Academic excellence celebrated at the FHSS Dean’s Students Excellence Awards

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) at the University of Zululand, in recognition of its academically top-performing students, recently hosted an Excellence Awards ceremony to honour some of its brilliant students. the annual Dean’s Students Excellent Awards function on October 5, 2023, where top performers in the faculty were celebrated for their outstanding academic achievements. Themed “Excellence through Resilience,” the awards acknowledged students who have done exceptionally well in their academic results.

In attendance to celebrate the award winners were the Faculty Dean, Prof. Lulu Shokane, Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning, Prof. Zanele Buthelezi, Acting Deputy Dean for Research and Internationalisation Prof Kevin Naidoo, as well as heads of departments .

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof. Vuyokazi Nomlomo, said in her address to students that the awards collected are a tangible demonstration of the commitment to providing a platform for the students to excel : “It is indeed an honour to address this distinguished assembly and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients  for being celebrated for their outstanding dedication and hard work. Your achievements are not individual milestones but a testament to the synergy of collective effort within our academic community.” Said Prof Nomlomo.

Prof Shokane, in her congratulatory message, told the students that they had been nominated out of 4888 students. “The undergraduate students were selected out of 3205 students, and only four students got the awards; in postgrad, there were 683 students, and we only selected the top four. You must be very proud. This award makes you shine among your peers. We are proud of you. Congratulations and well done.” Said Prof. Shokane.

The recipients of the coveted awards were undergraduate and postgraduate students who had maintained exceptional academic performance during their respective study programmes.

The following students were awarded:

Second Year Level:

Nonjabulo Nonkululeko Mkhize – BA (Psychology) – Department of Psychology

Xolile Mkhize BA (Psychology) – Department of Psychology

Third Year Level:

Odenakachi Akum Okeke – BA (Development Studies) – Department of Anthropology and Development Studies

Nontokozo Sithole – BA (Development Studies) – Department of Anthropology and development Studies

Advance Diploma

Zethu Dodo – Advance Diploma (Communication Science) – Department of Communication Science

Nosandi Vethe – Advance Diploma (Communication Science) – Department of Communication Science

Honours Level

Amy Lynn Parkins – BA Honours (Psychology) – Department of Psychology

Sphephelo Fortune Shezi – BA Honours (Criminology) – Department of Criminal Justice

Master’s Level

Ntokozo Herdwirg Bhengu – MA (Development Studies – Department of Anthropology and Development Studies

Mawande Mkhize – MA(Geography) – Department of Geography and Environmental Planning

• Precious Shamase