Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the DUT Executive Management team hosted the final two Town Hall Meetings with the support services staff based in Pietermaritzburg.

The engagements took place at the Indumiso campus which was followed by a session at the Riverside campus on Thursday, 31 July 2025.

Delivering the welcoming remarks was the Midlands Campus Director, Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane. She affirmed the vital role of the support staff who are at the forefront in the everyday functioning of the university. She indicated that most of them play this role behind the scenes.

“Sometimes we forget how important these people are because when systems are operating, it’s like they are not there. We only see the importance of their roles when systems are not operating successfully. The presence of the whole executive management here is to affirm contribution of the Midlands campuses to the achievement of the vision of the university. We are making an important contribution towards achieving the goals and objectives of the university. We are honoured as the Midlands to have the whole executive here and for creating a platform to engage with us,” said Dr Mthiyane.

She encouraged the Midlands staff to engage, reflect and make their voices heard, while also contributing to finding solutions to some of the challenges they face. Dr Mthiyane reminded the staff on the importance of embodying the DUT values and principles in the way they engage with fellow colleagues, students, academic staff and the public.

Her welcome was followed by the much-anticipated presentation by Professor Mthembu, who along with members of the DUT Executive Management team, spoke on the history of transformed academia, and how it can be utilised to create more impactful, learning environments.

Professor Mthembu focused his presentation on the distinctive, educational role each person at DUT can play to create an engrossing environment which is sustainable going into the future.

Professor Mthembu emphasised that what DUT sells is knowledge products and services to support and facilitate transformed academia. He explained that students come to DUT to embark on the various educational programmes which is the core business and has urged everyone to work towards that goal, ensuring education is prioritised at DUT.

Professor Mthembu shared on some administrative red tape issues, one being a vital need for providing more academic time for lecturers, and reducing administrative tasks for them which he emphasised that such administrative tasks took around 60% of the academic lecturer’s available time.

“Responsibility lines between administration and academia must be re-demarcated,” he added.

 Delving further, Professor Mthembu indicated that in terms of DUT’s ENVISION2030 and strategic plan for 2030, it aims for people to be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial and adaptive to changes in the world.

“DUT must focus on the knowledge transfer so that we may continue for many generations to come so that future generations can come to a legacy that has been kept alive by this institution,” he said.

Following Professor Mthembu’s presentation, members of the executive management team formed part of a question and answer session where attendees highlighted issues on certain administrative hiccups such as the printing of worksheets and examination papers, and encouraged everyone to work together to ensure that when it comes to academic versus administrative roles, it should not be blurred.

The Interim Senior Director of Human Capital Services at DUT, Mr Victor Mothobi provided a way forward, sharing the same sentiments as Prof Mthembu that DUT’s core business which is academia must be supported at all costs by the support services staff. He assured the staff that the executive management heard all the challenges and concerns raised, thanking them for their valuable engagements.

“Going forward the executive management is going to reflect and engage within their various portfolios, come up with solutions and ensure that interventions are in place to address the challenges and the concerns raised and provide feedback where necessary,” added Mr Mothobi.

In closing Acting Director, Student Services and Development, Ms Nontobeko Mjadu thanked the staff for their attendance and for showing respect and collegiality during this engagement. She indicated that the meeting served as a reminder of one’s role and responsibilities. Ms Mjadu indicated it was beyond one’s job description but a reflection of one’s strategic alignment and role in helping the university achieve its strategic objectives.

“It was about how we operate and how we immense ourselves in the daily tasks that we are given. The Vice-Chancellor’s presentation also echoed the need for us to take pride in what we do as support services,” said Ms Mjadu who also encouraged the staff to operate and to deliver with a level of excitement, excellence and efficiency that DUT and its clients deserves.

Pictured: Professor Thandwa Mthembu delivers his presentation to the Midlands support staff at the Town Hall meetings.

Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters