The curtain came down on a definitive chapter of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) as Dr Anette Mienie, the founding Director of the Research Directorate, officially bade farewell to the Institution she helped shape over a distinguished 26-year career. Struggling to hold back tears and visibly shaken by the gravity of the moment, Dr Mienie delivered an emotional final address to colleagues, friends, and University leadership, reflecting on a journey that transformed MUT’s academic landscape. “It is hard to say goodbye to people who have been part of my life for the past 26 years,” Dr Mienie said, her voice trembling.
When Dr Mienie first arrived 26 years ago, the Institution was still a technikon, a type of vocational college where research was rarely a priority. A young scientist armed with a PhD in Molecular Genetics, the 39-year-old professional faced immense hurdles from day one. In fact, she initially resigned just days after being hired, only to be quickly reinstated, a twist of fate that changed the trajectory of research at MUT.
Dr Mienie’s first battle was simply finding a physical space to work. Originally relegated to a far-flung, isolated corner of the campus, she took matters into her own hands. Recognising that she needed visibility to change institutional culture, she relocated to an empty room directly underneath the staff canteen. “It was the ideal location,” Dr Mienie recalled. “Staff would see the office as they went to the canteen. And it worked.”
A natural people person, Dr Mienie opened her doors to anyone who passed by, fiercely advocating for the value of research and how it would elevate the entire Institution. Over the decades, as the staff’s interest grew, the directorate expanded, migrating through various offices and steadily building a robust culture of inquiry.
Throughout the farewell ceremony, a succession of speakers took to the stage to praise Dr Mienie’s diplomatic skill, communication prowess, and visionary leadership. In her own address, she shared the core philosophies that sustained her directorate through decades of lean times and structural challenges.
Dr Mienie boldly challenged the notion that research requires massive funding. “The absence of money should not be a stumbling block; creativity should be the guide,” she insisted, noting that a leader with a clear vision will always find a way to solve financial hurdles.
Dr Mienie fondly recalled a major turning point after 2009 when reporting to Professor Marcus Ramogale, then Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic. The directorate received a R3 million support grant. “We felt that we were very rich,” she smiled.
Acknowledging that times were frequently tough, she emphasised that a sense of humour is vital for survival. She paid special tribute to Sifiso Qwabe, the longest-serving member of her department, noting that their shared laughter carried them through the hardest days.
Dr Mienie urged future leaders to build integrated, institutional teams rather than working in isolation. “Reach out to people,” she advised, while warning staff to choose international partnerships “wisely” so as never to overcommit.
While Dr Mienie’s first love remains research, her time at MUT was also marked by profound personal growth. Never one to stand still, she revealed to the audience that she’s also qualified as an admitted attorney.
Though she worked closely with departments across the University, Dr Mienie extended special gratitude to three units that proved instrumental to her global and local mission: the Learning and Teaching Development Centre (LTDC), the University Library, and the Department of Marketing and Communications.
Leaving behind a legacy of growth and transformation, the songwriter, scientist, and legal professional closed with a message of profound pride for the community she built. “I can’t be prouder of the MUT researchers. I wish you could see MUT through my eyes,” Dr Mienie concluded. “Keep the pioneering spirit.”