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DUT Bids Farewell To The Charismatic Dr Mandew

DUT Bids Farewell To The Charismatic Dr Mandew

“I thank all my colleagues at the DUT for their collegiality, support and understanding during my time here and I wish the institution all the best for the future,” were the words echoed by the charismatic Dr Martin Mandew during his farewell dinner which was held on Monday, 30 July 2018, at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre.

DUT colleagues and family members bid adieu to the University’s Midlands Centre Director, who left DUT to join the University of Free State fraternity.

His jovial character and pleasant demeanour are the two exceptional qualities which his DUT colleagues have indicated is what had made him so magnetic. “DUT is in for a major brain drain this Spring graduation. For me, he has created a new DUT which will be empty without his presence and he definitely leaves a legacy behind,” said Professor Suren Singh, Executive Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Professor Sibusiso Moyo-DVC OF Research, Innovation and Engagement, also added the same sentiments saying that her friendship with Dr Mandew spanned for many years and that he had made a vast contribution to student and staff development. “Thank you so much for all your contributions to DUT and we (DUT) wish you all the best in your new position at the University of Free State,” she said.

Also giving a speech at the dinner was the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, who also spoke of Dr Mandew’s immense leadership skills during his time at DUT.

“He’s very enigmatic and we will definitely miss his presence, especially his debates at the DUT workshops. Most of all, I want to thank him for his contribution towards growing the Midlands campuses which have stood the test of time. The Pietermaritzburg campuses have changed tremendously during the last five years under his leadership. I must give thanks to the level of work he had put into developing the campuses, culminating into the opening of the new buildings. He showed his mettle as an academic and as an excellent manager who got so much done for the institution,” he said.

Concluding the night was Dr Mandew, who spoke of his role at DUT. “My responsibility as a manager was to provide leadership in pursuance of this goal and to ensure that both the support staff and the environment are fit-for-purpose. Everything else was secondary. I am very grateful to all my colleagues, even those who are not with DUT, who have made a big impact and have been a great influence in my life. I know I am leaving with lots of love from my colleagues who I know will keep in touch. I wish DUT nothing but the best for the future,” he said.

The dinner concluded with a toast by Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director: Corporate Affairs as well as toasts from many other colleagues, and entertainment from songstress Thandeka Fakude.

Dr Mandew studied Philosophy and Theology in Cedara where he was awarded a Bachelor of Sacred Theology through the Urbaniana Pontifical University in Rome, in 1984. He then did his post-graduate studies at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Here, he was awarded a Master of Theology degree, graduating Cum Laude, in 1993 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1997.
He further continued his passion towards studying, completing his management and leadership studies at the Graduate School of Business, University of Durban-Westville, and also receiving a University Diploma in Management Development in 2002.

Dr Mandew’s employment journey began in 1984 when he worked as a priest in the diocese of Aliwal North until 1989. In 1991, he was employed by the University of Natal, working as an Academic Development Tutor until 1993. He then lectured in the School of Theology in the same university till 1997.

Thereafter, he was appointed as Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Student Services at ML Sultan Technikon, from 1998 to 2002. He assumed duties as Executive Director: Academic Development, Training and Skills Provision at the then Durban Institute of Technology in 2002. From 2003 until June 2013, Dr Mandew worked as an Independent consultant. Dr Mandew then assumed his duties at DUT as the Midlands Centre Director from 2013 until July 2018.

Pictured: Dr Martin Mandew with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, at the farewell dinner.

Waheeda Peters

 

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