College of Law

Seasoned Durban University of Technology scholar obtains another Unisa degree

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Prof Livingstone Makondo

Prof Livingstone Makondo's thirst for academic achievement shows no sign of slowing down. In June 2025, he once again graduated from Unisa, this time earning a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Makondo has amassed seven qualifications from four different institutions. His academic journey began with his undergraduate degree from the University of Zimbabwe in 1995, followed by further qualifications, including two master’s degrees – one from the University of Zimbabwe and the other from North-West University – and a PhD from Unisa.

Makondo’s academic journey reads like a movie script. To call it extraordinary would be an understatement. His accomplishments reflect exceptional ability and effort, and a far-reaching impact in his chosen field and at the institutions where he has worked.

At the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Makondo has held numerous leadership roles, including Acting Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and Acting Coordinator for Curriculum and Academic Staff Development. Previously, he served as Coordinator of the Student Support and Development Unit, where he was responsible for conceptualising and implementing several university-wide initiatives, including the First-year Student Experience Programme, Academic Advising Programme, Senior-year Student Experience Programme and Residence Educational Programme. He also designed and taught in the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education and has been involved in designing and reviewing institutional policies, serving on the Senate.

Before joining DUT in 2014, Makondo began his career in education in 1996, teaching at three high schools in Harare, Zimbabwe, namely Zimbabwe Distance Education, Queen Elizabeth, and Seke 1 High. As a qualified designer, facilitator, assessor and moderator, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, lecturer, senior lecturer and head of department at Morgan ZINTEC, University of Zimbabwe, and Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.

Since moving to South Africa in 2008, Makondo has held positions as a senior academic development practitioner, instructional designer, lecturer and associate professor at Unisa, North-West University, the University of Venda and now DUT. His research interests span higher education studies, student and staff development, onomastics, anthroponomastics, human resource management and applied linguistics.

Makondo has published more than 27 peer-reviewed articles, six book chapters and two books, and has delivered 52 conference presentations. He has supervised the graduation of 22 honours, eight master’s and three doctoral students. Moreover, he has served as an external examiner for 11 institutions of higher learning in South Africa, Zimbabwe and internationally.

Makondo is the epitome of a serial academic achiever and has already set his sights on pursuing a Master of Laws degree at Unisa.

Unisa takes pride in being associated with Makondo as a former staff member, alumnus and scholar of note, further expanding the circle of academic excellence.

* By Siyabonga Seme, Manager: Communication and Marketing, KwaZulu-Natal Region

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Publish date: 2025-07-17 00:00:00.0

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