immediately define who you are. it creates a problem when you cannot find synergies between what you learnt and what you later become… There will be a time when you must leave the university, when you are going to face real life. The question is will; you be ready for the real life? That is why we are meeting this afternoon.” Said Prof Masoga.

Professor Morgan Ndlovu from the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies   gave a talk on what is critical thought, why is it necessary and how best can we exercise it. He started his talk with the local context on why the question of critical thought are risen in the first place. Prof Ndlovu touched on how people who don’t think critically normally worsen their situation.  Also, the issue of self-hate” One definition of critical thinking is the ability to analyse and evaluate issues in order to reach an informed judgement. In South Africa, the university institution is fast losing its legitimacy as a paragon of its morality and a sight of rational thinking… A student body is especially important in developing a revelatory knowledge. You must know that you are logic people.” said Prof Ndlovu.

Dr Simangele Cele from the Department of Sociology, her presentation focused on Becoming Ethically and Socially accountable. While focused on the promotion of positive and ethical behaviour Dr Cele also warned students against provoking chaos for no valid reasons. She encouraged student to create programs that will take the university forward.” Looking at our topic today, becoming ethically does not only refer to you as student. It speaks to us as well, the staff members. We must always remember the first time we applied here at the university of Zululand for jobs. Remember when you were eager to come to UNIZULU.” said Dr Cele.

The Indaba concluded with a panel discussion as well as questions and answer session. The importance of this indaba was not only to incite discussions between students, but also to encourage towards the formation of favourable learning environments at UNIZULU. This dialogue promoted a reinforced culture of positive peer accountability where students will among themselves support ethical and constructive leadership and hold each other accountable for their actions.

• Precious Shamase