Phindile Dlamini

PHINDILE DLAMINI is the Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Press and a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dlamini has an established record in both professional translation and academic scholarship, with particular interests in multilingual publishing, translation studies, language practice, and literacy development

Dlamini brings together practical translation experience, academic expertise, and publishing leadership. Her professional work as a translator informed her doctoral research in translation studies, which subsequently led to a distinguished academic career focused on teaching, researching, and supervising translation. Further, she converted her thesis into a monograph titled 'Avoiding Potholes in Translation: A Practical Perspective on Translation between English and isiZulu'. The publication is widely used by institutions offering Language Practice and Translation Studies programmes and serves as a valuable resource in translator training workshops conducted across South Africa.

As a published author, Dlamini has written more than 50 children’s books, primarily in isiZulu. Many of these works have been translated into English and other South African indigenous languages, providing her with first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges involved in publishing translated literature. She has also participated in and managed numerous translation projects for children’s books, academic and educational publications.

As Director of UKZN Press, Dlamini is actively engaged in discussions around the future of multilingual publishing, the publication of translated works, and the implications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, for translation, language development, and the publishing industry.