TO : ALL MUT STAFF AND STUDENTS
FROM : DR ANETTE MIENIE
DATE : 24 FEBRUARY 2026
SUBJECT : ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW INTERIM VICE-CHANCELLOR & PRINCIPAL, PROFESSOR RUSHIELLA SONGCA
Dear Colleagues and Students,
It is my pleasure to formally introduce Professor Rushiella Songca as the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), on behalf of the MUT Council, led by Dr Mosidi Makgae. She will officially assume her duties on 2 March 2026.
Professor Songca is a dynamic and visionary academic leader with over 20 years of progressive experience in higher education, including more than a decade in senior executive leadership. She most recently served as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Walter Sisulu University, where she led significant institutional transformation initiatives focused on strategic growth, governance strengthening, digital innovation, financial sustainability, and enhanced academic excellence.
Throughout her distinguished career, Professor Songca has demonstrated exceptional leadership in research development, teaching and learning innovation, internationalisation, and stakeholder engagement. She is widely recognised for fostering inclusive, future-ready academic environments and for building sustainable partnerships across industry, government, and global academic networks. Her leadership has consistently advanced student success, research impact, social responsibility, and institutional visibility.
Professor Songca’s academic credentials reflect her deep commitment to scholarship and social justice. She holds an LLD (Doctor Legum) from the University of Pretoria, with a specialisation in Children’s Rights, as well as a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Centre and the University of Natal. Her foundational qualifications include an LLB from the University of Natal and a BA in Law from the National University of Lesotho.
She also holds a Certificate in Compliance Management from the University of Johannesburg.
Her professional journey spans leadership roles at institutions including University of South Africa (UNISA), where she served as Executive Dean and later Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic Affairs and Research, as well as earlier academic and government appointments, including service in the Presidency.
Professor Songca is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to shaping universities that are agile, responsive, and globally relevant. As MUT continues to advance its strategic ambitions and strengthen its impact locally and internationally, her experience and leadership will be invaluable in guiding the institution through this important phase.
Please join me in warmly welcoming Professor Songca to the MUT community. We look forward to her leadership and to working together in advancing our shared vision for excellence, innovation, and transformative impact.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Anette Mienie
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal
24 February 2026