Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Deputy Chairperson of Council, Conny Mametja, paid a heartfelt tribute to Chairperson of Council, Dr Mosidi Makgae, for conceptualising the Institutional Excellence and Recognition Awards, describing the initiative as a meaningful expression of leadership that values people as much as institutional achievements.
Speaking at the Chairperson’s Gala Dinner held in Umhlanga on 23 October 2026, Mametja reflected on three important messages from Dr Makgae’s address: the need to celebrate MUT’s institutional recovery, the importance of constructive relationships between Council, management, and organised labour, and the recognition of employees whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
What made Mametja’s tribute particularly remarkable was the thoughtfulness with which she acknowledged each speaker, recognising their specific contributions to the evening and the University’s broader journey of renewal.
Her reflections demonstrated an appreciation of the different roles that individuals had played, ensuring that their contributions were not lost in the larger celebration of institutional achievements.
Equally significant was her recognition of the people who had worked behind the scenes to bring the event to life. From conceptualisation and planning to coordination and execution, Mametja acknowledged the collective effort that had made the evening possible.
The evening offered a reminder that leadership is not only about recognising achievements, but also about knowing the people behind them and making them feel valued.
In paying tribute to Dr Makgae, Mametja brought the Gala Dinner’s central message full circle: MUT’s institutional recovery is a shared achievement, and its future success will depend on sustaining a culture of appreciation, unity, and collective responsibility.