Photo: Dr Sally Dzingwa, Registrar, Prof. Solomon Makola, Welkom Campus Director, and Prof. Pamela Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. 

On 03 February 2023, the new CUT's first woman Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Pamela Dube, visited the Welkom Campus to officially meet with the campus leaders, where she was warmly received. This follows a successful welcome on 25 January 2023 at the Bloemfontein Campus, where she was formally introduced to the management team.

Prof. Dube expressed her excitement for the opportunity to become the first woman Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “Words cannot express how it feels to be welcomed by a university community in this way. These are indeed laudable efforts in our transformation journey as an institution and the sector. Today I look at my coming here at the Central University of Technology as a beginning of a new dawn, a new journey. And as we begin this journey jointly as a collective of the CUT community, I want to thank the Chair of the Council, Cllr Matthew Rantso, the Members of the Council and the university stakeholders for their confidence and trust in me to drive the university vision to 2030. I share the excitement for the opportunity afforded to me as the first woman Vice-Chancellor and Principal.  These are laudable efforts in our transformation journey as an institution and the sector.”

She further promised to work tirelessly to ensure that the CUT stakeholders at both campuses receive her full support to advance the university mission successfully. She also mentioned that one of her goals is to continue to engage with the entire university community, including the groundwork employees.

Photo: With the CUT Welkom Campus SRC leadership is Cllr Matthew Rantso, CUT Chairperson of Council (seated middle), back row: Dr Sally Dzingwa (third from left) and Prof. Pamela Dube (third from right).

In his welcoming address, CUT Chairperson of Council, Cllr Matthew Rantso, said he believes that CUT is in good hands with the appointment of Prof. Dube.  “To our VC, thank you for taking this opportunity to serve our university, including the communities in which our campuses are located. Rest assured, you have our full support and are in our prayers to help you drive the university’s programmes and vision 2030 to victory.”

Prof. Dube brings credentials, vast knowledge, and experience in higher education into this portfolio that will help her steer the university toward and beyond its vision. A solid foundation has been laid for the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal to build partnerships and lead strategic engagements at various levels. She has also achieved outstanding academic excellence and substantive experience at the university executive level. She has initiated effective relationship-building approaches with academic, governmental, and business partners, as well as public communications skills. She also brings a wealth of experience and passion for working with students who remain the number one priority at CUT.