Youth violence in South African schools has become a pressing concern, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and the country. Dr Fathima Dewan, a lecturer in the Child and Youth Care programme under the Department of Community Health Studies at Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently published her first book titled: “A Youth Empowerment Model Designed to Tackle School Violence in South Africa.”
Dr Dewan’s book, comprising of seven chapters, is an adaptation of her PhD thesis. Dr Dewan credits Prof Andries van Aarde from the Research and Doctoral Academy (RADLA) at DUT for inspiring her to publish her thesis, recognising its potential to contribute meaningfully to addressing the pressing issue of school violence in South Africa. The book is open access and is available to download from the AOSIS Publishers website.
“The book aims to address how youth empowerment can be used to tackle the issue of school violence in South African secondary schools. To gain in-depth insight into issues of school violence and the utilisation of youth empowerment, the study employed a mixed methodology and action research approach,” she stated.
She embarked on her academic journey in the early 1990s, commencing with a National Diploma in Residential Child Care at Technikon Natal. She then pursued a Bachelor of Child and Youth Development at DUT. Her passion for education led her to undertake a Master of Education in Higher Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She achieved her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (Peace Studies) at DUT in 2021.
Dr Dewan has been a DUT community member since 2006, serving as a pillar of academic excellence. Her diverse roles include coordinating undergraduate research in the programme, teaching research modules at the bachelor’s level, as well as a major fourth-year module and the first-year Practice module. Additionally, she mentors and supervises master’s students, guiding them through their academic journey and fostering the next generation of researchers.
“What motivated me to pursue my Doctor of Philosophy was a national report highlighting the alarming extent of school violence in South Africa. As a child and youth care professional, I saw a natural fit between my discipline and peace studies, which led me to pursue my PhD in Public Administration (Peace Studies),” added Dr Dewan.
The DUT ENVISION2030 Living Values and Principles that resonate most with her is Integrity, Respect, and Excellence. She believes these core values underpin every aspect of the university’s operations, from departmental and faculty activities to classroom interactions and stakeholder engagement.
She advised first-year students that commitment, self-discipline, and a positive attitude are essential for achieving overall success at university. Additionally, she recommended that they stay focused, set realistic goals, and seek help when needed. By adopting these habits and mindset, students can navigate the challenges of university life and lay a strong foundation for academic excellence and personal growth.
She reported that her passion for her discipline and desire to make a lasting impact in society keeps her motivated and focused. She advised others to identify their goals and then develop concrete, tangible steps to achieve them, explaining that accomplishing each step serves as a motivating factor to move forward to the next one.
Pictured: Dr Fathima Dewan proudly holds her first book, a testament to her PhD research.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
