Dr Lindiwe Melody Pearl Mulaudzi (nee Malange) joined the University of Venda (UNIVEN) as the new Director of Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning (CHETL with effect from 01 July 2022.)
Dr Mulaudzi completed her matric at Sekano – Ntoane Secondary School, in Senaone, Soweto. On her teachers’ advice and family support, she registered with the University of Venda for her undergraduate studies; from there onwards, UNIVEN became her academic home, as she also completed her doctorate at the same University. She also holds an MA from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching in Higher Education from Rhodes University. She has worked in various high schools locally and in Johannesburg. Before joining UNIVEN, Dr Mulaudzi was an HoD at the now defunct Ramaano Mbulaheni Training College. This was during her tenure there when she was nominated to be part of a South African delegation to the USA (Ohio) for an English Summer Training Programme.
Dr Mulaudzi joined UNIVEN in 2003 as a Lecturer in the English Communication Skills (ECS) section of the Department of English. In 2006, she became the coordinator for ECS, a responsibility which she held until 2016, when she was appointed Head of Department, a position which she held until April 2021. From then until 30 June 2022, she was responsible for literature modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Her involvement with the ECS course strengthened both her sociolinguistic competence and her academic literacy, and it sensitised her to the academic needs of her students, especially in relation to their learning of English and the acquisition of broader academic literacy. This then led to a growing interest in a plethora of education-related subjects, especially English language learning and student literacy. She has supervised both MA and PhD students. She has further presented papers at national and international conferences and has also published in peer-reviewed journals. She has also served in a number of committees within UNIVEN.
Dr Mulaudzi is currently the acting head for the Siyaphumelela UNIVEN Project. Apart from her UNIVEN responsibilities, she is also the Chairperson of the Council for the Limpopo Community College, one of nine colleges in South Africa. She is also Deputy Chairperson of the English National Language Body of the Pan South African Language Board.
The University of Venda’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni said “It expresses excitement in welcoming the newly appointed Director of CHETL, Dr Mulaudzi and wished her greater success in her new managerial role.”
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 / 8710
Date: 14 July 2022
