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The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) community has been overwhelmed with emotion following the heartfelt tribute by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, who announced the passing of Mr Lucky Xolani Dlamini — affectionately known as Lundi to many across campus, and ‘Ankel’ among students. Lundi, who joined MUT in the early 1990s, was more than just a driver — he was a friend, a guardian, and a constant, comforting presence. His passing has sparked an outpouring of grief, love, and remembrance across MUT’s official social media platforms, uniting staff, students, and alumni in tribute. In her message, Professor Sibiya reflected on Lundi’s legacy of humility, dedication, and care. “In Lundi, we have lost a valuable member of our MUT family. His contribution to the University extended beyond the steering wheel — he helped drive our values of community, responsibility, and care.” The response from the MUT community was immediate

At the launch of the EDHE-ABSA Innovation Challenge held at the University’s Student Centre on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, announced plans to establish the MUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Professor Sibiya stated that the centre would become the nucleus of the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She explained that the centre would offer space, technical support, and guidance for ventures led by students and staff. Professor Sibiya described this support as incubation and mentorship. The centre will also provide training in lean startup models, financial literacy, intellectual property, and go-to-market strategies, as well as facilitate networking and collaboration by “connecting our community with industry mentors, funders, and policymakers,” she added. Additionally, two key services include research and innovation—supporting practice-based research with commercial potential and societal impact—and community engagement, aimed at translating university innovations into community upliftment, especially in Umlazi Township and the wider KwaZulu-Natal

During the launch of the EDHE-ABSA Innovation Challenge that took place at the University’s Student Centre on 25 June 2025, a very significant announcement was made. The Director: Entrepreneurship, Universities South Africa (USAf), Dr Edwell Gumbo, announced the partnership between Universities South Africa (USAf) and ABSA. Dr Gumbo said the step represented a comprehensive approach to advancing the economic participation of students and graduates within universities as entrepreneurial ecosystems, addressing the prevalence of graduate unemployment. Dr Gumbo said there were three focus areas for the partnership, the first one being student entrepreneurship. This area emphasises the advancement of economic participation among students and graduates, and the creation of an environment that empowers students to be economically active during and after their studies. The second focus area is on entrepreneurship in academia. Dr Gumbo said that this area will focus on entrepreneurship through teaching, learning and research, and support and equip

Once again, the time to honour South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, has come. This is a time for all South Africans to reconnect with themselves and ask one question: What is it that I can do for someone who needs something, no matter how small? This is one of the lessons that South Africans, and the world, learnt from Mandela: look after those who are in need. As usual, the University has plans for the Mandela Month. The University’s CEAD has a month-long programme comprising several events, all designed to make a difference to those in need. Informing the university community, Dr Mfanozelwe Shozi, Deputy Director of CEAD, reminded them that President Nelson Mandela’s efforts in building a nation with multiple wounds—some visible to the naked eye and others deeply emotional due to years of suffering under apartheid—were significant. Mandela showed the world that any victim

In preparation for the annual MUT Schools Community Cup and beyond, the Department of Sport and Recreation decided to run the match officiating training for football and netball. The tournament will take place on 13 and 14 August 2025, at the outer fields of King Zwelithini Stadium. The football referees training took place from 24 to 26 June 2025, while the netball umpire training took place from 25 to 26 June 2025. The department’s Nomkhosi Ndlovu said the training was part of giving back to the community; all the participants were locals and students. Some coaches from the local sports organisations that will be part of the tournament were part of the training. Sipho Mchunu, the netball umpire facilitator, said it was recommended that coaches should have the beginner’s level of the umpires’ training. The training will also prepare the participants for the local league. They can also be technical

The CEAD continues its efforts to empower primary school pupils with reading skills. On 19 June 2025, members of the directorate, other University staff, and officials from the Department of Education, and supporters of the reading project were at Mariannridge Primary School, near Pinetown, where they continued with the primary schools English reading project.  Now in its second edition for 2025, the MUT Reading Project Competition continues to provide a nurturing space for learners to develop essential literacy skills. The competition promotes a deeper culture of reading across classrooms in Umlazi and Pinetown Districts, laying the groundwork for long-term educational success. The project is a brainchild of the CEAD and aims to empower the pupils of the Umlazi Township primary schools and others with reading skills. CEAD’s Director, Professor Busisiwe Nkonki-Mandleni, said their effort was a response to Goal Three, of the University’s Strategic Plan. Goal Three is about “excellence

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF), engaged in a consultative process held at the Council Chambers to deliberate on the reconfiguration of two discipline-based funding instruments: the Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers (CPRR), and the Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers (CSUR). These two instruments are set to be replaced by a new suite of Thematic Research Funding Instruments. Mthobeli Myeza, NRF Pre-Grant Administrator at MUT’s Research Directorate, said the introduction of the Thematic Research Funding Instruments marks a significant paradigm shift in the NRF’s approach to research funding. “The key features of this new approach include revised eligibility criteria, a strong emphasis on societal impact, a strategic focus on capacity development and succession planning, and a commitment to promoting the sharing of infrastructure, equipment, and other resources within and across institutions,” said Myeza. Myeza also noted that this collaborative model aimed to optimise

While it is still lovely to walk out of a supermarket with trolley full of all kinds of edibles, there are chances that an expert like Professor Xolile Mkhize of the Department of Community Extension might teach you a thing or two about the quality of food that is available at the supermarket, and other food outlets. This is what Professor Mkhize did on 17 June 2025 to her colleagues and students at the University. Using a loudspeaker to communicate a ‘critical’ message, Professor Mkhize said that “the South African food system is unjust and highly colonised. It displaced the indigenous food system.” Professor Mkhize said the event held at the University’s Anniversary Lane was “not in isolation from key global and local agendas. “The event is premised on three platforms: global and local policy framework from the United Nations food systems, which are an indication of a health and

Several partners reinforced the message of turning to indigenous, high-quality food during their talks on 17 June 2025 at the University’s Anniversary Lane, where staff and students purchased indigenous food primarily from small-scale farmers, some of whom are former University students. The Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Professor Alfred Msomi, described the event as a “celebration of our rich cultural heritage, innovation, and transformative power of indigenous food systems.” Londiwe Ncube, Food Security Manager at eThekwini Municipality’s Food and Nutrition Security, delivered a powerful message to the attendees and buyers. Ncube wished that people would change their attitudes towards the food they buy and eat. “We would like to see the public eating good quality food. They need to use all the spaces available so their families would be well, particularly those who take chronic medicine,” said Ncube. Ncube was referring to urban farming that people

Preparations for the third edition of the MUT Schools and Community Cup are well underway. During the second meeting, which was attended by most stakeholders, including representatives from local sports organisations, local schools, and local NGOs. The Deputy Director of the Sports and Recreation Unit at MUT, Siyabulela Mkwalo, again emphasised the need for everyone to take ownership of the event that will take place on 13 and 14 August 2025, at the outer fields of King Zwelithini Stadium. “This is not an MUT event, although MUT founded it. It belongs to all of you, take charge of it,” Mkwalo said. The meeting took place on 18 June 2025, at MUT. The objectives of the Cup are to forge and strengthen relationship between MUT and the Umlazi community; to create a competitive platform for high school learners and increase learner participation in extra mural programmes; to identify talent and recruit