The recent Senior Management Lekgotla convened by MUT’s DIPR served a dual purpose: it was not only a platform for strategic development but also marked the formal introduction of the University’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Bulelani Mahlangu. This event highlights the institution’s commitment to enhancing its leadership dynamics while fostering an environment conducive to strategic dialogue and institutional growth.
Delivering his inaugural address to the University’s leadership collective, Mahlangu impressed with a fresh, forward-thinking approach to finance. Blending humility with strategic clarity, he positioned MUT’s Finance Division as a modern, collaborative enabler of the academic agenda, rather than a gatekeeper of costs.
“I am keen on cost optimisation where technology and the balance sheet must work for us. I am also keen on income optimisation,” Mahlangu stated, signalling a shift towards a smarter, more agile financial strategy.
His remarks struck a balance between fiscal discipline and growth-oriented innovation. Drawing a compelling comparison, it could be noted that Harvard University, whose endowment is $53.2 billion, uses $2.4 billion to support operational costs annually. Mahlangu noted that while MUT operates on a vastly different scale, the principle of using available assets and innovation to bolster income can be adopted.
“I hope we could get at least five projects off the ground by way of income optimisation,” he added, drawing enthusiastic support and suggestions from the audience.
Mahlangu also presented a strategic outlook on fundraising, outlining new mechanisms for resource mobilisation that could significantly improve the University’s balance sheet. From leveraging donor networks to exploring public-private partnerships, his ideas were both grounded and ambitious. What truly resonated with his audience was Mahlangu’s clear understanding of how finance must act as a strategic partner across the University.
His approach aligns closely with MUT’s emerging Vision 2030 and the institution’s commitment to good governance in accordance with King IV principles, which advocate for performance and value creation through ethical and effective leadership.
In the context of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), his focus on financial sustainability and resource mobilisation supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as MUT looks to deepen its impact and independence through innovative financing mechanisms.
With Mahlangu now at the helm of the Finance Division, MUT appears poised to enter a new era of financial agility, sustainability, and strategic alignment, placing finance where it belongs: at the table, shaping the future with purpose.
The senior management lekgotla continues to prove a fertile ground for new leadership voices and collaborative strategy, and with leaders like Mahlangu, MUT is not just planning, it is investing in its future.