Prof Muthwa to advance higher education as new head of Usaf
PROFESSOR Sibongile Muthwa says she will bring humility, compassion, pragmatism, and experience in leading complex organisations to her new role as head of Universities SA (Usaf).
Vice-Chancellor and principal of Nelson Mandela University, Muthwa took up the reins at Usaf at the start of this month. She will lead it in advancing and sustaining the university sector.
Her appointment comes at a time when Usaf is being repositioned as a relevant and responsive organisation.
“Our students come from very diverse backgrounds. Our role as university leaders is to make sure we work to catalyse a positive environment on our campuses to ensure that once students are at university they have the optimal chance to succeed,” she said.
Muthwa said she was humbled by the appointment.
“I hope my appointment will further deepen the collaborative ways of working that we have become accustomed to as Universities South Africa. I am humbled by the confidence shown in me by the vice-chancellors of the 25 universities that constitute the board of Usaf. The chairperson is a member of a collective of executive committee and the board. Usaf executes its work through a strategic plan approved by the board and supported by our stakeholders. For my part, I hope to continue the good work of previous chairs and contribute in ensuring that the system of public higher education in South Africa is more equitable, responsive and inclusive.
Usaf chief executive Ahmed Bawa described Muthwa as a highly respected leader and an outstanding social scientist who brings vast international and national experience to the role.
“Usaf will heavily draw upon Professor
Muthwa’s expertise in leading the only university in the world that is named after Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s political icon. Usaf will also tap into Professor Muthwa’s experience as a mentor to young women, as the university system continues to tackle the deep gender imbalances that characterise it,” Bawa said.
Muthwa holds a PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; an MSc in Development Policy and Planning from London School of Economics and Political Science; a BA Honours from Wits University; and BA in Social Work from the University of Fort Hare.
Prior to becoming the Usaf chairperson, Muthwa was the chairperson of Usaf’s funding strategy group – one of five key strategy groups that determine and drive Usaf’s agenda for the advancement and sustainability of public universities.
All of these groups are chaired by sitting vice-chancellors.
Muthwa has built an illustrious career in both South Africa and the UK where she has worked in development and public sector institutions and academia.
Before her appointment as vice-chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, she was the deputy vice-chancellor for Institutional Support at the same institution from 2010 to 2017.
She served as director-general of the Eastern Cape provincial government from 2004 to 2010.
Muthwa succeeds Professor Thandwa Mthembu, vice-chancellor and principal of the Durban University of Technology.
Usaf extended its gratitude to Mthembu.