Page 36 - Thetha Issue 7

ALUMNI AWARDS

Professor Nosisi Nellie Feza

PhD in Mathematics Education, State University of New York; MA in Education,
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

From farm teacher to formidable mathematician, Prof Feza’s contribution to
both academics and South African education has impacted thousands of
lives during a career dedicated to empowering others.
Currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate
Studies at the University of Venda, Prof Feza has balanced an iconic
academic career with a dedicated focus on community development
initiatives.
A sought-after academic in the US before returning home, she
has published extensively on mathematics education and early
childhood mathematics, served numerous organisations, and
made a significant contribution to the Human Sciences Research
Council’s illustrated English-isiXhosa mathematics dictionary for
Grade R–9.

Alumni

RISING STAR AWARDS

Awonke Nqayiya

BSc (Hons) and reading for MSc series offers user-friendly study
(Mathematical Statistics), Nelson materials, simplifying mathematical
Mandela University complexities and promoting
societal growth.
Empowering the youth through He earned a Top 10 place in the
education, Awonke Nqayiya is an 2021 Junior Chamber International
active young influencer focusing on (JCI) South Africa awards and also
serving the next generation. designed effective mathematics
A brand ambassador for Play Your intervention programmes for Eastern
Part at Brand South Africa, Nqayiya Cape and KwaZulu-Natal pupils,
established a franchise for basic partnering with Aqua-Amanzi
education phase mathematics study Engineering Solutions and Mandela
guides in 2017. University’s Computing Sciences
The Mathematics with Nqayiya department.

34 | Thetha Edition 7 | 2023