Latest news with #UniversityofJohannesburg
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young Primrose sprinter aims to break records at Egoli Games
Primrose resident Calvin Kandira prepares to take on elite athletes from across the country at the Egoli games in September. The young athlete took on the elite at the seventh annual OR Tambo-Soncini Social Cohesion Games held at the University of Johannesburg's Kingsway Campus last year and stood out. Kandira, a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Goudrif, believes he will continue his momentum and bring home a gold medal. ALSO READ: Sport minister vows action over missing Boxing SA retirement fund He recently competed at in 200 and 400-meter events under the school banner representing Goudrif at the South African High School championships. He came fifth to qualify for the final heat where he won bronze.. Reflecting on his performance he said he was nervous because it was his debut at the national level. 'I was grateful for the opportunity to perform at the nationals and more outside of my usual environment. 'I won gold in the 200 and 400 meters at the inter-highs competitions. I also won gold in 200m and silver in 400m in later advancement competitions towards the nationals,' said Kandira. 'The nationals were held in Bloemfontein; there I only competed in the 200m. 'Ahead of Egoli games, I am preparing to compete in the 100 and 200-meter races. I'll be looking to defend my record I set last year as an U15 athlete in the 200m. ALSO READ: Ithembelihle learners and teachers unite for sports day 'Last year it was also my first time training with the club,' said Kandira. Last year he won the 200m final at the Curro Podium event in Pretoria, also earning gold in the 100m 4×4 relay. He took first place in the 200m with a time of 22:06. His number one supporter, his mother Sharmaine, noted that he is looking for a scholarship to further his career. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
University of Johannesburg launches UJ Digital initiative for flexible learning
UJ Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi unveils UJ Digital, a bold initiative aimed at expanding access to flexible, future-focused online education across Africa. The University of Johannesburg has launched its UJ Digital project, a digital learning initiative that positions the institution as Africa's leader in industry-relevant, flexible, and accessible online education. This strategic initiative aligns with UJ's 2035 Strategic Plan, addressing the growing demand for innovative learning solutions that empower learners across the continent and beyond. With universities facing increasing pressure to accommodate a rising number of students, many aspiring learners struggle to secure admissions. UJ Digital presents a timely solution by providing alternative pathways to higher education through Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) and non-subsidised Whole Programmes (WPs). These programmes, offered in high-demand fields such as communications, business, engineering, health, IT, law, and languages, equip graduates with highly sought expertise, enhancing employability and addressing Africa's critical skills gaps. In addition, UJ's free-to-the-public online SLPs offer a range of topics, from upskilling in the workplace to enhancing general knowledge in fields such as financial literacy, the sustainable development goals, and artificial intelligence. Highlighting the significance of the project, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, says: 'UJ Digital is a testament to our commitment to delivering inclusive, flexible learning opportunities that equip students with future-ready skills while meeting industry demands. "As global demand for online higher education continues to grow, UJ is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.' Beyond local impact, UJ Digital leverages the increasing global demand for online education, expected to surge significantly by 2035. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, UJ aims to establish itself as a key player in the international education market while driving social and economic development across Africa. Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi is upbeat about the transformative role of UJ Digital in the higher education sector. 'This bold initiative ensures that UJ remains at the forefront of educational innovation, creating accessible pathways to higher education and equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. UJ Digital is not just a step forward for UJ but a leap for higher education in Africa.' For more information about the UJ Digital Initiative and its upcoming programmes, please visit
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
From dusty Ludo to global dreams: Limpopo man invents Dicato72 board game
Drawing from his rural roots and love for classic games, Lesiba Papo has turned his childhood nostalgia into a fusion board game. He has vivid memories of himself and his childhood friends playing Ludo in Ga-Matlapa, a village in Ga-Mashashane, Limpopo. Lesiba Papo and his buddies would huddle up, take turns rolling the dice and race to finish first. In their case, they drew it on the ground or on cardboard because they couldn't afford to buy the actual game. Decades later, the boy who played Ludo in the dust is now the creator of his own board game, Dicato72. A fusion of classic games 'Dicato is an acronym for dice, cards and tokens. It fuses elements of ludo and casino games, and they are both stitched together by rock, paper, scissors,' Papo tells us. 'The number 72 represents the blocks players have to move through before getting to the finish line,' the 35-year-old adds. The two-player game challenges opponents to out-move each other and get past the 72nd block first, or to have the furthest token by the time the deck of 54 cards runs out. They first roll the dice, have a face-off with the cards, which carry either a rock, paper or scissors symbol, and advance depending on who has the advantage. 'I'd like to think the game is good for mental stimulation, especially for kids, for their mental development, and just to harness their critical skills. 'It's also good for adults who are maybe faced with work pressure and want to unwind. It's basically for the whole family to have fun and relax.' The makings of Dicato72 Dicato72 can be played by children as young as eight. Picture: Supplied Now based in Pretoria East, Papo began exploring the idea of designing a game between 2021 and 2022, and says it is influenced by the games he played growing up. 'I came up with the concept because we used to play a lot of Ludo and casino games separately growing up. So, I thought of how I could fuse the two so that you don't have to play the games separately, and adding rock, paper, scissors felt like a brilliant idea,' he says. Without any prior background in game design, he utilised online resources to bring his imagined idea to visual reality. Papo did this while also juggling his career as a botanist at the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Bringing the concept to life has mostly been a one-man show for the University of Johannesburg Master's degree graduate. Big dreams However, he says he is now tapping into his network and roping in professionals to make it available digitally. He has big dreams for Dicato72. 'I'd like to see it being distributed globally just like chess and 30 Seconds, being played in many households, in schools as well as in corporate,' Papo says. 'I'd also like to see the game being recognised by Mind Sports South Africa, both as a physical board and in esports for mobile and web applications.'
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
UJ scientists discover anticancer potential in common invasive plant
In a discovery that could reshape cancer treatment, researchers at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have identified promising medical properties in an unlikely source: the common woolly nightshade (Solanum mauritianum), a plant often dismissed as an invasive weed. Their findings, published in Nature Scientific Reports, reveal that extracts from the plant's ripe fruit exhibit potent activity against aggressive brain cancer cells and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. ALSO READ: Local learners do Maths and Science in a fun way Led by Dr Abraham Goodness Ogofure, alongside Dr Tendani Sebola and Professor Ezekiel Green of the Molecular Pathogenic and Molecular Epidemiology Research Group (MPMERG), the study found the ripe fruit contains 15 distinct bioactive compounds—three times more than the unripe fruit. Among these, alkaloids and terpenoids account for over 50%, both known for their therapeutic potential. 'Through advanced LC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, we detected – but have not yet isolated – these compounds,' clarifies Ogofure. 'While our findings show strong anticancer activity in the extracts against glioblastoma cells, we do not yet know which specific compounds are responsible for this effect. Encouragingly, the extracts had minimal impact on healthy lung cells, suggesting potential selectivity.' The antibacterial results were equally significant, with the plant extract demonstrating activity against 11 harmful pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. 'These findings come at a crucial time, as antibiotic resistance contributes to an estimated 5 million deaths globally each year,' notes Ogofure. ALSO READ: Community gets empowered with citizen science Sebola highlighted the broader implications: 'It is fascinating that a plant often removed as a nuisance may offer tools to tackle two of the most pressing global health threats: cancer and antimicrobial resistance.' Looking ahead, the research team plans to isolate individual compounds from the extract, evaluate them against glioblastoma and other pathogens, and explore the effects of using consortia of these compounds in combination. 'This is just the beginning,' adds Green. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Soaring high in his journey through art
Imagine starting doodling at the age of seven, then, later on, gradually honing your skills throughout high school, only to see yourself overseas, pursuing your artistic studies further. Fourth-year fine arts student Shui Hoppenstein, from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has always been passionate about his form of art, expressing that his desire was to dive deeper into the art world through formal education. He firmly believes in pursuing one's passion, stating: 'I really wanted to study fine arts. To know more about the art world and chase my dream.' Read more: Lillian Gray Art School students make Mothers Day gifts with their own hands He recently saw his studies soar. As part of a student exchange programme, he spent three months at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in Budapest, in the graphic arts department. 'There, I learned new printmaking techniques, including stone lithography, while continuing to develop my skills in etching and drawing.' Hoppenstein was one of two students sent to Hungary, helping to establish a relationship between the two universities. He saw the experience as a rich approach on how to look at art on that side of the globe. Also read: Art at any age at Lillian Gray Art School He added that he cherished the opportunity to connect with fellow students from Hungary, appreciating the warm environment and collaborative spirit. Being an art student, Hoppenstein is very aware of the challenges that come with it, the same as other aspiring fine artists in South Africa. Yet he remains steadfast in his mission to his art. His third-year body of work centred on the challenges between old age and youth. Exploring how his generation often overlooks the inevitability of aging. 'For my research, I visited the Deutsches Altersheim, interviewing many residents about their experiences, their aging, their families, and their worldviews,' he explained. His interviewees included Ingrid Sommer and Imme Buttgen, both of whom offered valuable wisdom into the aging process. 'I also created a ten-metre artwork, inspired by one of the residents, which was displayed in the café living area of the home, before being hung in the atrium of UJ's Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture last year.' Hoppenstein draws on various life experiences. His work on aging stemmed from reflections on his own grandparents. 'I realised I do not give them as much time as I should, and I often think about how I, too, will age one day.' This year, Hoppenstein is focused on familial relationships, particularly how expectations are placed on individuals by their parents, and how people often drift away from their roles, to make their own paths in the world. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Lillian Gray Art School is proud of their young artists animal drawings
