Deconstructing Power Differentials in the Postgraduate Supervision Process : Mentoring in Ubuntu Praxis 

Supervision is a process that has inherited power differentials between the supervisor and students in higher education. The inherited power puts students in a situation where they are viewed as neophytes while the supervisors are viewed as experts. Literature demonstrates that supervisors are usually unempathetic. This paper framed supervision through Ubuntu to bridge the gap between the supervisor and the student. In this regard, we began by discussing power differentials included in supervision. Ideas from Habermas, Freire and Gramsci are discussed in this paper to bring to the fore voices that are less heard. The article contributes to the supervision debate by arguing that supervision framed within Ubuntu can provide robust mentorship and an enabling environment for postgraduate students to complete their studies as and when due.