The Team


Dr Tatenda Marange
  

Profile   

Dr Tatenda Shaleen Marange holds a PhD in industrial psychology and currently serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology. She is a registered industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and a chartered HR professional: learning and development registered with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP). She has extensive experience in postgraduate supervision, curriculum development, and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research interests centre on employee well-being, positive organisational psychology, and the future world of work. Through her research and industry engagement, she focuses on understanding and enhancing employee well-being, psychological functioning, and organisational effectiveness in rapidly evolving work environments. Her work explores the interplay between individual psychological resources and organisational factors that contribute to sustainable employee performance and thriving workplaces.
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Dr Ronel Kleynhans
  

Profile   

Dr Ronel Kleynhans teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Industrial Psychology and supervises honours, master's, and PhD research, with more than 23 years of experience in higher education. She holds a PhD in industrial psychology, with her doctoral research focusing on the career construction of performing artists, a master's degree in industrial psychology, and an honours in psychology and industrial psychology. She is a neuropractitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Career Development Association (SACDA). Her academic and research interests centre on curriculum development, career construction, career counselling, well-being, and leadership. 

Prof Tina Kotze
  

Profile   

Prof Tina Kotzé is a professor in the Department of Industrial Psychology and was previously at the UFS Business School. She is a registered industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council and has extensive experience in postgraduate study guidance, curriculum development, lecturing (postgraduate and undergraduate modules), as well as consulting in private and public organisations. She also has a solid and consistent history of publications in international and South African journals. Her research specialises in the role of personal factors (psychological and cognitive) in performance, leadership effectiveness, and work well-being.

Carmine Nieman
  

Profile   

Carmine Nieman is a registered industrial psychologist and psychological counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). She joined the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2015 as a counsellor and later served as an organisational development and employee well-being specialist within Human Resources from 2019. In 2023, she joined the Department of Industrial Psychology at the UFS as a lecturer, where she teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate modules, with a particular focus on employee well-being and ethics. With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Nieman combines academic expertise with practical organisational experience. She is currently completing her PhD at the UFS, focusing on the relationship between total rewards, generational preferences, employee well-being, and work engagement. Her research interests centre on enhancing employee well-being and organisational effectiveness through evidence-based reward and well-being practices.

Dr Leon Bezuidenhoud
  

Profile   

Dr Leon Bezuidenhoud is committed to fostering critical thinking, professional competence, and evidence-based practice among students. His work aims to bridge the gap between psychological theory and organisational practice, contributing to both academic scholarship and the development of future industrial and organisational psychology professionals. His academic interests include organisational behaviour, leadership, employee well-being, career development, psychological assessment, and organisational development. He is actively involved in postgraduate supervision and research, with a particular interest in the application of psychological principles to contemporary workplace challenges.

  
Chene Ward
  

Profile   

Chené Ward has been a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology at the University of the Free State since 2021. She teaches labour relations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and advanced personnel psychology at the professional master's level. As an emerging researcher, her work centres on digital flourishing and designing for digital well-being, leveraging positive psychology to buffer and transform technostress in the digital age.



Qwaqwa Team
 
Dr Shingirayi Chamisa
 

Dr Shingirayi Chamisa
Senior Lecturer
 


Profile   

Dr Shingirayi Chamisa is an industrial psychologist and senior lecturer committed to advancing knowledge, developing future professionals, and promoting evidence-based practices that enhance individual and organisational effectiveness. She teaches industrial psychology and human resource management courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, fostering critical thinking, professional growth, and lifelong learning. Her research focuses on employee and student well-being, organisational effectiveness, and human development, with the goal of generating insights that contribute to healthy, inclusive, and high-performing institutions.

Dr Thinus Delport
 

Profile   

Dr Marthinus Delport is a registered industrial psychologist and lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology, with more than a decade of experience in higher education and professional development. He teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate modules, specialising in psychometric assessment and research statistics. His research focuses on technology and the work-life interface, and he is an experienced mentor and supervisor for postgraduate students and intern industrial psychologists.

Refilwe Tshabalala
 

Refilwe Tshabalala
Junior Lecturer
 

Nhlanhla Ntuli
 

Nhlanhla Ntuli
Junior Lecturer

Dr Vongai Ruzungunde
 

Dr Vongai Ruzungunde
Subject Head and Lecturer 
 


Profile   

Dr Vongai Sarah Ruzungunde holds a PhD in industrial psychology and serves as a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology. She is registered with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) as an HR professional. Dr Ruzungunde teaches at undergraduate level and supervises postgraduate research. Her research interests include diversity and inclusion, as well as decent and meaningful work. Her work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and aligns with the aspirations of the African Union's Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Dr Zikhona Dlaza
 

Dr Zikhona Dlaza
Lecturer 


Profile   

Dr Zikhona Dlaza is a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology. She holds a PhD in industrial psychology and is an HR associate registered with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP). She teaches and supervises postgraduate students in the fields of industrial psychology and human resource management, contributing to the development of future professionals and scholars. Her research interests include decent work, inclusive and meaningful work environments, and career development. She is particularly interested in understanding how work environments, personal resources, and institutional support systems influence career development and employability, especially in under-resourced contexts. Her work focuses on promoting inclusion, resilience, and equitable access to opportunities.

Sanelisiwe Khumalo
 

Sanelisiwe Khumalo
Student Assistant 
 


 
 
 

FACULTY CONTACT

Tel: +27 51 401 3825
Academic Advice: EMSadvice@ufs.ac.za
EMS Applications: EMSapplications@ufs.ac.za
EMS Appeals BFN (South and Bloemfontein) EMSappealsbfn@ufs.ac.za
EMS Appeals Qwaqwa: EMSappealsQQ@ufs.ac.za

Economic faculty contact block

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