Prof Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu

Thandwa Mthembu assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor & Principal of Durban University of Technology (DUT) on 1 October 2016, after serving almost 10 years in a similar position at Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa.

A PhD in mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) by formal education, he has published mathematics papers in international journals and is co-author of a monograph in approximation theory. His scholarship has diversified into other fields including higher education management, in which he has published.

Nationally, he currently serves on the Boards of Technological Higher Education Network: South Africa (since its inception as the South African Technology Network in 2007, and as its Chairman between 2010 and 2014); Universities: South Africa (since 2007 when it was called Higher Education: South Africa and as its Chairman, 2018-2019), Synthecon Sutures Manufacturing Board (as non-executive director since 2006 to date. Internationally, he served as the Regional Chairman: Southern Africa, of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) between 2011 and 2021.

His extensive academic and leadership contributions have significantly shaped higher education in South Africa over the last 38 years since he joined academia, 30 years of which in senior/executive leadership.