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Phiwokuhle Mnyandu piwo

Phiwokuhle Mnyandu (Ph.D.)

Assistant Director

phiwokuhle.mnyandu@Howard.edu
https://mnyandu.com

Department/Office

  • Center for African Studies

School/College

  • College of Arts & Sciences

Additional Positions

  • Adjunct Professor
    African Studies

Biography

I grew up in the beautiful country of South Africa. Through my work at the Center for African Studies, as well as my my interdisciplinary research and teaching, I live my passion for student success and mentorship to produce the next generation who will attain a strong cultural competency on Africa, China, and the World. I am a sought-after analyst and speaker on US-China-Africa relations, having written the first book on South Africa-China relations by a single author (South Africa–China Relations: Between Aspiration and Reality in a New Global Order [2021]). I am also interested in the intersection of AI and African languages and cultures. 

Education & Expertise

Education

African Studies

Ph.D.
Howard University
2016

International Political Economy

M.A.
Warwick University
2009

International Affairs and Administration

M.I.A.A.
Missouri State University
2008

International Studies

B.A.
Utah State University
2006

Expertise

Africa-China relations

Academic diplomacy

African Public policy and development

Technology (especially AI) and African languages (particularly Zulu)

African languages and national security

Academic program development

Academics

Academics

Introduction to Contemporary Africa

African Continental and Regional Organizations

Rural Development in Africa

Zulu I, II, III, IV, and Intensive Grammar Review

African Language and Culture

Research

Research

Specialty

I focus on China-Africa developmental relations; academic diplomacy; Technology (especially AI) and African languages (particularly Zulu).

Accomplishments

Accomplishments

2023 - Established, Howard University Zulu in South Africa (HUZISA) Study Abroad Program.

It is the first Zulu language and culture study abroad at Howard University or any HBCU.

2021- Developer, Zulunomics app

  • The first Zulu language app developed by a native Zulu speaker
  • Conjugator, pronunciation guide, mini verb dictionary and thesaurus for the Zulu language learning 
  • The first app created by a native Zulu speaker to conjugate 17 tenses + infinitive
  • Downloaded by Zulu learners across the world.
  • Has a DISCOVER feature that generates other language functions on command (e.g. similes, antonyms, verbal nouns, reciprocals, intensives, etc.)
  • Negates 1000 verbs into 17 tenses + infinitive.
  • Teaches important cultural aspects of the Zulu language.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zulunomics/id1551069073

2018 - Outstanding Full-Time Lecturer Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Howard University.

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