2021 Annual Report

This report reflects significant activities for the period 1 January to 31 December 2021. Elements covering the total operations of Unisa are not bound entirely by this timeline, as they also highlight forward-looking aspects in the spirit of transparency. The report aims to demonstrate Unisa’s values through its tangible and intangible assets and resources.

In the reporting year, Council took significant decisions to strengthen its work, provide operational stability and efficiencies, strengthen the financial sustainability of the University, support and prioritise the academic project and improve academic output. The most noteworthy decisions taken by Council included:
•     Filling of vacancies on Council.

•     Appointment of chairpersons of various Committees of Council (CoC) – Mr DD Mosia for the Finance, Investments and Estates Committee of Council (FIECoC) and later as Deputy Chairperson of Council; Ms SF Mudau for the Audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee of Council (AERMCoC); Ms TCC Mampane for the Human Resource Committee of Council (HRCoC) from 2022; and Ms BL Mapongwana for the SECoC from 2022. It is important to note that the majority of these appointments were women, with the result that the EXCO of Council, the composition of which includes all chairpersons of committees of Council, is dominated by women. This reinforces Council’s commitment to gender equality.
•     Re-appointment of former President Thabo Mbeki as Chancellor.
•     Filling of vacancies at Management Committee (ManCom), namely VicePrincipals (VPs) for Information and Communication Technology as well as
Operations and Facilities, as well as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This is the first phase of the implementation of the structure approved in 2018.
•     Filling of several executive Management positions, the majority being Executive Deans and Deputy Executive Deans.
•     Introduction and termination of various academic programmes and qualifications in line with the quest to ensure that our programmes remain relevant for the changing needs of society.
•     Approval of the Unisa Enterprise business plan and related funding.
•     Splitting of Departments in the School of Engineering. More information on this can be found on page 63.