Marcia Mandiyanike
Gender and Development Specialist
About
About
Marcia Mandiyanike is a distinguished Gender and Development Specialist committed to fostering the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.
Marcia is currently pursuing her PhD in Gender Studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, building upon her Master of Arts in Development Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from the University of Botswana. She previously worked as a consultant for Letsema in partnership with the British High Commission in Botswana and Westminster Foundation for Democracy and is currently involved in providing technical advisory for several non-profit and non-governmental organisations championing gender justice. Her research encompasses a wide range of interests, including gender and sustainable development, media activism, African feminism, intersectionality, social justice, transformation, and equality.
Her PhD thesis is focused on violence against women and the media. Through extensive archival research and interviews with state and non-state actors, her PhD research titled “Beyond the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence: The South African media coverage and portrayal of violence against women, 2015-2020” delves into the politicisation of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence not just by government officials but also by non-governmental organisations and the media. Prima facie, there are notable differences in activism and coverage of violence during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, hence the study focuses on efforts beyond the 16 days of activism. It is her expectation that at the end of the research she will have successfully attempted to analyse the impact of the media on violence against women beyond the 16 days of activism from a feminist perspective and contribute to the growing discourse on African feminism; and more broadly decolonisation in literature by contributing knowledge on gender, violence and the media.
Education and Career
Education and Career
Education
University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD Candidate
In-View
PhD Candidate in Women and Gender’s Studies, researching on “The impact of South African media on violence against women beyond the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, 2015-2020”
Looking forward to working with tertiary institutions, faculties, think thanks and organisations for alternate pedagogical and gender-inclusion models
University of Botswana
M.A, Development Studies
2015 - 2017
The MA in Development Studies equipped me with a full range of conceptual & methodological tools, advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and conceptual frameworks required to develop a deeper understanding; and navigate the complexities of global development processes and their inter-relationship from a multidisciplinary, social science perspective.
Dissertation Title: “Media Representation of Women in Business: The Case of Zimbabwe National Newspapers”.
University of Botswana
B.A, Media Studies
2011 - 2015
Employment History
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
MANAGING EDITOR
2022
Worked with the NRF/SARCHI Chair in Sustainable Local (Rural) Livelihoods as a Managing Editor for the African Journal of Governance and Development. Through the Open Journal Systems, I managed Submissions; Assigned Reviewers to Manuscripts; Reverted Editorial decisions to Authors; Sent the manuscripts to Copyediting and Production; Edited manuscripts according to the Journal’s Guidelines and onto the AJGD template; Managed Galleys; Created and linked DOIs of manuscripts; Created the Journal Issues and Published on the Journal site; and also communicated with Authors throughout the process.
ECONOMIC HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES PROGRAMME, UKZN
TUTOR
2022
Tutored ECHS – Globalisation: Then and Now. The module topics included Early global transformations; The discovery of the Americas; Triangular and Slave Trade; The Scramble for Africa; Colonialism and Empire around the World; Different models of colonialism; World Wars and new global trajectories; Decolonisation, Independence and dependency; World systems theory; Free trade and Fair Trade (WTO & World Bank); Special Issues in globalisation and global terrorism; Digital Divide and the information age; and China in Africa. I also graded assessments and provided feedback to students as well as helping them prepare for quizzes and tests.
TUTOR - THE WRITING PLACE – COLLEGE OF LAW & MANAGEMENT STUDIES, UKZN
TUTOR
2022
As a Writing Place Tutor, I developed content and facilitated workshops to promote students’ academic writing skills (critical reading, understanding and breaking down topics, essay writing, structuring of arguments, researching, and referencing). I also provided detailed feedback on drafts of written assignments and addressed students’ queries and concerns, and facilitated individual and group tutoring.
GENDER STUDIES, UKZN
TUTOR
2021-2022
Tutored GEST202 – Introduction to Gender Studies. Facilitated tutorials on various module topics Gender, Culture and Social Consciousness; Gender and Violence; Gender, Race and Representation; Gender, sexuality and disease. I also graded and provided informative assessment on assignments, and quizzes given to students. Maintained attendance, and consultation with students. Reviewed assignment drafts; and supported the module lecturer in fulfilling the academic demands of the course.
Additionally, I Implemented discipline and other measures into lesson plans to encourage students to participate in class and concentrate on their lessons so that they would take responsibility for their learning.
MAINSTREAM MENTOR – COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AMS PROGRAMME, UKZN
TUTOR
2021-2022
As a mentor,
- I offered guidance, support and motivation to mentees to help them reach the desirable academic standing.
- Advised mentees on registration, module pick and drop procedures.
- Recommended and referred mentees to relevant personnel, offices and interventions.
- Timeously produced and submitted reports to the Team Leader.
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, IT & GOVERNANCE, UKZN
POSTGRADUATE ASSISTANT
2021
Tutored PADM2EO – Introduction to Public Policy Management; PADM3AO – Development Policy & Project; PADM3EO – Management and Organisational Change & Leadership. Prepared and facilitated tutorials. Provided informative assessment on assignments and tests and consultations with students. Provided feedback for qualitative output, and maintained class attendance registers. Additionally, I encouraged the ability to think critically and participate in discussions during lectures/seminars by implementing a variety of teaching methods and techniques.
HABEEB OKUNOLA FOUNDATION
SENIOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
2019-2020
Designed appropriate and timely programmes and proposals, ensured effective communication between stakeholders, project monitoring and evaluation and represented the organisation at national and international fora.
I-SIX LOGISTICS TRAINING & RESEARCH CONSULTANTS
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
2019
Conducted fieldwork for the evaluation of the HIV testing and counselling services project among the ‘hard of hearing’ population for the Botswana Society for the Deaf (BSD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness through financial and technical support from the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDs Partnerships (ACHAP).
UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
WELFARE OFFICER
2016-2017
As welfare officer of the Graduate Student Association, I organised the Writing Clinic Workshops, Research Workshops and Mental Health and Wellness activities for postgraduate students. I was also part of the committee tasked with coming up with the ‘Revised Disability Policy,’ for the university and Mainstreaming Disability into the UB academia. I also led and collaborated with a group of postgraduate students to develop academic tutorial programmes; as well as providing learning resources that aided and consolidated the educational outcome of PGDE students.
Pro Bono Projects
THE ADVICE DESK FOR THE ABUSED
PROGRAMME MANAGER
2022 TILL DATE
FEMALE IN AFRICA
VOLUNTEER
2021 TILL DATE
LETSEMA, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN BOTSWANA AND WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY - WOMEN IN POLITICS TRAINING
IMAGE CONSULTANT & WORKSHOP TRAINER
2016-2019
LADY KHAMA CHARITABLE TRUST FUND
LKCT ATTENDANT
2014-2016
Research Areas
Conferences, Training and Workshops
Conferences, Training and Workshops
Conferences
Mandiyanike, M. (2022). Gender-based Violence and the Clammed-up Academia in South Africa. A paper presented at the En-Gender Conference! ‘Art, activism, and the role of the academic’
Abstract
Gender-based violence is prevalent in Africa. South Africa in particular presents a peculiarly gruesome case where a woman is killed every three hours and reported cases of rape are above the global average (Africa Check, 2019). Although academia is where most of the problems are examined from a theoretical standpoint, they appear to be clammed up on scrutinising national statistics of gender-based violence, advocacy efforts and proffering solutions to the scourge. Institutions of higher learning also fail to address issues of sexual violence within their walls, and rape and gendered abuse in residences and on-campus are frequently concealed. Even data on gender-based violence within university communities are scarce (Mahlori, Byrne and Mabude, 2018). This paper through a feminist discourse tries to explain the nonchalance exhibited by the South African academia on gender-based violence and the mindfulness for institutional reputation management at the expense of victims.
Mandiyanike, M. (2021). Dissenting Voices in the Face of Oppression: The Rise of Social Movements in a Digital Age. A paper presented at the Conference ‘Womandla! Feminism and Social Movements in the Global South. Awarded Womandla! 2020 Conference Bursary.
Abstract
Despite being advanced democracies, South Africa and Botswana, both have regimes of truth perpetuated and sustained over time mainly by state-controlled media (South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and Botswana Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) which are free to air, thus reaching a large fraction of the population (Lorenzini, 2015). While discourses of nationalist progress which have been popularized by these state-controlled media have promoted ‘official truths’ over the years, certain silences have also been created around topical issues that are viewed as keeping women in “their place” of relative powerlessness; by an unwritten rule which seems to have catapulted men to the role of making decisions on matters that affect women in fundamental ways (Chege, 2012; Gallagher, 2001). However, the advent of web 2.0 has ushered in social media platforms (particularly Twitter and Facebook) which are increasingly becoming platforms of activism and mobilization tools for protesters, thus challenging state protocol and servings as a voice for marginalized groups (Bosch, Wesserman & Chuma, 2018). This paper examines how different feminist actors have vanquished their ‘right to talk’ to challenge these silences through the use of social media. The focus of the study is on the #aminext movement in South Africa and the #ishallnotforget movement in Botswana, challenging gender-based violence against women and girls. Both movements erupted on social media and consequently proved to be a powerful choir of dissenting voices that did not only challenge but silence regimes of truth which instigated the government to intervene on the protests. In the broader picture, this study through feminist discourse intends to contribute to conversations about the different actors and their different methods in challenging gendered oppression in the South African and Botswana media landscape.
Mandiyanike, M. & Galorale, P. (2018). ‘Participation of persons with disabilities: The untold stories of Differently Abled People in Botswana.’ Paper presented at the Regional Conference by The University of Botswana in conjunction with the Office of the President, the Ecumenical Disability Advocate Network (EDAN) of the World Council of Churches on the theme: Inclusion and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Social, Economic, Political and Spiritual Life in Southern and Central Africa in Gaborone, Botswana; 15 – 19 October 2018.
Abstract
This paper examines the participation of Differently Abled People (DAP) in Botswana amidst the National Vision 2036 tagged “Prosperity for all” which inherently assumes that all people of Botswana (including DAP) will receive significant prosperity by the year 2036. It is imperative to mention that the National Vision runs concurrent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which conveniently mentions disability in passing under the reduced inequalities goal (By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status). The paper argues that it is time Global organisations and Nations make issues of disabilities core business like gender equality and climate action in order to fully facilitate the participation of DAP in economic, social, political and spiritual life and development. The paper furthermore incorporates narratives of DAP in Botswana in light of how they want to be perceived and addressing the negative perceptions imposed upon them which deny them to fulfil their human rights. The paper concludes by arguing that the issues of DAPs will never be taken seriously locally until they are recognised as binding goal targets at global level and recommendations on engaging the government, communities, religious movements, schools and business community on methods to effect participation of DAP.
Workshops and Training
DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN YOUTH & PERSON WITH DISABILITIES, DURBAN – SOUTH AFRICA.
WORKSHOP
2021
Participated in the National Council for the Gender-Based Violence & Femicide (NCGBVF) Bill Consultations for the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN – SOUTH AFRICA.
TRAINING
2021
Completed training: University Teaching Assistant Programme Online Course (UTAP).
PAN-AFRICAN DOCTORAL ACADEMY (PADA), ACCRA - GHANA.
TAINING
2021
Completed training: Academic Writing and Communicating Research Results; and Managing the PhD Process (Managing Literature Review & Emotional Intelligence).
PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICAN SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE RESEARCH (PASGR), IBADAN - NIGERIA.
TRAINING
2019
Completed training: Advanced Research Design (Designing Social Inquiry, Critical Policy Engaged Research, Multi-Methods Strategies & Ethics for Social Science Research); and Engendering Social Science Research Methods.
GENDER LINKS, GABORONE - BOTSWANA.
TRAINING
2015
Completed training in the module: Gender, Elections and The Media.
Recommendations
Recommendations
I had the pleasure of lecturing Marcia Mandiyanike during her undergraduate days at the University of Botswana, and have watched her grow into a professional in the field of Gender and development. Her strong academic background in media studies and development studies cum practical experience make her a valuable asset to any team.
I have had the pleasure of working with Marcia on several projects related to gender equality and social justice. Her analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to think critically are impressive. She is a dedicated and hardworking individual and would be an asset to any team working on issues related to violence against women and the media.
Marcia is a highly skilled and experienced professional. Her background in gender studies and her experience working with non-profit organizations make her an excellent candidate for any project related to gender and sustainable development. She is a dedicated and hardworking individual and I highly recommend her for any work related to media activism and gender justice.
Contact
Contact
Get In Touch
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