Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has appointed Busisiwe Mbanjwa as Manager: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Human Capital and Transformation department, strengthening the university’s efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence across its community.
Mbanjwa’s permanent appointment took effect on 1 August 2026, following more than two years in an acting capacity in the university’s GBV Office. She joined SMU in May 2020 as a Human Resources Business Partner and has since played an increasingly prominent role in strengthening the institution’s response to GBV.
Reflecting on her appointment, Mbanjwa said the permanent position would allow her to build on work already undertaken while strengthening systems designed to create a safer university environment.
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility permanently and to continue the work of strengthening SMU’s institutional response to gender-based violence. GBV prevention and response require sustained commitment, collaboration and accountability across the university community. My focus will be on ensuring that this work is embedded within the University’s broader institutional strategy, governance systems and transformation agenda.”
Mbanjwa brings more than 14 years of higher education experience, having worked at Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes University, the University of Mpumalanga and SMU. Her professional expertise includes strategic leadership, policy development and implementation, governance, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, programme facilitation and institutional reporting.
She holds a Master of Business Administration, awarded cum laude, from the University of Johannesburg; a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Human Resource Management from MANCOSA; and a Bachelor of Technology and a National Diploma in Human Resource Management from Nelson Mandela University.
Since assuming the acting GBV management role in June 2024, Mbanjwa has led initiatives to strengthen the University’s institutional response. These have included implementing the GBV policy framework, strengthening multidisciplinary case management, coordinating prevention and awareness programmes, strengthening institutional reporting, governance and accountability mechanisms, and developing partnerships with students, employees, University leadership and external stakeholders.
Mbanjwa said the University’s approach must focus on strengthening prevention, promoting positive behavioural change and fostering an institutional culture of dignity, respect and accountability, while ensuring effective responses to reported cases.
“Our responsibility is not only to respond appropriately when cases are reported, but also to strengthen prevention, awareness and education. Our interventions must be informed by institutional data, emerging trends and the realities experienced within our University community. We need to ensure that students and employees understand their rights, know where to seek support and have confidence in the systems established to assist them.
In her new role, she will oversee the development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of programmes, policies, and interventions addressing GBV, harassment, discrimination, and related misconduct.
Her responsibilities will also include coordinating multidisciplinary case management, providing strategic direction to prevention and advocacy initiatives, strengthening institutional and external partnerships, monitoring the effectiveness and impact of GBV interventions, and ensuring alignment with relevant legislation and national higher education frameworks.
Mbanjwa said collaboration would remain central to the university’s efforts. “Addressing gender-based violence cannot be the responsibility of one office or one individual. It requires meaningful collaboration between students, employees, leadership and external partners. We must continue building a culture in which dignity, respect, safety and accountability are actively upheld.”
Her appointment aligns with SMU’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful learning and working environment. The university’s values include accountability, effective leadership, integrity, respect, student-centredness and Ubuntu.
Mbanjwa said these principles provide an important foundation for the university’s GBV prevention and response work. “A safe and inclusive university environment is fundamental to learning, teaching, research and professional development. My priority is therefore to ensure that GBV is addressed not through isolated programmes or one-off interventions, but through a coordinated and sustainable institutional approach. This requires strong governance, accountability, evidence-informed decision-making, effective prevention and response systems, and the active participation of the entire University community. Our work must also ensure that students and employees are treated with dignity and have access to appropriate support and institutional mechanisms when concerns arise.”
Her appointment strengthens the GBV Office’s leadership and supports SMU’s broader commitment to safeguarding the dignity, wellbeing and safety of its students and employees.
As Manager: GBV, Mbanjwa will build on existing initiatives while advancing a coordinated and sustainable institutional approach to GBV, with a continued focus on prevention, effective response, governance, accountability and positive institutional culture.
By Tumelo Moila
