Prof. Mzikayise Binza

Professor Mzikayise Shakespeare Binza serves as the Campus Principal of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) Welkom Campus, a position he assumed on 1 July 2026. In this role, he provides strategic leadership to advance the campus's academic mission, strengthen student success, expand research and innovation opportunities, and foster meaningful partnerships that contribute to regional and national development.

Prior to his appointment as Campus Principal, Prof. Binza served as CUT's Director: Academic Enterprise and Services from February 2025. In this capacity, he led the development and implementation of academic strategies, enhanced learning and teaching outcomes, coordinated partnership-driven collaborations, and championed the development of niche academic and research initiatives aligned with the Welkom Campus vision and priorities.

Prof. Binza holds 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 also a participant in the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP), offered by the International Association of Universities (IAU) in collaboration with UNESCO, further strengthening his expertise in higher education leadership and global academic engagement.

With extensive experience across the higher education sector, Prof. Binza has held several senior leadership positions, including 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, bringing valuable leadership experience from both the academic and private sectors.

A respected scholar and academic leader, Prof. Binza has received numerous accolades in recognition of his contributions to research, leadership and academic excellence. These include the Track Chair Award from the Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development (AWBMAMD), the Associate Programme Chair Award from the World Academy of Researchers, Educators and Scholars (WARES) and the Academy of World Finance, Banking, Management and IT (AWFBMIT), as well as a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating. He was also recognised among the Top Twenty Researchers at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Through his leadership, Prof. Binza is committed to advancing CUT's Strategy 2026-2030 by strengthening academic quality, promoting access with success, expanding applied research, deepening community engagement, and leveraging strategic partnerships to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, social impact and inclusive development.

Welkom Campus

Uploaded: 14 August 2026