UJ Alumni Impumelelo Magazine edition 7

UJ Alumni Impumelelo Magazine edition 7

ISSUE #7 October 2021

OFFICIAL UJ ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Faculty of Law showcased

Law clinic celebrates 40 years

Prof Wesahl Domingo, new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law

UJ honours pioneers of social justice and civil rights activists during the 2021

Dr Gloria- Ladson Billings honoured for her contributions to social justice and education

graduation ceremonies

UJ IN THE RANKINGS

Latest Edition

Rank in the World

Rank in Africa

Rank in South Africa

World Rankings

2022

434

3

3

QS World University Rankings (QS WUR)

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (THE WUR)

2022

601-800

Joint 17th

Joint 7th

University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP)

2020 - 2021

603

9th

6th

U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings (BGUR)

2021

378

5th

5th

Impact Rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings (THE UIR):

2021

92

1st

1st

Overall Ranking

Regional Rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings (THE EEUR)

2021

116

11th

7th

Young Rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings (THE YUR)

2021

173

9th

4th

Employability Rankings

QS Graduate Employability Rankings (QS GER)

2022

301-500

6th

4th

Stay Connected www.uj.ac.za/alumni

CONTENTS

1 Message from Prof Tshilidzi Marwala - Vice-Chancellor and Principal

1 Message from Prof Tshilidzi Marwala - UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal 3 Message from Prof Boitumelo Diale - UJ Convocation President 5 Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi, Former Executive Dean of the Law Faculty and now newly appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic WEBINARS 7 AI (Artificial Intelligence) in auditing 8 Money Matters: Building a Healthy Relationship with Money 9 UJ Alumni conversation series – Sharing Solutions LAW SECTION 11 Prof Wesahl Domingo, new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, UJ 12 Newly appointed Deputy Public Protector Adv Kholeka Gcaleka is a UJ alumna with a passion for people 13 UJ Law clinic: Celebrating 40 years of impact 15 UJ law students win top Moot Court competition 17 Climate change ambitions are being undermined by foreign direct investment disputes, say UJ law scholars 19 Prof Kathleen van der Linde appointed as independent member in Dutch restructuring procedure of Steinhoff International Holdings 23 Mr Albert Marais: Bringing a proper understanding of the practical functioning of South Africa’s legal system 25 Ms Fhulufhelo Nyathela: Breaking barriers practicing in niche laws 27 Ms Deborah Mutemwa-Tumbo: Turned her passion for law into a desire for transformation in South Africa 29 Mr Gift Makeke – from legal eagle to fashion guru ALUMNI MOVERS AND SHAKERS 32 Ms Sine Shabangu: empowering people through knowledge and exposure 34 Dr Antonio Pooe: Discovering new life in Digital Forensics 35 Ms Karla Pretorius: Wold-wide mentoring for those with neurodivergence 37 Ms Lindi Sirame: It starts with gratitude and continues with success HONORARY DOCTORATES 40 UJ Graduations go virtual 41 UJ honours pioneers of social justice and civil rights activists during the 2021 graduation ceremonies 41 Renowned American scientist, Prof James Sylvester Gates 42 Gloria Serobe, champion of women’s empowerment 42 Dr Gloria-Ladson Billings honoured for her contributions to social justice and education for diversity and democracy 43 Celebrating Katherine Johnson’s remarkable journey; a story of math, the moon and a lifelong mission 44 Pioneering property developer, Mr Khazamula Nkuna INSIGHTS 46 SAICA 2021 ITC results confirms Accountancy@UJ as a leader in Accounting Education SPORT 47 UJ athletes rake in 24 gold, silver, bronze medals in 2021 USSA championships 49 UJ Representation in Japan Olympics 50 UJ Netball coach Bongi Msomi joins Siya Kolisi and Temba Bavuma at Roc Nation Sports 51 Mr. Nhlanhla Ndlovu - UJ Sports physiotherapist helps Bafana Bafana win the 2021 COSAFA cup The University of Johannesburg came into existence on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand. Prior to the merger, in 2004, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of the former Vista University had been incorporated into RAU. UJ is one of the largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa from the 26 public universities that make up the higher education system. UJ has a student population of over 50 000, with close to 3 000 international students

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Ms Deborah Mutemwa-Tumbo: Turned her passion for law into a desire for transformation in South Africa 27 29 Mr Gift Makeke – from legal eagle to fashion guru

42 Dr Gloria-Ladson Billings honoured for her contributions

to social justice and education for diversity and democracy

Editorial Team

EDITORIAL NOTE In this edition, you will find some of UJ’s recent

success stories, that is why the magazine is called ALUMNI IMPUMELELO, which means success in IsiZulu. Through this publication we take time to celebrate some Illustrious Alumni, Events and Research. We invite you to follow us on social media and update your contact details on the UJ website. This will allow us to re-connect with you and for you to share in UJ’s journey. This journey includes positioning UJ as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Don’t forget to register on the UJ Alumni Connect to gain access to job opportunities, mentorships and more.

Prof Kinta Burger

Mr Nell Ledwaba

Dr Tinus van Zyl

MESSAGE to Alumni

from Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

mina emerged as an important beacon of hope. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) serves as a microcosm of South Africa. As we have battled an uncertain and difficult context, Bra Hugh’s words once again emerge as a source of strength. Our alumni play a vital role in speaking to this. Though many of our alumni have not been students for quite some time, they are still a vital part of the UJ community. Our University has carved a footprint for itself in South Africa, Africa and across the world. We’re a University worth talking about

“I wanna be there when the people start to turn it around.” These were the opening lyrics to Hugh Masikela’s Thuma Mina. Echoing our constitution that speaks to “we, the people”, Bra Hugh as he was affectionately called sounded a clarion call to all citizens to make the vision for South Africa a reality. In 2017, when President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his inaugural state of the nation address, he drew on thuma mina, or in English, send me as the signal for his new dawn. For a nation so fragmented by politics and a dark history that has left discontentment and disillusionment in its wake, thuma

and our rankings are certainly testament to this. As our esteemed alumni, this is the stature you hold with you. At the beginning of 2020, few could have predicted that this would have been our trajectory. The spread of a virus in China, then in the rest of East Asia did not seem like it would shake our world order. How wrong we were. There are no words to ascribe to this period we are in even though the phrases ‘unprecedented’, ‘unchartered waters’ and ‘pandemic’ have become firmly part of our lexicon. We have certainly been thrust further into the Fourth Industrial Revolution

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its strategic intent of attaining global excellence and stature in the context of 4IR and to support the African continent in embracing 4IR, as a leading African institution in a globally competitive environment. You have an inextricable link with the University. The message of thuma mina is one that can only be achieved if you continue to walk with us to reimagine and reinvent the future. As Bra Hugh sings, “I wanna lend a hand. Send me.”

in the teaching sphere that we are seeing success. The University has continued to participate and contribute to discussions and intellectual debates in public spaces on COVID-19. Now, we look to the future in an uncertain world. The pandemic has served as an important purveyor of truth for our preparedness for the shift into the 4IR. The media space, the think tanks, government and many other players in the field have now realized that the tomorrow they may have been imagining, is already with us. UJ has led the charge actively. UJ intends to advance and position

(4IR) as we embrace new forms of teaching, learning and working based on remote processes and an infusion of technology. Since the first rumblings of COVID-19, UJ has been agile, responsive and constantly aligning itself with national strategies. Despite a seemingly challenging shift, we have certainly seen success. Last year, we emerged as the first South African university able to complete the academic year. In many ways we have used this time to heed the nation’s call to thuma mina. We have begun to find a rhythm and worked hard to make the abnormal, normal. It is not just

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not only talking about stats, but we all have been directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic. I believe at this stage none of us can say we do not know someone who has passed on due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The someone may be a family member, a friend, a neighbour, or a colleague. Many of us have been infected by the virus and were fortunate to survive this monster. As we enter the 18th month, we are still faced with the predicted fourth wave. It is therefore upon all of us to be patriotic, take responsibility, and play our roles in fighting this virus by following the health guidelines that we are all familiar with by now. As the President of the Convocation, I encourage you to take the opportunity to vaccinate so we can stand a better chance of reducing mortality rates in the fourth wave. Together we can make a difference and win this battle. On that note, allow me the opportunity to pass a message of condolences to the families of all members of the Convocation who have passed on due to COVID- related complications in the past 17 months. I also wish to pass my condolences to members of the Convocation who have lost their loved ones during this period; may their souls rest in eternal peace. We are preparing for our second AGM of the Convocation, which will take place on 13th of October 2021. Together with the Alumni Office, we have been working hard to put together numerous events for alumni and future alumni, our present student body. We wish to give you a brief report of activities that have taken place in 2021 despite the challenging times in which we found ourselves. Yes, we are very aware that our activities did not go as planned. However, we will all appreciate that the pandemic has taught us that we live in a fluid period, thus requiring of us to be flexible.

Message from Prof Boitumelo Diale - UJ Convocation President

Dear Alumni.

with the COVID-19 pandemic. We also never anticipated that our lives would change forever. As we are now doing our best to adjust to the ‘new normal’, we are also coming to terms with the havoc the pandemic has caused in our lives. We started talking about and referring to statistics as presented by the media; however, we are now

On 27 March 2020, when the country went into a lockdown, we were all confident that this is but a phase, and soon we would be back to our normal routines and life will continue as normal. Little did we know that 17 months later, we will still be struggling

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Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi ,

Former Executive Dean of the Law Faculty and now newly appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic

He is appointed for a term of five years and eight months: As Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic (Designate) from 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021, and from 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2026 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic. Before his new position, Prof Mpedi served as Executive Dean for the Faculty of Law, a position he held since 2016. UJ’s vision is to be an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. The University also wants to inspire its community to transform and serve humanity through innovation. It is also progressively positioning itself as a university of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), he says. “UJ is an ambitious, high performance and forward-looking university that has grown by leaps and bounds over the last fifteen years. This approach and mindset

UJ needs to produce future-fit graduates who will be able to thrive in an unknown future, who will need to perform tasks and render services in a world and labour market that we know nothing or very little about yet, says newly appointed UJ Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi. He paraphrases Sue Dopson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Fellow of Green Templeton College and Acting Dean of Saïd Business School (University of Oxford): Farmers don’t grow crops, they create conditions through which crops can grow. “These are inspiring words that speak to my objectives. I want to create an environment where my colleagues and I can find solutions to 21st-century challenges together,” says Prof Mpedi. “I look forward to working with the UJ community and taking teaching and learning and the institution to greater heights.”

Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi is looking forward to taking the University to greater heights.

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21st-century challenges are high on the agenda for Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi, UJ’s newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, including producing future-fit graduates.

the first World Congress of Labour Law and Social Security, which was held in Chihuahua, Mexico in 2012. He has many fond moments to remember accomplishments from his tenure as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law. Too many to mention, he says, but singled out the following four: • Successfully overseeing the review and accreditation of the LLB programme of the Faculty. • Leading from the front and

have served the university and its stakeholders well, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. UJ was better prepared than many of its peers in South Africa and the African continent and, as a result, made a swift and successful transition to online teaching and learning and remote working.” With the above context in mind, Prof Mpedi’s plans are tied to the vision and mission of the University. A lot is being done at UJ in 4IR, including the use of virtual and augmented reality in teaching and learning. However, he believes there is a need to showcase this excellent work. In addition, he says, the current best practices in teaching and learning using technology that emanate from faculties/college and relevant divisions, should be rapidly replicated throughout the institution. “I am determined to build on current efforts towards the advancement of the scholarship of teaching and learning. I believe strongly that teaching and learning, as well as research, are two sides of the same coin.”

Prof Mpedi comes well prepared for his new challenge. He previously held several key academic leadership roles at UJ, which he believes have prepared and will serve him well. Some of these positions include Head of Department, Vice-Dean and Executive Dean: Faculty of Law. He also served in a range of leadership positions with national and international associations/ organisations which advance teaching and learning (e.g. the South African Law Deans’ Association and South African Judicial Education Institute and the International Association of Law Schools. He is, therefore, mindful of the challenges facing the University and higher education sector, particularly in teaching and learning. Prof Mpedi is an accomplished scholar who have published several books and contributed immensely to books and accredited journals, both nationally and internationally. He is an internationally acclaimed researcher with a B3 rating, received the CEO Titans: Building Nations Award on three occasions, and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal after the conclusion of

seeing the Faculty of Law thrive in a variety of key

performance areas, including teaching and learning, research, internationalisation, and community engagement. • Building strong international partnerships which, empowered junior colleagues to interact and publish in books with international scholars. • Submitting, during his term, on average 100 research output units for accreditation. In 2001 he obtained an LLM degree in Labour Law from the then Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and in 2006 an LLD degree in Mercantile Law (University of Johannesburg).

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WEBINARS

The Department of Commercial Accounting in collaboration with the UJ Alumni Office held a virtual event about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Auditing. Presented by Ms. Saaleha Akoojee CA (SA) Partner at PwC South Afirca.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) in auditing The Department of Commercial Accounting held a webinar on artificial intelligence (AI) in the auditing profession on 20 May 2021. terms of implementation, as well as regulatory guidance and oversight.

Auditing no longer needs to be limited by what is humanly possible. The audit landscape provides a very fertile ground for robotic process automation in the form of machine learning, and in the form of artificial intelligence. Audit and accounting firms are already employing >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56

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