In Memoriam: Zandile Nkabinde, Ph.D. (1958-2026)

Dear Members of the NJCU Community,

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Zandile Praxedis Nkabinde, a beloved professor in our Department of Special Education in the Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education. Dr. Nkabinde, who joined the NJCU faculty in 2006, passed away on April 18, 2026, after a long illness.

The following In Memoriam tribute was written by her colleague and friend, Donna M. Farina, Ph.D., Professor of Multicultural Leadership.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a scholarship in Dr. Nkabinde's name. For more information about contributing, please contact Nandi Magadla-Rhodes at theliberationcircle@gmail.com.

Born in Dlebe, South Africa and a speaker of English, Zulu, and Xhosa, Dr. Nkabinde carried her South African heritage with fierce pride throughout her life and academic work.

Harvard University selected Dr. Nkabinde to study there as one of three students from the University of Zululand. Dr. Nkabinde received an M.Ed. from Harvard and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Utah; these accompanied multiple prior degrees from the University of Zululand, South Africa. Dr. Nkabinde was previously a tenured professor at the University of Maine at Farmington. However, to the benefit of our community, she made the decision to seek a more diverse academic environment and accepted a position at NJCU.

In every stage of her career, Zandile was a prolific scholar. She focused on inclusive education, emotional impairments, autism spectrum disorder, and culturally responsive teaching. Dr. Nkabinde authored and contributed to numerous books and peer-reviewed publications, among these: Promoting Science Literacy for Students with Disabilities (2022); “Post Apartheid Education in South Africa: A Review of Progress and Pitfalls” (2016); and An Analysis of Educational Challenges in the New South Africa (1997). 

Dr. Nkabinde was also active internationally. As a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, she developed the special education curriculum at the University of Kabianga, Kenya. She spearheaded donation drives to provide resources for a residential school for children with mental impairments in rural Kenya; in recognition, a playground there was named in her honor. She was an external examiner for universities in South Africa and Canada and also served as president of the International Association of Special Education.

A dynamic teacher, Zandile inspired an inviting classroom climate, in which students engaged in substantive, deep reflection on how to foster inclusivity for students with disabilities and how to consider and address their linguistic and cultural characteristics in the process. Beyond teaching, Dr. Nkabinde served in multiple capacities, including as the chairperson of the NJCU special education department and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Jersey City Community Charter School.

Zandile Nkabinde brought piercing intelligence, joy, humor, enthusiasm, and compassion to all of her endeavors, including her friendships with those of us who were privileged to know her at NJCU.

The university community extends its condolences to Dr. Nkabinde’s husband, Humphrey Zukisani Magadla, and her children, Siba Patrick Arthur Magadla, Samora Mphumeleli Magadla, and Nozuko Nandi Magadla-Rhodes.

The family invites all to celebrate her life at one of three services listed below. Those attending are encouraged to wear bright colors. She was a light to us, and she would not have wanted everyone dressed in black.

Counseling and support services are available for community members during this difficult time. Please reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students at Deanofstudents@njcu.edu or call 201-200-3552.