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Department of Educational Foundations

Department of Educational Foundations

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Dr N Nkosi

Senior Lecturer | College of Education
School of Educational Studies | Department: Educational Foundations

Tel: 012 444 8811
Campus: Muckleneuk
Building: Nkoana Simon Radipere (NSR)
Office: 7-45

  • PhD - Social Justice in Education

  • HED4809 - Sociology in Education
  • HREDU82-12E Gender in Education

  • Gender 
  • Leadership and Manangement
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in higher Education

  • Social Justice in Education

Edited book

 Book Chapters

  • Nkosi, N. (2025). Kidnapped at the school gate: Experiences and perceptions of women in school leadership and management in KwaZulu-Natal. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 13). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_13
  • Maphalala, M. C., Myende, T., Nkosi, N., & Dhlamini, S. (2025). Women in school leadership: Unpacking the enablers and overcoming the constraints. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 3). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_3
  • Maphalala, M. C., Dube, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Women’s experiences in school leadership positions: Strides and struggles. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 8). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_8
  • Nkosi, N., Gcabashe, N. D., & Ngcobo, G. B. (2025). The marginalisation of female leaders in schools led by male principals. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 16). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_16
  • Nkosi, N., & Maphalala, M. C. (2025). Historical and contemporary perspectives on women in school leadership: From margins to mainstream. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 1). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_1
  • Ngcobo, G. B., Kafu-Quvane, B., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Redefining leadership: Overcoming gender barriers in school leadership and management. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_5#DOI
  • Nkosi, N., & Maphalala, M. C. (2024). Differential educational attainment. In D. Adu, N. Duku, & C. Wolhuter (Eds.), Foundations of education: Contemporary social perspectives (pp. 171–184). Pitso Publications.
  • Myende, T., & Nkosi, N. (2024). Navigating the multiple higher education demands: Stories early-career women academics. In E. Ndofirepi, C. Pietersen, P. Sepeng, F. Fru, M. Felix, & S. Mapuya (Eds.), Early career academics in educational research: Perspectives from Sub-Saharan African higher education sectors (pp. 20–39). Brill Publishers.
  • Maphalala, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). ePortfolios as Catalysts for Self-Directed Learning In Higher Education. In Modise, MP & Vaughan, N. (2025) (Eds.). Digital Resilience of ePortfolios During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons for the Future. Mount Royal University Library, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.60770/a2xe-fv33

Articles

  • Nkosi, N., & Maphalala, M. C. (2025). Community-based participatory research in education: Empowering women school leaders in KwaZulu-Natal. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 6(8), 1404–1416. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025689
  • Nkosi, N. (2025). Kidnapped at the school gate: Experiences and perceptions of women in school leadership and management in KwaZulu-Natal. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 13). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_13
  • Maphalala, M. C., Myende, T., Nkosi, N., & Dhlamini, S. (2025). Women in school leadership: Unpacking the enablers and overcoming the constraints. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 3). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_3
  • Maphalala, M. C., Dube, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Women’s experiences in school leadership positions: Strides and struggles. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 8). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_8
  • Nkosi, N., Gcabashe, N. D., & Ngcobo, G. B. (2025). The marginalisation of female leaders in schools led by male principals. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 16). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_16
  • Nkosi, N., & Maphalala, M. C. (2025). Historical and contemporary perspectives on women in school leadership: From margins to mainstream. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education (Chap. 1). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_1
  • Ngcobo, G. B., Kafu-Quvane, B., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Redefining leadership: Overcoming gender barriers in school leadership and management. In N. Nkosi & M. C. Maphalala (Eds.), Women’s leadership in African education. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90038-9_5#DOI
  • Maphalala, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Strategies for Enhancing Self-Directed Learning in Open Distance and E-Learning (ODEL) Contexts. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 6(8),1640 – 1654. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256827
  • Nkosi, N., & Nhlumayo, B. S. (2026). Denied Leadership: Patriarchal Barriers and Contextual Inequities in Women's School Leadership. Agenda, 1-14.
  • Nhlumayo, B.S. & Nkosi, N. (2025). Leadership under pressure: Investigating the challenges faced by women departmental heads in South African schools. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 6(4), 207-225. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijemds.353291
  • Maphalala, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Proctoring online assessments: Enhancing security and academic integrity in open distance eLearning. Open Praxis, 17(4), 680–690. https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.17.4.911
  • Nkosi, N. (2025). Forgotten footsteps: Reclaiming the legacy of South Africa’s unsung heroines in history education. Yesterday & Today, Special Edition. https://doi.org/10.17159/2223-0386/2025/n34a3
  • Maphalala, M. C., & Nkosi, N. (2025). Strategies for Enhancing Self-Directed Learning in Open Distance and E-Learning (ODEL) Contexts. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 6(8),1640 – 1654. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256827

International Conferences:

  • Nkosi, N., & Maphalala, M. C. (2024). Transforming Women’s World and Possibilities (22–23 February 2024, Bangkok, Thailand).
  • Nkosi N (2024) Embracing New Technologies and Innovative Educational Research to Foster Sustainable Development in Southern Africa (02–04 October 2024, Esibayeni Lodge, Eswatini).
  • Maphalala, M.C. & Nkosi, N. (2025). 2nd International Higher Education Teaching, Learning and Student Support Conference. Exploring the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of learning management systems (LMSs) in enhancing self-directed learning in open distance and e-learning (ODEL) environments.

National /SADEC Papers Presented:

  • Nkosi, & Maphalala, M. C (2025) A Systematic Literature Review of Gender Equity Interventions in Higher Education in Support of Sustainable Development Goals (49th Southern African Society for Education “African Wisdom, Global Impact: Building Sustainable Education for the 21st Century- 01-03 October 2025, Richards Bay, KZN)
  • Maphalala, M.C. & Nkosi, N. (2025) Self-Directed Learning as a Catalyst for Professional Development During Teaching Practice (49th Southern African Society for Education “African Wisdom, Global Impact: Building Sustainable Education for the 21st Century- 01-03 October 2025, Richards Bay, KZN)
  • Ngcobo G.B. & Nkosi, N. (2025) Conceptualising Strategies for Gender-Responsive English as a First Additional Language Genre Education (49th Southern African Society for Education “African Wisdom, Global Impact: Building Sustainable Education for the 21st Century- 01-03 October 2025, Richards Bay, KZN)

Award

  • Woman in Research

 Professional Position

  • Principal investigator -Woman in Leadership and Management ( WiLM) Research Project
  • Ambassador – UNISA Researcher Development Academy (RDA)

Woman in Leadership and Management Research Project

  • Slogan " Shattering the glass ceiling"

  • Catalytic Niche Area: Feminist, Womanist, Bosadi Theorizations