Walter Sisulu University (WSU) congratulated vice-chancellor and principal Prof Rushiella Nolundi Songca for doing an exceptional job in implementing the institution’s rationalisation and consolidation (R&C) project, which had been met with a lot of resistance during its start.
An event held last Thursday at the WSU Komani Campus marked the completion of the initiative aimed at enhancing the university’s academic standing and contributing to the developmental objectives of the country and the African continent.
However, for the bigger vision to be realised, the university needs land to build a fully-fledged campus.
Addressing the gathering, Songca reflected on the challenging journey. “Once upon a time, we joined WSU without hope and we didn’t know what to make of it. Little did we know what was bawaiting us. I grew in leaps and bounds when I joined WSU,” she said.
The rationalisation project was introduced in 2024 and, though initially met with internal criticism, it eventually gained support from students and staff. The aim was to restructure WSU, with Komani being consolidated as a key part of this process.
Songca acknowledged the initial resistance to the project, but highlighted the progress made, including accreditation, internationalisation, and consolidation. The vice chancellor highlighted the impact of the accreditation issue on the institution’s programmes.
“The accreditation issue propelled us forward and gave us an opportunity to evaluate
our programmes. “The R&C was a vehicle which we used to ensure we streamline our programmes and ensure that all our programmes are accredited. “Before R&C, our programmes were duplicated and it was difficult to ensure that all our programmes are accredited,” Songca said.
“The faculties offered different programmes in some instances, and even where they
offered the same programmes,we still grappled with quality issues because those programmes were taught by different people.
This put us at a great risk. Rationalisation and consolidation was a strategic thrust that ensured our programmes and pr o g ra m m e and qualification mix are aligned, streamlined, and accredited across different campuses.”
She expressed gratitude to the team, students, and staff who supported the project.
“I thank some of the students who came on board. While some staff members were not for
this. We are lucky because most of the students wanted rationalisation and consultation,” she said.
Songca also highlighted the university focus on improving the academic project,
infrastructure, and student support, while implementing the rationalisation project.
”Vision 2030 for us meant infrastructure, for living and teaching, and also academic
projects,” she said.
The event celebrated the rationalisation project’s success in positioning WSU as a leading institution in the region.
Prof Bongani Bantwini said: ”We have implemented R&C and are ahead in its full adoption. R&C was the beginning of the restructuring of the university, and we are far from completing this process.” He highlighted the Komani campus as a case study, noting it was set to house the faculty of education, which would make it the biggest faculty.
“However, the faculty is yet to be relocated from Mthatha, and currently, only a fraction of
the campus is operational.” Bantwini emphasised that infrastructure development was
crucial to the success of the rational process.
“The highest landmark of R&C will only be realised when the Komani Campus is fully
developed. As the biggest campus by faculty and biggest financial contributor to the university.”
ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
