Reacting to the announcement, UKZN’s newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nana Poku said: ‘On behalf of the University Executive Management and the University community, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Professor Msibi and proudly welcome him into the ranks of other outstanding researchers at UKZN. I also extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the School of Education and the College of Humanities for making it possible for Professor Msibi to excel and produce such exceptional work. I applaud him for elevating the University’s status and standing through his academic scholarship and excellence in his work. Our research endeavour is enriched when hardworking academics are acknowledged by the NRF.’
The rating, also known as the President’s award, is given to young researchers (under the age of 35) for exceptional potential demonstrated in their published work and research outputs. P-rated researchers are considered future international leaders in their field.
Msibi said he was honoured by the recognition of his work, adding that he was both grateful and humbled. ‘I have been extremely anxious as I had to wait for more than 18 months for the announcement. The fact that I have obtained this rating is the result of many hours of hard work I’ve invested in my research. It is also a testament to the incredible support I’ve received from colleagues and students here at UKZN.’
Professor Msibi, who became the youngest Dean in South Africa when he was appointed Dean and Head of the School of Education at UKZN at the age of 34, is founder of the Community Development Association; a national organisation that undertakes youth-driven outreach programmes with a focus on education.
He holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Bachelor of Education Honours (summa cum laude) degree from UKZN; a Master’s degree in Education from the Teachers College at Columbia University in the United States, and a PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge in England.
Msibi has published his research findings in South African and international journals and books, and sits on the editorial boards of international journals. He has presented papers and taught by invitation at a variety of universities locally and abroad.
In South Africa, he sits on the editorial boards of Perspectives in Education; Alternation Journal; the Transformation in Higher Education Journal, as well as the International Journal of Critical Diversity Studies.
Msibi, who currently sits on three NGO boards in South Africa, has been listed in the Top 200 Young South Africans list as selected by the Mail & Guardian; as one of the top 40 South African men under the age of 40 by Destiny Man; and made the cut in the Africa Youth Awards’ 100 Most Influential Young Africans list. He also received the DVC’s award for Community Service as well as a UKZN Distinguished Teachers’ Award.
Msibi has also served on national committees, and was appointed by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga, as a member of a Ministerial Committee that reviewed discrimination in South African textbooks.
In 2018, he was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Early Careers Award by the Teachers College at Columbia University in the United States, and his name was placed on the university’s wall of honour. Recently, he has been selected by Harvard University as the Chen Yidan Visiting Global Fellow for the 2019-2020 academic year.
