Staff and alumni from Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) recently took centre stage at the provincial annual extension and advisory services meeting, driving a vital conversation on the future of food security, curriculum relevance, and community impact.
Guided by the timely theme, “Back to Basics in Agricultural Extension,” the forum, which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from 1-2 June 2026, served as a strategic platform for MUT experts to channel their professional experience directly into advancing South Africa’s evolving food systems.
The department’s participation was anchored by two key voices: Department Head Dr Eric Mthembu and Lecturer Professor Xolile Mkhize. Dr Mthembu, a recognised veteran with vast, long-standing knowledge of agricultural extension, focused his address on the critical need to return to the discipline’s core fundamentals. Complementing this perspective, Professor Mkhize delivered a keynote address centred on sustainable livelihoods, food security, value chains, and core agricultural values.
Professor Mkhize explained how her department will benefit from the event. “The event was very informative because we learned how to position our curriculum within the changing complexities of the field and align it to what the industry needs. We also learned that we need to balance what has worked previously with what we are going to do in terms of the future,” noted Professor Mkhize.
The need to go back to basics was highlighted by Portia Ndobe, a former student of the department who is now an extension officer. Ndobe said that going back to basics will help address food insecurity and the effects of climate change, citing points from the panel discussion. Ndobe said that there was a need to “prioritise local needs and indigenous knowledge”.
To further drive their insights home and engage with attendees, the MUT team also featured a dedicated exhibition at the event.
A major highlight of the meeting was the strong collaboration between the department, the KwaZulu-Natal province, and MUT alumni. Many former students attended the event, not just as participants, but as active industry professionals contributing to the provincial dialogue. This bridge between past and present students is already influencing how MUT approaches its academic offerings. Professor Mkhize emphasised that aligning the University’s curriculum with industry benchmarks ensures that students remain highly relevant to the job market.