The Nelson Mandela University Council has announced the appointment of Dr Singobile Muthwa as its new vice chancellor.
In a statement on Sunday NMU said that Dr Muthwa, “who has served as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support for the past seven years, serves as the institution’s first black African female Vice-Chancellor and brings to the post a wealth of experience from the public sector and academia, both nationally and abroad.”
Dr Muthwa will take over the reins from outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz, “who has served the institution with distinction for two successive terms since 2007.”
Swart said earlier this year that he would not be renewing his contract.
Following an extensive recruitment process, Dr Muthwa appointed was confirmed at a sitting of the University Council on Friday.
Speaking of her appointment Dr Muthwa said she was extremely humbled by the confidence shown in her by the University Council and looks forward to leading an institution that is set to distinguish itself nationally and continentally as a new generation university.
“I've spent 30 years dedicated to public service, so this is one of the crowning moments of my career,” she said.
“Our university, sector and country are at a crossroads. We can use the prevailing situation to our advantage. At Nelson Mandela University we are hard at work implementing strategies not only intended to enable us overcome the challenges we face, but also to place us firmly on a positive growth trajectory. I am looking forward to working with the team to collectively take the university to greater heights.
“I am very much indebted to Prof Swartz for his sterling and visionary work, his inspirational leadership and for laying a firm foundation which has contributed to making the university what it has become”.
Between 2004 and 2010 Dr Muthwa served as Director General of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. Before joining government, she was Director of the Fort Hare University Institute of Government for five years.
In 2014, she was appointed as a Commissioner for the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Commission earlier this year.
Dr. Muthwa holds a PhD from the prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London. Her other academic qualifications include an MSc in Development Policy and Planning (London School of Economics), BA Honours (Wits) and BA in Social Work (UFH).
Professor Swartz said “it is an exceedingly proud moment for us all.”
“Dr Muthwa serves doubly as the first female Vice-Chancellor and first African female Vice-Chancellor in the history of the University, and without doubt will inspire new generations to rise to the highest levels of achievement. We are absolutely delighted with her appointment” he said.
