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21 November 2024
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Story Jacky Tshokwe
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Photo Supplied
Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean: Faculty of the Humanities.
On 8 November 2024, the South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA) elected Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS), as its new President. This appointment marks a pivotal moment for SAHUDA, which represents a diverse network of deans who champion the prominence and future of humanities, social sciences, and the arts in South Africa and beyond. Prof Masoga, who has served as Vice-President of SAHUDA for the past year, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advocating for the role of humanities in addressing the challenges of our contemporary world.
As President, Prof Masoga envisions broadening the influence of what he terms ‘public and applied humanities.’ His aim is to advance a humanities framework that not only enriches academic discourse, but also engages with critical global and local issues. This approach, rooted in socially responsive scholarship, will prioritise areas such as computational and digital humanities, environmental humanities, and other interdisciplinary fields that intersect with the pressing concerns of our time.
“The humanities are more relevant than ever to understanding complex societal issues,” Prof Masoga explained. “Through public and applied humanities, we can bring the critical perspectives of our field into active dialogue with the challenges of a digital and ecologically threatened world.”
His election underscores the University of the Free State's growing influence in national and international conversations about the future of the humanities. For the UFS, this leadership role enhances its reputation as an institution deeply invested in fostering meaningful contributions to society. Prof Masoga’s presidency is set to amplify the university’s voice and perspectives in SAHUDA’s mission to fortify the role of humanities in education and public life.
Over the next two years, Prof Masoga’s tenure will include a focus on initiatives that strengthen the relevance of humanities scholarship, encourage interdisciplinary research, and cultivate public engagement. He will also prioritise fostering collaboration across higher education institutions in South Africa and internationally to ensure that humanities disciplines are equipped to address the diverse needs of our rapidly evolving world.
Prof Masoga’s commitment to SAHUDA’s mission reflects the values and aspirations of the UFS Faculty of The Humanities. His presidency is an invaluable opportunity for the university to contribute to the national agenda of reinforcing the humanities as a field essential to a healthy, critically informed, and culturally aware society. This achievement serves as a proud moment for the UFS and a beacon for the potential of the humanities to drive societal progress in South Africa and beyond.
Young dynamic lawyer in the Mail and Guardian Top 200
2016-06-27
Adv Loyiso Makapela
Photo: Stephen Collett
Each year the Mail and Guardian produces a special report on that year’s top 200 young South Africans who inspire, have talent, and drive. This year, we celebrate one of our own, Adv Loyiso Makapela, who has been nominated as one of the top 200 Mail and Guardian Young Achievers of 2016 under the category of Education. Loyiso is an outstanding academic, lecturer and mentor. At age 27, she is the youngest lecturer in the Faculty of Law.
With two Master’s degrees under her belt, she has been awarded the Desmond Tutu Doctoral scholarship by the National Research Foundation and will commence her PhD at both the University of Stellenbosch and Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam July 2016. With a keen focus on research, she has presented papers and chaired sessions at various conferences locally and internationally in, for example, the United Arab Emirates and Greece, and in Oxford, England.
“The fact that I was nominated under the category ‘Education’ is undoubtedly one of my proudest achievements to date, because there is nothing I am more passionate about and love than the education of young South Africans, particularly women. This is only the beginning, and I hope my story and accomplishments will inspire others to walk out in determined pursuit of their goals and dreams,” said Loyiso.
She is in the final stages of launching a lifestyle website that aims to engage young and ambitious South African women, titled “Young Women of Power”. Through this platform, Loyiso hopes to bring together influential women in business and politics, to empower and enlighten younger women.
The Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans have, over the years, positioned themselves as leaders in their fields and gained local and international acclaim. The selected 200 will be announced later this month.