47: Public Intellectuals Revisited

In this episode, we continue our discussion on the role of public intellectuals and thought leaders in societies. Podcasts Hosts, Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu, Kholeka B Shange and guest Athambile Masola , a teacher, and a PhD researcher who blogs about education, feminism and politics, deliberate different forms of knowledge production and what qualifies for them to be accredited. They also engage on how cultures and institutions, through patriarchy and academic journals, for example, have become gatekeepers of knowledge and end up making certain voices privileged over others. This they argue, leaves no room for dissenting views and opinions and difference becomes a crisis normalized by gate keeping. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/339172838" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Produced, Edited, Scheduled and Researched by: Simbarashe Honde

The Academic Citizen 23 August 2017

Podcast

15: The Politics of Language in HE

Dr Nomalanga Mkhize joins The Academic Citizen to think through the role of multiple languages in higher education. We explore how language shapes meaning and how assimilation to Anglo-Saxon norms and culture have influenced attitudes towards indigenous languages. She suggests that a multi-idiomatic approach could assist the transformation project in higher education institutions in South Africa. We also get some views from students who question the importance of language in South Africa's democratic era. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275632818" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more about Nomalanga's views on language, history and education by following the links below: On Language and Disruptive Pedagogy Black social capital should not be wasted Education for the elite lacks local intelligence Learn more about Siyafunda: isiZulu, a children's language education initiative that is crowdfunding via Thundafund by following this link. Photo credit: Thomas Hawk

The Academic Citizen 27 July 2016

Podcast

10: Why Universities Need Fees Income

As discussed in previous episodes, fees have become a major issue for universities in South Africa and beyond. Gerald Wangenge-Ouma joins The Academic Citizen to argue that the call for fee-free education is unrealistic. In his view, fees form an important part of funding for the university in order to maintain access and quality for students. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/269199089" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more about Gerald's research by visiting the links below: Tuition fees and the challenge of making higher education a popular commodity in South Africa South Africa and the illusion of free higher education Improvements in access, but participation rates still a problem Photo by Charlie Foster

The Academic Citizen 15 June 2016

Podcast

7: The Importance of Academic Staff Unions

Academic Staff play an important role in universities. They teach students, research phenomena and help develop the status quo within the institutions that they work. As part of the labour force, they are entitled to liberties and protections enshrined in the Constitution. Professor David Hornsby joins The Academic Citizen to explain what academic staff unions are and why it is important to be unionised. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265877443" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Ashley Adcox

The Academic Citizen 25 May 2016

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