The Durban University of Technology (DUT) held a Farewell Dinner for Professor Mashupye Kgaphola, the esteemed outgoing Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) on Monday, 25 August 2025.

 

The Programme Director was Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane who is the DUT Midlands Campus Director. In her welcome remarks Dr Mthiyane said the event was not only about bidding farewell but to celebrate Prof Kgaphola’s remarkable journey of leadership and service. She indicated that in the Midlands they claim Prof Kgaphola as one of their own, having served as the Interim Midlands Campus Director in 2024.

 

“As the Interim Midlands Campus Director, he steered the Midlands campuses with vision and compassion. He was always willing to listen, with deep appreciation for the academic projects and he was committed to ensuring that the Midlands moves in sync with the rest of DUT,” shared Dr Mthiyane, thanking Prof Kgaphola for his visionary and impactful leadership.

 

Dr Mthiyane wished Prof Kgaphola well in his retirement, saying it was not the end of the road but the beginning of a new journey.

 

Sharing his farewell message was Dr Matheakuena Mohale, Director of Special Projects in the Office of Vice-Chancellor and Principal. He noted that the first time he had met Prof Kgaphola was November 2019 when DUT launched the Hlomisa Skills Academy as the flagship programme and they had invited him to deliver a keynote address. On that day, Dr Mohale said Prof Kgaphola said something that has been stuck with him, that he continually reflects on.

 

“He said that there is a tendency in academic for scholars to quote politicians instead of politicians quoting scholars. On the surface there is nothing wrong with that observation, especially for myself because I happen to be in the public policy/public administration field, now and then we tend to quote politicians for certain reasons. That’s how I got to know Prof Kgaphola,” shared Dr Mohale.

 

He shared that another pressing issue they had discussed was South Africa’s Higher Education system being the only one that has the Honours level based on the paper he wrote in the early 90s. According to Dr Mohale, Prof Kgaphola argued how Wits and the University of Cape Town created the Honours level in order to systematically put outside potential black talent from going further in higher education. He said Prof Kgaphola convinced him to see that it was not fair that students who do not get 65% are denied access to study Honours, thus condemning their future and their plans to study further.

 

Distinguished guest, Professor Mojalefa Ralakhetho welcomed Prof Kgaphola to retirement. He first applauded Prof Kgaphola for  leaving a legacy of quiet leadership, saying his leadership was never loud but it was always profound. He shared that years ago they had worked together on the HOD Capacity Building Project at DUT, a brief collaboration that produced his better self in thinking, exposition and perspective.

 

“Professor Kgaphola’s legacy is not confined to titles held or offices occupied. It lives in the minds he has shaped, the institutions he has strengthened and the quiet wisdom he continues to share. Retirement in this light, is not a withdrawal but a redirection, a chance to choose projects freely, to reflect deeply, and to mentor without the weight of formal obligation. We do not say goodbye to Prof Kgaphola’s influence. We simply mark a transition, from formal leadership to informal legacy, from institutional stewardship to personal wisdom. His retirement is not a closing chapter but a new page in a book still being written,” reiterated Prof Ralakhetho.

 

Speaking on behalf of the academic sector was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola. He said the event was held to honour the scholar of scholar, a leader whose steadiness has guided the DUT community through both calm and storm.

“Prof Kgaphola brought the wisdom of experience. You showed me that speed is nothing without direction. You did ordinary things extraordinarily well. Listening before deciding, insisting that our policies serve people and not the other way round. To us you really made high standards feel humane. I’ve also known you as a mentor, you treated all of us with a great sense of humility. You always made me think of the fundamental reasons why we exist and why we want to do certain things,” reflected Prof Nemavhola, thanking Prof Kgaphola for his present, principled and practical leadership.

 

DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mthembu also bid farewell to Prof Kgaphola sharing the same sentiments as the previous speaker. He said the event was about celebrating the remarkable work that has been done by Prof Kgaphola over the years of his academic career. He appreciated the contribution he made at DUT and many other universities he had been to as well as the National Research Fund and the Department of Higher Education and Training. Prof Mthembu thanked Prof Kgaphola’s family for being present at the event to share his great moments. He recounted their life back in the days as young academics and the contributions they had made in the higher education sector.

 

In his farewell speech, Prof Kgaphola began by responding to Dr Mohale on the Honours level subject saying he had made a commitment to himself that he will not let it die. Sharing the story on this matter he said he had been talking about it for the past 26 years.

 

“In 1998/9 I said unless we change the structure of the undergraduate programme in South Africa, this country is going nowhere. We shall continue looking for young, black people to do Master’s and PhD and we shall not find them because they have got a design problem. I’m not done yet, I am looking forward to us engaging. I now have a bit  more time to devote my mind to that subject. We make our young people do an Honours degree, which is a sinkhole in the higher education system in South Africa. It works for universities, but does it work for the young black people?” asked Prof Kgaphola, saying the systems shuts the door to young people who wish to further their studies but are not able to get the required 65% pass mark.

 

He expressed his gratitude to the DUT community for the support and the great times shared. He urged them to continue their mission to make DUT great.

 

The Head of Department of Applied Management, Professor Bongani Dlamini delivered a toast and closing remarks. He wished Prof Kgaphola well on his new chapter, advising him to walk tall into his retirement as even after years of hard work he’s still physically fit and looks young. He congratulated Prof Kgaphola on the beginning of his best life.

 

Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu presenting a gift to Professor Mashupye Kgaphola, the esteemed outgoing Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning during his farewell dinner.

 

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.

 

Simangele Zuma