Telling the MUT Story. Powering IGNITE 2030
CORE IDENTITY
Marketing and Communications
Telling the MUT Story. Powering IGNITE 2030.
The Directorate of Marketing and Communications drives the brand, voice, and visibility of Mangosuthu University of Technology.
We connect strategy to storytelling — showcasing innovation, student success, learning and teaching, research impact, and community engagement.
Aligned to IGNITE 2030, we:
- Amplify institutional excellence
- Strengthen reputation
- Engage stakeholders locally, nationally, and globally
We do not just communicate MUT — we elevate it.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PILLARS
The department operates at the intersection of:
Stakeholder Relations Management
Building and sustaining relationships with students, staff, alumni, partners, donors, and community stakeholders.
Leadership:
Zama Sishi – Director
Public Relations Management
Managing institutional reputation, media visibility, publications, web presence, and major events.
Team:
Publications and Media Relations Officer: Bheki Hlophe
Jay Roopsunker: Webmaster
Events’ Management
Jade Mthiyane: Events Coordinator
Internationalisation
Building global partnerships with purpose
We have over 30 active partnerships with universities in Africa, Europe, U.S.A., Asia focusing on:
- Strategic global academic partnerships
- Exchange programmes
- Capacity development for administrators and leaders
- International research collaboration
- Engagement in energy, water, food, and climate resilience
- Global visibility and thought leadership
Flagship Programmes:
Empowered Administrators Conference
Conceptualised and hosted by MUT for 14 years, training over 3,000 office professionals across universities, government, corporations, and NPOs.
EnergyWaterFoodClimate Summit
In partnership with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), advancing interdisciplinary solutions in energy, water, food, and climate systems. MUT’s has led the co-hosting of this summit in Durban and Hungary.
Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
Mobilising Partnerships for Student Success
MUT’s CSI model is inward-focused — mobilising resources to address complex institutional challenges affecting students.
Priority Areas:
- Anti-hunger programmes
- Student hardship and emergency support
- Disaster response and relief
- Bridging funding gaps for vulnerable students
This structured Advancement approach integrates:
- Fundraising
- Donor cultivation
- Corporate partnerships
- Development agency engagement
Strategic Partnerships
Ensuring that institutional visibility translates into:
- Investment
- Collaboration
- Research opportunities
- Capacity building
- Sustainable growth
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
IGNITE 2030
Student Success & Institutional Resilience
Internationalisation and CSI collectively advance this core institutional pillar by ensuring:
- Global partnerships enhance academic and research capacity
- Resource mobilisation protects access and progression
- Strategic communication builds credibility and trust
- Institutional visibility attracts investment
Visibility → Partnership → Investment → Sustainability
PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP
Mbali Mkhize
Senior Director: Marketing and Communications
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Mbali Mkhize leads the University’s strategic positioning, brand stewardship, internationalisation initiatives, and CSI-driven Advancement model.
Her portfolio integrates:
- Marketing strategy
- Media relations
- Digital transformation
- Executive communications
- Stakeholder engagement
- International platforms
- Resource mobilisation
Under her leadership, Marketing and Communications serves not only as brand custodian, but as a strategic enabler of student success, institutional resilience, and global relevance.
