As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the June 16, 1976 uprising, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is strengthening its commitment to human rights education and student empowerment under the leadership of Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Songca.
Speaking during reflections on her first 100 days in office, Professor Songca revealed that one of her first initiatives was promoting human rights awareness across the institution.
A legal scholar by training, Professor Songca emphasised that human rights should not be confined to a single commemorative day but must become part of everyday institutional culture.
“Human rights underpin our Constitution, our democracy and our social cohesion. They remind us that dignity, equality, ubuntu, inclusion and justice are not abstract ideals, but practical responsibilities shared by every citizen,” she said.
Central to this vision is the planned launch of a Student Ambassador Programme to cultivate students’ agency. The programme will provide opportunities for students to participate in national and international change-making initiatives while empowering them to shape the programme’s direction themselves.
Professor Songca explained that the initiative seeks to develop students who can make informed choices, taking action and influencing their circumstances.
“Agency is about enabling students to become active participants in their own development rather than passive recipients of events,” she said.
The programme forms part of a broader effort to position students as leaders capable of driving social change while embracing the values of ubuntu and responsible citizenship.