In the dynamic sphere of the Department of Humanities Education, the final Saturday of every month carries immense significance. It is during this time that supervisors, academic staff, and firstyear master’s and PhD candidates come together for a transformative cohort session, sparking a collective journey of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and academic growth.

The monthly cohort sessions have become instrumental in nurturing excellence within the department. By providing a platform for networking, idea exchange, and personal and professional development, these sessions have become an indispensable part of the department’s fabric.

The sessions commence with excitement and anticipation as participants gather with a shared passion for humanities education. Warm smiles and friendly chats cultivate a sense of companionship and openness, transforming the room into a haven of collaboration and intellectual curiosity. Department lecturers take turns presenting different aspects of proposal writing and their experiences to eager minds, inspiring our candidates to push the boundaries beyond traditional education and reach their intellectual capabilities.

One of the highlights of the monthly cohort sessions is the chance for master’s degree students and PhD candidates to showcase their progress in their creative projects. These sessions foster a supportive environment that encourages captivating presentations, sparks discussions, and facilitates fruitful exchanges, imbuing the room with vibrant intellectual energy. To fuel academic growth and cultivate essential skills, the cohort sessions incorporate interactive sessions tailored to unique sections of humanities education. These engaging sessions delve into areas such as methodology and theory advancements in the fields, where participants acquire new tools and approaches to enhance their research and scholarship.

The monthly cohort gatherings extend far beyond the structured sessions, offering a wealth of valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. Participants seize each moment to forge meaningful connections, not only with their peers but also with esteemed professionals in their fields of interest.

The day culminates with dynamic candidates’ sessions, where candidates present their work in their respective department sections. They engage in lively discussions, seeking guidance and advice from fellow scholars and mentors, inspiring new approaches, and invigorating participants’ outlooks. With each passing ‘Illuminating Saturday’, the Department of Humanities Education continues to nurture collaboration, knowledge sharing, and academic growth. The monthly cohort sessions serve as a testament to the department’s dedication to excellence, recognising that true progress lies not in isolation but in the power of collective endeavours.

Cheers to the dynamic leadership of Prof Wassermann, Dr Woest, Dr Maluleke, and Dr Du Plessis, whose innovative organisation brings these sessions to life. Applause to the dedicated staff members who provide invaluable expertise, guiding the candidates towards excellence. And a resounding hurrah to the postgraduate candidates, whose unwavering commitment and active participation foster collaboration within these sessions.

In a significant milestone for the Afrikaans scholarly community, Dr Alta Vos has been named the new editor of LitNet, the esteemed independent Afrikaans online journal. This appointment is a testament to Dr Vos’s profound expertise and extensive contributions to the scholarly landscape of education.

Dr Alta Vos brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of educational scholarship to her new role. As editor of LitNet, Dr Vos will be responsible for overseeing the journal’s pedagogical content, fostering a diverse range of voices, and driving forward its mission to promote Afrikaans as an academic language. LitNet, with its rich history of 25 years of commitment to the development of scholarly work, has established itself as a prominent platform for cultural expression and intellectual discourse.

Dr Vos’s dedication, expertise, and fresh perspective promise to invigorate the journal and contribute to the ongoing vitality of the Afrikaans literary community. With Dr Vos at the helm, LitNet is poised to continue its tradition of excellence while embracing new possibilities and exploring the untapped potential of the digital age.