Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has recently appointed Dorica Lucy Modisakeng as Head: Campus Cleaning in the Student Affairs Department, strengthening the university’s commitment to maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.

 

Modisakeng brings extensive experience in public service, facilities management and operational administration within government institutions. Her appointment adds significant leadership and operational expertise to an area that plays an important role in supporting the university’s academic and student experience.

 

She has held leadership positions at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Department of Tourism, and, most recently, the Office of the Chief Justice, where she oversaw facilities management and auxiliary services.

 

A focus on service excellence, operational efficiency and the development of safe and functional working environments has characterised her professional career. These areas align closely with SMU’s commitment to excellence, efficiency, accountability and student-centredness.

 

Modisakeng’s academic qualifications include a BAdmin Honours in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Administration from UNISA. She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Real Estate from the University of Johannesburg, a National Diploma in Real Estate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, a National Diploma in Public Management from UNISA and a Diploma in Marketing from the Institution of Marketing Management.

 

In her role, Modisakeng is responsible for planning, developing and implementing campus cleaning programmes and schedules designed to maintain high standards of hygiene, safety and environmental sustainability across SMU.

 

Her responsibilities include strengthening the implementation of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, managing operational risks and providing leadership and mentorship to cleaning teams.

 

The position is central to ensuring that the university’s physical environment supports its core academic mission and provides students and employees with a learning, teaching, research, and professional development environment.

 

Commenting on the appointment, Modisakeng said the role would require a consistent focus on service delivery and the needs of the university community. “A clean and safe campus is an important part of creating an environment in which students and staff can learn, work and thrive. My focus will be on strengthening operational standards, supporting our cleaning teams and ensuring that the university community experiences reliable and professional service.”

 

She added that effective campus cleaning requires teamwork, accountability and attention to detail. “We must work together to maintain high standards across the university. This means having clear processes, supporting our teams and responding promptly to operational challenges while keeping hygiene, safety and sustainability at the centre of our work.”

 

The appointment supports SMU’s institutional values, which include accountability, effective leadership, efficiency, excellence, integrity, respect, student-centredness and Ubuntu. The university defines respect as honouring “the dignity of each person” while fostering a diverse, inclusive and safe community.

 

The role also contributes to SMU’s broader vision of “Transforming health services through excellence and innovation”. While campus cleaning is an operational function, its impact extends to the quality of the environment in which the university delivers professional health sciences education and conducts innovative research.

 

Through her experience in facilities management and auxiliary services, Modisakeng is strengthening operational coordination and helping maintain a campus environment that reflects SMU’s standards and institutional values.

 

Her appointment reinforces the university’s commitment to ensuring that its infrastructure and support services effectively complement its academic and student-focused mandate.

 

As SMU continues to advance its position as a leading health sciences university, maintaining safe, functional and welcoming facilities remains essential to supporting education, research, student development and the preparation of health professionals who contribute to the wellbeing of communities.

By Tumelo Moila.