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In a remarkably candid welcoming address on 2 March 2026, Professor Marcus Ramogale, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), provided a sobering “survival guide” to incoming Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Songca. Steering away from the typical platitudes of institutional welcomes, Professor Ramogale utilised his 16 years of experience at the University to outline 10 critical risks facing the new head of the Institution. His address, titled to “say the unsayable,” focused on the internal complexities and “bad governance” realities that often bypass theoretical textbooks. Professor Ramogale’s first warning was clear: “while MUT is a small institution, its problems are huge and complex.” He cautioned Professor Songca against being misled by the University’s size, urging a strategy of astuteness and foresight. Perhaps his most stinging warning concerned interpersonal manipulation. Professor Ramogale warned of individuals who might attempt to prejudice the Interim Vice-Chancellor

In a formal ceremony marked by a call for academic renewal, the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Senate officially welcomed Professor Rushiella Songca as the Institution’s new Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The welcome message, delivered by Dr Anette Mienie, outgoing Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and member of the University Senate, centred on the critical “bicameral” relationship between the University Council and Senate. Dr Mienie emphasised that while Council oversees general governance, Senate remains the “custodian of the academic project.” Dr Mienie addressed the evolving nature of higher education, warning against the global trend of “managerialism” where academic decisions are sometimes shifted away from faculty-led bodies. “There is a danger that Senate can become a space of rubber-stamping or the playing out of petty politics,” Dr Mienie noted. “To enact Senate’s responsibilities fully, we need to explicitly deliberate on and reimagine our role in an ever-changing university environment.” To guide Professor

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Institutional Forum has officially extended a warm welcome to Professor Rushiella Songca, who recently stepped into the role of Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal. In a formal message of support delivered by the Forum’s Chairperson, Lwazi Mthimkhulu, the body expressed its full support and “goodwill” toward Professor Songca as she takes the helm of the Institution. Mthimkhulu highlighted the Forum’s readiness to engage in a constructive partnership, emphasising that the leadership transition requires commitment and courage. “We appreciate the commitment and courage it takes to lead during a period of transition, and we are confident that your guidance will help steady and strengthen our Institution,” Mthimkhulu stated. The Institutional Forum, which serves as a key advisory body within the University structure saw the arrival of Professor Songca as a stabilising move for the University. “The Institutional Forum stands ready to work alongside you in a

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has received a significant boost in institutional backing following the appointment of Professor Rushiella Songca as the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The University’s two labour unions, NEHAWU and TENUSA, have both issued formal messages of support to the Interim VC. In a statement addressed to the University Council and Executive Management, NEHAWU characterised the appointment as occurring at a “critical moment” for the Institution. The union outlined a five-point collaborative mandate to ensure the University’s future, focusing on promoting stability and protecting MUT’s reputation; supporting transparent decision-making processes; placing academic success at the heart of all institutional choices; encouraging constructive engagement between management and staff; and ensuring the long-term viability of the University’s mission in technological education. “We believe this interim leadership will help strengthen stakeholder confidence and promote unity across the University community,” said NEHAWU MUT Fulltime Shop Steward, Linda Nzama, urging staff, students,

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is on the verge of a significant international breakthrough following a visit from Lesotho’s Agritech Institute. The meeting, held on 3 March 2026, between the Lesotho TEVT and MUT’s Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, has paved the way for a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that promises to bolster agricultural research and student mobility across borders. The partnership originated from a recent outreach mission by MUT’s Department of Marketing and Communications to Lesotho. During the trip, led by Mbali Mkhize, senior director, Marketing and Communications, staff identified the Agritech Institute of Lesotho, in Leribe, as a prime candidate for collaboration. Given the Institute’s specialised focus, the conversation naturally turned to MUT’s Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, which includes a Department of Agriculture. The team then invited the Agritech Institute leadership to schedule a visit to MUT. Following a tour of the MUT main

The National Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) has officially signalled a new chapter for aspiring geomatics professionals. On 25 February 2026, the Office of the Chief Surveyor-General launched the 2026 Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). The initiative underscores the department’s commitment to bridging the gap between lecture hall theory and the high-stakes reality of professional surveying. The 12-month in-service training programme welcomes a cohort of Diploma and Bachelor’s graduates from MUT and other leading institutions. These students have been strategically placed across the country to gain diverse experience. They are placed in government offices such as the National Office (Gauteng), and Surveyor-General offices in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities, and the various geomatics and surveying firms. Under the mentorship of seasoned professionals, graduates will engage in hands-on functions including mapping, spatial data management, and technical surveying, all

In a powerful display of civic engagement, students from Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) stepped out of the lecture halls and into the heart of provincial governance this week. On 3 March 2026, a delegation of 33 students participated in the KwaZulu-Natal State of the Province Address (SOPA) Debate, proving that the youth of Umlazi are far from passive observers in the South African political landscape. Invited by the Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Honourable Nontembeko Boyce, the group, comprising 18 students from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and 15 from Management Sciences represented the University’s Student Volunteer Programme, Peer Helper group, and MUT Radio. The 2026 SOPA focused on the “big five” of provincial challenges: unemployment, economic recovery, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), education, and social cohesion. For MUT, this engagement was not a field trip; it was a practical application of the University’s Anchor Strategy. Dr Mfanozelwe

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) community has a new reason to break a sweat. In a vibrant ceremony led by Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Songca, the University officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art gym facility this week. The project, which saw an investment of R3 million, represents a significant leap forward in campus wellness and student development. During her keynote address, Professor Songca highlighted that the gym is more than just a place for physical exercise; it is a sanctuary for mental clarity. “Everyone needs to visit the gym every now and then. We need to de-stress. This is when ideas can come to your head,” Professor Songca remarked. Leading by example, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal committed to visiting the facility at least once a month to train. Her sentiments were echoed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Marcus Ramogale, who commended the Department of Sport and

In a move signalling a new chapter of strategic growth and stability, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) officially introduced Professor Rushiella Songca as its Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal on 2 March 2026. The event took place off campus, on Monday, 2 March 2026. The formal introduction was presided over by the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Mosidi Makgae, who presented Professor Songca as a “dynamic and visionary leader” equipped to guide the Institution through its current phase of transition. Professor Songca joins MUT with over 20 years of progressive experience in higher education. Most recently, she served as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Walter Sisulu University (WSU), where she was credited with spearheading institutional transformation, digital innovation, and financial sustainability. Professor Songca’s extensive resume includes senior executive roles at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where she served as Executive Dean and later as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs

This week marked a defining moment in the leadership journey of Mangosuthu University of Technology, where, with warmth and composure, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal,  Dr Anette Mienie communicated the appointment of Professor Rushiella Songca to MUT.  Professor Songca has been appointed as an Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Institution. Dr Mienie’s words were deeply collegial. “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,” Dr Mienie said. In that simple yet powerful gesture, Dr Mienie demonstrated what authentic academic leadership looks like. A moment that reflected institutional maturity over personal position. Acting in a role often defined by temporary authority, Dr Mienie chose not to centre herself on herself, but on the continuity of the University. Her introduction signalled that leadership at MUT is not