Mbatha – nominated by his peers on the Edgewood campus – is completing his honours degree in Education, specialising in History.
UKZN’s 40 Most Inspiring Students were named during the annual Spotlight on Greatness Competition organised by the University’s Corporate Relations Division.
Mbatha’s main research interest is in ICT usage in the teaching and learning of History, while he strives to be an agent of change in society, valuing and supporting the notion of giving back to the community.
He is a Mentor under the Academic Monitoring and Support (AMS) organisation where he offers peer-to-peer mentoring through one-on-one and group sessions.
Mbatha has also peer-reviewed students’ assignments for the Discipline of Education Studies and has, collectively with his colleagues, co-hosted exam revision for Geography modules.
Mbatha is passionate about community engagement and assists Grade 12 learners with extra classes as well as exam revisions for Mathematical Literacy. He started this initiative at Ntee High School in KwaNdengezi, Durban, and Bhande High School in Mhlumayo, Ladysmith.
He also assisted more than 250 newly qualified, unemployed teachers in compiling a comprehensive and detailed curriculum vitae for a teacher with no teaching experience.
‘I am delighted to receive the recognition following my hard work and dedication,’ said Mbatha. ‘I feel I now possess all the attributes of a good UKZN ambassador, which include academic excellence, community engagement, University service and research.’
