Meet the Team
Pillar Seven is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and functions as an integral part of the University, embedding and sharing UWC’s deep culture, values and principles of quality.Supported by the University’s operational and academic structures, the Pillar Seven team is a diverse group of individuals comprising experts in their fields with the single objective being to ensure the platform not only provides the highest-quality and most relevant courses, but also facilitates a comfortable and seamless learning experience.
The team’s priority is to ensure you have a dynamic and professional experience throughout your learning journey with Pillar Seven – from your very first search, to the day you are issued your certificate.
Professor Monwabisi K. Ralarala is the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic at the University of the Western Cape. Aside from being a Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust alumnus, Monwabisi is the 2017 recipient of the Neville Alexander Award for the Promotion of Multilingualism. His research interests are quite diverse, but follow three distinct lines: language rights and multilingualism in higher education; forensic linguistics, and translation studies. He has also published articles and book chapters, mainly in forensic linguistics, translation studies and language policy in higher education.
He is the founder and Chief Series Editor of ‘Studies in Forensic and Legal Linguistics in Africa and Beyond’ (SF&LLA), as well as the International Advisory Board Member for the International Journal for the Semiotics of Law. He serves as Chairperson to the newly formed African Association of Forensic and Legal Linguists (AAFLL).
Associate Professor James Njenga is the acting Director of Pillar 7, where he oversees and guides the development and implementation of the Flexible Online Learning and Teaching (FLTP) policy and the Continuing Education (CE) policy. This includes the accreditation and approval of online and short courses, designing and managing the business processes for programme and course delivery. He is also overseeing the implementation of information systems to manage these processes.
Prof James Njenga has held various positions at the University, amongst others, Head of the Department of Information Systems, Project Manager of the South African Finnish Partnership (SAFIPA-UWC), and Instructional designer with the eLearning Unit. Besides, he is a member of several institutional and faculty committees.
Prof James Njenga holds a PhD in Information Systems and a Master of Commerce in Information Systems from UWC, a Master of Business Administration from Stellenbosch, and a Bachelor of Sciences (Hons) from Nairobi.
Miss Bronwyn Richards is the departmental administrator for Continuing Education (CE) programmes who holds a BCom and BCom Honours in Management from UWC.
Richards’ duties and responsibilities in managing the transition during the student life cycle as well as her work alongside Prof Kobus Visser, previously the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, in managing the University’s flexible online programmes have prepared her well for her role at Pillar Seven, where she will continue to oversee the management of student registration and communications.
Ms Molebogeng Motseke is a Disability Advocate and Higher Education professional with extensive experience across both the private and public higher education sectors. She works as a Learning and Teaching Specialist for Continuing Education at the University of the Western Cape, where she manages the development, registration and review of Continuing Education (CE) offerings. Her work focuses on strengthening curriculum relevance, promoting effective learning and teaching practices, enhancing quality assurance processes and upholding the academic integrity of CE offerings.
Molebogeng works closely with academic teams and institutional stakeholders to develop responsive, high-quality CE offerings that are aligned with regulatory requirements, industry expectations and emerging societal needs. She is passionate about advancing educational excellence through inclusive, innovative and future-oriented approaches to learning and teaching.
