Joined March 2011
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12 Dec 2025
π’ 2026 AFLEARN Course: Mastering Data Interpretation & Communication
Join us at UCT from 4β8 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
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11 Dec 2025
Announcing the Francis Wilson Memorial Prize winners!
π Dr Tsepang Khumalo β Dissertation
π Dr Yuxiang Ye β Article
Prof @MurrayLeibbrand delivered the 3rd memorial lecture: βHearts on Fire, Heads on Ice.β
A meaningful day of celebration and reflection.
@SALDRU1 @UCT_news
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A wonderful 'walk down memory lane' on SALDRU's contributions and legacy during and beyond apartheid with Murray Leibbrandt #SALDRUat50
@DataFirstAtUCT
@UCT_Research
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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π After celebrating our former director, Murray Leibbrandt, for his retirement this morning, we are now celebrating our unit ππ½ππΎ
SALDRU turned 50 years old/young this year and it's a full-house gathering β€οΈβπ₯π₯
@DataFirstAtUCT
@JPAL
@ARUA_ACEIR
@NIDS_CRAM
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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
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DataFirst retweeted
10 Dec 2025
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
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'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
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'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
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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
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DataFirst retweeted
8 Dec 2025
'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 β‘οΈ bit.ly/48GXwz5
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9 Dec 2025
We are delighted to announce that Professor Murray Leibbrandt will deliver the 3rd annual Francis Wilson Memorial Lecture on 10 December.
Register here β‘οΈ datafirst.uct.ac.za/about-usβ¦
@SALDRU1 @UCT_news
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4 Dec 2025
In its 2023 report, the GEEAP classified textbooks as a βbad buyβ; however, the real story sits in the fine print. Our latest post shows how readable, age-appropriate books boost early-grade reading β and why ditching textbooks could be a costly mistake.
lnkd.in/dKNt2V54
ALT Students at Baxoxele Primary School in South Africa. (Photo credit: Room to Read)
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