Mthembu

Contact Info

Inkanyiso Building, Office 506 (KwaDlangezwa Campus)

Phone: +27 35 902 6568

Dr Sithembiso Mthembu

Lecturer

Qualifications:

Doctor of Philosophy in isiZulu, UNIZULU (2023), Master of Arts in IsiZulu from UNIZULU (2020), Bachelor of Arts Honours in isiZulu from UNIZULU (2016), Bachelor of Education (F.E.T.) from UNIZULU in 2015

About

Dr Sithembiso Mthembu is a Lecturer in the Department of African Languages and Culture at the University of Zululand. His research interests focus on Zulu culture and human rights, particularly how these shape societal phenomena such as customary marriage practices (including ilobolo), hegemonic masculinity, polygyny, inheritance disputes, levirate marriages, and gender politics in traditional communities. He also has a strong interest in the isiZulu language, especially in relation to the gradual fading of rich linguistic varieties.

Dr Mthembu serves as the Chairperson of the UNIZULU Reading and Writing Club, which aims to promote and improve writing skills, support student publications, and mentor various authors with works in progress. The club is affiliated with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC). He has received certificates of recognition from DSAC for his contributions as an emerging writer. Dr Mthembu is also a member of the Usiba Writers’ Guild, which focuses on creative writing in modern prose and drama. In addition, he leads the University’s continuously developing Wikipedia Project.

In 2024, he facilitated training by engaging Wikipedia officials and the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) to equip students and staff with skills on how to upload information to Wikipedia. His teaching areas include language development and literature, covering phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, heritage and culture, Zulu folktales and traditional literature, as well as modern prose, including poetry, drama, short stories, and essays.

Research Interests

  • Gender politics in traditional society
  • Domestic and gender-based violence.
  • Language practice and semantics
  • Teaching and learning in educational settings

Professional membership

  • Member of the Usiba Writers Guild
  • Member of Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) in KZN

Publications