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Aiming at new heights: Professor Mashau takes helm as CHS's Deputy Dean

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The College of Human Sciences (CHS) is excited for the appointment of its new Deputy Dean, Professor Thinandavha Derrick Mashau, who assumed this role on 1 July 2024. Mashau brings a wealth of expertise, experience and a commitment to excellence to this leadership role.

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Prof Thinandavha Derrick Mashau

Mashau is a Full Professor of Missiology and a C2-Rated National Research Foundation (NRF) scholar. Mashau holds a PhD in Missiology, a Master of Arts Degree in Dogmatics and another Master's in Development and Management. His wealth of knowledge derives from his role in teaching and academic development after more than 11 years of experience at the university. Amongst his prominent leadership prowess, Mashau is noted as having forged partnerships between academia and professional bodies, both locally and internationally.

Mashau has supervised 17 doctoral and 12 master's students to completion. He has published 11 books and 37 scholarly articles in accredited journals.

In addition, Mashau sits on boards of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS) as Deputy President and the Southern Africa Missiological Society (SAMS) as its General Secretary.

Brimming with joy as he assumed his new role, Mashau expressed that he is deeply honoured to take the helm of his new position, adding: "I accept the trust placed in me to lead the college during these exciting times of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) and comprehensive open distance and e-learning. (CODeL). Unisa and South Africa, now more than ever, need the college's purpose-driven and human sciences education skills."

Furthermore, Mashau remarked that he is confident with the passion and dedication of the CHS staff, affirming that he will continue its mission of contributing to arts, humanities, social sciences, religion, theology, and academic excellence.

His new role includes spearheading the strategic repositioning of the college. In addition, he is responsible for College Planning and Project Committee, (CPPC), teaching and learning, engaged scholarship, and transformation and mentorship portfolios.

Mashau is known as a fervent supporter and promoter of the African knowledge systems and epistemologies, language transformation, Afrikanisation and decolonisation, and an advocator for the inclusion of indigenous languages and methodologies in education and research, as evidenced by his significant contributions to the revitalisation and broader recognition of the indigenous knowledge systems and practises.



*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement, with additional reporting by Khabonina Maduna, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences

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Publish date: 2024/07/05

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