Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education-UNIVEN

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏 | 𝟑𝐑𝐃-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐆

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, through the Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics – 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, took 3rd-Year Media Studies students on an educational tour, visiting the SABC in Johannesburg, giving them firsthand exposure to the broadcasting industry.

Students toured the SABC’s broadcasting facilities and studios, gaining insight into television production, news broadcasting and the work behind popular programmes such as 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. They also had the opportunity to witness live broadcasting in action.

The visit enabled students to connect their academic learning with practical industry experience, while gaining valuable insight into careers in media and broadcasting.

24/08/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏 | 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 & 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭. ✍🏾

Day 1 of the Department of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritage Studies’ Masters and PhD Writing Retreat draws to a close. From focused writing sessions to meaningful academic conversations, the retreat got off to a strong start as students settled into the rhythm of the week.

The first day was about finding focus, putting ideas into words and making tangible progress. With the retreat now in motion, the pages are turning, ideas are taking shape, and the work towards submission continues.

One day down. The writing continues!

19/08/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗨𝗧 | 𝗣𝗳𝘂𝗻𝘇𝗼 𝗡𝗱𝗶 𝗜𝗳𝗮 𝗦𝟭–𝗘𝟬7 | 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

🎙️ In this special Women’s Month edition, we sit down with Dr Pelewa Mphephu for an inspiring conversation celebrating women in academia.

A powerful conversation celebrating women who lead, innovate, inspire and shape the future.

📺 Watch now: https://youtu.be/KjltAgp90M4?si=jVHtdIPLHTa1Ko4J

14/08/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 | 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔 𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗗. 💙

A language does not survive by simply being spoken. It survives when it is documented, developed, taught, standardised and deliberately preserved.

On the 13th of August the University of Venda, through the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit, alongside PanSALB, language experts, academics and key stakeholders, brought that responsibility to the table at the Tshivenda Orthography & Spelling Rules Colloquium.

At the heart of the deliberations were important reviews of the rules that govern how Tshivenda is written, spelled and pronounced, conversations that may seem technical on the surface, but carry profound implications for the future of the language.

Because every spelling rule matters.
Every pronunciation rule matters.
Every decision on how the language is written matters.

These are the foundations through which a language is passed from one generation to the next.

As Tshivenda continues to evolve, the work undertaken at the colloquium is about ensuring that its growth does not come at the expense of its identity, heritage and linguistic integrity.

This was more than a colloquium. It was an investment in the future of Tshivenda.

A future where the language continues to be spoken, written, taught, researched and understood, not only today, but by generations still to come. 🌍💙

📍 Premier Hotel, Thohoyandou

13/08/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

The Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit (TNLU), within the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (University of Venda) today hosted the Tshivenda Orthography & Spelling Rules Colloquium at Premier Hotel, Thohoyandou.

The colloquium brought together language experts, academics, and key stakeholders to engage on the development, preservation, and promotion of Tshivenda writing standards.

The event further strengthened collaboration among the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit Board, Tshivenda National Language Body Terminology Committee, and UNIVEN Tshivenda Lecturers, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing, preserving, and promoting the Tshivenda language.

02/08/2026

| University of Venda Welcomes University of Warwick Students

The University of Venda, through the Directorate of International Relations and Partnerships, in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, hosted a Welcome Function for student volunteers from the University of Warwick.

The volunteers are at the University of Venda as part of an international collaboration and will be working with local schools across the Vhembe District, supporting the teaching of Mathematics and Science. The programme reflects a shared commitment to strengthening education through global partnerships, knowledge exchange, and community engagement.

The welcome function provided an opportunity to introduce the volunteers to the University community, share important information on campus support services, and wish them well as they embark on this meaningful journey of service and learning.

We warmly welcome our University of Warwick volunteers to the University of Venda and look forward to the positive impact they will make in our local communities.

22/07/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟎𝟏| 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤-𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐖𝐈𝐋) 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩. 💙✍

Facilitated by Mr Andani Budeli, the University of Venda's Department of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritage Studies is currently hosting a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Mentors Preparatory Workshop at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane.

The workshop brings together University representatives and mentors from partner host institutions to strengthen collaboration in advancing the quality and effectiveness of Work-Integrated Learning for Indigenous Knowledge Systems students. The engagement provides a platform to align expectations, enhance mentorship practices, strengthen student placement processes, and promote the exchange of experiences and best practices that contribute to meaningful workplace learning.

The initiative reaffirms the University's commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that enrich experiential learning, strengthen graduate preparedness, and ensure that students are equipped with the practical knowledge, professional competencies and workplace experience required to thrive in an evolving world of work.

21/07/2026

| University of Venda strengthens global partnerships through internationalisation dialogue.

The university hosted a strategic engagement with a delegation from Kauno Kolegija - Lithuania, reaffirming its commitment to meaningful international collaboration and academic excellence. Discussions emphasized that internationalization should move beyond agreements to tangible outcomes like exchange programs, joint research, double degrees, and co-creation.

A memorable quote highlighted was, “The child who has never traveled believes their mother is the best cook.” But once they travel, they realize others cook well too.” This underscored the value of exposure and openness to new perspectives.

They also addressed misconceptions about Africa: “People in Africa do not sleep in trees. We live, learn, and innovate just like everyone else.” These reflections reinforced the importance of respect, cultural exchange, and partnerships that build real opportunities for students and staff alike.

18/07/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝-𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐆𝐂𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬 🎓📚

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education recently hosted a Send-Off Programme for PGCE and fourth-year Education students as they prepare to embark on their teaching practicals.

The programme was designed to equip aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and professional values required for a successful teaching practice. Students were encouraged to uphold professionalism, demonstrate respect towards mentor teachers, learners, and school communities, and maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct while representing the University of Venda with pride and integrity.

The session also provided practical guidance and encouragement to help students approach their teaching experience with confidence, responsibility, and a commitment to excellence.

We wish all our future educators every success during their teaching practicals and in their journey towards becoming dedicated and professional teachers.