University of Mpumalanga lecturer wins National Voice of Heritage Shield Award

A local lecturer, Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda, was recently awarded the 2023 National Voice of Heritage Shield Award at the 10th annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.

Bhuda is a culture and heritage lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP). The Golden Shield Heritage Awards are hosted by the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) to honour heritage champions and recognise excellence in the heritage sector.

During an interview with Mpumalanga News, Bhuda said she became a nominee when her work within the African indigenous knowledge systems, was researched and recognised.

“This is the work in academic research and children’s literature that speaks to African heritage. Based upon my work, I was deemed fit to receive the award, because my work contributes to the bodies of knowledge.”

Bhuda said when they announced her name as the winner her heart was beating quickly, but she was proud of herself. She said she had invested 10 years in this field and the fruits of her labour were acknowledged with this award.

“The nomination on its own was worth the celebration. I was very emotional when my name was called. I knew my time has come and it’s time to eat the fruits of my labour. I was so honoured and very grateful because it has shown that my work is seen and well recognised. The award proved to me that I have significant contributions to the bodies of knowledge,” Bhuda said.

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She was born and raised in Kwaggafontein, a village near KwaMhlanga in KwaNdebele.

“This is where I spent 19 years of my life. This is the place that raised and moulded me. In 2013, I was accepted by the North West University Mafikeng campus for sociology. I had a module on indigenous knowledge systems. I felt connected to that module and later discovered that it was a course/programme. I deregistered and registered for the indigenous knowledge systems, which was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (now the Department of Science and Innovation). It was at this period when my life began.”

Bhuda said her plans are to continue to grow academically in the indigenous knowledge systems field.

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“I plan to expand and be within the African languages. I am also looking forward to publishing my second children’s book, which is almost complete. My greatest achievement is growing so much in academia within a short period of time. I have managed to publish 22 papers in three years and received my PhD at 29 years. Indeed hard work has proven to me that it does pay,” she said.