Prof Velaphi Victor Ka Luphuzi Mkhize, a poet, organic and academic intellectual businessman, spiritual advisor and entrepreneur is currently an Associate Professor at CIDA City Campus. He is also the founder and President of Umsamo African Institute and the Chairman/CEO of Ichibi Lomnotho Investments Holdings.
FROM THE EARLY DAYS
Prof Mkhize has more than 22 years experience in Corporate and Business Communication and Strategic Marketing.
Prof Mkhize was born in 1956, at Glebelands in Durban, where he also started his first two years of school at Glebelands Primary School. He later moved to Encwadi, where he started his STD 1 at St Gertrude’s Mission and completed his STD 4 in 1966. It is during this time where he was exposed to the practice of an African Culture and Tradition by his elder father, who also introduced him to the belief of the Amathongo (ancestors).
In 1970 he passed his STD 6 at Ncwadi BC School, and in the following year 1971 joined Mpande Secondary School, for his Junior Certificate Education. In 1973 he finished his Junior Certificate, and went to Vukuzakhe High School for his Matriculation. During his year of Matric, he started writing poems in IsiZulu, which were published four years later.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
In 1977 he registered for his first degree (BA) at University of Zululand, specializing in Languages, Linguistics and Social Sciences. He completed his BA degree in 1979 and immediately registered for his second degree BA (HON) in 1980, which he passed in 1981.
After passing his BA (Hon) Degree he joined Vukuzakhe High School only for 2 years and later joined South African Broadcasting Corporation as Announcer in Radio Zulu. In 1989 he registered for his Masters Degree in Orality Literacy Studies with the former University of Natal which he passed in the very same year and registered for his PhD and graduated in 1992 in the same university. Between 1986 and 1990 he lectured at University of Durban Westville as a part time lecturer.
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WORK EXPERIENCE
After leaving SABC in1992, he joined Nissan SA Marketing in 1993 as Manager Communications and Public Relations. In 1995 he joined Human Sciences Research Council as Executive Director, 1996 joined National Housing Finance Corporation as Executive Manager Marketing and Communications. He then joined Spoornet in 1998 as Executive Manager Public Affairs. Whilst with Spoornet he registered for his MBA in Strategic Marketing with Hull University in the UK.
In 2000 he left Spoornet to pursue his own business interests which led him to form a company called Digicom Information Solutions with Alan Prentice, founder of ComuterNet which led him to become the MD of that company. In 2004, whilst an MD of Digicom he joined CIDA City Campus, as part-time lecturer. In May 2006 he was appointed as a full time Associate professor Business Communications at CIDA City Campus.
PUBLICATIONS
Prof Mkhize has published more than 6 poetry books in IsiZulu and current book is Umsamo: The New African Business Literacy to be published by Knowledge Resources. Shuter and Shooter is currently publishing his 7th poetry books and his first Essays book: Amagobolondo Olwandle.
Prof Mkhize has consulted for companies like: Johannesburg Roads Agency, Avalanche, Tianshi and many more. Prof Mkhize has participated in a number of seminars and Radio Shows on the African Issues, their values and morals. He is currently working on his book: The Wisdom of the Ancestors.
He is married to Nomzamo with four children.