Degrees Held
- BA Hons (University of Zululand)
- Master of Arts (University of Natal)
- Doctor of Philosophy
- PhD (University of Natal)
Research Interests
- Onomastics
- African Linguistics and Literature
Teaching Interests
- Onomastics,
- Sociolinguistics,
- African Literary Studies
- and Comparative Phillology.
Bio
- A highly skilled negotiator, diplomat and creative thinker, Professor Sihawu Ngubane is the Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, Development & Social Sciences, Howard College Campus. It currently has 4133 registered students on the Howard College Campus alone, which is by far the largest number of all Faculties.
- He was born in KwaZulu-Natal and studied at the University of Zululand before joining the University of Natal, Durban where he has served the institution for 20 years continuous service. He has a Doctorate Degree in Onomastics and has extensive experience in research and supervision of students both at the Masters and PhD levels. He is often nominated as an examiner for higher degrees. He is an external examiner to numerous higher learning institutions.
- Professor Ngubane also adjudicates articles for possible publication for the African Language Association of Southern Africa. He has researched, and published widely, academic papers and books for undergraduate teaching. He has facilitated conferences, workshops and seminars both nationally and internationally and has collaborated with the Department of Education in setting up national education policies. He is involved, and leads, many external language and culture organisations. Professor Ngubane is recognised as an authority on cultural, tribal and indigenous knowledge subjects and is frequently asked to comment publicly – TV, radio and the press – on related issues.
- In February 2008 he was appointed by the South African Ministry of Arts and Culture as Chairperson to the Pan South African Language Board. To quote the Minister of Arts and Culture Z Pallo Jordan,
- “Your appointment to the Board is in recognition of your achievements and competence in the language field. Such honour and recognition comes with great responsibility. Your appointment to the Board will contribute significantly to promoting multilingualism and developing, in particular, the previously marginalized languages.”
- Since 2002 Professor Ngubane has served as the Deputy Chairperson of the African Renaissance Movement in KwaZulu-Natal. His leadership in the KwaZulu-Natal African Renaissance movement has earned him recognition from the South African Chapter of the African Renaissance (SACAR). Through KZN’s Successful Alumni/Ebandla campaign, Professor Ngubane has facilitated the full co-operation of the Alumni Office in creating a platform for the University to take full advantage of the public/private sector resources to advance the University’s interest worldwide. Every year academics from the UKZN have participated and presented papers at the conference.
- He has led the King Goodwill Zulu Delegation to the United States of America in 2002 where he presented papers at a number of academic institutions: Clark Elementary School, Selma in Alabama; Tuskegee University in Alabama, Dillard University and Xavier Universities in New Orleans, Louisiana where he negotiated links between the two universities. These links extend to staff and student exchange programme between South African universities and America.
Selected
Publications
- Death and Burial practices in contemporary Zulu culture. www.mankindquarterly.org
Community-based Organisations
- Commissioner and KZN Convenor: Commission for the Promotion & Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious & Linguistic Communities.
- Vice-Chairperson: African Renaissance KZN
- Chairperson: African Languages Association of Southern Africa (ALASA)
- Chairperson: South African Translators’ Institute KZN Chapter
- Chairperson: Pan South African language Board (PanSALB)
- Chairperson: Academic & Non-Fiction Authors Association of South Africa (ANFASA)
- Chairperson: South African Writers’ Guild: IsiZulu Literature