The 8th of August 2026 will be etched into the history of Mangosuthu University of Technology as one of its darkest days, following the tragic passing of Cebo Nyondo, Deputy Director: E-Learning at the Learning and Teaching Development Centre (LTDC). Nyondo passed away at a local hospital, leaving the entire University community devastated by the loss of one of its most dedicated and industrious staff members. Nyondo’s journey with MUT was deeply personal; he was a proud product of the Institution before joining the LTDC, where his hard work and commitment saw him rise through the ranks to his final leadership position.
At a moving memorial service held on 12 August 2026, speaker after speaker painted a vivid picture of a man who embodied professionalism, efficiency, and kindness. Known for delivering exceptional results with a constant smile, Nyondo served as an unlimited source of information, guidance, and inspiration to his colleagues.
Nyondo’s impact extended far beyond administrative duties. Sithembiso Makhathini, a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, shared how Nyondo personally encouraged and inspired him to advance his academic career by registering for teaching qualifications at the University of Cape Town and the University of the Witwatersrand. While family members and colleagues acknowledge that they will eventually navigate the road to recovery, all present agreed that the depth of this loss will be felt for a long time.
Addressing the grieving family and MUT staff, interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rushiella Songca recalled the immediate impression Nyondo left when they first met in March. Professor Rushiella Songca highlighted his humility and his courageous zeal to find solutions, which had prompted him to approach the Head of the Institution directly.
Visibly shaken by the news, Professor Songca admitted she was in disbelief when she learned of Nyondo’s passing, noting how young he was. “As we celebrate life and do our work, we need to pause, and remember that we live on borrowed time, and we need to show care. While we don’t have all the answers, we need to be in the present moment,” Professor Songca reflected.
The interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal thanked Nyondo’s family for “borrowing” him to the Institution and offered heartfelt condolences to his colleagues, noting that his passing occurred just as the University was preparing for its annual Focus Conference. “In the limited time we have, we need to celebrate the contributions of people like Nyondo and remember that there are humans behind what we see,” Professor Songca added. “MUT is a place where dreams can be made, where kindness can be engendered.” The MUT community continues to rally around the Nyondo family, honouring a legacy defined by excellence, humility, and an enduring passion for education.
Nyondo will be buried on 22 August 2026. The service will be at Stutterheim Hall at 9am, in the Eastern Cape. Staff are advised to use Google maps for directions.