In honour of Women’s Month, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) proudly presents the Women of Impact Series. This series celebrates the outstanding achievements of our female graduates, partners, and project leaders in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We showcase the groundbreaking research, extraordinary dedication, and inspiring visions of these accomplished women. Through their innovative work and unwavering commitment, they have advanced in their respective fields and shaped a more inclusive and diverse future. Join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions and stories.

 

1. Can you share a bit about your journey and experiences as a project leader with the NIHSS, and how this has influenced your work and personal growth?

My research journey has been a transformative process honoured with advancements in research skills, innovation, and collaborations. Beyond the boundaries of my field, leading NIHS funded projects enforced mentorship inspiration and academic excellence.

2. How does your research and projects address the unique challenges and opportunities in your field, and what key insights or findings do you believe can drive meaningful change and impact in society?

The research has addressed real life experiences and offered practical solution-based outcomes. For instance, one research finding published with language matters titled “Disfavoured by the System” uncovered African student voices on the absence of indigenous languages in the South African higher education institution. It came clear that experiences were historical. The phenomenology of colonialism research that explored perspectives of social work graduates in the African university was thus undertaken and published with critical studies in teaching and learning.

Critical findings uncovered the need for practical decolonial strategies to ensure inclusive and transformative higher education. As some of the response to such findings, research through the book chapter on Translanguaging and Pedagogic Pathways to Culturally Relevant Social Work Education serves as a response to issues of languages shared by students. Furthermore, the Ubuntu philosophy is promoted as one of the strategies to mitigate the injustices of the past. Thus, research titled “Azibuyele Emasisweni,” published by the African journal of social work, explores The Discourse of Ubuntu Philosophy in Social Work Education and Practice. This solution is also given emphasis in the book chapter “Foregrounding the Philosophy of Maat in Social Work Education and Practice: Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu” and other research platforms. Details for published work are provided in the reference list below. But what is critical for the reader in the process of engaging the research is to realise that the research and propose solutions are based on the lived experiences, serving not only as academic knowledge but also to drive transformative policies for societal development and deliberate practices that redress the injustices of the past.

3. What does the celebration of Women’s Month mean to you?

Historically and in the present, women have made exceptional contributions to societal development through interactions in various fields and platforms. Reflection on such contributions is critical. Women in management and in leadership roles deserve a reflection not only in celebrating achievements but also in tackling the challenges that jeopardise not only their well-being but also the boundaries of success for all women in the country and elsewhere. For the field of humanities and social science, the women's month celebration is a symbol of creativity, and resilience in the process of advocating for women's empowerment.

4. What role do you see interdisciplinary collaboration playing in your work, and how has it enhanced the outcomes of your research and projects?

Interdisciplinary collaboration has been at the centre of my projects and research activities. Engaging different experts in different fields has allowed for in depth research and innovative solutions. As it is visible from the publication list, collaboration is not only based on the field of social work but also with other researchers from different fields. For instance, to enhance such collaborations, based on the NIHSS funding one managed to bring to Five researchers from three different universities participated in the knowledge exchange and writing retreat, which took place on the 03-09 December 2023 at the Blue Martin Hotel, KZN. Considering the expertise of such researchers and collaborative local projects in partnership with Imbewu Youth Empowerment Centre, this has been a developmental collaborative contribution. Furthermore, being part of the Ubuntu research group that unites different academics in South Africa and other countries who are interested in the focus area has been the strongest base for international and multidisciplinary collaboration.

List of publications

1. Makhanya, T.B. and Mzinyane, B. 2024. Mazibuyele emasisweni: the nexus of Ubuntu philosophy, climate change and green social work. Critical and Radical Social Work An international journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/20498608Y2024D000000034. [Q2].
2. Makhanya, T.B and Levy, S. 2024. Translanguaging and Pedagogic Pathways to Culturally Relevant Social Work Education. In: Levy S., Okoye, U.D., Tanga P, T and Ingram R (Eds). The Routledge handbook of African Social Work (Routledge international handbook). Routledge.
3. Makhanya, T and Mzinyane B. 2023. Ubuntu as an emancipatory framework for teaching and learning in Social Work: a narrative literature review. African Journal of Social Work, 13 (4):1-10. [Q2]
4. Makhanya, T and Mfishi Z. 2023. Prior and During COVID-19: The experiences of Social Work Students on the use of blended and Remote Learning at a South African university. Social work/Maatskaplike werk, 59 (3):201-223. [Q3]
5. Makhanya, T.B. 2023. The gendered role of social work as a social construct: A call for critical discourse. Gender and Behaviour, 21 (2): 21559 – 21566.
6. Masuku, M and Makhanya, T. 2023. Ubuntu Philosophy and Decolonisation: Interpretation of Inclusivity in Higher Education. In Maguvhe, M.O and Masuku M.M. Using African Epistemologies in Shaping Inclusive Education Knowledge. Palgrave Macmillan: Switzerland.
7. Makhanya, T. 2023. Foregrounding the Philosophy of Maat In Social Work Education and Practice: Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu. In: Mayaka, B. Adeleke, O. and van Breda, A (Eds). The Ubuntu Practitioner: Social Work Perspectives. International Federation of Social Workers: Rheinfelden, Switzerland.
8. Makhanya, T. 2023. Indigenisation of social work education and practice: A call for deconisation in South African Higher Education.  Bulletin. Social Work History Network. London.
9. Makhanya, T. 2022. Exploring Young Unmarried Fathers' Current Relationships With Their Children. Gender and Behaviour Journal. 20 (4): 20375 – 2039.
10. Makhanya, T. 2022. Azibuyele Emasisweni:  Exploring The Discourse Of Ubuntu Philosophy In Social Work Education And Practice. African Journal of Social Work. 12 (6): 136-143. [Q2]
11. Makhanya T. 2021. A Stranger in My Own Country. In: Carswell, M., Light, T.P and Colket, L. eds. Becoming: Transformative Storytelling for Education’s Future. DIO Press Inc, New York.
12. Makhanya T. 2021. Has the Children's act 38 of 2005 changed the position of unmarried fathers? Legislative discourse in South Africa. Journal of Gender and Behavior, Vol 19, no 3.
13. Makhanya T. 2021. The phenomenology of colonialism: Exploring perspectives of social work graduates in the African university. Critical studies in teaching and learning, Vol 9, no 1. [Q 2]
14. Makhanya T. and Zibane S. 2020. Disfavoured by the system: African student voices on the absence of indigenous languages in the South African higher education institutions. Language matters. 51(1): 22-37. [Q2]
15. Makhanya T. 2019.  Exploring Young Unmarried Fathers Experiences of Pregnancy, Gender and Behaviour, Vol 16, no 3.
16. Makhanya T. and Mathias C. 2018. Young unmarried fathers’ experiences and perceptions of fatherhood, Social Work/maastkaplike werk Journal, Vol 54, no 2. [Q3]