JOHANNESBURG – Umalusi Council has extended its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Professor Daniel Kgwadi, the Vice Chancellor of Vaal University of Technology (VUT), who passed away on Sunday.
Kgwadi was a former member of the Umalusi Council. He was appointed to the Umalusi Council by the Minister of Basic Education for two terms, with his first term beginning in 2010 and ending in 2014. His second term lasted from 2014 to 2018.
During his tenure, Kgwadi served in various capacities, including as vice chair of the council, member of the council’s Executive Committee (EXCO), and chair of the council’s Assessment Standards Committee (ASC).
Umalusi said the education, training and higher education sectors have lost a transformational leader.
The council said Kgwadi’s tenure helped change the shape and form of Umalusi, as the body benefited immensely from his broad understanding of education, his grasp of the challenges plaguing the South African education system, and his willingness to engage in robust discussion.
“During his tenure, the Umalusi Council responded to the evolving NQF (National Qualifications Framework) by developing a sub-framework for qualifications and redesigning existing quality assurance approaches and processes.
“As Chair of the ASC, Professor Kgwadi did an excellent job of guiding the deliberations by promoting robust discussions and allowing for dissenting opinions. As vice chair of the council, Professor Kgwadi actively participated in and led the discussions, resulting in the achievement of important milestones,” Umalusi said in a statement.
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science, and Innovation also paid tribute to Kgwadi, saying the higher education sector recognises the significant contribution he has made to the sector as a whole.
The committee’s chairman, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, pointed out that Kgwadi was vice chancellor of North West University before his appointment as VUT vice-chancellor.
“He was active in the Umalusi Council and various other professional associations where he left a brilliant legacy,” Mkhatshwa said.
Mkhatshwa said the committee last spoke directly with Kgwadi on Nov. 30, 2022, in Parliament.
“He spoke to the committee about the importance of stabilising the management and leadership of VUT to ensure that the university performs well in its core business, the academic programme, to provide students with a solid university education, knowledge and skills that are relevant to South African industry and the world.
