The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), has appointed Professor Mzikayise Shakespeare Binza as the new Welkom Campus Principal, effective 01 July 2026.

Prof. Binza has been serving CUT as the Director: Academic Enterprise and Services since 01 February 2025, a role in which he is responsible for developing and ensuring the successful implementation of academic strategy, as well as enhancing the student learning and teaching experience and outcomes at the Welkom Campus. He also leads, manages and develops new niche programmes and research initiatives, coordinates internal and external partnership-based collaborations, and ensures alignment of the Welkom Campus academic project.

His qualifications include a PhD in Public Administration from Nelson Mandela University and a Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) cohort offered by the International Association of Universities (IAU) in collaboration with UNESCO.

His work experience includes serving as Director of the Raymond Mhlaba Institute of Public Administration and Leadership at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic Affairs and Research at Walter Sisulu University; and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). He has also served as Chief Executive Officer of MZBIN Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

Prof. Binza’s accolades include the Track Chair Award, presented by the Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development (AWBMAMD) at its conference held from 11–14 August 2014 at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He also received the Associate Programme Chair Award in 2013 from the World Academy of Researchers, Educators and Scholars (WARES) and the Academy of World Finance, Banking, Management and IT (AWFBMIT). In addition, he was awarded an NRF rating of Category Y2 in 2010 and was recognised as a Top Twenty Researcher at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for the period 2006–2008, among other achievements.

CUT looks forward to Prof. Binza applying his vast experience to advance the Strategy 2026–2030, which aims to deliver quality academic programmes and applied research, promote access with success, engage meaningfully with communities, and leverage strategic partnerships to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, social impact, and inclusive development.