The Deputy Director: Intellectual Property, at the University’s Research directorate, Dr Mandla Hlongwane, has said they have reached out to the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB) for general knowledge sharing, to learn more about the organisation’s offerings when it comes to providing support for institutions that host both local and international conferences. SANCB is a division of South African Tourism, which is mandated to position South Africa as a business events destination. The SANCB provides “comprehensive support and “unbiased advise for planning events, including bidding support, site inspection, venue sourcing, convention planning and on-site event services. SANCB also leverages its extensive network of local suppliers to help clients host meetings, conference, exhibitions and incentive programmes in the country.
On 3 September 2025, MUT staff from various divisions met the SANCB staff off campus to discuss how the organisations could work together so that not only they could benefit, but also the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In essence, the purpose of the visit was to provide information to MUT staff about the availability of support – financial and non-financial, to support and boost conferences.
Dr Hlongwane said that the MUT staff who would benefit would be those who plan and organise conferences. The University hosts several annual conferences, including the Empowered Administrators Conference (EAC), organised by the Department of Marketing and Communications, and the Focus Conference, managed by the Teaching and Learning Development Centre (TLDC). Dr Hlongwane said the WIPO-SA Summer School on IP and TT were already benefiting from the relationship. Already received both in-kind and financial support. Dr Hlongwane’s section is directly responsible for the WIPO-SA Summer School on IP and TT.
Dr Hlongwane said that SANCB has both a national and an international footprint. By reaching out to SANCB, we aim to strengthen our existing relationship for long-term benefit. SANCB can help us market our conferences and symposia by assisting in reaching a wider audience,” said Dr Hlongwane. Dr Hlongwane added that the relationship with the SANCB would enhance their resources and give them the opportunity to make a greater impact. “I believe it is vital for us to tap into and leverage external available resources for financial support. As we plan to increase our visibility as MUT, we will also host more conferences. We can expand the invite to SANCB for their services,” he said.
With the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the SANCB brought as a strategic partner, as their offering expands to international conferences, it constitutes at least 40% of international delegates.
Dr Manyane Makua, Senior Director: TLDC, said they would explore areas which the SANCB could fund, and also give conference delegates the opportunity to explore KZN during or after the conference.
SANCB’s Bongiwe Nzeku, said that MUT would be able to contribute to the knowledge economy as their associations focus on different sectors. “By nature, these meetings, when hosted, also leave a legacy for the communities. These meetings also assist academics who would find it too far to travel to access a meeting when it is hosted closer to home. We work with all other universities to bid for association meetings,” Nzeku said, adding that they treated each case on its merits.