First, I would like to again express our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of late Dr Shongile Nkwashu who recently completed her MBChB programme in December 2019 before she met her untimely death, having worked as an Intern for just about two weeks with the Limpopo Department of Health. It is also pained us deeply to learn about the death of Ms Joyce Mokono who as the Cordinator for research support, grants and strategic partnership until her untimely death. May their respective souls rest in eternal peace.

It is important to brief the University community about developments on the campus, including the developments regarding some of the infrastructural challenges submitted to the Council last year at a joint seating of students and staff and, developments related to the restoration of student Cafeteria and alternative arrangements.

Before going into details on the progress related to maintenance activities and new plans, it is important to provide some context as we start the academic year. Following the disruptions in University operations from the prolonged strike action that lasted until about the 26th August 2019, the then Vice Chancellor left the University shortly thereafter. I was appointed the Acting Vice Chancellor by the Chairperson of Council effective 2 September 2019 for a period of three months, with the proviso that appointment of an acting Vice-Chancellor for longer period would be after the Chairperson’s consultation with the Senate, Institutional Forum and the Council as prescribed by the University’s Statute. Following these consultations, the Acting Chairperson of Council at that stage decided to extend my appointment for a further six (6) months. I wish to therefore thank the University community and the Council for the trust bestowed in me to continue to steer the affairs of the University through this transitional period.

Download: VC-progress-report-to-SMU-communicty-on-projects-and-others_24Jan2020