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The MarComms team has come in a show of force to recruit from Lesotho. This was no ordinary recruitment this time around. The focus was on engaging not only learners but also Life Orientation teachers to demonstrate MUT’s value proposition and encourage learners to apply early. “With the Central Applications Office opening the 2026/7 applications next month, as well as the fact that in Lesotho, the academic year starts in July, it was the right time to come and engage students who are not yet admitted for July. We also learned from our counterparts that you visit the institutions not once but many times to ensure brand positioning at its best”, said Zama Sishi, director for stakeholder relations management at MUT.  She further thanked the Stakeholder Relations Management (SRM) team, Sthembile Ndlovu, Ayanda Blose and Nganele Dube for their confidence in articulating the brand values to young people in an

The Humanitarian Aid Agency, known as Gift of the Givers, has recommitted to assisting MUT’s indigent students, mostly those in the missing middle. This is the 4th year of Gift of Givers’ consistent support to these students since the official launch of the MUT Indigent Student Pantry in 2023. “I wish to urge lecturers and Student Affairs to assist in identifying these students. As we noted in 2023, Gift of the Givers’ projects at MUT demonstrate the breadth and depth of a sustainable stakeholder engagement project and its ongoing support for MUT. We are overjoyed that they have once again chosen MUT as one of its friends”, said Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. Not long ago, Marketing and Communications informed the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Anette Mienie and her executive that students trapped in queues would receive cooked meals, without hesitation, Gift of the Givers provided

The “MUT Brand Monday” campaign continues. The campaign is part of the rollout of MUT’s IGNITE 2030, the Institution’s strategy for 2026 – 2030. On Monday, more staff and students joined the campaign, which calls on everyone to wear MUT regalia and pose for a photo in the morning. While most organisations remember who they are on Fridays, MUT wants to remind its staff and students of their identity and ignite a sense of belonging from the first day of the week. The Department of Marketing and Communications and the University’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Officer, Lizwi Masondo, leave their offices to invite others who are ‘on brand’ to take a photo used on some University platforms. Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director: Department of Marketing and Communications, said “as ‘MUT Brand Mondays’ grow, they become a weekly celebration of MUT values, My MUT – Mastery, Yearning for Growth, Mutal Respect, Ubuntu,

By Carlito Sheik, broadcast journalist and radio practitioner with over 20 years at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) There is something sacred about radio. For more than two decades in the studios of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, I have witnessed the quiet magic of a microphone switched on at dawn, the steady rhythm of a newsroom preparing bulletins, and the invisible thread that connects a broadcaster to a listener miles away. Every year on 13 February, the world pauses to celebrate that magic. In 2011 UNESCO proclaimed this day World Radio Day, and it was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, a recognition that radio remains one of the most trusted and accessible media on earth. The 2026 theme, “AI Is a Tool, Not a Voice,” speaks directly to the moment we find ourselves in, a time of extraordinary technological acceleration and equally profound

This World Radio Day also marks a historic milestone. MUT Radio is participating in a groundbreaking Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Distance Learning Trial, the first of its kind in South Africa. This initiative explores how digital radio can deliver educational content directly to students, even in areas with limited internet connectivity. For a station rooted in Umlazi Township, one of Africa’s most vibrant and resilient townships, this is more than innovation. It is purpose. Carl Sheik, MUT Radio Consultant, said, “Digital radio, used wisely, can extend access to quality education, reach underserved communities, reduce reliance on costly data, and strengthen hybrid learning models.” Sheik further said, “In a continent where connectivity gaps remain real, radio once again demonstrates its quiet power. And this is where AI may reshape production workflows. It may assist with editing, scripting support, or music scheduling. But it cannot replicate lived experience, empathy, community memory, and

Celebrating five years in the craft of MUT Radio broadcasting, is Awethu Kelese, a now not so young man who became the first voice waking up Umlazi Township community and MUT from 16 June 2021, when MUT radio shone its studio lights for the first time. As the first presenter of the Vukubangene breakfast show, Kelese set the tone for what campus radio could be: energetic, purposeful, and rooted deeply in community. Five years later, the same voice is still there. Today, Kelese serves as MUT Radio’s Content and Programme Manager, a role that demands creativity, leadership, and editorial maturity. Yet despite the weight of these responsibilities, he remains the consistent morning voice that welcomes students, staff, and the broader community into each new day. Kelese’s ability to balance management duties with on-air excellence is a testament to his work ethic, discipline, and profound passion for broadcasting. Kelese has carried

The deep love for the University led its Chair of Council, Dr Mosidi Makgae, to approach Thembinkosi Madikane, the President of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), to contribute to the Institution’s crucial infrastructure and teaching and learning needs. During a meeting off campus, a few months ago, Dr Makgae came to know Thembinkosi Madikane, President of ECSA. Recognising the value of investing in strong relationships, Dr Makgae invited Madikane to MUT.  On 30 January 2026, Dr Makgae and her Council team welcomed Madikane to MUT. During the visit, Madikane met with the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Anette Mienie, and the Chairperson of Council, Dr Mosidi Makgae, and other external and internal Council members to explore ways of strengthening the University’s Engineering faculty through a strategic partnership with ECSA. Dr Makgae said the discussions focused on positioning ECSA as a key strategic partner in advancing MUT’s growth and

The registration queues have steadily given way to confirmed enrolments, clear evidence of an Institution ready for its new academic year.  With almost all academic programmes now full, the Deputy Registrar, Zolisa Gqamane, has advised that the “Apply Now” option on the CAO website be removed to prevent further applications for the first semester of the 2026 academic year. This milestone signals the strength of the University’s academic offerings and the confidence that prospective students place in the Institution. Behind this successful intake lies a seamless, well-coordinated registration process driven by the dedication of multiple business units working in unison. From Admissions, Finance, Financial Aid, Student Administration, ICT, Student Support Services, to Protection Services and Marketing and Communications, each unit played a critical role in ensuring processes flowed efficiently, and students received care and support promptly. Central to this success was the visible, hands-on leadership of Dr Anette Mienie, the

“Is there any of you who does not want to succeed?” No one!  This question will linger among University students who have just enrolled for the 2026 academic year. It was asked by Professor Marcus Ramogale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning and the UK’s  University of Nottingham alumnus. Professor Ramogale, a teacher by profession and a teacher by nature, was addressing the freshmen at the University’s iconic Dr Pixley Seme Hall on 3 February 2026 during the First-Year Orientation programme. Professor Ramogale’s message was that students must understand that success results from a conscious decision supported by the right actions. “The urge to succeed is natural. God wants us to succeed,” said Professor Ramogale. He explained the difference between a University of Technology and a traditional University. His point was that students who choose MUT as the place where they will assemble their future have made the right decision. Professor

On 4 February 2026, the University Clinic and the Student Affairs’ Disability Support Unit (DSU) of the Student Counselling department had a ‘Sun Smart’ talk with students living with albinism. Sister Ntombenhle Mazibuko, a Professional Nurse at the Clinic, talked about the dangers of UVA and UVB rays. Sister Mazibuko said the sun’s rays damage the skin. UVA (Ageing) refers to Ultraviolet rays that have a deep wavelength and penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, into the dermis and cause skin damage, such as photoaging, wrinkles, dark spots, and skin sagging; while UVB (Burning) refers to UV rays that primarily cause skin burning and its reddening. It has varying intensity, peaking at noon. It has short wavelengths, primarily acts on the skin surface, and is a major driver of DNA mutations that cause skin cancer. “Our ozone layer is damaged, and with climate change comes the changing weather