New Campus Rector will drive growth at Mbombela Campus

Dr Ndiadivha Tempia officially took office as Campus Rector at TUT’s Mbombela Campus on 1 February 2026, bringing with her a vision based on student success, academic strength and regional impact.

Dr Ndiadivha Tempia With her appointment, the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Mbombela Campus gains an experienced higher education leader with a strong track record in academic leadership, research management and public-sector engagement. In this new role, she will provide strategic and academic leadership while strengthening teaching and learning, supporting student success, advancing research and innovation, while also ensuring sound governance and operational excellence.

Her career spans academic and executive roles across higher education, with a consistent focus on policy-relevant research, institutional development and capacity building. “I have led multidisciplinary teams and worked closely with government, industry, and community stakeholders to ensure that research outputs translate into meaningful social and economic impact,” said Dr Tempia.

In her first 90 days, Dr Tempia plans to prioritise listening and learning. Engagement with staff, students and key stakeholders will shape her understanding of the campus context while giving attention to stabilising core academic and operational processes, strengthening communication, building trust and aligning campus activities with TUT’s broader strategic goals.

Looking ahead, her vision is to position the Mbombela Campus as a vibrant, student-centred and academically strong institution that is deeply connected to its regional environment. “The biggest opportunity lies in leveraging the Campus’s geographic and socio-economic context to drive responsive academic offerings, community-engaged scholarship and industry-aligned innovation that directly addresses regional and national priorities,” she said.

Over the next five years, she plans to improve programme relevance, increase student throughput and graduate employability, strengthen research and innovation outputs while building deeper industry partnerships that support regional development.

According to Dr Tempia,  TUT’s commitment to applied knowledge, innovation and societal impact aligns closely with her own values: “The opportunity to lead the Mbombela Campus - given its strategic location and significant developmental potential - presents a meaningful platform to contribute to inclusive growth, transformation and excellence in higher education.”

Her leadership style is collaborative, ethical and values-driven, premised on accountability and empowerment. Integrity, fairness, excellence, respect and great service guide her decisions, alongside a strong commitment to inclusivity and evidence-based leadership. She promotes innovation through cross-functional collaboration, open communication and environments that encourage shared ownership and creativity.

Witnessing the impact of decisive leadership on institutional culture and performance has been a defining influence in her leadership journey. “I have been fortunate to learn from several mentors, women and men, who demonstrated principled leadership, intellectual rigour and humility in service. Their examples continue to shape how I lead and support others. If I were to identify one person in particular, it would be my late mother. She taught me to be true to myself, to be emotionally self-aware, to persevere, to forgive and to live by strong principles and values,” Dr Tempia explained.

Outside of work, she is known for her love of cooking and adventure. In her new role, she is most excited about building a strong and distinctive brand for the Mbombela Campus, positioning it as a first-choice destination for students and a trusted talent source of capable, work-ready graduates for employers.