To celebrate the ‘legacy of leadership and impact’ of the esteemed Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, the outgoing Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a Farewell Dinner in his honour at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson campus in Durban on Monday, 15 September 2025.
The Programme Director, Professor Melanie Lourens who is the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences commended Prof Netswera for his leadership style and for always planting a seed amongst his staff members and allowing it to grow.
In his welcome remarks, the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Vusi Gumede said it was his honour and privilege to welcome all the staff, students, distinguished guests, friends and family of Prof Netswera to the special occasion. He indicated that the event was not only to bid farewell but to also celebrate a leader, a mentor, a scholar, and a visionary who has left an indelible mark on the Faculty of Management Sciences and the broader university community.
Paying tribute to Prof Netswera on behalf of the faculty research staff was Professor Dumisile Hlengwa, Faculty Research Co-ordinator. She said it has been an absolute pleasure to work with Prof Netswera. She described him as a man who had great passion for research and who had managed to grow the faculty’s research output 129,4 units in 2023 to 209, 9 units in 2024. Prof Hlengwa said Prof Netswera was also dedicated to staff research, saying she got her associate professorship during his time. She indicated that during his time, Prof Netswera was able to produce 15 Associate Professors and 17 staff members who graduated with the PhDs.
Ms Lindiwe Zwane, Faculty Officer: Management Sciences spoke of behalf of the Faculty of Management Sciences. She described Prof Netswera as a calm leader who would remain calm even in time of crisis. She said often when faced by crisis she panics, however, Prof Netswera would advise her to find a solution. She thanked him for creating a warm environment in the faculty and for his exemplary leadership.
Representing the HoD’s was Prof Manduth Ramchander, Head of Department (HoD) of Operations and Quality Department. He applauded Prof Netswera for his remarkable input in the faculty. He said what set him apart was his calm leadership and being able to lead with humility.
Director of the DUT Business School, Prof Pfano Mashau thanked Prof Netswera for leading the establishment of the DUT Business School, hence creating his job. He shared the three things he had learnt from Prof Netwera, the first being to lead and inspire people but not to manage and manipulate people. He said the second lesson is that leadership is about growing others. Lastly, the lesson is that leadership is about influence and not authority. He said Prof Netswera emphasised that an accomplished scholar must lead scholars to their successs.
Professor Gugu Mchunu, Executive Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences at DUT said Prof Netswera always came across as someone who was always chilled in meetings but would raise his hand and say something powerful. If he was an animal, Prof Mchunu said he would be an eagle or an owl. She said an eagle has an exceptional eyesight allowing it to spot prey from great distances. Prof Mchunu said an owl has immense patience and has the ability to wait motionless to capture its target as Prof Netswera has done as he moves to a bigger role in one of the universities.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola spoke on contributions Prof Netswera made in terms of research as well as teaching and learning.
He said that the event was about DUT honouring Prof Netswera’s trail of service, courage and impact. He indicated that Prof Netswera led his faculty with a calm resolve. Prof Nemavhola commended Prof Netswera for the establishment of the DUT Business School which has been able to produce MBA graduates contributing to the university’s ENVISION2030 strategy of producing adaptive graduates who will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. He applauded him for the significant rise of staff members with PhDs within his faculty.
“Prof Netswera leaves DUT with four gifts. The first gift is the courage to do hard things. Number two is integrity to do the right things. Curiosity, Prof Netswera used to ask lots of difficulty questions. Lastly, care, he leaves us with the ability to lead the next person. He always wanted to develop others,” shared Prof Nemavhola.
On behalf of Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof Nemavhola said their gifts to Prof Netswera was the promise to tell the truth in their data, how they present data. He indicated that they will be generous in their reviews and ensure that they keep the classroom as a place of courage. He thanked him for his vision, courage and service during his five year, nine months tenure at DUT.

Professor Fulufhelo Netswera.
Delivering his farewell speech, Prof Netswera indicated that he had joined DUT in 2019 after he was told he would need to establish the DUT Business School. He said this excited him as he had a vision of a beautiful building built near the airport which will produce business leaders of tomorrow.
He shared that he has always set for himself to never stay in a job for over five years as he believes in learning, giving back and moving on, without overstaying in a place. He hopes during his time he was able to touch numerous lives.
“What I have learnt about great leaders is that the only moments they remember and treasure are not when they made millions but in how they touched lives. Thank you DUT for giving me an opportunity to serve in a conducive environment,” reiterated Prof Netswera.
In closing, Prof Lourens thanked all the guests for being part of the proceedings and for joining DUT in celebrating Prof Netswera’s journey at DUT.
On 01 October 2025, Prof Netswera will assume his new role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University of Venda.
Pictured (left to right): Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement; Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences; Professor Vusi Gumede, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma