Honorary, Extraordinary, Associate, Visiting, and Adjunct Staff (HEAVAs)
At the Centre for Women and Gender Studies, Honorary, Extraordinary, Associate, Visiting, and Adjunct Staff (HEAVAs) form an important part of our research community. The conferral of these academic titles at Nelson Mandela University recognises the work and achievements of exceptional people, following the criteria outlined in the HEAVAs policy – who make profound contributions to “teaching, research, scholarship, creative, professional, and community engagement work or academic management”.
Connecting scholars across our country, continent and globe, our HEAVAs are leading scholars and activists across a range of fields and disciplines. From LGBTIQA+ theory and artistic practices to philosophy, international relations and more, their specialised interests enhance our work through teaching, research and collaborations that make critical contributions to African Feminist theory and praxes.
Yolande Bouka – Visiting Professor
Yolande Bouka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Studies at Queen’s University. Her research and teaching focus on gender, African politics and security, political violence, and field research ethics in conflict-affected societies. She holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University.
Fatma Müge Göçek - Honorary Professor
Fatma Müge Göçek is Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her research focuses on the comparative analysis of history, politics and gender in the first and third worlds. She critically analyses the impact of processes such as development, nationalism, religious movements and collective violence on minorities
zethu Matebeni - Visiting Professor
zethu Matebeni is South Africa Research Chair in Sexualities, Genders and Queer Studies at the University of Fort Hare. As a social scientist, writer and filmmaker whose work focuses on the development of African Queer Studies, zethu works collaboratively with activists, scholars and artists and creates interdisciplinary scholarly work.
Darlene Ajeet Miller - Visiting Professor
Darlene Ajeet Miller is Visiting Professor at the Centre For Women and Gender Studies. She was formerly Associate Professor at the Thabo Mbeki-School (Unisa). She completed a doctorate in Sociology at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore). She has held various senior research positions in South Africa (Human Sciences Research Council, PLAAS – Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies), Paris (International Science Council) and New York (Human Rights Watch).
Zinhle ka’Nobuhlaluse - Research Associate
Zinhle ka’Nobuhlaluse joined the Philosophy department at Southwestern University in August 2024 and is currently teaching Introduction to Feminist Philosophy; and Experience, Language and Knowledge courses. They also serve as the co-ordinator and moderator of the African Feminist Initiatives Virtual Dialogues at The Pennsylvania State University.
Nkiru Nzegwu - Honorary Professor
Nkiru Nzegwu is SUNY Distinguished Professor of Africana Studies at Binghamton University, Nelson Mandela Visiting Professor for 2023-2024 at Rhodes University, Makanda, past Chair of the Board of SUNY Distinguished Academy, and Professor Extraordinarius in the School of Transdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies at the University of South Africa, UNISA.
Jabulani Chen Pereira - Research Associate
Jabulani Chen Pereira is a seasoned queer activist and visual artist who holds a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies (from New York University). With a specific focus on museums and photography, Mr Pereira’s thesis was titled Museum Exhibitions, Mass Violence and Human Rights.