UKZN research explores political disillustionment, existential freedom
ResearchUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal September 6, 2025
Yoliswa Madondo graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Studies, driven by a long-standing passion for using language and literature to reflect on and reshape society. Her study is shaped by the contradictions of post-apartheid South Africa, where the promises of democracy and freedom remain... Read more
Distinguished teachers’ award for UKZN musicologist
AchieversUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal May 10, 2025
Dr Andrew-John Bethke is the recipient of the University’s 2024 Distinguished Teachers’ Award (DTA), which recognises academics who demonstrate exceptional innovation in teaching, transformative learning outcomes, and sustained contributions to education. These achievements, supported by rigorous evidence in teaching portfolios, highlight a commitment that goes above and beyond regular... Read more
Paediatric nephrologist receives prestigious international fellowship awards
AwardsKwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal February 17, 2025
Professor Rajendra Bhimma, a distinguished professor of paediatrics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Head of the Paediatric Kidney Clinical Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), has been awarded the prestigious Fellow of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) award. This honour recognises his exceptional professional... Read more
UKZN next gen solar manufacturing project promotes sustainable energy
KwaZulu-NatalResearchUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal February 3, 2025
A group of scientists from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) are joint collaborators on an R70 million Swansea University-led research project to develop and manufacture sustainable perovskite solar modules (PSMs) in Africa, empowering local communities and promoting sustainable energy. Currently, more than 500 million people in Africa lack access... Read more
UKZN Awards celebrate collaborative, innovative research
University of KwaZulu-Natal December 12, 2024
Excellence was rewarded during UKZN’s annual research awards dinner on 29 November at Durban’s Coastlands Hotel in Musgrave, where the Top 30 researchers at UKZN were honoured and recognised as the Vice-Chancellor’s Award recipients, the most cited researchers and researchers raising substantial research funding. The keynote address by Dr... Read more
Endoscopic equipment donation a boost for surgical training at UKZN
University of KwaZulu-Natal November 13, 2024
The multidisciplinary surgical skills laboratory at the School of Clinical Medicine at UKZN has significantly boosted its training capabilities with a generous donation of cutting-edge endoscopic surgery equipment from KARL STORZ. Facilitated by the UKZN Foundation, the donation, valued at about R4 million, is set to revolutionise the training... Read more
UK supports joint research in space engineering
ResearchUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal October 31, 2024
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the University of Glasgow have initiated a new research partnership to develop space propulsion technologies. The collaboration has been made possible by the UK Government, which is providing R2 million in funding to support the technology programme through the UK’s Department of Science,... Read more
UKZN chemist addresses energy crisis through nanocomposite Solar Cells
KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal October 31, 2024
Choosing to tackle the ongoing energy crisis in South Africa, budding young chemist and Pongola resident Dr Samantha Ndlovu embarked upon a PhD project that would contribute to sustainable energy sources and alleviate supply and consumption challenges. She fabricated a renewable and novel solar energy device using perovskite/graphene-based nanocomposite.... Read more
UKZN ASRI commission high-tech rocket launch gantry
KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal October 28, 2024
Engineers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) have commissioned a new suborbital sounding rocket launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range (OTR) in the Western Cape. The facility was funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and is the first in South... Read more
Genetics study focuses on elusive black-footed cat
ResearchUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal September 25, 2024
‘I chose to do my PhD through UKZN because the University gears its research goals towards addressing South African problems on the South African landscape,’ said PhD Genetics graduate, Dr Vimbai Siziba. Supervised by Professor Sandi Willows-Munro, Siziba’s thesis was titled: Carnivore Ecology and Diet Assessment using DNA-based Approaches:... Read more
