WSU VC INTENSIFIES STAKESHOLDERS’S ENGAGEMENT TO BRING NORMALCY IN MTHATHA CAMPUS

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has commenced a high-level stakeholder engagement process aimed at addressing instability at its Mthatha Campus.

On Monday, 9 June 2025, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Songca, together with members of her office, held a closed meeting with the Academic and Professional Staff Association (APSA), an institutional labour union.

The session provided a platform for APSA to voice concerns related to the ongoing instability, and for university leadership to clarify the institution’s stance and intentions.

Also, the meeting marked the beginning of a broader consultative programme led by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Songca, signalling the university’s commitment to resolving tensions through inclusive dialogue.

Professor Songca highlighted that over the years, there had been engagement with the labour formations, however, in this instance of Mthatha Campus, the conversations had to be intentional.

“We believe APSA represents the voice of the workers. Because in as much as this is about students, the workers are also implicated, therefore needed to have insights and of course, views of the workers, because they're an integral part of WSU community, to hear their views in terms of how best we could handle this situation,” she said.

According to the APSA statement, the purpose of the dialogue was to seek constructive solutions from external parties and to help bring a fair perspective to the pressing issues that the university face.

It further stated that, it was resolved that the communication needs to be improved, especially regarding disruptions that occur and cause academic affairs to be suspended, and that there will be a communication channel that will be created through ICT, to ensure a smooth and swift communication internally.

On Tuesday, 10 June 2025, the Executive Management Committee (EMC) convened alongside with all Mthatha based Executive Deans and Deputy Executive Deans with key decision-makers for a strategic planning session.

The focus of the meeting was to develop a concrete pathway to restoring stability, while also addressing systemic challenges raised by both staff and students in recent months.

Prof Songca said the meeting was fruitful and the aim behind was to stress the importance of the decision taken by the senate of no online exams and the implications of it.

“What we wanted to achieved was to empress the Executive Deans and HODs the importance of communicating the decision to the students and also making sure students understand why these decisions were taken as we trying to close the loop,” she said.

She added that, the decision would be best communicated to students effectively by the Deans and HODs.

“We did communicate, but it was important to explain the implications of going on-line versus face-to-face for each faculty, and also highlight the quality under-pinning issues of the decisions and assessments,” she added.

The EMC meeting was part of a structured week-long programme that will see continued engagements with students, staff, and other stakeholders.

On Wednesday, 11 June, Prof Songca together with the management will meet with the student leadership, student body, and political structures to provide a platform for open dialogue around the pressing issues affecting the Mthatha Campus.

Following that, on Thursday, 12 June Vice-Chancellor and her office will hold a comprehensive meeting with Mthatha-based staff members to discuss recent developments, listen to their concerns, and reinforce the University's commitment to a peaceful and functional academic environment.

WSU has reaffirmed its stance on transparent, accountable governance and its resolve to foster a peaceful and academically conducive environment across all campuses.

By: Yolanda Palezweni