Professor Nompumelelo Zondi Appointed Mazisi Kunene Research Chair

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has appointed Professor Nompumelelo Zondi as the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair in the School of Arts, marking an important moment for UKZN’s College of Humanities and for African-centred scholarship more broadly.

Zondi’s appointment comes during a milestone year as in 2026 the University marks 20 years since the passing of Professor Mazisi Kunene, South Africa’s Poet Laureate and one of the most influential scholars of isiZulu literature and African intellectual traditions. The Chair honours his legacy while advancing new research rooted in language, cultural memory and community engagement.

For Zondi, the appointment carries both institutional and personal meaning. “Being appointed as the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is a profound honour and a tremendous responsibility,” she said. “Particularly as we mark 20 years since Mazisi Kunene’s passing.”

A long-standing UKZN alumnus, Zondi completed all her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Institution before building a distinguished academic career nationally and internationally. Her return to this leadership role reflects both continuity and growth.

“In many ways, it feels like I have never truly left,” she said. “I am eager to share my expertise with the next generation and give back to the Institution that nurtured my early and mid-career development.”

Kunene’s contribution to African literature and language scholarship remains central to the vision of the Research Chair.

A poet, scholar and intellectual whose work foregrounded African historical memory and oral traditions, Kunene helped shape global understanding of the depth and sophistication of African language scholarship. After years in exile during apartheid, he later returned to teach at the University of Natal, now UKZN, strengthening the Institution’s role in advancing African literary studies.

The Mazisi Kunene Research Chair builds on that legacy by supporting research in African languages, indigenous knowledge systems, literature and interdisciplinary humanities scholarship. It also reflects an ongoing partnership between the College of Humanities and the Mazisi Kunene Foundation, which is aimed at preserving his archive and expanding access to his work.

Zondi said Kunene’s intellectual vision would remain a guiding influence. “His intellectual and creative work was marked by a profound commitment to social justice, a celebration of African culture, and a fusion of traditional and modern artistic forms,” she said.

She identified storytelling, cultural identity, language innovation and social engagement as key elements shaping her priorities in the role. “I aim to draw inspiration from these aspects of his work to drive research and creative outputs that explore and amplify marginalised voices and stories.”

Zondi brings significant scholarly international experience to the Research Chair. She has delivered keynote addresses in more than 10 countries and was selected as a South African Fulbright Research Scholar (2022 to 2023), where her research engagement in the United States further strengthened her academic profile and global networks.

Her participation in senior leadership development programmes has also shaped her strategic approach to academic leadership. This includes completing a prestigious leadership programme through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), which included visits to universities in Singapore recognised for their high-performing Higher Education systems.

Together, these experiences support her vision of positioning the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair within international conversations on African languages, cultural heritage and humanities scholarship.

The Research Chair represents the first position of its kind in the School of Arts and signals a strategic commitment by UKZN to expand research leadership within the humanities.

Zondi sees the Chair as a platform for collaboration, mentorship and creative scholarship. “I see the Mazisi Kunene Research Chair as an engine for innovation and excellence in the School of Arts and the College of Humanities,” she said.

Zondi’s plans include strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships across disciplines, supporting creative production in literature, music and performance, and mentoring emerging scholars and artists. “By building on Mazisi Kunene’s legacy, I aim to drive impactful research, creative output and community engagement that elevates the School of Arts and the College of Humanities.”

A central focus of Zondi’s academic work has been the relationship between African languages, literature and gender. She intends to extend this work through the Chair. “I will be exploring new avenues of research that highlight the intersection between African languages, literature and gender, with a focus on how these intersections shape our understanding of identity, culture and power,” said Zondi.

As a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher, her work contributes to strengthening the national research profile of African language scholarship and supports the development of emerging researchers working in related fields. She also emphasised the importance of strengthening the place of indigenous languages within Higher Education.

“The intellectualisation of African languages is crucial,” she said. Zondi noted that UKZN’s decision to make isiZulu language study compulsory for undergraduate students reflects the University’s commitment to advancing indigenous knowledge systems and linguistic diversity in South Africa.

Mentorship will be central to the work of the Chair. Zondi has played an active role in national mentorship programmes supporting emerging academics and doctoral researchers across institutions. “Mentorship is now a natural part of who I am,” she said. “I am excited to see my mentees excel.”

Through the Chair, she plans to expand opportunities for postgraduate supervision and research development, helping to strengthen the pipeline of future scholars in African languages and humanities research.

Zondi’s recent work includes contributions to the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences Hidden Voices series, which documents overlooked cultural figures and oral traditions. Her co-authored publications on royal praise singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe highlight the importance of preserving cultural memory through scholarship accessible in both English and isiZulu.

“In the current South African context, this kind of scholarship is crucial for reclaiming and celebrating indigenous knowledge systems,” Zondi said.

The Chair is also expected to strengthen collaboration between the University and cultural institutions, including the Mazisi Kunene Foundation. Potential areas of collaboration include research partnerships, community engagement initiatives and mentorship opportunities for students interested in African languages and cultural heritage.

By working with artists, historians and traditional leaders, Zondi hopes the Chair will support projects that document and promote indigenous knowledge in ways that remain accessible to communities.

Looking ahead, she sees digital preservation as a key priority.

Words: Lee Rondganger

Photograph: Tisetso Nhlapo