Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has received a significant boost in institutional backing following the appointment of Professor Rushiella Songca as the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The University’s two labour unions, NEHAWU and TENUSA, have both issued formal messages of support to the Interim VC.
In a statement addressed to the University Council and Executive Management, NEHAWU characterised the appointment as occurring at a “critical moment” for the Institution. The union outlined a five-point collaborative mandate to ensure the University’s future, focusing on promoting stability and protecting MUT’s reputation; supporting transparent decision-making processes; placing academic success at the heart of all institutional choices; encouraging constructive engagement between management and staff; and ensuring the long-term viability of the University’s mission in technological education.
“We believe this interim leadership will help strengthen stakeholder confidence and promote unity across the University community,” said NEHAWU MUT Fulltime Shop Steward, Linda Nzama, urging staff, students, and alumni to offer their full cooperation during the transition.
TENUSA urged equitable engagement. While echoing the congratulatory sentiments, Dr Lindelani Qwabe, representing TENUSA, delivered a “from the heart” appeal to Professor Songca. Dr Qwabe also horned in on the importance inclusivity in governance, urging the new Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal to engage with all labour bodies equally. “TENUSA is a minority union and is sometimes left out in discussions and decisions that affect employees. I appeal to the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, to consider the value of engaging all unions in pertinent matters… instead of considering concerns of one union and not the other,” Dr Qwabe remarked.
Dr Qwabe cautioned that selective engagement risks eroding trust within sections of the University community, framing it as a critical risk factor for institutional harmony. Despite these cautions, Dr Qwabe reaffirmed TENUSA’s commitment to the collective responsibility of building the University.
The student leadership, the SRC, and the MUT Convocation, also warmly welcomed the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The endorsement from all the divisions marks a hopeful chapter for MUT as it seeks to stabilise its leadership. With the Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal now settling in to lead MUT, the focus shifts to maintaining the University’s legacy in teaching, learning, and research innovation.