UNIMA Hosts NWU Academic for public lecture on Ubuntu and social change

The School of Arts, Communication and Design through its Department of Media and Communication Studies hosted a public lecture by Dr Musara Lubombo, a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of the School of Communication at North-West University (NWU) in South Africa, on 14 October 2026 at the Wadonda Lecture Theatre.

The public lecture, titled “Ubuntu and Communication for Social Change”, aimed at challenging conventional approaches to social change and question why meaningful development remains elusive despite significant investments of time and resources.

Dr Lubombo highlighted the importance of amplifying marginalised voices and recognising communities as active participants in shaping their own development.

He stressed that communication is central to sustainable social change because it facilitates collaboration, builds a shared vision and enables communities to articulate their priorities.

He further emphasised that effective communication must use accessible media platforms and languages that communities understand, ensuring that development initiatives are inclusive, empowering and responsive to their needs.

“I believe some of these approaches reflect the very logic that contributes to Africa’s underdevelopment. Theories often categorise individuals in ways that overlook the importance of collective effort and labour in communities and societies where these values are central. Consequently, current approaches to communication for social change risk contradicting who we are as a people and as collective beings,” he said.

As part of the event,, students showcased various activities, including drama performances, songs and dances. Some students also showcased practical skills they had acquired through their studies, including graphic design work.

The President of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Cultural Studies Society (BACCSS), Blessings Makuta, a fourth-year student, said the public lecture had taught him a great deal, particularly about how to apply the knowledge gained in communication studies to address challenges in Malawi.

He added that the theme, “Ubuntu and Communication for Social Change”, had challenged him to use his communication skills to influence people’s mindsets and encourage them to participate in public activities, particularly community development initiatives.

“The lecture has been beneficial to my studies because it has broadened my understanding of how communication can contribute to social change. Public lectures are important to students because they expose us to knowledge and perspectives beyond what we learn in the classroom,” he said.