Masters Fellow 2025 - 2026

Khanyisa Dumke is an aspiring academic with a passion for media studies. She is a Masters Fellow with the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity and a holder of a 2024 Masters Card scholarship. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and psychology, and has completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours in linguistics with a specialty in media studies from the University of the Western Cape.  Her academic journey is enriched by her role as a tutor in the linguistics department, where she discovered her passion for teaching and mentorship. She is studying towards a Masters in Linguistics at UWC.

She gained valuable practical experience at Udubs radio (UWC radio station) as a volunteering journalist, where her research, storytelling, and audience engagement skills were enhanced. To strengthen her expertise, she completed a short learning program in Digital Marketing from Mancosa, equipping her with insights into media trends in the digital age. She was also part of a production aired on SABC News on Youth and elections in 2024.

Her research interest focuses on exploring the persuasive communicative techniques used by South African social media influencers.

Masters Fellow 2025 - 2026

Anathi Gxavu is a multilingual graduate having completed a BA Honours degree in Linguistics, a BA General degree in Communication and Media Studies, French, and Philosophy, and a Higher Certificate in Economic Development. She is a Masters Fellow with the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity.  Her academic journey has provided her with a versatile skill set, including persuasive communication, cross-cultural adaptability, strategic media analysis, and critical problem-solving.

Throughout her studies, she engaged in various hands-on projects, such as developing hypermodal media artifacts and analyzing cultural identities, which sharpened her analytical and creative problem-solving abilities. Her experience also extends to tutoring first-year students at the University of the Western Cape, coordinating administrative tasks, and attending online briefing sessions, showcasing her organizational skills and adaptability in digital environments.

Her research brings together media, persuasion and representation. She is studying towards a Masters in Linguistics at UWC.

Masters Fellow 2025 - 2026

Carin Hector completed an Honours degree in Linguistics and Bachelor of Arts degree from UWC.  She is a Masters Fellow with the UWC Chair in Media Diversity and Inclusion. During her studies, she also worked as a research assistant at UWC in the Office of the DVC: Research and Innovation. Her honours thesis examined people's unfiltered reactions and responses to the creators' claims of being coloured, as well as the discourse surrounding coloured identity.

Her research looks at the relationship between multinational media platforms and representation. She is studying towards a Masters in Linguistics at UWC.

Masters Fellow 2025 - 2026

Naeelah is currently embarking on a Masters degree in History at the University of the Western Cape, with funding from the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion & Diversity. Her thesis will explore the publication “Upbeat” through the lens of Apartheid resistance.  She has completed a BA in English, Psychology and Philosophy, a BA Honours in Psychology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (cum laude), and a Master of Arts in English Literature – all from the University of the Western Cape. 

She will be graduating with her PhD in English Literary Studies at the University of Cape Town in April 2025. Her PhD dissertation is  significantly decolonial in nature as it contributes to new anti-Apartheid epistemology, by foregrounding Apartheid protest poetry produced by South African high school learners during the Apartheid period. 

Naeelah has experience teaching English to both high school learners and undergraduate UCT students. Naeelah’s research interests are broadly rooted in English Literature, Education, voices of resistance, History, Apartheid and archival work. 

Masters Fellow 2025 - 2026

Anathi Nkqayini is a Masters Fellow with the UWC Chair in Media Inclusion and Diversity. She is holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Honours degree in Linguistics, both from the University of the Western Cape.  

She has experience as a tutor within the Linguistics Department, where she provided academic support to first-year students. Her honours thesis focused on the intersection of technology, digital media, and communication practices in modern society. 

Her current research interests are in political communication, persuasio and manipulation. She is studying towards a Masters in Linguistics at UWC.