Lecturer Nonhlanhla Mtolo and Researcher Faatima Ebrahim recently reflected on their experiences at the Established and Seasoned Academic Practitioner Programme (ESAPP) Residential Retreat, held from 20–22 April 2026 at The Capital 15 on Orange. The retreat brought together academic supervisors and educators for a period of reflection, learning and dialogue around supervision in higher education. 

We asked Faatima and Nonhlanhla a few questions about the retreat and this is what they had to say:

Faatima found that the retreat provided an opportunity to engage deeply with questions of supervision and the ways in which personal experience informs academic practice, resulting in what she described as “a more grounded and intentional approach” to her work. 

She identified the time set aside for reflection as a key highlight, allowing her to pause and consider both her personal and professional journey. Discussions with fellow supervisors offered valuable insights and challenged her to reconsider aspects of her own supervisory practice. Faatima believes these reflections will positively shape her future contributions to the team, supporting more reflective and contextually grounded approaches to supervision. 

Meanwhile, Nonhlanhla described the retreat as a reminder that supervision should be viewed as “a process of becoming” rather than simply knowledge transfer or degree completion. She reflected on the importance of developmental feedback that helps students strengthen their scholarly voice while maintaining high academic standards. 

She found the photovoice exercise a real highlight as it encouraged participants to creatively express their understanding of supervision as a pedagogy. The activity also prompted deeper reflection on her own practice as an educator. 

The retreat highlighted the value of creating dedicated spaces for academic practitioners to reflect on their supervisory practices, learn from peers and strengthen their roles as educators and scholars in higher education.