“Professor Chengedzai Mafini’s inaugural address at VUT urged organisations to rethink supply chains, prioritising resilience, adaptability and innovation.”
17 June 2026 | Story by: | Picture: Peter Masela | Picture: Peter Masela
4 minutes read time.
“The future belongs to the resilient.”
This was the central message delivered by Professor Chengedzai Mafini, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), during his inaugural address held at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall on 10 June 2026.
Presenting under the theme From Efficiency to Resilience: A Shifting Paradigm for Rethinking Supply Chains in a VUCA World and BANI Reality, Professor Mafini argued that organisations can no longer rely solely on efficiency to remain competitive. Instead, he called for a fundamental shift towards resilience, adaptability and innovation in response to growing global uncertainty.
Drawing on the concepts of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear and Incomprehensible), he explained how geopolitical tensions, economic instability, climate change, technological disruption and pandemics have exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains across the world.
According to Professor Mafini, organisations that hope to thrive in the future must invest in agility, digital transformation, predictive analytics, strategic partnerships and sustainable business practices. He stressed that resilience is no longer a desirable attribute but a strategic necessity.
The inaugural address attracted university executives, academics, industry leaders, students, family members and distinguished guests who gathered to celebrate both Professor Mafini’s academic achievements and the significance of his contribution to the field of supply chain management.
Introducing the inaugural speaker, Professor Babs Surujlal, former Dean of Economic and Management Sciences at North West University, reflected on Professor Mafini’s remarkable journey from serving as an Aircraft Avionics Engineering specialist in the Air Force of Zimbabwe to becoming one of South Africa’s leading scholars in logistics and supply chain management.
Professor Surujlal highlighted Professor Mafini’s distinguished academic record, which includes an NRF C2 rating, more than 130 peer reviewed journal publications, over 2 700 citations, more than 50 conference papers and the successful supervision of 30 master’s and 35 doctoral graduates.
Responding to the address, Professor Joy Bhadury, Dean and Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina Greensboro in the United States, praised the global relevance of the research presented. He described the inaugural theme as “an African solution for African progress” and noted that Professor Mafini’s extensive citation record demonstrates the international influence of his scholarship.
Industry representative Dr Tielman Slabbert, Board Member of Upriver Developments, emphasised the practical relevance of the address, noting that the challenges discussed are
realities faced daily by organisations across sectors. He commended Professor Mafini for producing research that successfully bridges theory and practice.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Simphiwe Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalisation (RICI), described Professor Mafini as an authentic and dedicated leader whose work continues to strengthen the University’s research profile and impact.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the inaugural certificate and academic robe, symbolising recognition of Professor Mafini’s scholarly achievements, leadership and contribution to knowledge creation.
In closing, Director of Stakeholder Engagement Ms Ndumi Lufele congratulated Professor Mafini and reflected on the significance of the occasion as VUT prepares to celebrate 60 years of academic excellence, innovation and transformation in July 2026.
She noted that Professor Mafini’s message on resilience, adaptability and future-focused leadership resonates strongly with the University’s Road to 60 campaign and Strategy 2033+, which seeks to position VUT as a responsive, innovative and globally competitive institution capable of thriving in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
“Professor Mafini’s inaugural address is more than a personal academic milestone. It reflects the type of scholarship, leadership and forward thinking that will enable VUT to realise its Strategy 2033+ aspirations and continue shaping solutions for industry, society and future generations,” she said.
The event served as both a celebration of academic excellence and a reflection on the future. As VUT approaches its diamond jubilee, Professor Mafini’s call to move from efficiency to resilience echoed the University’s own commitment to transformation, innovation and sustainable growth.
His message was clear: in a world defined by uncertainty and disruption, institutions and organisations that embrace resilience will be best positioned to create lasting impact. For VUT, that vision aligns closely with its Road to 60 journey and its ambition of building a future-ready university through Strategy 2033+.