For Ntokozo Buthelezi, the soon-to-depart Technical Manager of MUT Radio, his time at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) campus radio station represents a full-circle journey deeply rooted in his home community of Umlazi Township. As Buthelezi prepares to step down from his role, he reflected on a career that grew from a brief, one-week technical contract into a legacy of campus leadership, student mentorship, and community service.
Buthelezi’s relationship with MUT Radio began before he was ever an official employee. In 2021, he arrived on campus as part of the technical team from Blue Cow, the company contracted to install the station’s broadcasting infrastructure. “We spent a week doing the installation, and the following week was dedicated to training students on how to use the equipment and understand studio operations,” Buthelezi recalled. “It was an exciting and enjoyable experience, and from that moment, I developed a strong connection with the station.”
It was during that initial installation phase on 27 May 2021, that a chance encounter set the stage for his future return. Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director of the Department of Marketing and Communications (MarComms), walked into the studio to view the progress and struck up a conversation with Buthelezi. Upon learning he was a local resident, Mkhize asked a question that stuck with him: “Hawu Ntokozo, uhlala eMlazi, sikweqe kanjani ngenkathi sifuna abantu abazosakha isiteshi?” (Ntokozo, you live in Umlazi, how did we miss you when we were looking for people to build the station?) “I stood there with a huge smile, not knowing that a year later I would become part of MUT Radio,” Buthelezi said. “Today, I am proud to finally answer her question,” said Buthelezi.
When Buthelezi officially joined the MUT Radio staff in 2022, he transitioned from managing hardware to managing human potential. Stepping into a leadership role meant balancing technical oversight with the daily dynamics of a bustling campus station driven by student broadcasters.
Buthelezi notes that navigating the diverse personalities and backgrounds of the student body was initially one of his most significant challenges. “It required patience, understanding, and the ability to adapt to different ways of thinking and working,” he explained. “Being in a management role taught me valuable lessons, especially the importance of listening to students, understanding their perspectives, and being flexible in different situations. I learned that leadership is not only about giving direction; but also about being approachable, supportive, and creating an environment where people feel heard and valued.”
Because of his proximity in age to the student team, Buthelezi was able to cultivate a highly collaborative, flat structure within the studio. He frequently stepped outside the strict boundaries of a technical brief to act as a programmer, talent coach, and executive producer, helping students source external contributors for their shows and guiding them through the nuances of modern broadcasting.
Buthelezi’s work extended beyond the studio walls into broader institutional projects, facilitating collaborations with academics, sister universities, and regional media stakeholders. These engagements were pivotal to both the station’s strategic positioning and his own professional development.
As he prepares for his next chapter, Buthelezi looks back at the evolution of the station, from a room of unboxed equipment to a functioning digital platform serving the broader Umlazi Township community, with a deep sense of fulfilment.
“Serving the MUT community, as well as my own community of Umlazi Township where I grew up, has been an honour and a privilege,” Buthelezi said. “We shared common goals and a collective vision of taking the MUT Radio banner to greater heights. I take pride in having contributed to the growth of MUT Radio while also growing as an individual, professional, and community member, ” Buthelezi said.