What was supposed to be a sombre visit to a late staff member of the University became an occasion to remember the sterling work that he did for the Institution during his 19 years of service, introducing the MUT team that visited Bheki Jonathan Gasa’s home on 16 July 2025. During the conversation between the MUT team and Duduzile Ngidi, Gasa’s daughter, several things became clear. The first was that the CEAD cares about Gasa’s contribution to the University. Gasa, fondly known as Mqgabulabheshu, was instrumental in the establishment of the Community Outreach Centre, which evolved into what is CEAD. The Centre “embodied” the Technikon’s commitment to meaningful societal engagement. The Technikon became a University of Technology in 2007. Over the years, Gasa served with distinction as a Community Liaison Officer, eventually retiring as the Acting Director of the Department of Community Outreach. Gasa was a strong proponent of the view that higher education should be grounded in three essential pillars: teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. He often referred to this model as a “three-legged pot” — a metaphor that reflected his holistic and inclusive vision of academic purpose.
During the visit, Professor Nkonki-Mandleni poured her heart out, sharing what it was like to lose Gasa, and that his leadership shone through during his time at MUT, as well as his vision, which remains a guiding light for the directorate. “We came to acknowledge Gasa’s contribution to the University. We represent the whole University,” Professor Nkonki-Mandleni said. Professor Nkonki-Mandleni said that they interviewed Gasa to record the history of the Centre. “What struck me was that Gasa, towards the end of the interview, Gasa implored us to work with churches. He did not say which denomination,” said Professor Nkonki-Mandleni, highlighting that Gasa passed away in July, a month in which another visionary of the country, Nelson Mandela, was born. Professor Nkonki-Mandleni also said they inherited a Centre with a strong foundation, because of Gasa.
Professor Nkonki-Mandleni also gave Gasa’s daughter an update on what the CEAD is doing. She said they have several outreach projects, and CEAD has partnerships with NGOs and other kinds of stakeholders. “We have many of these. It is very exciting. We take what we do to the MUT Radio. Gasa’s efforts did not go in vain,” said Professor Nkonki-Mandleni, adding that they learnt a lot from Gasa. “Gasa appreciated the CEAD. He said it was reviving hope. He appealed to us to take part in community meetings and contribute to them. He did not like the fact that some educated people distance themselves from the communities. We retire to these communities,” Professor Nkonki-Mandleni said.
Gasa’s daughter was very pleased to receive Professor Nkonki-Mandleni’s message with kindness, saying how committed her father was to community development. Ngidi said her father spent many hours with different communities. She said Gasa’s commitment to community development was shown by the fact that he remembered a lot about people. Ngidi said that even at 93, Gasa still remembered a lot about the people he interacted with.
Gasa retired in the year 2000. He passed away on 4 July 2025.