Durban — As Professor Nokuthula Sibiya steps into her leadership role as Vice-Chancellor at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), she plans to continue to lead with a nurse’s heart that nurtures and is situational in leadership.
The Daily News spoke to Professor Sibiya about her journey to the top, and what it means to be the first woman vice-chancellor at the institution.
The former deputy vice-chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), reflected on her childhood in uMlazi and attending Tholisu Junior Primary, Velabahleke Secondary and Vukuzakhe High – schools that did not have resources such as a computer or chemistry lab – where she passed with flying colours, going on to graduate at the University of Zululand.
“I experienced the challenges of growing up in a township. I saw a computer for the first time at Ongoye, using the school library computer and my peers assisting me with using the mouse. I did not speak English fluently because I was taught English in IsiZulu at school, but I rose above that and did my best,” she said.
Sibiya said that when she chose to study nursing, she wanted to play a part in helping her community. Along the way she learned that it does not just involve taking care of sick people, but also those who are well, to ensure that they do not get sick. However, she wanted to do more than work in health, but wanted also to train others to become nurses, she said.
The wife and mother of two boys said her support system over the years has been former deputy vice-chancellor at DUT, Professor Nomthandazo Gwele, who played a huge role in advising her and challenging her to meet her goals, such as spearheading her career sponsorship programme. She also said her mother, MaNdlovu, was her support system and prayer warrior, and her parents supported her in her decision to resign and study further.
Her resilience and academic prowess have earned her recognition. From graduating with her doctoral qualification in 2009; becoming a Hers-SA academy alumni and rated by NRF; serving as the head of department of nursing from 2011 to 2017; receiving the Nursing Education Association’s Excellence Award for Leadership in Nursing Education for the successful implementation of an undergraduate nursing programme at DUT, with a strong Primary Health Care philosophy underpinning; to address the shortage of nurses in KwaZulu-Natal to Senior Researcher of the Year.
Sibiya said a notable award was the 2018 Women Scientist Award from the Department of Science and Technology. She said it was also important to note that her main goals throughout her career were to not only focus on students but the community too by helping them with free computer lessons at MUT.
Sibiya further said she plans to implement her short-term and long-term goals of improving the financial muscle of the university, transforming digitalisation, encouraging entrepreneurship and reviving the academic programme by adding masters and PhD programmes.
Sibiya also said she chose to join MUT as a researcher and was appointed to plough back into her community, apart from the work she does through her Lutheran Church and career sponsoring others with advice, and introducing them to key people to align their careers.
Sibiya said other women who aspire to be great can be great when they do not allow their past to define their future by wallowing in self-pity.
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Daily News