Degrees Held
- Doctor of Philosophy (Social Sciences)
- Master of Social Science (Community Development)
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Communication)
- 4 Year Teachers’ Diploma
Research Interests
- Migration Studies
- Vulnerable Groups
- Women & Children
Teaching Interests
- Migration & Integration
- Development in Local Government
- Issues in Community Development
Selected publications
- Thabethe, N., Mbatha, Z., and Mtapuri, O. School-based Programs as a New Form of the Family for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE FAMILY STUDIES, VOLUME 47(3) 2016
- Tshishonga, N. & Mbatha, Z.: Urbanization as a Driving Force behind Rural-Urban Migration in South Africa (2021).
- Hlongwa, N. Mbatha, Z.: Stakeholder Engagement in Water Governance: An Insightful Review. Water Policy. IWA Publishing, London (2026).
Community Involvement
- Board member at Projects Preparation Trust, an organization that specializes in developmental projects and initiatives for disadvantaged communities and special needs groups. The organization works closely with communities, government, donors, and civil society organizations in achieving its mission.
Teaching Expertise
- Institutions in Community Development (CMDV104)
- Issues in Community Development (CMDV301)
- Local Government & Community Development (CMDV303)
Student Supervision
(Honours, Masters, PhD …)
Student name | Study Level | Period (indicate Graduation year if completed) | Thesis Title | Supervisor/ Co-supervisor | Institution |
Nzama SInegugu | Honours | 2018 | Examining the role and effectiveness of ward committees in improving citizen participation in the Duded area which is within Umdoni Municipality. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Zungu Luthando | Honours | 2018 | Political participation as a catalyst of youth empowerment in communities: A case of Waterloo in Verulam. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mvelasi Londiwe | Honours | 2018 | Understanding the role of traditional leadership in empowering women in the case of UMsinga Northern KwaZulu Natal South Africa. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Makamo Winile | Honours | 2018 | Investigations impact of local economic development on the livelihood of Nkomazi local municipality, a case of Masibekela rural community. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mbanjwa Thabiso | Honours | 2019 | Understanding Community Participation in Rural Agricultural Livelihood Projects: A Case of Umzumbe Municipality | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mkhabela Mandisi | Honours | 2019 | An evaluation of agricultural activities as livelihood strategies in the rural community of Umhlabuyalingana in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mkhize Minenhle | Honours | 2019 | Assessing the impact of social grants as a poverty reduction strategy in KwaZulu-Natal: A case of eThekwini Municipality. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mkhwanazi Thobeka | Honours | 2019 | The role of the healthcare facilities towards development in rural areas: A case of Sisonke District in Ixopo. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Kweyama Sinothando | PGDip | 2019 | The effects of water shortages on the 2019 National elections. A study on the community of eMpushini. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mabaso Thembisile | PGDip | 2019 | The impact of the 22nd of April 2019 floods in the community of Malukazi informal settlements in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mkhumbuzi Thembelihle | PGDip | 2019 | An evaluation of the sustainability of poverty alleviation programmes within the Gauteng Department of Social Development under the Sustainable Livelihood Sub-directorate. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Majola Siphesihle | Honours | 2020 | How Local Economic Development is received as a development strategy in South African communities: A case of Nqutu rural community in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Makama Mandisa | Honours | 2020 | Community attitudes and perceptions towards gender-based violence: A case of eThekwini Municipality. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Manyoni Lwandile | Honours | 2020 | Assessing the role of community involvement, engagement and participation as a necessity in community development projects: A case study of Save Volunteering Skills Development Project | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mdlalose Nosipho | Honours | 2020 | Evaluating the strategies for reducing youth graduate unemployment in Northern KwaZulu-Natal: A case study of Umhlathuze Municipality. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Winile Makama | Masters | 2021 | Interrogating the implementation of Local Economic Development for poverty alleviation in Nkomazi Municipality, Mpumalanga. | Co-supervisor | UKZN |
Ntombela Zamahlobo | PGDip | 2021 | Evaluating the effects of long-distance parenting due to work commitments on children living in South Africa. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Dladla Sithabiso | Honours | 2021 | The role of government in uplifting local businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, KwaMashu Township and the surrounding areas. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mchunu Lindiwe | PGDip | 2021 | The role of government in uplifting local businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, KwaMashu Township, and the surrounding areas. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Kheswa Sikhulele | Honours | 2022 | The long-term effects of the existence of industrial factories close to residential communities. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mvelase Wandile | Honours | 2022 | The impact of women empowerment on economic development in the Ubuhlebezwe municipality in Ixopo. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Nxumalo Nokwanda | Honours | 2022 | The Impact of Economic Underdevelopment in the Community of uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality | Supervisor | UKZN |
Bonga Siphumelele | Honours | 2022 | The impact of food insecurity on South African households during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case of Parkgate Township in Verulam Durban. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Cele Amanda | Honours | 2023 | Examining the Causes of Youth Non-participation in Community Development. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mncube Khumbulani | Honours | 2023 | Investigating the impact of youth participation on community development activities in Amajuba District, KwaZulu Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Kubeka Nontobeko | Honours | 2023 | Exploring the Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture in the Okhahlamba District of KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Xaba Nqobile | PGDip | 2023 | Exploring the role of Community-based Tourism for sustainable economic development in Midlands Meander, Pietermaritzburg, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mvelasi Londiwe | Masters | 2024 | The Role of Traditional Leadership in Local Economic Development of UMsinga Community in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Hlabisa Ayanda | Honours | 2024 | Exploring the obstacles to community participation in economic initiatives in the Inanda area, eThekwini. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mkile Ikhona | Honours | 2024 | Assessing the extent of gender-based violence against women in Umlazi Township (Section C) in KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Shange Thabangokuhle | Honours | 2024 | Evaluating the challenges faced by emerging farmers in marketing their produce in urban INK areas of KwaZulu-Natal | Supervisor | UKZN |
Ndlovu Thobile | PGDip | 2024 | The role of forestry small-scale growers in addressing unemployment and poverty in the Zululand area, KwaZulu Natal Province. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Tsiri Ntishi Nicholas | Masters | 2025 | An analysis of community perceptions on lobola payment in Delmas area, Nkangala District, Mpumalanga | Supervisor | UKZN |
Funani Mava | Masters | 2026 (current) | Post-rehabilitation support and relapse prevention: A qualitative study of community reintegration at Madadeni Rehabilitation Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.
| Supervisor | UKZN |
Ndlovu Thobile | Masters | 2026 (current) | The Role of Forestry Small-Scale Growers in Addressing Unemployment and Poverty in the Zululand District, KwaZulu-Natal. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Mayeza Nomfundo | Masters | 2026 (current) | An analysis of the impact of the 2022 floods on community resilience and recovery: A case of Prospecton precinct in the greater Ethekwini Municipality.
| Supervisor | UKZN |
Ndlovu Ayanda | Masters | 2026 (current) | Community responses to building inspection practices and their influence on safety outcomes in Mariannridge, eThekwini Municipality
| Supervisor | UKZN |
Mncube Delisile | PhD | 2026 (current) | An Exploratory Study of the organizational innovation and performance of women in Senior Management in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government and Community Development. | Supervisor | UKZN |
Hlongwa Nelile | PhD | 2025 (current) | A stakeholder analysis of water service provision in four north-western communities in the eThekwini Municipality: Identifying key stakeholders and their roles. | Supervisor | UKZN |