Struggling to find academic material for your assignment, research proposal, or thesis?The Library can help with a literature search—a systematic and comprehensive search for published academic resources on your topic.
How to request a literature search:
Complete our online form or use the Unisa Student App (available on the Android Play Store and iStore). In the app, go to Library and select Literature Search Form.
Current awareness is the term used to describe staying informed by keeping up to date with the latest publications, research and news in your field.
The perspective of current awareness is the present and the forthcoming, as opposed to the retrospective.
Current awareness ranges from looking for information on specific topics on a regular basis (and this usually involves the assistance of your Personal Librarian to help you set up a search profile matched to your research interests) to embracing a wider, more general, and cross-disciplinary view that brings an element of serendipity into your search for the latest information.
Informally, researchers remain alert in all contexts for useful information and insights that will inform their daily practice, their research, and spark off innovative and creative ideas for new avenues of research.
What is now Blind SA originally started on 26 October 1946 as the South African Blind Worker’s Organisation with the main purpose of helping people with blindliness find meaningful careers. The organization attained its new name as BlindSA in 2004. While the primary goal of its establishment remains the same, as Blind SA we have grown over the years to provide so much more. Placing our first blind person in their new job, establishing Braille Services, awarding our first bursary, creating a skills development service, successfully lobbying and taking on any matter that concerns the blind.
BlindSA equip blind people with the skills they need to fully and independently participate in society. This includes support in living without assistance, getting about, using technology, reading, working and socialising. All this is made possible through advocacy.
LGBTQ+ Source contains all of the content available in LGBT Life as well as full text for more than 120 of the most important and historically significant LGBT journals, magazines and regional newspapers. The database includes comprehensive indexing and abstract coverage as well as a specialized LGBT Thesaurus containing over 6,400 terms.
Women Deliver prioritised accessibility and inclusivity at WD2023. Collaborating with advisors like Women Enabled International and Experience Dynamics, we co-designed accessibility measures on-site and online. WD2023 was the first to offer simultaneous interpretation in English, French, Spanish, and International Sign Language. The Youth Planning Committee consisted of 18 youth advocates who co-led youth-oriented events and provided strategic input. They designed:
• Youth Pre-Conference for networking and skill-sharing.
• Youth Zone for youth-focused and intergenerational programming.
• Capacity-sharing activities for broader youth engagement.
• The Adolescent Girls Investment Plan (AGIP) provided safeguarding recommendations for youth at the Conference.
Ensuring Gender Justice and SRHR in the Face of the Climate Crisis At WD2023, Women Deliver brought together 150 diverse entities to tackle the crucial intersection of climate and gender equality. The WD2023 Climate Pre-Conference served as a key global space where stakeholders engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing their expertise to shape a collective agenda. This collaborative effort led to a powerful call to action, reflecting the shared vision and commitment of all participating organizations. Published ahead of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), this statement reinforced the inseparable link between climate justice and gender justice and the need to incorporate gender equality into global climate policies. Women's Studies in an African Context
The year is marked with many special days, weeks, and months dedicated and devoted to raising awareness about important issues.
This monthly post, compiled by the Information Search Librarians Team, will note special dates and themes, and draw your attention to possibly interesting cross-disciplinary topical references intended to inform and to inspire ideas for research.
International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.
NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - August 9, 2025 - National Today
Women’s Month is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in this country, dating back to 1913, when women like Charlotte Maxeke led the way in establishing the ANC Women’s League and encouraging women to engage in the struggle for freedom.
South Africa hosts First National Convention, 15 to 17 Aug
The National Dialogue will cover many important issues, including some of the key challenges listed below.
The Convention will take place from 15 to 17 August 2025 at the ZK Matthews Hall, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria.
Science, Technology and Innovation launches National Science Week, 2 Aug
Celebrating science, technology and innovation for all
The official launch of this year's National Science Week, the Department's flagship science engagement initiative, takes place in Pretoria on 2 August 2025.
The theme, "Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone",
National Treasury hosts Money Smart Week South Africa, 25 to 31 Aug
The National Treasury, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and National Consumer Financial Education Committee (NCFEC) invite organisations and individuals to participate in Money Smart Week South Africa (MSWSA) 2025. The campaign will run from 25 to 31 August 2025 under the theme “Smart Money: Financial Foundations for a Resilient Future”
World Cancer Day, observed on August 1, reminds the world of the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and early detection of one of the deadliest cancers. It is not just a commemoration; it is a call to action for policymakers, medical professionals, communities, and individuals.
Despite medical advancements, lung cancer continues to claim millions of lives due to:
The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum that brings together the world’s major economies to address global economic challenges. Comprising 19 countries and the European Union, the G20 serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues such as sustainable development, financial stability, climate change, and global health, fostering collaboration to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
G20 Presidency
The G20 Summit is held annually under the leadership of a rotating Presidency. South Africa will hold the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025. During this period, South Africa will steer the G20 agenda, culminating in the hosting of the G20 Summit.
Global Representation
Collectively, G20 members represent around 87% of global GDP, 62% of the world’s population, and over 75% of global trade. Throughout the year, representatives from G20 countries gather to discuss financial and socioeconomic issues, aiming to foster global economic stability and prosperity.
19 World Humanitarian Day 2024
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).
Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.
WHD is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
International Day against Nuclear Tests 29 August
On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the world must speak with one voice to end this practice once and for all.
António Guterres
The university has identified ten (10) catalytic niches that will assist the institution in catalysing research, innovation and engaged scholarship These are as follows:
Click on the links below for information on Feminist, Womanist, Bosadi Theorizations.
("1956 Women’s March" OR "Union Buildings march" OR "women’s liberation") AND ("gender rights" OR "women’s protest") AND South Africa
5. Feminist Interdisciplinary Approaches
May 2018
A TRIBUTE TO WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA
New Agenda joins the nation in grieving at the passing of Winnie Madikizela-
Mandela. We are all deeply affected by this unexpected development and find some
consolation in the huge demonstration of affection for her as we record her special
contribution to our freedom.
But we also reflect on the unfairness in this belated recognition which ought
to have occurred in her lifetime. Why is it that our society was so begrudging in
its appreciation while she was alive and deserved to know that her heroism was
properly recognised?
That her suffering and deprivation was exceptional is now widely known, as is
her courageous resistance to intimidation and persecution. Much has been written
and said about that in the last few weeks and does not need belabouring here.
If you are looking for forthcoming conferences, the following websites are helpful:
The following sites on Unisa Open contains useful information for Unisa staff.