What was meant to be a standard afternoon farewell for retiring Research Director Dr Anette Mienie quickly turned into a marathon celebration that lasted deep into the night, as colleagues lined up to pay tribute to a true University pioneer.
The off-campus farewell function, which commenced at 2:00 PM, saw an outpouring of emotion from the MUT staff. However, it was a humorous, heartfelt speech by Professor Bhekisipho Twala, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Resources and Planning, that brought much-needed levity to an otherwise tearful room. “Twenty-six years! That’s not a career, that’s a life sentence served with good behaviour,” Professor Twala joked, injecting a wave of laughter into an evening filled with heavy, emotional tributes.
Professor Twala took the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminding attendees just how much the world and the university have changed since Dr Mienie first walked through the doors. “Think about it. When she started, some of us didn’t have cellphones, social media didn’t exist, and ‘the cloud’ was something that brought rain,” Twala remarked. “Dr Mienie has seen technology evolve from floppy disks to artificial intelligence. In fact, after 26 years of service, I suspect she doesn’t fear AI; AI probably asks her for advice.”
Over nearly three decades, Dr Mienie outlasted countless institutional shifts, a feat Twala noted required the stamina of an “endurance athlete.” “Over the years, Dr Mienie has survived multiple bosses, countless policy changes, office relocations, budget cuts, strategic plans, and enough meetings to qualify as an endurance athlete,” said Professor Twala.
Beyond her academic achievements, Professor Twala praised Dr Mienie’s remarkable grace under pressure, commending her ability to maintain a smile through the inevitable friction of university administration. “What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Dr Mienie managed to do it all while smiling, remaining professional, and resisting the urge to tell people exactly what they thought in every meeting,” he said. “We thank you for your dedication, wisdom, patience, and for proving that it is possible to survive 26 years of workplace drama without ending up on a true-crime documentary.”
Looking ahead, Professor Twala also congratulated Dr Mienie on her newfound freedom, playfully highlighting the perks of stepping away from the daily grind of higher education leadership. “As you move on to the next chapter, remember that retirement, or whatever comes next, is simply a promotion to Chief Executive Officer of Your Own Time,” Twala stated. “No more alarm clocks. No more ‘urgent’ emails sent at 4:55 PM. No more meetings that could have been an email.”
Professor Twala closed by admitting a sentiment shared by many in the room: “We salute your service, admire your resilience, and are slightly jealous that you no longer have to pretend to enjoy team-building exercises.”