The Durban University of Technology (DUT), Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment with the executive management team successfully hosted a town hall meeting for the faculty staff at the DUT School Hotel in Riston campus on 29 May 2025. The meeting provided a platform for Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, to engage with staff and share insights on leadership, transformed academia and performance management.

In his opening remarks, Prof Mthembu cited the wise words of Peter Drucker, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things right,” and highlighted the critical distinction between leadership and management. He shared with the staff that effective leadership involves identifying the right priorities and executing them correctly, while management entail carrying out those priorities efficiently. He expressed his gratitude to the faculty staff for attending the meeting.

He emphasised the importance of such gatherings, stating, “It is crucial to have these meetings so that we all understand where we coming from and where we going, especially with regards to our core business, which is academia.” He further highlighted the need for the university to align its academic projects with the requirements outlined in the ENVISION2030 strategy.

Prof Mthembu explained that the university’s focus on academia had been delayed due to the need to establish a solid foundation. He noted, “It may look like focus on academia is delayed, but there’s a lot of background work that was needed to get to this stage and assure ourselves that we have everything in place to begin the process,” he said. He emphasised that the university’s previous focus on other areas was necessary to secure resources and create a foundation for academic growth.

Prof Mthembu’s presentation centred on transformed academia, highlighting key themes such as the blueprint for academia, the 4Ps framework, and ENVISION2030. He stressed that ENVISION2030 is not just about inputs and processes but also about impact. “If we say we are facilitating learning, how well are we doing it?” he asked, emphasising the need for the university to assess its effectiveness in delivering its academic mandate.

Prof Mthembu acknowledged that the university is still in the early stages of developing a comprehensive blueprint for transforming academia. He noted that the current approach involves sharing ideas and encouraging faculties to engage in deeper discussions, with the ultimate goal of drafting a detailed plan. This draft will undergo rigorous review and approval processes, ensuring that stakeholders have a voice in shaping the university’s academic transformation.

To guide the transformation process, Prof Mthembu introduced the 4Ps Framework, emphasising the importance of having a well-structured plan. The 4Ps comprise Plan, People, Products, and Pennies, each representing a critical component of the framework. By focusing on these interconnected elements, the university can ensure that its academic projects are strategically planned, effectively executed by the right people, yield high-quality products (such as research outputs and graduates), and are financially sustainable.

The town hall meeting provided a valuable opportunity for staff to engage with Prof Mthembu and to gain insight into the university’s strategic direction. By focusing on transformed academia and aligning with ENVISION2030, DUT aims to enhance its impact and deliver high-quality academic programs.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, also participated in the question and answer session, providing insights and clarity on various questions raised by staff following Prof Mthembu’s presentation.

Interim Executive Dean of Engineering and the Built Environment: Prof Sudesh Rathilal, concluded the event by commending the organisers for their effort and thanking Prof Mthembu and the DUT academics and support staff for their participation.

“Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Mthembu, I really think you have given us a lot to think about, and we appreciate the interaction we managed to have with you directly. The town hall meeting demonstrated DUT’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement,” he said.

Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, engaging with staff and sharinginsights on leadership, transformed academia and performance management at the town hall meeting.

Photography: Khulasande Tshayile

Nontobeko Ngcobo