Three candidates in running for top job at WSU

Three candidates have been shortlisted for Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) top job.

The post, currently occupied by interim vice-chancellor Professor Khaya Mfenyana, was re-advertised last year following claims of canvassing, which resulted in a deadlock in the selection committee subcommittee made of students, unions and academics of the council.

The Daily Dispatch yesterday learned that the university had shortlisted three candidates for the vice-chancellorship position, which was confirmed by a post on the university’s social media platform.

They are Vaal University of Technology’s Professor Peter Dzvimbo; University of Zululand’s Professor Rob Midgley; and University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor John Mubangizi.

WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo was unable to respond to questions yesterday.

Student representative council president Buhle Tetyana and labour unions – the National Education Health and Allied Worker’s Union and National Tertiary Education Union – had not responded to questions at the time of writing.

An online search revealed that:

lDzvimbo was deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) for academic and research and executive dean in the college of education at the University of South Africa (Unisa) from 2011 to 2014. He has a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is currently a consultant for Unicef, Unesco, World Bank and Royal Netherlands Embassy in SA;

lMidgley, a deputy vice-chancellor of research and innovation, is a member of the Department of Higher Education and Training Research Outputs Assessment Panel. He previously served as DVC for academic affairs and research at University of Fort Hare (UFH) and as dean of law at Rhodes University. He holds a bachelors’ degree in commerce and law (BCom LLB) from Rhodes University and a PhD from the University of Cape Town (UCT); and

lMubangizi works as deputy vice-chancellor and head of the college of law and management studies. He holds a bachelor of laws (LLB), a masters in public law and a doctorate in law (LLD). He has presented papers at national and international conferences and is a National Research Foundation-rated researcher.

The university was unable last year to choose a preferred candidate from a list which included former University of SA registrar Professor Mogege Mosimege; deputy vice-chancellor for teaching, learning and technology at Tshwane University of Technology, Dr Stanley Mukhola; WSU deputy vice-chancellor for academic affairs and research, Professor Sandile Songca; and Vaal University of Technology deputy vice-chancellor for governance and organisational transformation, Professor Gordon Zide.