Nelson Mandela University Department of Statistics

10/04/2026

Celebration all around for our science graduates yesterday! Our statistics graduates were shining stars ⭐️ the department is super proud of everyone that walked across the stage yesterday!

19/03/2026

Great stuff by one of our lectures Dr Janse van Rensburg!! Contributing to society, and flying the statistics flag high!

Mandela University lecturer develops tool to assist readers with low vision

Statistics lecturer Dr Stéfan Janse van Rensburg has developed an innovative open-source application designed to help people with low vision read PDF documents more easily.

“The main reason was personal frustration,” Dr Janse van Rensburg, who has been diagnosed with Ocular Albinism, said. While his vision remains functional, sustained reading at normal magnification can be difficult and tiring, he explained.

“My vision is poor but still functional. I can read at normal magnification, but it's a strain - for any sustained reading, high magnification is a practical necessity.

"Most software serves only two groups: people with normal vision or those who are clinically blind. People like me, with some usable vision, are often overlooked.”

This challenge motivated him to develop RailReader2, a desktop PDF viewer designed specifically to assist users who rely on high magnification when reading.

Read the full story here: https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/Mandela-University-lecturer-develops-tool-to-assis

RailReader2 is freely available as an open-source application and can be accessed online at: https://sjvrensburg.github.io/railreader2/

10/03/2026

It’s not just an average birthday 🎉 happy birthday Dr Hugo!

31/01/2026

The department of statistics is very excited to meet our first year students at the VC welcoming event this morning 🥳

08/01/2026

Make sure you don't miss any of the key dates. Staying informed = staying ahead. Save and share this post with your friends and family. 📆✨

14/11/2025

End of year party and farewell! Last night the department celebrated a great 2025, and said their good byes and well wishes to Lesego and Aviwe!

30/10/2025

The department of Statistics wishes the honours class of 2025 good luck for their final exams! They all gave fantastic final project presentations yesterday and can all be proud of the good work they have done!

17/10/2025

23/08/2025

Celebrating women in science 🥳here is our very own HOD 🥳

🌸 Women in Science Spotlight 🌸

Meet Dr Chantelle May Clohessy 👩‍🔬💜
📊 First female HOD of Statistics at Nelson Mandela University
⚡ NRF Y2-rated researcher in renewable energy & AI
🎓 Mentor, curriculum innovator & data science champion
🏑 Premier league hockey player & provincial captain

She inspires both in academia and on the sports field – a true example of excellence and leadership! 🌟