Dr Zondi’s association with the university began in 1999 as an undergraduate and later a postgraduate student in the School of Social Sciences and Development Studies at the former University of Durban-Westville. He is currently an emerging researcher and academic in the School of Management, IT and Government (SMIG). His Masters dissertation focused on livelihood strategies employed by local communities of the INK area of eThekwini Municipality in coping with unemployment and social exclusion.
His professional work experience began in 2004 as an intern at Transnet. He also worked as a postgraduate assistant, research assistant, tutor and a part time lecturer in the Department of Sociology. Prior to joining academia, Dr Zondi was appointed as an undergraduate and postgraduate administrative coordinator in the Discipline of Public Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Zondi completed his Doctorate in 2015, and he has established research interests in public policy, co-operative governance, community development, sustainable governance and development and rural development with focus on infrastructure development and livelihood strategies. He is teaching undergraduate students and supervising Honours and Masters research projects in the Discipline of Public Governance.
Academic Qualifications
Academic Qualifications
Doctor of Administration (University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2016)
Master of Arts (Sociology) (University of KwaZulu- Natal, 2005)
B. SocSci Hons (University of Durban-Westville, 2002)
B. SocSci (Psychology and Sociology) (University of Durban-Westville, 2003)
Professional Qualifications
Professional Association
IASIA (International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration)
Research Interests
Research Interests
Local Governance
Local Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Sustainable Governance and Development
Rural Development with focus on infrastructure development and livelihood strategies
Policy formulation and Implementation
Newspaper Articles
Strong municipal leadership – a missing link for local government, The Weekend Wetness, 17th October 2015.
Publications and Papers
Recent Publications and Papers
Livelihood strategies employed by local communities of the INK area of eThekwini Municipality in coping with unemployment and social exclusion, South African Sociological Association conference. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 2005
The informal economy: Consequences and community perceptions. The case study of the INK Area of eThekwini Municipality. South African Sociological Association conference. University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa, June 2006
The Constitutional Mandate as an Instrument for Public Participation in Service Delivery: The case of ILembe District Municipality (Co-authored with Prof PS Reddy), IASIA Conference. Port Elizabeth, South Africa, June –July 2014.
