VUT inaugurates its top leaders
VUT inaugurates its top leaders
Chancellor – Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi as its Chancellor for the next five years. At the same time, VUT is also pleased to announce the Inauguration of the Chancellor – Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi and Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gordon Zide at a prestigious ceremony to be held on Saturday, 12 August 2017. Chairperson of Council and the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Municipality, Cllr Simon Mofokeng, will officiate over this auspicious occasion.
The official event, takes place in the Desmond Tutu Great Hall on VUT’s main Campus, Vanderbijlpark and will commence at 14H00. This will be an historic moment at VUT since its inception in 1960, to have a ceremonial head and an executive leader installed at the same time. The inaugural event will be attended by ministers, members of council, public officials, business partners, academic staff, students and members of local community as well as captains of industry and the members of the media.
Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi is an internationally experienced Senior Business Leader, serving as a Director in several reputable Companies, able to contribute imaginatively and innovatively to the development and sustainability of a business. He has extensive executive leadership, business and technical experience in the Energy, Mining and the Public sector. His knowledge and understanding of public policy and current government priorities, coupled with sound networks in both the public and private sectors sets him apart. As an executive coach, he has a passion to grow, guide and nurture newly appointed executives.
Dr Mkhwanazi is a former Executive Chairman of BHP Billiton Southern Africa, a position he held for 7 years from 2008 to 2015. He joined BHP Billiton in February 2005 as President and Chief Operating Officer of BHP Billiton Aluminium Southern Africa.
Before then, Dr Mkhwanazi was CEO of Bateman Africa Limited, a position he held from 2004. He was previously CEO of the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa where he was responsible for rebuilding the organisation into a world-class regulatory authority. He was also responsible for setting up and leading several regional and African-wide regulatory bodies. He was President of the Chamber of Mines for the period 2010 to 2012.
Dr Mkhwanazi serves as Chairman of Gibela Rail Transportation, Odgers Berndston South Africa as well as Private Label Promotion (PLP). He is also a Non-Executive Director (Non-Independent) of listed South32 Limited and Murray & Roberts Holdings.
He holds a BSc Maths and Physics from the University of Botswana and Swaziland, and completed a MSc and PhD in Applied Physics at the University of Lancaster, UK.