Guest: Prof. Ms Shakila Singh, Professor in Gender education at UKZN (She is one of the task team members who developed the module)]

 The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is all set to commence the 2024 academic year with the roll-out of a ground-breaking initiative - the innovative Critical Social Justice and Citizenship Module. The module has been created to change prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes and address ongoing societal injustices such as GBV, racism, xenophobia and homophobia. The Module is UKZN’s bold response meant to spark a transformational journey and serve as a catalyst for change.

Around 9000 first-year students will make up the majority of the first cohort to benefit from the university-wide module which will be compulsory for all first-time entry students as of 2024. It encompasses eight online lectures and eight supporting tutorials.

Reflecting the inclusive nature of the module, students have a choice to engage with the learning material, lectures, and tutorials in either English or isiZulu. The module which is going to be run in both the first and second semesters of each year, challenges students to recognise a bit of themselves in everyone else and to respond with kindness, humility, and humanity.