DataFirst

📢 2026 AFLEARN Course: Mastering Data Interpretation & Communication Join us at UCT from 4–8 May 2026 for a hands-on, residential course designed to strengthen how you interpret and communicate foundational learning data. Learn more & apply: lnkd.in/dWHTtR9v

Announcing the Francis Wilson Memorial Prize winners! 🏆 Dr Tsepang Khumalo — Dissertation 🏆 Dr Yuxiang Ye — Article Prof @MurrayLeibbrand delivered the 3rd memorial lecture: “Hearts on Fire, Heads on Ice.” A meaningful day of celebration and reflection. @SALDRU1 @UCT_news

A wonderful 'walk down memory lane' on SALDRU's contributions and legacy during and beyond apartheid with Murray Leibbrandt #SALDRUat50 @DataFirstAtUCT @UCT_Research

The end of an incredible day of celebration, remembrance, and reflection on SALDRU's history and those who contributed and benefitted from its research: Murray Leibbrandt delivers the 3rd Francis Wilson Memorial lecture: Hearts on fire, heads on ice. #SALDRUat50 @DataFirstAtUCT

Our first panel discussion deals with SALDRU's early years - 1975 to 1990 - and its role in shaping policy from apartheid to democracy. With Pippa Green, Debbie Budlender, Najwah Allie-Edries and Lindy Wilson, widow of SALDRU's founding father, Francis Wilson @green_pippa

@ARUA_ACEIR @AFD_en @ARUA_News @ISSERUG In going forward: More policy relevant research: Rudi Dicks Continuing to work with excellent SALDRU staff who are kind, professional: Anda David More datasets like NIDS: Nicola Branson Explore new methods to generate data that tell the story of the pre-1994 era: Josh Budlender

@ARUA_ACEIR @AFD_en @ARUA_News @ISSERUG The afternoon's panel discussions have illustrated that, at its core, SALDRU is and has always been about people: mentoring and supporting researchers who can help contribute to improving the lives of people: Vimal Ranchhod, SALDRU director #SALDRUat50 #leavenoonebehind

The story of the African Centre of Excellence for Inequality Research is one of serendipity: SALDRU had a research capacity building reputation, ARUA put out a call for CoEs proposals, and the AFD was already a SALDRU partner: Murray Leibbrandt #SALDRUat50

@DataFirstAtUCT What more needs doing: More policy relevant data: Trevor Manuel Develop relationships & trust between govt & academics: Mastoera Sadan An environment to attract & nurture good & committed researchers: David Lam Make data available & accessible for research: Jim Levinsohn

@DataFirstAtUCT The National Income Dynamics Study was valuable to government because it helped to make sense of the complexities of the South African society: Mastoera Sadan, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation #research #policy #SALDRUat50

Francis Wilson & SALDRU were the first point of call to assist the new democratically elected government to expand national household data to include all who lived in South Africa as a baseline for the Reconstruction & Development Programme: Trevor Manuel @DataFirstAtUCT

🎂 After celebrating our former director, Murray Leibbrandt, for his retirement this morning, we are now celebrating our unit 👏🏽👏🏾 SALDRU turned 50 years old/young this year and it's a full-house gathering ❤️‍🔥💥 @DataFirstAtUCT @JPAL @ARUA_ACEIR @NIDS_CRAM

@ARUA_ACEIR @MurrayLeibbrand @DataFirstAtUCT @UCT_news To date, Murray supervised 48 PhD students, of which 38 have already graduated. That averages 1-2 graduates every year for 26 consecutive years: Nicola Brandon, colleague and former honours and PhD student of Murray Leibbrandt. @DataFirstAtUCT

@SALDRU1 @MurrayLeibbrand @DataFirstAtUCT Murry Leibbrandt stressed the importance of partnerships that include involvement of the next generation of researchers and leaders to help shape policy for a better world: Prof Mosa Moshabela, VC of UCT. @UCT_news @DataFirstAtUCT

@JobsFund_NT @DataFirstAtUCT @ARUA_ACEIR @UCTResearchZA 'I believe in the importance of doing good in the world, and doors opened, and others joined me on this journey. I've had an anointed life. And I am not going anywhere and am looking forward to continue working with you - my family": Murray Leibbrandt. @DataFirstAtUCT @ARUA_ACEIR

'If data could speak, it would sound like Murray... Because of Murray, we make better policy decisions based on research instruments and the humanity that he always brings into the conversations": Najwah Allie-Edries, @JobsFund_NT @DataFirstAtUCT @ARUA_ACEIR @UCTResearchZA

In true @MurrayLeibbrand style, it's a GLORIOUS day for his retirement function here at @uctresearch today! We're looking forward to celebrating his incredible research career, his friendships, mentoring and camaraderie over the years. @DataFirstAtUCT @ARUA_ACEIR

'Hearts on fire and heads on ice' is an apt summary of SALDRU where our centre's hub & South Africa research node are based. Join this week for a hybrid lecture by ACEIR director @MurrayLeibbrand in memory of @SALDRU1's founding director. RSVP ➡️ bit.ly/48GXwz5

We are delighted to announce that Professor Murray Leibbrandt will deliver the 3rd annual Francis Wilson Memorial Lecture on 10 December. Register here ➡️ datafirst.uct.ac.za/about-us-news/… @SALDRU1 @UCT_news

In its 2023 report, the GEEAP classified textbooks as a “bad buy”; however, the real story sits in the fine print. Our latest post shows how readable, age-appropriate books boost early-grade reading — and why ditching textbooks could be a costly mistake. lnkd.in/dKNt2V54