WSU’S NEW LEADERSHIP DRIVING VISION 2030 FOR A TECHNOLOGY-INFUSED FUTURE

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is undergoing a transformative era, with the appointment of three dynamic Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) who are ready to propel the institution into a future of excellence.

Armed with visionary leadership and a commitment to innovation, Mr. Sinethemba Mpambane, Professor Margaret Joan Linington, and Professor Nosisi Feza drive WSU’s Vision 2030—an ambitious roadmap positioning the university as a leading technology-driven African institution.

For Mpambane, the newly appointed DVC for Institutional Support and Development, WSU’s future is not just an idea—it’s a construction site of dreams being built brick by brick.

With over two decades of experience in project management and infrastructure development, he is determined to turn WSU into the university of choice by investing in state-of-the-art facilities, financial sustainability, and digital transformation.

“We are restoring dignity for our students—better residences, modern classrooms, and upgraded learning spaces. A thriving environment produces top results, and we are making that happen,” he said.

Mpambane believes that financial stability is key to long-term success. His strategy includes revenue-generating initiatives such as a university enterprise, a school hotel, and investments in solar energy to reduce dependency on government funding.

“We must be prudent in our spending and learn to prioritise. Efforts have already started, such as the university shop and BnB, and we are working towards establishing a full-fledged university enterprise,” he said.

A strong advocate for technology, he is spearheading WSU’s digital transformation, including the launch of an AI Centre and expanding digital learning platforms. “We’re not just keeping up with the times; we are leading the way,” he stated.

Beyond infrastructure, Mpambane is passionate about student success. He emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship as a core module, ensuring graduates leave WSU not only with degrees but with the skills to thrive in business and industry. “Vision 2030 is possible if we work together,” he affirmed.

While Mpambane lays the groundwork for WSU’s physical and digital evolution, Prof Linington, the DVC for Teaching and Learning, is shaping the academic future of the university. With a career spanning over three decades, Linington’s vision is clear: a technology-infused curriculum that prepares students for a rapidly evolving world.

“At WSU, we have an academic strategy, and I am committed to achieving it. This requires people who buy into the vision and are dedicated to realising it,” she said.

She envisions WSU as a leader in blended learning, combining in-person and technological methods for optimal educational experiences.

The university’s Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) must be responsive to the digital future, ensuring graduates are work-ready and globally competitive.

“I believe universities are on the cusp of a new future. Through our applied sciences and African epistemologies, we can become as relevant to South Africa’s growth as research-intensive universities,” she said.

Linington also dreams of a WSU app that connects students, academics, and staff to university life.

“To achieve this, we need to envision our digital future, understand our current state, and develop a digital implementation plan,” she said.

Her mission is simple but powerful: to make a difference.

“If, by the time I leave, I have significantly advanced the WSU strategy, produced future-ready graduates, and ensured the university responds effectively to societal needs, I hope to look back and proudly say, ‘Look what we did,’” she concluded.

While Linington focuses on academic innovation, Professor Nosisi Feza, the newly appointed DVC for Research and Internationalisation, is positioning WSU as a research powerhouse.

An NRF C-rated researcher in mathematics education, Feza is determined to put WSU on the global stage.

“WSU is named after a global human rights stalwart; we must take our rightful place in the world,” she said.

For Feza, research is the heartbeat of any institution. “It allows us to unravel, gain insights, and predict. Our priority is quality, relevant research that society experiences and benefits from,” she explained.

She envisions a research culture rooted in African epistemologies and ethical AI integration.

“Our research must uphold integrity and remain relevant to the communities we serve,” she said.

Aligning with national and global priorities, she is committed to making WSU a key player in South Africa’s development and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

A core focus is nurturing postgraduate students not only as scholars but as entrepreneurs.

“We must cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset throughout their studies, creating opportunities for them to innovate and commercialise their ideas while still at university,” she said.

Feza is also strengthening international partnerships to elevate WSU’s research standing.

“WSU has academics of stature who are actively engaged on the world stage. We must capitalise on this and ensure our research enters global networks automatically through our recognised performance,” she stated.

With Mpambane laying the institutional foundations, Linington revolutionising teaching and learning, and Feza pushing research to new frontiers, WSU’s future is in capable hands. The university is not just planning for change—it is actively building it, one bold step at a time.

By: Yolanda Palezweni