Mrs Ruth Nogoli Gwabini, and Mr Velile Victor Stokhwe, Speaker and Executive Mayor of Senqu Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, both earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.

The Faculty of Management Sciences celebrated hundreds of graduates, including working professionals from across South Africa’s economy, many representing key partners in local government and industry. These collaborations continue to position CUT as a university of choice for career-focused, impact-driven education.

Among the standout graduates were Mr Velile Victor Stokhwe, Executive Mayor, and Mrs Ruth Nogoli Gwabini, Speaker of Senqu Local Municipality, both earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. Their achievements reflect the strength of a growing partnership between CUT and local government to build leadership capacity where it matters most.

For Mayor Stokhwe, returning to the classroom was a deliberate investment in better governance and service delivery. “I had to come here to learn something new so that I can make a much bigger contribution in developing the institution that I’m leading,” he says. With existing qualifications in Public Administration and Monitoring and Evaluation, he turned to CUT to deepen his impact.

His journey forms part of a broader municipal vision. Through its partnership with CUT, Senqu Local Municipality has enrolled more than 10 councillors in further studies, an intentional move to strengthen both administration and oversight. “That is part of our vision to capacitate not only the administration, but also the oversight bodies to ensure that the municipality is fully functional,” Stokhwe explains.

Mrs Ruth Nogoli Gwabini, Speaker of Senqu Local Municipality (2nd from left), and Mr Velile Victor Stokhwe, Executive Mayor (4th from left), are pictured with their dedicated CUT academics from the Faculty of Management Sciences, whose unwavering guidance and support strengthened Senqu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, and amplified strategic partnerships in building capable leaders. The municipal leaders graduated on 26 March 2026. Academics from left: Advocate Mbulelo Phetheni, HoD: Government Management, and Dr Xolisile Ngumbela, Assistant Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences.

He further affirms CUT’s role as a forward-looking institution: “For me, it’s a university of choice. It is very young and led by energetic academics and leaders. What I like most is that they focus on solving practical issues affecting our people, they don’t exist on the periphery.” This alignment with real-world challenges reinforces CUT’s position as a partner in progress for municipalities seeking innovation and responsiveness.

Similarly, Speaker Gwabini’s journey reflects resilience and purpose. Balancing leadership responsibilities, family life, and caregiving, she remained committed to completing her qualification. “It was so strenuous, I had to balance family matters, work, and community responsibilities at the same time,” she shares.

Despite the challenges, she remained focused on the bigger picture, strengthening governance through education. “This programme will help me ensure that the policies in our municipality are aligned with the Constitution of South Africa,” she says.

Together, their stories highlight the power of partnership between CUT and local government where education meets practice to build capable, ethical, and responsive leadership. As CUT continues to position itself as a university of the future, these collaborations demonstrate how higher education can drive meaningful change, strengthen institutions, and empower communities.