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Part of the annual end-of-year function that took place at the University’s iconic Dr Pixley ka Seme Hall on 4 December 2025 was the long service awards. Although the University acknowledges everyone’s contribution, there are certain milestones that are recognised. These include 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service. There are individuals that stay beyond the 30-year mark. This year, 59 individuals were highlighted for their long service to MUT; 18 for 10 years; 28 for 15 years; six for 20 years; seven for 25 years; and 10 for 30 years. All together these staff members have dedicated 1195 years to the University. One of the MUT staff that have spent a quarter of a century at the Institution is Sibongile Princess Mzizi. Mzizi, a member of the Department of Finance, said she joined MUT at the age of 24. Mzizi said she has stayed at MUT “to

The University is observing the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This international campaign runs from November 25 to December 10. It links the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness and call for an end to violence and discrimination against women. It also educates about offline and digital violence, promotes gender equality, and advocates for the prevention and response to violence. Nokuthula Ndlovu, Student Counsellor at the University’s Student Counselling Unit, said they commemorate the 16 Days to educate communities, promote safety, and encourage people to act so that “we can end abuse and femicide. As an Institution, we recognise that GBVF does not only affect individuals. It also affects our families, friends, colleagues, and every part of the communities we belong to. We are choosing not to look away, but to raise our voices,

The Childhood Cancer (CHOC) Foundation of South Africa has profusely thanked the MUT staff and students that went to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital last week and volunteered their time in the Foundation at the hospital. Thirteen MUT students accompanied by two staff members from the Department of Marketing and Communications, spent a day volunteering at the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC) on 25 November 2025. Their visit was filled with compassion and energy as they packed Christmas gifts and hampers, played with children, and offered emotional support to families. Beyond spreading festive cheer, the volunteers assisted with administrative tasks, including registration and consent forms for parents attending consultations and the Christmas party. CHOC KwaZulu-Natal Fundraiser, Ntobeko Zama, said the MUT students and staff “had a wonderful role in bringing joy to our children this festive season. They brought smiles, lifted spirits, and filled the room with laughter and excitement. For

Today, 5 December 2025, is the last day of the 17th World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) South Africa Summer School on Intellectual Property (IP) and Transfer of Technology, hosted by MUT off campus. Dr Mandla Hlongwane, Deputy Director: Technology Transfer in the Research directorate, describe the event as a “flagship international programme that brings together students, young professionals, researchers, and practitioners from South Africa and beyond to deepen their understanding of the strategic role of intellectual property in innovation, economic development, and societal advancement”. On 1 December 2025, the first day of the second week, while everyone was captivated by a lively presentation by Professor Sadulla Karjiker, the Anton Mostert Chair of Intellectual Property Law at the Stellenbosch University who gave an overview of copyright.  The day belonged to the learners from these five high schools: Sidelile High, Menzi High, Mqhawe High, Sibusisiwe Comprehensive High and Qinisani High, from in

Like the rest of the world, MUT recognises 1 Dember as the World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is an international event where global communities join hands in observing a moment to renew commitment to awareness, compassion, and collective action in confronting HIV/AIDS. On 2 December 2025, the University’s Clinic staff met at the Anniversary Lane underneath the huge AIDS ribbon, and lit candles to remind everyone that the problem still exists, and that there is still no cure for AIDS. Sister Bongiwe Sithole, Health Promoter at the Clinic, said “1 December is a call to reinforce accurate knowledge about HIV transmission, prevention, testing and treatment; support the rights and dignity of people living with HIV; and encourage testing and access to care, and reduce stigma and misinformation”. Their message is still that people should use protection; they must take all the precautions necessary to limit the spread of virus. “Our

Four MUT female boxers have done well at the USSA games at the Transnet Engineering in Pretoria from 30 November to 5 December 2025. Thanduxolo Ngobese won gold in the 66kg category. Ngobese’s teammates won silver in their respective divisions, with Sphesihle Msesiwa in the 54 kg division; Lethiwe Hlongwane in the 48 kg; and Nomvula Kubheka, in the 63kg division.

After several years of hosting the end-of-year function off campus, MUT staff will once again enjoy this much-loved annual event at the heart of the University. The celebration is set for 4 December 2025 at the iconic Dr Pixley Seme Hall. This year’s function carries special significance as MUT transitions from Strategy 2025 to the bold new Strategy 2030, aptly named IGNITE. The name, inspired by feedback from a strategy survey conducted by Directorate of Institutional Planning and Research (DIPR), reflects a vision that extends beyond MUT, aiming to shine globally. IGNITE is not about lighting a simple flame; it symbolises sparking future-fit learning and teaching; financial sustainability; research innovation and digital transformation; strategic partnerships, internationalisation, and visibility; an inclusive and supportive environment. To mark this milestone, staff are encouraged to dress in MUT’s corporate colours, a gesture that goes beyond theme and signals the first step toward embracing the

The eThekwini Municipality’s Human Settlements and Technical Services hosted a strategic stakeholder engagement session at the Durban ICC on 21 November 2025. The gathering brought together education partners to reflect on the impact of the city’s STEM outreach programmes rolled out to high schools throughout the year. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) was among the key institutions present, having supported initiatives such as the Grade 12 Career Symposium, school roadshows, winter school programme, Grade 9 Expo and Subject Selection, Women in Science, and Career Dress-Up Day. These programmes aim to inspire learners and align with the Integrated Development Programme (IDP), NDP, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that education efforts contribute to long-term social and economic development. Opening the session, Veena Naidoo, Coordinator in the municipality’s Technical Services Cluster, expressed pride in partnerships spanning the Umlazi, Ugu, and Pinetown education districts. “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.

Thirteen students from Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), accompanied by two staff members from the Marcomms department, spent a day volunteering at the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC) at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital on 25 November 2025. Their visit was filled with compassion and energy as they packed Christmas gifts and hampers, played with children, and offered emotional support to families. Beyond spreading festive cheer, the volunteers assisted with administrative tasks, including registration and consent forms for parents attending consultations and the Christmas party. The experience left a lasting impression on the group, who described it as humbling and deeply rewarding. “What an experience, being an MUT student is a blessing,” said Nobuhle Goba, one of the student volunteers, who also hosts an interfaith show on MUT Radio every Sunday from 10h00 to 12h00. The initiative reflects MUT’s commitment to community engagement and the spirit of giving back.

Two members of the University staff have dedicated their professional skills to benefit local informal traders. Dr Mpou Manyatsa and Dr Trishka Pillay, both lecturers in the Department of Environmental Health, together with the University’s Safe, Health and Wellness practitioner, Lizwi Masondo, partnered with the Small Business Support team and eThekwini Municipality’s Environmental Health division, to deliver specialised training for ready-to-eat informal food traders and registered caterers. The initiative, undertaken as part of a registered MUT CEAD project, aimed to equip food traders with essential knowledge on food safety and pest management. Dr Manyatsa said that the topics included business registration requirements, compliance and certification processes under Regulation 638, the World Health Organisation’s Five Keys to Safer Food, and best practices for effective pest control. The training also highlighted the dangers of pesticide misuse, with a strong focus on preventing poisoning of people, and ensuring the safe handling of chemicals