Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has proudly secured full accreditation for its Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), valid until 2030. The milestone follows a rigorous evaluation held on MUT’s campus from 7–8 August 2025, led by Professor Herman Vermaak and his expert accreditation team.
The Council’s visit aimed to determine the qualification’s alignment with national and professional engineering standards. After thorough assessments, the ECSA delegation concluded that MUT’s offering meets the high standards expected for mechanical engineering qualifications in South Africa, both in terms of academic content and practical relevance.
The accreditation comes at a critical juncture for the Faculty of Engineering, which recently underwent a leadership change. Just a month before the ECSA visit, Dr Richard Chidzonga was appointed as the new Dean, following the departure of the acting dean, Professor Babatunde Bakare.
“It was not easy to assume this role when the assessment of the department was just a month away,” said Dr Chidzonga. “However, the great work of the department led by Dr Jean Mukuna is commendable. The intensive collaboration won the day.”
The successful accreditation not only confirms the strength of the programme but also represents a significant leadership win for Dr Chidzonga in his very first major task as acting Dean. It signals continuity and resilience within the Faculty of Engineering even during times of transition.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Marcus Ramogale, praised the outcome and the team behind it: “Heartfelt congratulations to the department. I am committed to working closely with the team on an improvement plan that will take the programme to even greater heights.”
The accreditation holds immense value for students, staff, and the wider engineering sector. For students, it ensures that their qualification is nationally recognised and respected by industry and employers. For MUT, it affirms the University’s commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards. For industry, it signals a pipeline of competent, workplace-ready mechanical engineering graduates.
With this accreditation secured, Dr Chidzonga’s early success sets a powerful tone for his tenure. “This achievement sends a strong message that when assigned an enormous task like this one, go for gold, as the next achievement will be platinum,” he remarked.
As MUT celebrates this significant milestone, it also looks forward to continuous improvement, research development, and maintaining its role as a key player in engineering education in South Africa.