“Professor Sibiya is an imbokodo that will grind all the problems and take MUT forward.” This was the beginning of the words of praise that dominated the installation ceremony of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, MUT Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor Sandile Zungu’s description of Professor Sibiya was more to the point. Zungu used a familiar IsiZulu expression that indicates how strong women are, and that nothing can be achieved without the input of women. Zungu called Professor Sibiya imbokodo, a grinding stone that grinds mielie meal into maize meal. “The imbokodo is strong and is life changing. So is Professor Sibiya”, Zungu said. Zungu also said that the installation of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya was a giant step towards gender equality.
Observing that Professor Sibiya’s ascension to being the University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal was worth celebrating, Zungu reminded the attendees who included government officials, members of the Zulu Royal House, teachers, diplomats, MUT staff and MUT partners, some from overseas, that there was still a lot to be done to level the playing field. South Africa still has only seven women vice-chancellors; there are 26 universities in the country.
Zungu said that among the mammoth tasks that Professor Sibiya has ahead of her is raising funds for the previously disadvantaged Institution. “I do not doubt that you will succeed,” Zungu said, adding that soon there would be a fundraising dinner in November where Professor Sibiya could meet prospective financial supporters.
Like other speakers, Zungu reminded the audience that MUT was created to meet the needs of the underprivileged during the apartheid time and that the institution had achieved much towards this goal. And that Professor Sibiya taking the reins was going to accelerate the efforts to meet this obligation, and continue changing the lives of the people, which was the intention of the University’s Founder, the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.