Since taking office in August 2024, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nokuthula Sibiya has made it a priority to recognise the invaluable contributions of non-academic staff. Her flagship initiative, the Vice-Chancellor’s Support Staff Excellence Awards, is now in full swing, marking a long-awaited moment of celebration for academic support and administrative teams across the university. The awards aim to honour staff who exemplify excellence, innovation, leadership, transformation, and student-centred support, with five categories:
On 13 November 2025, nominees attended a capacity-building session at the Student Centre to strengthen their submissions and evidence portfolios. The training was facilitated by Dr Phiwayinkosi Gumede, Director of the Quality Management Directorate, and Dr Lindelani Qwabe, Head of Chemistry, ensuring nominees are well-prepared for the next stage.
For many, the nomination itself feels like a victory. Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu, Technician in Electrical Engineering, shared: “I feel happy to be part of the awards. I am excited to be among the first ones to take part in this process. I feel like I have won something already.” Similarly, Nonhlanhla Duma, Secretary in the Biomedical Sciences department and nominee for the Service Excellence Award, said: “Being considered for such an award is inspiring and motivates me to continue delivering excellent service.”
The awards ceremony will take place on 10 December 2025, celebrating the dedication and impact of staff whose contributions often go unseen but remain essential to the University’s success.