The farewell celebration for the founding Director of the Research Directorate, Dr Anette Mienie, on 24 June 2026, became a moving tribute to a leader whose influence extended far beyond research administration. As colleagues reflected on her 26 years of dedicated service to MUT, they described her as a mentor, a builder, a dependable leader and, above all, the “mother of research” at the Institution.
Among the first to take the podium was Professor Xolile Mkhize from the Department of Community Extension, who expressed her appreciation for the woman whom she credited with shaping her research journey. “I will reflect on you first as a human being, then as a leader,” Professor Mkhize began.
Recalling her early days at MUT, Professor Mkhize said Dr Mienie welcomed and guided her when she first approached the Research Directorate shortly after joining the University. “It was you who held my hand and guided me,” she said, describing Dr Mienie as a mentor who invested in the growth of researchers across the Institution.
Professor Mkhize painted a picture of a leader whose contribution to MUT was both foundational and enduring. “You are an architect and a builder. You are a structure in the building that has held the system together. You were among us. We were your people, and you were our person. You were dependable and reliable. You made us feel safe,” she said.
Professor Mkhize also praised Dr Mienie’s exceptional emotional intelligence, saying it enabled her to navigate complex situations with calmness and wisdom. “You had strong emotional intelligence. You were able to soar above the complexities and storms. You were an invisible supervisor to us, as we were students of other institutions. We thank you.”
Professor Mkhize’s tribute echoed the sentiments of many researchers who had worked alongside Dr Mienie over the years. Former MUT academic Dr Thobeka Makhathini travelled from Gauteng to attend the farewell, determined to personally thank Dr Mienie for the guidance and support she had received during her time at the University.
Dr Joseph Bwapwa, a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, reflected on Dr Mienie’s professionalism and fairness, recalling how she never allowed differences of opinion to affect her relationships with colleagues. “You don’t hold grudges,” he said. “I thought your attitude towards me would change after we had a debate on a work-related issue. It did not.”
Dr Phiwayinkosi Gumede, Director of the Quality Management Directorate, also spoke of the professional relationship he shared with Dr Mienie while working together on the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG), highlighting her integrity and commitment to institutional excellence.
As colleague after colleague shared heartfelt memories, words of gratitude and admiration, emotions filled the room. The overwhelming appreciation expressed by those whose academic careers Dr Mienie had helped shape nearly brought Dr Mienie to tears.
After more than two and a half decades of distinguished service, Dr Mienie’s final day as an employee of Mangosuthu University of Technology will be 30 June 2026. While she leaves behind an institution transformed by her leadership, the heartfelt tributes from colleagues made it clear that her greatest legacy lies not only in the research systems she built, but also in the lives she touched through her humility, mentorship and unwavering commitment to the success of others.