FOCUSTaking the
FOCUSTaking the University ofMpumalanga to new heightsVison and mission unite to create opportunities for sustainable developmentthrough innovation.The achievement of a 10-year anniversaryin 2023 gave the University of Mpumalangaa chance to reflect and to set new goals.One constant factor through thefirst pioneering years has been the guidance ofthe university’s founding Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorThoko Mayekiso. Having been in office since1 November 2014, Prof Mayekiso has been theteam leader throughout the exciting first decade ofthe University of Mpumalanga’s (UMP’s) existence.She notes that the Decade of Excellencecelebrations which took place in 2023 and theClosing Ceremony of 2024 which followed,allowed for reflection on a period of rapid growth,innovation and change. Says Prof Mayekiso, ‘‘Thepositive reflections on the pioneering journey,‘luhambo lwemhlahlandlela’, have left us inspiredto continue the excellent performance. Wecelebrated the decade of excellence with evidenceon the ground that the opportunity to pioneerwas fully embraced and optimally embarked upon.”The future focus for UMP is informed by itsstrategy of Vision 2030, namely, “To be an AfricanUniversity leading in creating opportunities forsustainable development through innovation”.Vision 2030 works hand-in-hand with the missionof UMP, which is “to offer high-quality educationaland training opportunities that foster the holisticdevelopment of students through teaching andlearning, research and scholarship and engagement,in collaboration with strategic partners”.Arising out of the blending together of thevision and the mission, the Vice-Chancellor drillsdown into the practical components needed torealise these goals: teaching and learning; research;and engagement.‘‘In line with the vision and mission of UMP, weare focusing on both growth and consolidation.We are expanding the academic programmeson offer and the Programme Qualification Mixto include the Health Sciences and Accountingprogrammes, among others,” she says. Adding newand relevant programmes has been a constanttheme throughout the institution’s formative years.The year 2025 saw UMP offering 75 programmesranging from higher certificates to doctoralMPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2025/2632
degrees with well over 10 000 undergraduate andpostgraduate students enrolling for classes in thecourse of the year. Pass rates over the years haveranged between 80% and 85%.Prof Mayekiso adds that infrastructure remainsa key component of the process of building astrong university. ‘‘We will also be continuingwith the construction and maintenance of theiconic buildings, state-of-the-art facilities and ICTinfrastructure,” she says.Despite its relative newcomer status, UMP isrespected within the South African tertiary sectorand the leadership of the university has beenrecognised with a number of national awards.‘‘There is acknowledgement that UMP hasdone exceptionally well during the 11 years of itsexistence,” notes Professor Mayekiso. Benchmarkingteams from well-established South Africanuniversities have visited the campus, speakingto the fact that UMP is taken seriously by theacademic community. Mayekiso lists some ofthe things which make UMP stand out: “Iconicinfrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, areputation for empowering both staff and studentsand providing a conducive ecology in which toteach, learn, research and innovate.”Some highlights include:• Research recognition by the National ResearchFoundation (NRF)• 2022 NRF Excelleration Award, most improvedinstitution in research• 2023 NRF CEO’s Special Recognition Award• 2023 Built Environment Award (stateownedentities) from the Council of theBuilt Environment• 10 consecutive unqualified audit opinionsfrom external auditors every year since inception“We are on the right track and fully adheringto the value of excellence,” Prof Mayekiso sayswith pride.InnovationsThe first decade of UMP’s existence has seen anumber of influential and impactful programmesintroduced under Prof Mayekiso’s leadership. Theseinclude:• The Vice-Chancellor Scholarship Programme.Covers full tuition, accommodation, meals,learning-material allowance, laptop, monthlystipend and a Personal and LeadershipDevelopment Programme. From 2016, UMPhas awarded 220 scholarships.• The Academic Talent Stewardship Programme.Top-performing students holding an Honoursdegree or Postgraduate Diploma who showpassion for the academy are appointed asAcademic Talent Stewardship Fellows andAssociate Lecturers for three years. At the end ofthe three years, they are confirmed as permanentlecturers. They also serve to inspire otherstudents. So far 20 Fellows have been appointed,of whom four have become lecturers.• Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator.To nurture and foster the entrepreneurialmindset in students, alumni, staff and membersof the community.• Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre. A fourstarhotel provides experiential learning tostudents enrolled for the Diploma in HospitalityManagement and the Diploma in Culinary Arts.Key personnelProf Mashudu Davhana-MaseleseleDeputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning:She holds a PhD in Programme Developmentfrom the University of Johannesburg; a BA(Cur),Honours and Master’s in Nursing Education andCommunity Health Nursing Science from UNISA;and a Diploma in Primary Health Care from theUniversity Johannesburg, Cum Laude. She pursuedpostdoctoral studies at the University of Californiain Los Angeles, USA, with a focus on trauma research,specifically Gender-Based Violence.33 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2025/26
