Preparations are at an advanced stage for the 2026 Empowered Administrators Conference (EAC), with nearly 180 delegates already registered for the flagship event set to take place from 17 to 18 September 2026, at the Gateway Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.
Organised by the Department of Marketing and Communications (MarComms), this year’s conference is themed ‘AI-Enabled office excellence: From support to strategic leadership’, highlighting the evolving role of administrative professionals in modern high-tech workplaces. Jade Mthiyane, Events Organiser at the Department of Marketing and Communications, noted that enthusiasm for this year’s gathering is particularly high, drawing representatives from industry and most of South Africa’s 26 public universities. Marking a significant milestone for the event, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) will be joining the conference for the first time.
Now running for more than 12 years, the impactful EAC continues to serve as a vital platform for professional growth, professional networking, and capacity building. The initiative directly aligns with the MUT IGNITE2030 Strategy, reinforcing the institutional commitment to excellence, innovation, and strategic leadership development.
In addition to the core workshop sessions, attendees can look forward to a thought-provoking Adminovata Thon, a hackathon for administrative and support staff. On day one of the conference, administrators will gain in-depth skills to use AI to address prevalent challenges in their work environment. On day two, attendees will put these skills into action by solving a hackathon-style challenge. There will be awards for the best ideas, best teamwork, and sustainable solutions. The live hands-on Magic Studio Masterclass and hackathon are made possible through a partnership with Canva South Africa, which has sponsored three months of free access to Canva Pro for all attendees. This enables EAC delegates to access the Canva platform beyond the conference, ensuring they can further engage and apply the skills learned.
The organising team invites all delegates to look forward to a groundbreaking event designed to transform administrative and support staff into dynamic leaders of the future.