Rhodes University is ending the year on a celebratory note as Dr Boudina McConnachie, Head of the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University, has been honoured with the prestigious National University Teaching Award (NUTA) for 2024. This accolade recognises her exceptional contributions to music education and innovative approaches to integrating indigenous African musical arts into academic curricula.
The NUTA, established to acknowledge excellence in university teaching across South Africa, celebrates educators who demonstrate outstanding commitment to student learning and engagement. Dr McConnachie is one of only two academics nationwide to receive this honour in 2024, underscoring her significant impact on higher education.
Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at Rhodes University, warmly welcomed the news. "Boudina continues to make Rhodes University proud. Congratulations, Boudina! This is music to the ears of all at Rhodes University. Well done, and keep up the sterling work."
Dr McConnachie’s academic journey reflects her dedication to African musical arts. She studied at the University of Cape Town, majoring in classical flute and indigenous African music, focusing on traditional instruments such as the uhadi and mbira. Her passion for Indigenous music led her to pursue an honours degree in Indigenous African Music Performance and Music Education, a master's degree in African Music and Copyright and a PhD in African Musical Arts Curriculum Development at Rhodes University. This year, she was promoted to Associate Professor from 2025.
Dr McConnachie’s teaching philosophy emphasises experiential learning and incorporating indigenous knowledge systems, challenging traditional Eurocentric educational paradigms and fostering an inclusive, transformative learning environment.
Under her leadership, the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University has flourished. Her approach to instrumental music studies has increased enrollment and enthusiasm for African music and ensemble performance. Dr McConnachie has also authored textbooks, including "Listen and Learn: Music Made Easy" and "Umculo Wam, iKlasi Yam/My Music, My Classroom," which are utilised in educational settings nationwide.
In addition to the NUTA, Dr McConnachie has received several accolades, including the Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023 and the South African National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences' Best Exhibition Catalogue Award in 2024. She is also a fellow in the Future Professors Programme run by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training, as well as a research fellow at Queens University, Belfast.
Dr McConnachie’s recognition with the NUTA highlights her dedication to advancing music education and her innovative approaches to integrating indigenous knowledge systems into academia. She said of her achievement, “I would like to recognise my colleagues from the university, the community musicians who are a core part of our programmes as well as the extended network of researchers and performers from all over Africa who have contributed to our success at Rhodes University and the International Library of African Music (ILAM)”. Her work continues to inspire students and educators alike, reinforcing Rhodes University's commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.