In this professional teaching portfolio, I engage in a critical reflection on my teaching and learning praxis. To undertake this reflection meaningfully, I begin by looking inward, situating myself at the center of my intellectual journey. I draw inspiration from C. Wright Mills’ (1959) influential work On Intellectual Craftsmanship, where he asserts: 'You must use your life experience in your intellectual work: continually to examine it and interpret it.' In this spirit, I view intellectual craftsmanship as the practice of anchoring one's scholarly endeavours in personal experience, acknowledging how lived realities shape and inform the development of one’s academic and pedagogical work.

My academic and professional trajectory has been deeply shaped by my interdisciplinary training at leading research-intensive institutions in South Africa. Over the past decade, my research has focused on examining how race, class, and broader social and political inequalities affect the lives of children and youth in South Africa. More recently, both my scholarly and activist engagements have centred on promoting social justice through innovative, community-driven approaches. In particular, I have worked on advancing violence and injury prevention, fostering non-violent conflict resolution, and promoting peace-building within educational settings across Southern Africa. These experiences continue to inform my pedagogical philosophy and approach to teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement.

Research Interests

My research is grounded in critical and interdisciplinary approaches, with key areas of interest including:

Sociology of Education with a focus on schooling communities, educational inequalities in South Africa, early childhood learning, and social justice-oriented and anti-oppressive pedagogies.

Construction and Performance of Social Identities particularly the intersections of race, masculinities, sexuality, and age in shaping individual and collective experiences.

The Practice of Social Research with an emphasis on decolonial and anti-colonial research methodologies, and ethical engagement with vulnerable and 'at-risk' populations, especially children and youth.

Awards and Grants

I have been honoured to receive several prestigious grants and awards in recognition of my research contributions. Notably, I was awarded NIHSS PhD funding and the NRF Thuthuka Grant, which is an extremely prestigious and highly competitive programme that supports promising researchers in South Africa. Securing the Thuthuka Grant is a significant achievement, reflecting both the academic merit and potential impact of my work. In 2022, I received the Early Career Researcher Award from the American Men’s Studies Association, acknowledging my emerging impact in the field. Additionally, in 2023, I was awarded a research grant by the International Sociological Association’s Research Committee on the Sociology of Education (ISA RC04), further affirming the relevance and significance of my scholarly work.

Providing innovative training and coaching for higher education, human development, and research excellence.

Collaborative Seminars

I place high value on building and maintaining collegial relationships within academic communities. These connections foster a supportive and collaborative environment that enriches both teaching and scholarship.

Facilitating dynamic Honours classes and seminars that cultivate collaboration and adaptability, supporting both human and academic development.

Valuing Collegial Connections

"Dr. Makhetha was well-informed and enthusiastic about the topic, making complex ideas easy to understand and keeping the class lively with engaging discussions and illustrations. I appreciated the assistance and openness in supporting students, particularly with the research proposal and reflexivity tasks. Overall, the teaching approach fostered a friendly and inspiring learning environment."

★★★★★