Friday, 13 september 2019, the University of Limpopo (ul) inaugurated dr Nkosazana clarice Dlamini Zuma as its new chancellor for the period 2019 - 2024. Dr Dlamini Zuma who is the current minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs is a qualified medical practitioner with an mbchb qualification from the university of Bristol in the united kingdom. In conclusion to the 6 decades celebration of the university of Limpopo we spoke to University of Limpopo vice chancellor- Mahlo Mokgalong. Dr Nkosazana clarice Dlamini Zuma is described by the university as an impeccable public stature, with well established strategic networks nationally, regionally and internationally. Before her appointed as minister of international affairs she was chairperson of the African union commission from 2012 to 2017. She is a recipient of the stateswoman of the year award from bbq, honorary doctorate from medunsa (sefako makgatho health sciences university), honorary professor from belarusian state university, tobacco free world award among many others. Amongst the guests to grace the occasion was former president Jacob Zuma, veteran businessman reuel Khoza (former ul chancellor), bavelile hlongwa(deputy minister department mineral resources and energy) and faith muthambi (mp-chairperson portfolio committee on cogta). Stay with us for more on the newly inaugurated university of Limpopo chancellor-DR Dlamini Zuma.

As part the 60 years celebration of existence of the university of Limpopo, we continued to profile the alumni of the university. We spoke to prof kwena Masha. Prof kwena Masha’s academic background is in mathematics education. He joined the university in 1996 as a foundation mathematics lecturer in the university foundation year programme (unify). During his time in unify, prof Masha participated in several national initiatives including the development of funding framework for foundation year programmes leading to the current extended curricular programmes (ecps). He coordinated the development of mathematics selection tests that include standardized assessment tests for admission and placement (satap) and the national benchmarking tests (nbts) and participated in the development of the alternative admissions and assessment research project (aarp) that was based at the university of cape town. In the area of academic development, prof Masha has been the director for centre for academic excellence (cae). Whilst in that position he initiated numerous programmes such as annual teaching and learning symposium, baditi student support programme which is the only one in the country that is inspired by our very own traditional mentorship programmes, advancement of the scholarship of teaching and learning programmes through which UL academics are receiving training, etc. At a national level he participated in the teaching and learning excellence awards, development of teaching advancement at university (tau) fellowship programme, and development of a framework for the advancement of university academics as teachers. In the field of mathematics education, prof Masha has produced a significant number of honours, masters and two PhD students. One of his research interest areas is the embodiment of mathematics teachers. About the professional bodies, prof Masha is a lifetime member of the association for mathematics.

As part of the Limpopo 60years celebration, we continued to profile the University’s alumni. We spoke to Dr Arnold Msimeki. Dr Arnold Msimeki studied Bachelor of Arts at the then University College of the North in 1964 majoring in Psychology and English. He also holds BA Honours in Psychology from UNISA and has completed German and French for non-degree purposes. He then completed University Education Diploma in 1971 from U.E.D and master’s in psychology and PhD in Educational Psychology both from the University of the North. He then registered as an Educational Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist with the South African Medical and Dental Council in in 1985 and 1989 respectively. He has received several awards since 1984. This includes a Fellowship from the Centre international des étudiants et stagiaires in Paris and Research Grant from the Human Sciences Research Council among others. He served the University of the North (UNIN) in various capacities between 1967 and 1985 i.e. lectureship in the Department of Educational Psychology, Acting Dean of Students, and Director of Centre for Student Counselling and Development. Between 1990 and 2005, he was a consulting Clinical Psychologist at various hospitals in Limpopo. He has also served in committees, including as Secretary of the North Black Academic Staff Association, President of UNIN Literary Society, President of UNIN Psychological Association, and he was founder member and first Chairperson of UNIN Branch of the Union of Democratic University Staff Associations. He was also member of the Interim National Medical and Dental Council of South Africa as well as serving on the Council of UNIN and the University of Venda.

Drug abuse is a persistent social ill in our country and over time it has worsened. We have just celebrated drug awareness week and today on the show we have attorney and lecturer - Lesedi Mphahlele who is living with a chronic illness of drug abuse. He talks to us about how communities can better fight the scourge of drug abuse. Lesedi’s story is one of success and an incredible “comeback”. He not only found success in his career as a lecturer and an attorney but he in turn helps others overcome their addiction to drugs. He started an initiative called “The Change Experience”, which dealt with issues surrounding addiction, change and recovery.
Lesedi qualified as an attorney at the tender age of 23 after starting out as a
Candidate attorney with lvp attorneys and later became a director of
The firm. He grew in the industry and started his own legal firm at the
Age of 26. He now runs the law firm Mphahlele incorporated and
Works concurrently for the university of Limpopo as a lecturer and for
The school for legal practice in Polokwane as an instructor.

MEC Dickson Masemola has served in different leadership portfolios and capacities. He says that what has grounded him and continues to do so, is the loyalty that he has for the ANC. The loyalty is surely reciprocated as the ANC continues to trust him as an agent of change in the province, he says. Masemola says that any leader who is worth the position they uphold must go through character changing and altering challenges, those ultimately define the strength of one’s leadership
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#progressive Talk.

Considering the recently issued AG report, it was only befitting that we asked the MEC to what extent his department intervened in municipalities that have had persistent issues of under-performance and mismanagement of finances. These issues are usually brought to light by protesting members of the communities or even opposition parties in those municipalities. The MEC reassured us that as COGSTA, they have an obligation to investigate such issues and that it is an absolute shame that they are only dealt with once the members of a community have resorted to strikes and that, he says firmly will not the be the case in his term.
#PostelectionsTALK
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