Degrees Held
- BA Social Work (Hon), University of Durban-Westville
- MPhil/ PhD, (University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom)
Research Interests
- BA Social Work (Hon), University of Durban-Westville
- MPhil/ PhD, (University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom)
Teaching Interests
- Child Protection
- Social Policy
Selected Publications
Books
Journal Articles
Creative Work
Book Media Profile
Books
- Mhlongo, M. & Rogers, T. (2009). ‘Beyond the counseling room’. In: Jones, A. D, Padmore, J. and Maharaj, P.E. (Eds.). HIV-AIDS and Social Work Practice in the Caribbean: Theory, Issues and Innovation. Kingston, Miami: Ian Randle Publishers
- Rogers, T; Mhlongo, M (2008). Training manual in HIV/AIDS: Act of Service: Building Reflexivity & strengthening Capacity for Evidence Based Practice: University of West-Indies.
Journal Articles
- Mlotshwa, A & Mthembu, M. (2021). The use and value of a child assessment tool (CAT) in social work assessments. Maatskaplike-Werk.
- Boecker, M; Raniga T, Mthembu, M. (2021) Single Mothers in South Africa and Germany in Formal Employment Contexts. A Case Study on the Relationship Between Education, the Re-conceptualisation of the Role of Women and the Influence of Social Networks. Open Gender Roles. https://doi.org/10.17169/ogj.2021.128
- Raniga, T; Boecker, M & Mhlongo, M (2019). Single mothers employed in the formal sector in Germany and South Africa. Maatskaaplike. Vol. (55) No. 4
- Mhlongo, M & Mkhize, N. (2019) Reflections of social workers on utilising indigenous games in counselling children. South African Journal of Social Work and Social Development. Vol. (30), 5
- Raniga, T & Mhlongo, M. (2016). Family resilience in low-income families: International Journal of Social Welfare. Vol (26), 3.
Creative Work
Children’s Story Book
- Mthembu, M; Boecker, M; Raniga, T. Uhambo Lwami Ngesikhathi seKhovithi. (2021). Umnotho Publishers. Durban.
Uhambo Lwami Ngesikhathi sekhovithi IsiZulu Animation
- Mthembu, M; Boecker, M, Raniga, T. 2022. Uhambo Lwami Ngesikhathi Sekhovithi Animation.
Download free animation: https://www.uhambolwami.org/about/
Animation Publicity- UKZN lecturer launches isiZulu COVID animation film for children (ewn.co.za)
- UKZN academic to launch IsiZulu Covid-19 animated film for children (iol.co.za)
- UKZN academic to launch IsiZulu Covid-19 animated film for children | Flipboard
- UKZN lecturer launches isiZulu COVID animation film for children : southafrica (reddit.com)
- UKZN speaker launches isiZulu COVID animated film for children – Eminetra South Africa
Book Media Profile
- https://sahs.ukzn.ac.za/news/2021/03/isizulu-covid-19-childrens-book-authored-by-ukzn-team/
- https://yiba.co.za/ukzn-social-work-lecturer-publishes-isizulu-covid-19-childrens-book/
- https://bereamail.co.za/260226/author-pens-book-on-covid-19/
- https://www.news24.com/witness/lifestyle/arts/engaging-kids-on-covid-19-from-the-childs-perspective-20210517
- https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-star-south-africa-early-edition/20210312/281608128184958
- https://iono.fm/e/1009392
- https://scrolla.africa/zulu-author-writes-book-about-covid-for-children/
- https://sahs.ukzn.ac.za/news/2021/05/social-work-lecturer-visits-maat-institute-for-childrens-book-handover/
- https://twitter.com/ukzncoh/status/1374289901034872832
- https://newsvideo.su/video/14967554
Community Involvement
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Community Outreach and Research, Chairperson of the Board: 2021 & UKZN Core Unit leader for Cator-Manor, provision of social work services in communities and skills.
- Ma’at Institute Mentor- Coordinate and facilitate COVID-19 debriefing sessions for the Department of Health.
Teaching Expertise
- Social work undergraduate teaching: child protection, social policy, research methods.
- Teaching in Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE)
- Experience in teaching Child Protection and Law Masters program (2014- to date)
- Teaching Social policy in UEIP Social Auxiliary work
- Teaching in Postgraduate research proposal development workshops
Student Supervision
Masters
PhD
Masters
- Winnie Nkosi (2021) Family adjustment and support services for foster care families: experiences of caregivers
- Samkelisiwe Ndaba (2021) The provision and implementation of psycho-social support services for children receiving HIV care in Durban Municipal Clinic, KwaZulu-Natal (Cum Laudea)
- Sethenjwa Nduli (2021) Reintegration after incarceration: The experiences of elderly parolees and correctional service providers from eThekwini metropolitan.
- Thenjiwe Mlotshwa (2020): The effectiveness of using the Child Assessment Tool (CAT) to help children communicate their life stories during counselling
- Thandi Ndebele (2020) Children’s disclosure of sexual abuse allegations during forensic interviewing and preparation for court: Perceptions of prosecutors and forensic social workers.
- Mbongiseni P. Nzuza (2020) The implementation of family preservation services in need of care and protection in AmaJuba District.
- Bawinile Mdunyelwa (2020): Exploring the experiences of visually impaired people in accessing rehabilitation services in the UMkhanyakude District, KZN
- Nondumiso P Mabaso (2018): Forensic interviewing in child abuse cases: exploring best methods and practices for professionals
- Bongani Mzinyane (2018): Implementation of diversion programs for young offenders in Umnambithi: The experiences of key service providers
- Andile Radebe (2019): Understanding the alcohol drinking patterns among 18-35-year-old people in South Africa and the implications for interventions.
- Doris Akombelwa (2019): Children’s Rights to Education: A case of fee policy in South Africa
- Nozuko Mkhize (2017): Understanding social workers’ experiences of using play therapy techniques with children
PhD
- Thomas Gumbo (2020) The family sanctioned kuchaya mapoto (cohabitation) in Zimbabwe: Lived experiences of young people as child cohabiters
Grants
- October 2021- December 2021: Grant from German Exchange Services (DAAD): development and produce a COVID-19 Children’s animated movie Amount: R500 000-00
- Oct 2020-Feb 2021: Grant from German Academic Exchange services (DAAD) COVID-19 GRANT for the development of the COVID-19 storybook. Amount: R195 000-00
- 2019-2022: Grant from DAAD for the Internationalization for Building Competencies. Germany-UKZN project. Amount: 5.4 Million
- 2019: UKZN flagship grant for Optimal Child Growth and Development – Building Thriving Communities through Risk Reduction from impacts of Nutrition, Environment, and Social Constructs project Amount: 1.5 Million
- 2014: UKZN Teaching and Learning grant on Restructuring and strengthening the implementation of group work fieldwork practice for 3rd-year social work students Amount: R50 000-00
Awards
- 2021: Runner-up Social Work Researcher Award from The Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI)
- 2016: Best Emerging Scholar School of Applied Human Sciences
- 2010: Won the Best Abstract Award in Hong Kong for the abstract titled “My Journey: lived experiences of young people with HIV in South Africa” submitted for presentation in Hong Kong Social work conference June 2010.
- 2009: Awarded a study scholarship by Momentum (SA).
- 2008: Awarded PhD scholarship by the University of Huddersfield (UK)
Research Projects
- 2021- Dec 2021 DAAD funded COVID-19 animated movie
- 2020-2021: DAAD funded Children’s story book about COVID-19
- 2019- DAAD project: Dortmund-UKZN project– Integration of new, practical training-oriented curricula in study programmes of social work and networking of the KwaZulu-Natal University in Durban, South Africa with local practical training partners through the support of the University of Applied Sciences Dortmund (Ongoing until 2021)
- 2019– UKZN Flagship Project: –Optimal Child Growth and Development – Building Thriving Communities through Risk Reduction from impacts of Nutrition, Environment and Social Constructs (Ongoing till 2021)
- 2018-Principal Investigator: Effectiveness of a child-centred tool to prepare children (aged 4 to 12 years old) for the processes and services required after presenting for suspected sexual abuse at Thuthuzela Care Centres in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (completed)
- 2017-Principal Investigator: Prevalence and Trends in adverse Childhood experiences (ACES) in children accessing orphans and /or vulnerable services from community based organisation (CBOs) in KwaZulu-Natal (With Zoe-life) (Completed)
- 2017-Principal Investigator: Effectiveness of a sexual abuse child-centred screening tool in facilitating self-disclosure from children at OVC sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (with Zoe-life) (Completed)
- 2016-Principal Investigator: Functioning of child Friendly spaces and their impact in paediatric HIV clinics (with Zoe-life) (Completed))
- 2015- Principal investigator: UTLO funded research project titled” Restructuring and strengthening the implementation of group work practice and field work practice for 3rd year social work students’ (Completed)
