The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in KwaZulu-Natal notes and welcomes the long overdue appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University Technology [MUT].
The university has been without a Vice-Chancellor for the past three years after the long suspension of the then Vice-Chancellor. Also, the university has been in media for the wrong reasons including serious allegations of corruption, maladministration and over interference of the governing council.
The union acknowledges that Professor Nokuthula Sibiya who previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement is the first woman Vice Chancellor and the Principal of the university which marks a significant and historical moment for the institution. This is happening in the month of August when we celebrate the role played by women in the struggle for liberation in our country.
The union expects the new vice chancellor to work with the national union in doing the following:
- The implementation of the independent assessor’s recommendation.
- Advancing the transformation agenda within the university including increasing third stream of the income for sustainability of the university.
- Filling the vacant positions of senior management and all other staff members,
- Implementation of the university structure and all other outstanding policies.
- The university being an agent in fighting against youth unemployment; poverty and inequality.
The union in the next coming days will be meeting with the Vice Chancellor. The union calls upon the Minister of Higher Education and Training to urgently finalize the appointment of the new council in order to bring stability and ensure proper governance in the university.
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Issued by NEHAWU KwaZulu-Natal Secretariat Office
For more information, please contact: Ayanda Zulu (Provincial Secretary) at 081 758 5199 or email: Ayandaz@nehawu.org.za or Ntokozo Nxumalo (Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0815255983 or email: Ntokozo@Nehawu.org.za