By Edwin Naidu

Soft-spoken clinical psychologist Professor Thoko Mayekiso is proud of her achievements as the leader of the first tertiary institution established in democratic South Africa. 

Mayekiso, a mother of two, was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the new University of Mpumalanga on 1 November 2014.

She says it’s a rare opportunity to start a campus when the general tendency is for leaders to find established institutions.

“To start from scratch is an experience we will always cherish,” she adds.

Success and ensuring the university was characterised for its pursuit of excellence were non-negotiable. She launched a new brand on the tertiary landscape from scratch, entrenching it in a decade as an integral part of the country’s higher education system.

“Just like all journeys, you have to be well prepared… and I was well prepared for this position,” she says, reflecting on her solid and varied background in terms of experience.

Her credentials include a BA, BA Honours, and MA in Psychology from the University of Fort Hare. She furthered her studies at the Free University Berlin in Germany, where she obtained her D. Phil (cum laude) in Psychology. She also holds a Higher Education Diploma (Postgraduate) from the University of South Africa. She is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

“When starting a new institution, you must be familiar with all the aspects of an institution, so in my case, I began my career as a senior lecturer. I was an associate professor, a professor, head of department, head of school, Dean, and deputy vice-chancellor. Those positions prepared me for the role.“

Prof. Mayekiso says her extensive experience in an academic career shaped locally at the University of Fort Hare and internationally with studies and a seven-year stint in Germany and the United Kingdom helped her hone her skills, equipping her for starting a new varsity.

She says one can’t be thrust into a leadership position without being grounded in higher education, especially when asked to start a new institution. 

“I went through the ranks in higher education and was the deputy vice-chancellor for about six years. I was already in my second term before I got the nod at UMP. That prepared me for what lay ahead because when you start a new institution, you’re setting new policies, establishing a new culture, introducing an academic project, all those things; therefore, you must be grounded in high education,” she advises.

Confident in her abilities, Prof. Mayekiso reveals she was relaxed about the enormity of the task.

“I was satisfied I had what it took to establish the institution we needed. In my installation address, I said I would achieve beyond expectations, which showed the mindset at the time.

“I know this was a huge responsibility bestowed upon us and was accepted with total commitment, understanding that one must be involved in this project. I was saying that on day one.

“The magnitude of the task was huge, but I always believed that I have the experience, knowledge and personality to deal with it, so there was no nervousness whatsoever,” she recalls.

Mayekiso says that when starting a new organisation, one must strive to overachieve, and that’s the best mark of confidence.

“Of course, there are challenges, but 10 years later, we have exceeded expectations,” she notes. 

Prof Mayekiso thanks David Mabunda, the Council Chair, and the UMP community (staff and students), past and present. She says she has worked with gifted and talented people and was able to share and celebrate their achievements.

“Progress is impossible without us pulling together. The students who brought curiosity, vibrancy and enthusiasm to the classroom are worthy of note. Many of our students over the years were first-generation students and truly celebrated the new milieu,” she adds.

She is pleased to have laid a solid foundation premised on seven values: excellence, integrity, diversity, collaboration, adaptability, relevance and inspiration.

“The African life ethos of Ubuntu forms the broad and overarching framework for our values.”

The pass rate over the years has ranged between 80 and 85%, with 4485 students (2861 female and 1 624 males) graduating, and several of them have graduated “cum laude.

Alumni Chapters in several regions have been established.

The National Research Foundation recognised the university’s research performance in 2023 with the NRF Acceleration Award for the most improved institution in research performance.

The number of rated researchers has increased from one in 2014 to 13 in 2023, as has the number of staff who hold doctoral degrees, which has increased from 5% in 2014 to 47% in 2023.

Enrolments have increased from 169 in 2014 to 8442 in 2023.

“We are attracting students from South Africa and Eswatini, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and India. Most of our students are from the Mpumalanga province.”

Academic offerings, ranging from higher certificates to doctoral degrees, have increased from three in 2014 to 65 in 2023.Staff numbers have increased from 12 in 2014 to 595 in 2023.

Prof. Mayekiso saysfacing challenges isn’t easy, but she never subscribes to the excuse of being a woman.

“I never say people are challenging what I am saying because I’m a woman. It’s difficult to differentiate and say, of course, now and again, there is resistance because I’m a woman.

“Still, you are not able to prove that it’s because you are a woman that’s why people are reacting, so I tried by all means whenever it’s possible to move away from and not see myself as a female leader but as a leader,” she says.

However, she says that while we find “ourselves in the majority of men,” we don’t want to create a hostile relationship with a man. In her experience, some men were more supportive than women.

“So, it’s difficult to say there are specific challenges, but we know our society is patriarchal.”

Asked how she overcame obstacles in her career, Prof. Mayekiso says:“When I was around 13-years-old, my dad told me, and I don’t know how he came up with this, but he said ‘you are a girl with determination’. At the time, it didn’t mean much because I was 13. Later, when I faced challenges, I used to reflect on that and tell myself ‘you are a girl of determination’, so it means whatever comes my way, I will succeed because I’m a determined individual.” 

She says that maybe if he had not said that, she would have taken a different route.

However, she always reminds herself there is nothing she cannot overcome.

INSIDE EDUCATION