𝐖𝐒𝐔 𝐕𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐎NGCA 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca has again reinforced the importance of leadership and accountability, urging Faculty Deans to foster teamwork rather than competition.

Prof Songca shared the sentiments at the Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences (FMPAS) on Thursday afternoon in Butterworth Campus, an opportunity for the faculty to reflect on achievements, challenges, and plans.

These gatherings, she explained, were a fantastic way to showcase the amazing work being done and share knowledge with colleagues. She concluded her remarks by inviting Professor Bulelwa Nguza-Mduba, a key figure in the faculty leadership.to take the stage and encourage everyone to listen and celebrate the faculty’s successes.

Taking the stage, Prof Nguza-Mduba delivered a compelling State of the Faculty Address, outlining the faculty’s progress and vision. She highlighted a significant increase in research output, with 110 publications in 2024, underscoring the faculty’s growing academic influence.

She said beyond research, the faculty has actively engaged in community partnerships, working with Mnquma Municipality on education initiatives, the Department of Basic Education on curriculum development, and the National Youth Development Agency on youth empowerment programmes, to drive meaningful change.

"Our commitment to internationalisation remains strong. We have forged partnerships with institutions such as Indira Gandhi National Tribal University and the University of Namibia to expand academic opportunities for our students and staff, she alluded."

She spoke about the faculty’s ongoing digital transformation, which has streamlined operations through online staff claims systems and improved budget management platforms. A major part of her address was Butterworth’s development as a University Town, an initiative aimed at fostering economic growth by creating a vibrant academic and cultural hub, attracting investment, and improving the quality of life for local communities.

"As we look ahead to 2025, our focus remains on strengthening student and staff retention, driving economic development, and making a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” she added.

The stakeholders also received some encouragement from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support and Development, Mr. Sinethemba Mpambane, who opened the address by celebrating the faculty’s stature as WSU’s second-largest faculty and emphasising the power of collaboration.

He highlighted the faculty's remarkable stature, noting that it stands as the second-largest within WSU's seven faculties - a testament to its growth and influence. "With great size comes great responsibility," he emphasised, highlighting the faculty's crucial role in shaping the future of leadership across both private and public sectors.

Drawing inspiration from the timeless African proverb, he quoted, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." With a call to action, he rallied all to unite, pool their expertise, and strive for excellence, propelling the faculty toward even greater heights.

By: Yolanda Palezweni