University of KwaZulu-Natal

WaFunda ISA applications open   🎓 UKZN students: An opportunity to help you take your next step   If you have outstanding university debt that is preventing you from graduating, there may be support available.   We’re pleased to share the WaFunda Income Share Agreement (ISA), an alternative funding solution designed to help eligible students settle qualifying final-year university debt.   The WaFunda ISA offers: ✅ No upfront payments ✅ No monthly interest or hidden fees ✅ No surety or collateral required ✅ Repayments only begin once you’re earning a living salary ✅ Ongoing support with your career, finances and wellbeing   The programme is also designed to pay it forward as your repayments help create opportunities for other students to complete their studies.   You may be eligible if you:   → Are currently in your final year or have already completed your studies → Have outstanding final-year university debt of between R15,000 and R200,000 → Have a South African bank account → Have a household income below R600,000 per year → Are not over-indebted or under debt review → Have no criminal record → Are not immediately continuing with further studies after graduation   📢 2Applications are now open. If you meet the eligibility requirements, find out more and apply directly through WaFunda: Social 👉 wafunda.com/isa

How can research move beyond publications to empower communities and strengthen food security? Join us for Professor Joyce Chitja’s virtual inaugural lecture, “Beyond Publications: Empowerment and Agency for Resilient Food Systems and Food & Nutrition Security”. Friday, 6 November 2026 | 15h00–16h00 RSVP: [f.mtr.cool/yzgyleexul \#UKZN #InauguralLecture #FoodSecurity #InspiringGreatness

NSFAS 2027 APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW, 31 OCTOBER, AT 23h59! To our current and prospective students: submit your funding application before the deadline. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Apply at f.mtr.cool/kxfmyompg7 Applications are FREE. Never pay anyone to apply or share your myNSFAS password or OTP. #UKZN #NSFAS2027 #InspiringGreatness

Beyond the pitch, we united our voices to stand against Gender-Based Violence 💜. The energy, the teamwork and the goals! ⚽🔥 The Sivikele Cup brought UKZN staff and representatives together for a day of football, friendly competition and a powerful cause.  One game, one team, one powerful message! 💜 #UKZN #SivikeleCup #InspiringGreatness #UnitedAgainstGBV

Postgraduate applications close on 31 October! Take the next step with a postgraduate qualification from UKZN and join our community of scholars, researchers and innovators shaping a better tomorrow. Apply now. Visit f.mtr.cool/b7p5sqsksz for more information. #InspiringGreatness #PostgraduateStudies

Can cities transform without leaving communities behind? In commemoration of World Cities Day 2026, join us for an insightful webinar exploring how urban regeneration can improve housing and livelihoods in informal settlements without displacing communities. Hosted by UKZN’s SARChI Chair for Inclusive Cities, Professor Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu, the discussion will bring together local and international experts to explore inclusive urban development, spatial justice and sustainable cities. Date: Friday, 30 October 2026 Time: 10h00 (SAST) Platform: MS Teams Register here: f.mtr.cool/k2xtruvgef #UKZN #WorldCitiesDay2026 #InclusiveCities #UrbanRegeneration #SustainableDevelopment

Highlights from day three of our International Partner Week! We exchanged ideas with our global partners on collaborative research, student mobility, postgraduate opportunities and the role of culture in international learning. These conversations deepened our connections and explored new possibilities for our students, researchers and communities. #UKZN #InternationalPartnerWeek #GlobalPartnerships #Internationalisation

Whose knowledge do we recognise, and who benefits from research? These were among the questions explored at our Indigenous Knowledge Systems roundtable, held as part of International Week. Academics, researchers and traditional health practitioners came together to discuss how universities can recognise African knowledge, strengthen community partnerships and make research more inclusive and responsive to society. Here are some moments from the conversation. #UKZN #InternationalWeek #IndigenousKnowledgeSystems #InspiringGreatness

Pride is a celebration of identity and a call for dignity, safety and belonging. Our School of Law’s LGBTQ+ Pride event at Howard College created space for dialogue on LGBTQ+ experiences, rights and support, bringing together students, community organisations, legal contributors and University support services. Here’s a look at moments from the day as we continue working towards a campus where everyone feels respected and included. #UKZN #Pride #LGBTQPlus #InspiringGreatness

Postgraduate applications close on 31 October! Take the next step with a postgraduate qualification from UKZN and join our community of scholars, researchers and innovators shaping a better tomorrow. Apply now. Visit f.mtr.cool/b7p5sqsksz for more information. #InspiringGreatness #PostgraduateStudies

Leadership that turns experience into impact. We are proud to see our alumnus and University Council member, Mr Thabani Mkhize, elected to the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA) Board. His expertise in strategy, governance and evaluation will support SAMEA’s work towards equitable and sustainable development. Congratulations, Mr Mkhize. We wish you a meaningful and successful tenure! #UKZN #InspiringGreatness

Postgraduate applications close on 31 October! Take the next step with a postgraduate qualification from UKZN and join our community of scholars, researchers and innovators shaping a better tomorrow. Apply now. Visit f.mtr.cool/b7p5sqsksz for more information. #InspiringGreatness #PostgraduateStudies

The next generation of UKZN founders is already here. Congratulations to the participants and winners of the Emerging Entrepreneurs Award: Winner: Anele Bulose 1st runner-up: Mhlengi Ndlovu (Howard College) 2nd runner-up: Akhona Mkhize Chosen from a shortlist of the competition's standout participants, these three showed the drive, clarity and promise that turn early ideas into lasting ventures. Growing emerging talent into tomorrow's job creators is at the heart of Goal 3 of our Strategic Plan 2023 to 2032. Anele, Mhlengi and Akhona, this is only the start. #UKZN #InspiringGreatness #UKZNInQubate #EmergingEntrepreneurs

Join us for our October session of Science with Jazz. Prof David Lokhat with Lu Dlamini and the Prophets. At Coastlands Musgrave, Wednesday 28 October @ 16h30.

Postgraduate applications close on 31 October! Take the next step with a postgraduate qualification from UKZN and join our community of scholars, researchers and innovators shaping a better tomorrow. Apply now. Visit f.mtr.cool/b7p5sqsksz for more information. #InspiringGreatness #PostgraduateStudies

Getting a start-up off the ground proves the idea. The next test is growth. Congratulations to our Start-Up Booster placings: Winner: Cebolenkosi Gcabashe (Pietermaritzburg) 1st runner-up: Sphumelele Cira (Edgewood) 2nd runner-up: Ntando Shazi (Westville) Three campuses on one podium, and three founders already building past the idea stage.  Scaling student businesses into real employers is the high impact entrepreneurship our Strategic Plan 2023 to 2032 is built to deliver. We'll keep boosting #UKZN #InspiringGreatness #UKZNInQubate #StartUpBooster

Every big business was once a student with a small idea and the courage to say it out loud. Congratulations to our Early Starters: Winner: Anele Mbokazi (Westville) 1st runner-up: Tswelopele Hermanus (Howard College) 2nd runner-up: Siyanda Mtungwa (Pietermaritzburg) Anele is building her idea from first-hand experience of student life, and the judges noticed the energy needed to push it forward. Tswelopele and Siyanda showed the same instinct: see a need, design a solution, pitch it with conviction. Starting early is how UKZN grows the job creators our Strategic Plan 2023 to 2032 calls for. This is only the beginning. #UKZN #InspiringGreatness #UKZNInQubate #EarlyStarters

Come learn about South African in Space. 22 October at Howard College Campus. #UKZNSpaceScience