The adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ became so true on 8 February 2025 when major stakeholders met to have a heart-to-heart talk about the country’s young people. On this day the University welcomed more than 600 parents of newly registered students to a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya. During the meeting that took place at the University’s Student Centre, Professor Sibiya thanked the parents for choosing to enrol their children with MUT. “We thank you for entrusting us with your children, I called the meeting to create an opportunity for you to hear the required information from the University’s departments and divisions so that there will be proper alignment to everything that is needed in the relationship between all stakeholders involved in the education of the students,” said Professor Sibiya. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal assured the parents she took their views seriously and that she was ready to work with them with the best interests of their children in mind. The University management at the meeting also promised to stand behind the Vice-Chancellor in her efforts to achieve the desired outcomes of the students’ stay at the University.
Professor Marcus Ramogale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, said to the parents that his job was to give leadership to learning and teaching. Assuring the parents that their children were in good hands, Professor Ramogale said that he is a teacher by profession. He told them there are two purposes of education – transferring knowledge to the students and building the students’ character. Responding to a question about some lecturers not attending lectures, Prof Ramogale advised the parents of the different avenues available to students and parents to report such unacceptable conduct by lecturers and any other staff member; he strongly condemned such behaviour and made it clear that his office is ready to take decisive action against anyone impeding the student’s right to learn.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Mhlengi Ngubo, informed the parents about the role of the SRC in student matters. Ngubo said the 11 SRC portfolios were made to meet all the students’ needs, Ngubo also reiterated what Professor Sibiya said – that the University does not have enough cash flow; he encouraged parents of cash-paying students to honour their obligations and pay for the services they receive. He cautioned parents of manipulative lies from their children, who aim to swindle them of their cash: all student support services at the University are free to all registered students. The grateful parents asked very constructive questions from the MUT leadership. All these questions indicated a desire to work with the University to secure the future of their children.