Students during a face-to-face class at the Pretoria Learning Centre

The Integrated Learner Support Programme is dedicated to Unisa students, and aims to  increase students’ success and pass rates. The South Africa Survey issued by the SA Institute for Race Relations states that Unisa is South Africa’s most productive university  with approximately 350 000 enrolled students.

Moreover, Unisa awards a total of 12.5% of all degrees in the country according to a draft document on Unisa’s Advancement Strategy 2012-2015: “Access and Success”.

Most importantly, one of the tenants of improving students’ success rates at Unisa is in the provision of tutorial services. Prof Matshepo Matoane, Director of Instructional Support and Services (DISS) in the Department of Tuition and Facilitation of Learning, spells out that student support in an ODL context is not only about being student-centred, but also about bridging the distance between the students and their learning environment.

“The programme is also about influencing the student success rate by bridging the gap between students and academics and students as well as among the students themselves. We often find that students study in isolation and with the support that we offer they are able to have a rich learning experience especially when they learn with other students.”

Simply put, the Integrated Tutor Model is a strategy aimed at addressing the Unisa 2015 strategic objective 6.5, which reads as follows:  “to establish service-orientated, technology-enhanced learner support to increase retention and throughput”. This is done by ensuring that there is effective planning, coordinated delivery, evaluation and quality assurance in tutorial services.

Prof Matoane elaborates this point further by saying that the role of the tutor has been brought to the fore.

Prof Matoane is the Director of Instructional Support and Services

“Previously,” she says, “tutorial services were seen as an add-on to teaching and learning, but with the introduction of the Integrated Tutor Model, tutorials are integrated into teaching and learning from the point of course design to course delivery”.

 Unisa offers tutorial support both through face to face and online mediums (through the use of e-tutors). The introduction of the e-tutor system has also added to the greening of the environment by going paperless. The system is currently rolled out in phases and this year, NQF level 5 will benefit from the roll out proceeding to NQF level 6 in 2014 and NQF level7 in 2015.

Prof Matoane says that face-to-face tutoring will still continue for modules categorised as ‘high risk’ and those that are called ‘barriers to graduation’. “We might end up with a situation where face-to-face tutoring will continue taking place concurrently with e-tutoring for as long as these categories of modules continue to exist at Unisa, as the aim is to promote student success.”

“Evidently, the scope is very big and we must continue to improve the pass and throughput rates that we pride ourselves with at the University. Alumni of the University can play a vital role in this process as they can become part of the programme in order for it to thrive.”

She concludes by challenging alumni to take up their key role in acting as tutors as they themselves have been through the system. “They have the experience of learning at a distance and are therefore in a better position to support the students as they can relate to their learning experiences. It only makes sense for us to tap into that vast pool of alumni we have as a University, this will also serve to create development and career-pathing opportunities for our own alumni.”

Despite heavy showers, Convocants from across South Africa and beyond its borders attended the 2012 Convocation meeting which was held on 24 November at the Senate Hall, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus.

This meeting coincided with the yearly convenors’ workshop which took place on Friday 23 November 2012 at the Kgorong Building and thus allowed the convenors of the different chapters to also attend the Convocation. Convenors as far as Mauritius and Namibia attended the workshop and the Convocation.

Prof Narend Baijnath, Unisa’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, chaired the well attended meeting on behalf of Prof Mandla Makhanya, Unisa’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, who was in a meeting with the Chairperson of Council, Dr NM Phosa.  Prof Makhanya then chaired the meeting but left before the closure of the meeting. Also forming part of the panel was Prof Mogege Mosimege, the University Registrar.

As stipulated on the Unisa alumni website, the Convocation is responsible for raising matters of concern about the development of the university. An annual meeting provides first-hand information about the strategic direction of the university, policy formulations and other development issues. Accordingly, every graduate with a degree or diploma forms a member of Convocation and is entitled to attend.

The President of Convocation, Dr Claudelle von Eck, could not attend the meeting as she had to be in the US to attend to other business commitments. Mr Peter Vundla, the second Representative of Convocation on the Unisa Council and Chair of the African Merchant and Investment Bank, read her address on her behalf.  The address focused on garnering support from alumni towards the university. 

Prof Mandla Makhanya gave an address about 2012: Taking stock and looking to the future which is a reflection of 2012 and a glimpse into the future of 2013. “So I thought that this morning I would reflect back briefly on 2012 and then turn our collective gaze to what we aspire to as an institution in 2013, so that as Convocation you will know where we are headed.”

Heeding the call from Prof Makhanya, Convocants, who included 120 alumni and academic staff members and ten members of the executive, posed questions to the panel which crafted more excitement about future endeavours of the university.

A quorum for the meeting was met as the meeting only requires 50 alumni, members of the executive and academic staff members to make up the required quorum.  The next Convocation meeting will be held on 2 November 2013.

Mr Peter Vundla, representative of the Convocation, reading the address on behalf of the President of the Convocation, Dr Claudelle von Eck

Convocants listening attentively to the discussions

Unisa’s 2012 Chancellor’s Dinner and Calabash Awards were held on 11 October 2012 when the university recognised and celebrated the excellence of four South African leaders.Pictured from left: Honourable Judge President Bernard Ngoepe (Chancellor of Unisa), Geoffrey Qhena (incumbent Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation), Sello Hatang (Nelson Mandela Foundation: Information and Communication Manager) accepting on behalf of Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (South Africa’s first democratically elected President), Saki Macozoma (Chairman of the Liberty Group) & Prof Mandla Makhanya (Unisa Principal & Vice-Chancellor)

“To be the African university in the service of humanity” may be one of the most inspiring and memorable visions of all higher education institutions, but what does this actually mean in practice?

This was the question posed by Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mandla Makhanya at Unisa’s 2012 Chancellor’s Dinner and Calabash Awards on 11 October 2012 when the university recognised and celebrated the excellence of four South African leaders – the first democratically elected President, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Unisa Robben Island Alumnus award); founder of the Citizens Movement, Dr Mamphele Ramphele (Outstanding Educator award); Chairman of the Liberty Group, Saki Macozoma (Unisa Robben Island Alumnus award); and the incumbent Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation, Geoffrey Qhena (Outstanding Alumnus award).

Under the theme “The role of the African university in the development of African leadership”, the night was one of celebration and also introduced the Unisa Robben Island Alumnus Award, an award which acknowledges the role played by Unisa in shaping present-day South Africa. It also acknowledges the characteristics and leadership of the freedom fighters incarcerated on Robben Island. Among the celebrations, the fundamental questions were posed: What is required for the training and development of excellent African leadership?  What is the African university’s role in this regard?

Prof Makhanya said the relentless pace of transformation in the knowledge society has brought about global turmoil that is rendering futures very uncertain. He said while dealing with their unique challenges, South Africa and Africa are also impacted upon by international crises and leaders “seem to be caught up in worrying cycles of crises which we struggle to resolve.”

“I would suggest that our dilemma has something to do with the fact that social justice and fairness, and excellence with integrity are conspicuous by their absence in our national dialogue right now. Rather, we seem to be mired in a destructive paradigm that places self-interest at the top of our individual and collective agendas, although this often comes wrapped in a patently manipulative veneer of caring about the ‘other’.”

So what becomes the solution? Prof Makhanya says: “…Those of us who genuinely embrace and espouse human dignity, democracy, freedom and social justice as enshrined in our Constitution, cannot afford to keep silent for fear of consequences that may be a bit uncomfortable. As a university, we are ideally positioned to contribute to public discourse on the state of our nation and we shall endeavour by all means to do so. Ultimately, that is what the role of an African university in the development of African leadership is all about.”

Unisa Chancellor, Honourable Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, said there is a particular group of Unisa alumni who have distinguished themselves in quite a remarkable manner, and we are privileged as a country to reap the awards of their exemplary scholarship, leadership and conduct. “I can say without reservation that if our graduates of today exhibit the same qualities of leadership, integrity and commitment to social justice, as represented by our Robben Island alumni, and our other alumni, you will see a very different country… These people have made a positive impact in various walks of our lives, all of that from an education which they received via the distance learning mode. In that context, one cannot but wonder about claims that distance education is somehow inferior. How inferior is an education that produces a president, a Nobel laureate, a Chief Justice, and a deputy Chief Justice?”

Keynote speaker and awardee, Saki Macozoma said there has to be objective criteria that will enable the baptism of African higher education institution. “I believe we must start with the university system itself before we get to the individual institutions. In my opinion, an African university can emerge from a system that guarantees all the fundamental building blocks of a university universally. That is academic freedom, cooperative and collegiate governance, institutional autonomy and many others.”

He said that in order to achieve a truly African university, stakeholders should not spend time in sterile debate about the construct of a university or its African expression, and they should also accept the concept of differentiation within the system as Africa is a diverse continent, and so there cannot be one way of creating an African university.

Core characteristics of an African university, according to Macozoma, are an African value adding university, where scholarship addresses the priorities of the African continent and its peoples; an innovative university; a university that is resourced to respond to the imperatives of access and equity, without having to compromise academic excellence; and a world class and world competitive university, dedicated to deep community engagement at the local and regional level.

Macozoma said attending and graduating from such a university does not automatically qualify one as an African leader. “…The role of the African university is to prepare graduates who can be developed into leaders who embody ethical leadership; who are innovators as all the challenges that face Africa require innovative solutions; leaders who are institution builders as opposed to builders of personal dynasties; leaders who are integrators and reconcilers; and leaders who are independent…”

When accepting his award, Geoffrey Qhena raised the issue of the economic crisis and the fact that emerging economies, of which Africa, including South Africa, is one, have not been able to escape unscathed. This uncertain environment, he said, offers us opportunity to strengthen inter-Africa trade and therefore everyone has to play a role in their areas of expertise, to make a proactive contribution. “The institutions of higher learning are also called upon to play a leading role, offering new and innovative ways of addressing the challenges we are facing. And also play a lead in forming partnerships with key institutions of our country to ensure that we emerge with concrete solutions in reducing unemployment, and reduce the skills shortage that we experience.”

Accepting on behalf of Dr Mandela, Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Information and Communication Manager, Sello Hatang said that as Unisa approaches its 140th anniversary, all its stakeholders should remember that is in their hands to make a difference in South Africa and Africa. “We all know that Madiba cares deeply about education and its power to transform society and change circumstances… We hope that Madiba’s generation of leaders continue to inspire us to continue fighting social ills such as inequality, crime and corruption with the same determination they fought apartheid.”

Some of the dignitaries at Unisa’s 2012 Chancellor’s Dinner and Calabash Awards on 11 October 2012, from left: Geoffrey Qhena (incumbent Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation), Prof Narend Baijnath (Pro-Vice-Chancellor), Saki Macozoma (Chairman of the Liberty Group), Billy Gundelfinger (Chairperson: Unisa Board of trustees), Dr Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane (Deputy Chairperson: Unisa Council), Honourable Judge President Bernard Ngoepe (Chancellor: Unisa), Sello Hatang (Nelson Mandela Foundation: Information and Communication Manager) accepting on behalf of Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (South Africa’s first democratically elected President) & Prof Mandla Makhanya (Unisa Principal & Vice-Chancellor)

* Story written by Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester, Journalist, Unisa

Mr Sizwe Nxasana, CEO of FirstRand

The build up to Nxasana’s career success was not automatic. His fate was sealed when he stumbled upon a lecture by Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu, the first black person to be a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, on Chartered Accountancy, while he himself was studying towards a marketing qualification at Forte University in 1976.

He fell in love with the discipline and completed an undergraduate degree in commerce while at Forte University. His first work experience was at Unilever, but he went on to establish the first black-owned audit practice, Sizwe & Co in 1989.

In 1996,he became the founding partner of Nkonki Sizwe Ntsaluba, the first black-owned national firm of accountants, and was national managing partner until 1998 when he joined Telkom as chief executive officer. His experience in the financial services industry includes non-executive directorships, since 2003, of FirstRand Bank and Rand Merchant Bank, of NBS Boland Bank (1995 to 1998), of the Development Bank of South Africa (1995 to 1998) and Chairperson of Msele-Hoskens Insurance Group (1994 to 1996) (Entrepreneur Magazine website: www.entrepreneurmagazine.co.za , November 2009).

Nxasana has been the CEO of FirstRand since 2010 after taking over the reins from Paul Harris.  He is the first black CEO of the country’s big four banks after his stint at Telkom as well as  establishing the first audit practice in 1989. According to Nxasana, he finds the situation very sad that he is the first black person to become a CEO of FirstRand. To him, there are many black people who could have met the criteria of becoming CEO of any of the country’s big four banks and could do better than him if given the opportunity

The auditing, telecoms and financial industries have all experienced his success. But for Nxasana to transition across industries meant hard work and ambition. “Part of my transition was about ‘What’s next?’,” says Nxasana. These words have enabled him to lead these various industries without prior background knowledge.

He believes that all of us are capable of anything – even alluding to his parental guidance during his childhood. Although, he has worked with different people all his life, staying in a company for more than 10 years as CEO to him has meant creating a comfort zone.

Nxasana can be credited with achieving the highest standards of performance. “It’s all about setting goals, working hard and leading from the front. You have to understand that you work with people and as I am not the only person with wisdom, I make sure that I surround myself with people who are smarter than I am. This gives people the space to perform and prosper. The organisation has to have the right people in the right positions with a clear direction to succeed,” he says.

Although he works in an unsteady banking industry facing turbulence amid the global recession, Nxasana is confident that the banking industry will continue to exist. He states that we will however see a lot more changes taking place within banks. Major banks are already merging with smaller banks when they cease to operate. This is happening especially on the African continent.

“FirstRand is proud to be the only indigenous bank in South Africa as we are controlled by domestic shareholders. We are growing the footprint in Africa and we play an important role in becoming a development leader. FirstRand is proud to serve as a platform for their clients,” he says.

A role model for many people, Nxasana is humble, wise, disciplined and focused. This is a sure determinant in being able to sail through his studies during his early years. As a long distance learning university embodied with the relevant curricula for him to continue to study to be a Chartered Accountant (CA), Unisa was just the institution for him. Today, he stands proud to be an alumnus of Unisa.