Page 10 - Transformation Indaba Report

“The Mandela action, as a responsibility, lies susTainabiliTy – resource consTrainTs
with all of us, staff, and students. Who are
we as Mandela? How do each of us, in requires creaTiviTy and collaboraTion
our different spaces, whether we are Prof Muthwa indicated that our ability to read the moment
academics, professional and support staff, or
whether we are students or a combination of with clarity should be evident in how we continue to position
this, how do we contribute towards being a the knowledge project courageously as a vehicle to expand
‘University in service of society’ as we have humanity and improve the human experience. To achieve
promised? And also, how can we hold each this, she emphasised that we continue to engage in critical
other accountable when our actions or omissions conversations. That we cannot afford to linger and hesitate,
are contrary? Through the institutional mission, given the unpredictability of the situations we experience.
vision, and values – how do we hold each other She forewarned that working with fewer resources while re-
accountable?” - Prof Muthwa
maining true to our values will require creativity, a shift in con-
ceptual paradigms, innovation, working collaboratively, and
“WhaT are universiTies for?”: a cenTral quesTion expanding on our international partnerships and alliances.
To TransformaTion In addition, transformation and sustainability are two aspirations
Prof Muthwa reminded participants of her 2018 Inaugural that Mandela University must elegantly balance and work with,
Address, wherein she posed the fundamental question “What having been presented with great opportunities to be creative
are universities for?” and recommended this same question and innovative, to un-learn and un-do old ways of conduct-
be central to the Transformation Indaba. This question is also ing our functions, and reimagine renewed ways of conducting
reflected in the V2030 strategic plan and the mission and values our core and support functions within exigent circumstances.
of the Nelson Mandela University – being in service of society Having become increasingly self-reflexive as individuals, as a
and continuing to focus on the hard realities of the broader so- university community, and as a collective, the lessons learnt
cio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental challenges. should be used to align our praxis with our V2030 outcomes
and anchor our scholarly work on the ambition to be an
mandela – an acTion (noT a name) inclusive, engaged, transformative, and responsive University.

Prof Muthwa brought Mandela University’s higher calling to closing remarks
continue the Mandela legacy to the attention of the parti-
In closing, Prof Muthwa recommended that Indaba partici-
cipants. In a world ravaged by so many challenges pushing
pants should listen for examples of how Mandela University
greater numbers of people to the brink of demise and ruin,
was playing a key role in doing justice to being a transforma-
she believes our task is to hold steadfastly onto the incom-
tive responsive university and urged us to continue to create
parable legacy of Nelson Mandela as the fountainhead of
and co-construct by listening intentionally and hearing what
praxis. “Mandela” for the University and its public is not simply
communities, in whose name we exist, are setting out to teach
a name but an action radiating throughout the institution’s
us. She advised that the draft Transformation Reports indicat-
identity and programmes.
ing positive shifts in the right direction will be discussed in
criTicaliTy of a TransformaTive, responsive the Indaba and called for authentic sharing and participation.
She concluded by reading extracts from the poem Mental
universiTy
Fight by Nigerian poet Ben Okri.
When the University began its first ITP in 2018, the world was
very different and had become far more unpredictable, vola-
tile, and uncertain. Prof Muthwa reiterated how this has played
out in various ways across multiple sectors. She believes
the criticality of a transformative responsive university in
service of society has become sharper and more urgent as
we face unpredictable situations.

NelsoN MaNdela UNiversity • traNsforMatioN iNdaba • 2022 4