WALTER SISULU REMEMBERS PROF NGUBENTOMBI’S RANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP

To keep alive the memory of former Walter Sisulu Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sinda Vusumzi Sidwell Ngubentombi, the Faculty of Education hosted a memorial lecture for the in his honour at the Mthatha campus on 07 September 2026.

The memorial lecture themed: Bridging Academic Integrity and Visionary Leadership was to commemorate the life and leadership of the late Ngubentombi.

Faculty of Education (FED) Executive Dean, Prof Bongani Bantwini said that the gathering was not merely to observe a ritual of remembrance.  He added that it was to do something that Professor Ngubentombi himself modelled throughout his career: to think seriously, rigorously and honestly about the state and future of education in this country, and particularly in this region, which he served with such distinction.

His friend and former colleague, Dr Sukude Mangwevandile Matoti delivered the keynote address.“The traits that clearly emerged in his character were his power of concentration, determination to succeed and dedication to his studies. These were demonstrated by his love of teaching and knowledge acquisition. He also had an exceptionally sharp memory,” said Matoti.

He said Ngubenotmbi had a particular intellectual interest in the philosophy of education and that he believed that foundation subjects provided room for rigorous intellectual grounding in teaching.

Matoti added that Ngubentombi and his former colleagues challenged established approaches and introduced educational innovations at the former University of Transkei that contributed to a significant paradigm shift.

“Ngubentombi’s legacy includes moving the faculty towards Africanised curriculum, embedding research into teacher education programmes, supporting pathways for teachers to upgrade their qualifications, and leading the faculty through important transitions including curriculum transformation and NQF alignment,” Matoti said.

Matoti added that one of the most distinctive aspects of his legacy was his ability to combine institutional responsibility with care and empathy for staff, particularly during difficult periods of retrenchment, restructuring and uncertainty. He said when staff did not immediately meet new academic requirements, opportunities were created for them to upgrade their qualifications rather than simply being excluded.

Prof Ngubentombi’s son, Lwandile Ngubentombi said his achievements were never viewed as his alone, but as the result of sacrifices made by those who came before him and a responsibility to create opportunities for those who would follow.

“Academic integrity meant remembering where you came from, acknowledging the people whose sacrifices made your achievements possible, and never pretending that success was yours alone,” she said. Visionary leadership meant looking beyond what education could do for you and asking what your education could enable you to do for others,” said Ngubentombi.

Prof Ngubentombi was the Head of Department which saw him elected to the position of Vice-Dean in 1986 and Dean of the Faculty of Education in 1987. He served as Dean until 1989 and, after a short break, resumed the deanship in 1997 and continued until 2011, he passed on 2012, the same year he was appointed as the DVC: Academic AAR.

By Anita Roji