Inkosi Buthelezi hails Mangosuthu University of Technology for appointing first woman Vice-Chancellor

Durban — Inkosi Zuzifa kaMangosuthu Buthelezi has hailed the appointment of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Professor Sibiya’s appointment was announced by the institution on Thursday. Reacting to the news of her appointment, Inkosi Buthelezi praised the appointment, describing it as a great milestone by the university and a fulfilment of his late father Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi whom he said had always advocated for women to be given equal opportunities especially in senior management in the public and private sectors.

Speaking to the Daily News on Sunday, the inkosi said he had no doubt that his late father who is founder of the institution is happy at the news.

“We are grateful for the appointment of Professor Sibiya. This is a great milestone for the university to have entrusted a woman with such a senior and crucial leadership position for the first time in its history. I, together with my family, wish to congratulate Professor Sibiya,” said inkosi.

He said the institution was one of his father’s legacy projects that was close to his heart and even in his last days, he asked him to always keep in touch with the university leadership and give them support whenever they needed on his behalf. He said education was close to his father’s heart which was evident by not only establishing this university but also building many teacher colleges while he was still chief minister of the KwaZulu government.

The university was built 45 years ago after the late inkosi Buthelezi approached the Oppenheimer family who owned several mines in the country.

In a statement issued by the uMlazi-based university on Thursday it described the appointment of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya as the new Vice-Chancellor as historic, saying she was the first woman to hold this esteemed position in the institution's 45-year history. The university added that this groundbreaking appointment comes at a pivotal moment as MUT embarks on a new era of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Professor Sibiya, who is also from uMlazi will officially resume her position as Vice-Chancellor on Thursday.

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