By: Staff Reporter – 14 June 2024

VUT recently celebrated the installation of its new Chancellor, Mr. Vincent Zwelibanzi Mntambo, a renowned business leader. Amid all the planning that went into the success of the event, something that caught the eye of Prof Khehla Ndlovu, the Vice Chancellor and Principal was the dedication of three second-year hospitality students: Ms Leboho Tshodiso, Ms Rebone Radebe, and Mr Wisdom Mphuthi.

The three, under the guidance of their Lecturer, Ms Julia Mthimkulu, played an integral role in the catering aspect of these festivities. With their exceptional culinary talents, they assisted the Lapeng Staff to prepare lunch when the Chancellor visited the campus on 5 June 2024 for a campus walk-about and a ‘meet and greet’ with the four Executive Deans ahead of his official installation the next day. On the day of the installation, Tshodiso, Radebe and Mphuthi also helped prepare arrival light meals for the guests and dignitaries from academia, business, and government who all shared the same sentiment that every bite was a journey to a world of flavor.

The students’ hands-on involvement enriched their learning experience and significantly contributed to the smooth execution of the Chancellor’s Installation. This caught the eye of Prof Ndlovu who invited them to personally thank them, emphasising that their contributions were key to success of the Chancellor’s Installation. This gesture of appreciation and recognition, reinforces Prof Ndlovu’s message when he arrived at VUT in February; that every member of the VUT Community, regardless of their position, is valued and essential to the institution’s success.