“On 15 August 2025, VUT’s Faculty of Human Sciences hosted its inaugural postgraduate colloquium, providing a platform for students and academics to present research, engage in meaningful discussions, and receive constructive feedback. The event featured a keynote address by artist and researcher Mashaole Makwela on using animation to honour liberation history and concluded with recognition of participating researchers.”
18 August 2025 | Story By: Ngomane Gracious | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
On 15 August 2025, the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted its postgraduate colloquium at the African Languages Auditorium. The event provided a valuable platform for postgraduate students and academics to present their research, engage with peers and faculty, and receive constructive feedback to strengthen their scholarly work.
Professor Lazarus Maleho, Executive Dean of Human Sciences at VUT, officially opened the colloquium by warmly welcoming all attendees. He emphasised the significance of this inaugural faculty gathering, noting its alignment with the three pillars of higher education mandated by the Department of Higher Education: teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. He underscored the role of research as “a cornerstone of progress, whether in science, technology, the humanities or the arts.” The colloquium, he explained, exists as a vital forum where researchers, scholars, and students can share findings, stimulate meaningful discussions, and inspire one another to push the boundaries of knowledge. “Your work advances your respective fields and enriches our collective understanding of the world,” he affirmed.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr Mashaole Makwela, an accomplished artist, animator, filmmaker, educator, and researcher. Reflecting on his PhD journey, which began in 2015 and concluded last year, he shared the challenges and personal growth that shaped his academic path. His presentation centred on an innovative project to create and justify an animated film memorialising the Institute District’s Liberation Strategy. He explored the use of animation to navigate the tensions between historiography (the writing of history) and fantasy (elements imagined or aspired to). His work sought to reclaim and represent the history of the liberation struggle in Sedibeng through contemporary media, celebrating the resilience of survivors and victims while also developing future guidelines for narrating such stories with respect and integrity. With a touch of humour, he remarked, “One of the most important things I encountered on my journey is this code. Even today, I cannot pronounce that author’s name, so perhaps someone here will help me.”
Throughout the day, doctoral and master’s students presented research across a range of disciplines. The colloquium concluded with the awarding of certificates to participating researchers, acknowledging their commitment and contributions to academic scholarship.