Department Associates (Research, Lecturing and Administrative)
Dr. Mugabe
Dr Tanaka Candida Mugabe is an academic scholar with expertise in sociology focusing on youth development and social transformation. Her work has extended to provide transdisciplinary expertise in various sector focused on socio-economic development.
Dr Mugabe has specialisation in qualitative research and has published articles as well as contributed to a book chapter focusing on rural and youth development. She currently holds multiple roles. Firstly, she is a Research Associate in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology where she teaches honours students and also supervisors Postgraduates at both Honours and Masters Level in both Sociology and Anthropology as well as the Department of Development studies.
Last but not least her primary role within the university is a project manager at the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) and he focus is facilitating for stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and research at both national and international levels. She has recently developed a new publication in partnership with JUTA titled the South Africa Journal Maritime Education and Training. She is situated at the Ocean Sciences Block 1A.
Dr. Sibanda
Francis Sibanda is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership. His research interests include socio-economic and development issues, higher education and city relations, community engagement and participation, urban geographies, and dynamics. He has vast experience in both applied and commissioned research, having worked in various projects for government departments, research institutes and international organisations. He has also published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed several book chapters.
Dr. J. Mashayamombe
Dr John Mashayamombe completed his PhD in Sociology at the University of Pretoria in 2018. His research interests are on workplace relations, university student movements and student housing, as well as internationalization of higher education. He currently works at Nelson Mandela University’s International Office as a Researcher.
Administrative Support Staff
Mr. Kamvalethu Kele
Position: Administrative Assistant
Kamvalethu Kele is the Administrative Assistant in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (NMU). His Honours thesis explored the management models applied by selected cosmopolitan universities of South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper was published on a DHET accredited journal (Transformations in Higher Education). His research interest include: transformations and adaptability of higher education under 4IR and the inclusivity of marginalised groups.
Mr. Batlhalifi Nkgothoe
Position: Postgraduate Coordinator
Batlhalifi Nkgothoe is the Postgraduate Coordinator in the Sociology and Anthropology Department. Batlhalifi is responsible for student matters on research administration, writing, seminars, reports, and general queries. His research interests are in Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Food systems, Indigenous epistemologies an ontologies and the Sociology of Knowledge.