Mr Themba Mthethwa as the University’s new Ombud

2019/07/12 10:24:14 AM

The UKZN Council recently announced the appointment of Mr Themba Mthethwa as the University’s new Ombud.

The UKZN Council recently announced the appointment of Mr Themba Mthethwa as the University’s new Ombud.

A UKZN alumnus, Mthethwa is a human rights attorney with an impressive array of academic credentials and career milestones. He served as the Chief Executive Officer in the office of the Public Protector during Professor Thuli Madonsela’s term, following which he was appointed CEO of the Community Schemes Ombud Service. He has served as General Counsel of the Port Authority of South Africa; Special Advisor to former eThekwini City Manager, Dr Michael Sutcliffe; as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the South African Local Government Association; as well as in various other entities as a board member.

Mthethwa holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Wits Business School and is currently a part-time coach in Leadership within the School’s MBA programme.

During his term as Chief Executive Officer in the office of the Public Protector, he played a major role in the partnership between UKZN, the Public Protector, Department of International Relations, and the African Ombudsmen and Mediators Association - resulting in the establishment of the African Ombudsman Research Centre on the Howard College campus.

The Office of the UKZN Ombud was established by the University Council in 2010 to enhance service delivery at the institution and to foster a culture of efficient and effective administration. The late Chief Justice Pius Langa was the first UKZN Ombud. He was succeeded by Justice Zak Yacoob whose term ended in June 2019, upon his retirement, after serving for six years.

The University Ombud draws his or her authority from the Terms of Reference approved by the University Council. The Ombud is a neutral person who provides confidential, informal, and impartial assistance for the informal resolution of concerns and conflicts to constituents of the University community.

Mthethwa joins the University from the Ministry of Human Settlements where he served as the Human Settlements Ombudsman. Amongst other things, he was tasked with resolving complaints from the construction industry and housing disputes in communities.

As UKZN Ombud, he plans to give all stakeholders improved access to his office, and ensure that complaints and concerns are resolved speedily and amicably and that recommendations are well founded, capable of being implemented, and are followed through. He also aims to improve accountability and transparency by making sure that the office’s reports are published. The office will also drive a user awareness campaign to ensure that they understand the role and mandate of the Ombud.

Words: Sithembile Shabangu and Hlengiwe Precious Khwela

http://ndabaonline.ukzn.ac.za/UkzndabaStory/Vol7-Issue37-translations/UKZN%20Appoints%20New%20Ombud