In what is being hailed as a seismic shift in organisational culture at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), the MUT Council convened strategic members of the University community on 23 October 2026 to formally recognise and celebrate their exceptional contributions to the Institution. Addressing attendees during the landmark gathering, Chairperson of Council Dr Mosidi Makgae expressed profound gratitude to divisions and individuals driving transformative change across the University. However, alongside the celebration, Dr Makgae issued a clear warning that staff must not rest on their laurels, as recent milestones represent the beginning of MUT’s long-term transformation.
“An unqualified audit opinion is a milestone, it is not the destination,” emphasised Dr Makgae. “Our responsibility now is to ensure that this achievement is sustained year after year. The question we must ask ourselves is what systems, behaviours, and disciplines must we institutionalise to ensure that success becomes the new normal at MUT.”
Central to the Council’s awards was the Department of Finance, which played a pivotal role in securing the unqualified audit opinion for the University, a significant turnaround following a financial disclaimer and years of administrative challenges. Highlighting the collective effort behind the breakthrough, Dr Makgae placed on record the MUT Council’s deep appreciation for the leadership and operational resilience shown throughout the audit process. Dr Makgae singled out Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Bulelani Mahlangu and the entire Finance team for their steadfast dedication.
Acknowledgments were extended to the Executive Management Committee, Internal Audit, the Finance and Investment Committee, chaired by Lwazi Zondi, the Audit and Risk Committee, chaired by Seipati Boulton, and all supporting officials for the roles played. “An unqualified audit opinion does not happen by accident, Dr Makgae stated. “It is the product of systems, discipline, leadership, and people. To every member of staff who played a role, directly or indirectly: thank you very much.”
The recognition marked an unprecedented gesture from Council, boosting morale across administrative and financial operations. Responding to the honour, CFO Bulelani Mahlangu expressed gratitude on behalf of his team, noting the historic nature of the award. “We really appreciate the gesture of Council. I don’t think it has happened before,” said Mahlangu. “We hope Finance will be further encouraged knowing that their efforts are recognised and valued.”
The event underscored a broader performance agenda driven by Council to position MUT as a disciplined, high-performing University of Technology. By establishing rigorous accountability and celebrating high performance, Council aims to make operational excellence and financial integrity the permanent standard across all University departments.