Two months after the University of Venda’s Council announced the appointment of Professor Fulufhelo Netswera as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, he refl ected on his background, academic journey, career trajectory, leadership roles, and his vision for the University.
Dr Takalani Dzaga, Director Marketing, Branding and Communication, fi nally had the opportunity to sit down with him for a candid conversation. Below is an excerpt of their discussion.
Give me some background about yourself
I was born at Dopeni, grew up at Matangari, and later at Tswera village, where my father’s family originates and eventually settled. My early childhood was rooted in rural life — herding goats and cattle and working in the orchard. Completing Standard 5 was a signifi cant turning point, as it allowed me to pursue secondary education at Dimani High, Mudaswali Secondary, and later matriculate at Thengwe High School.
The University of Venda was my gateway to higher education, where, alongside my studies, I also pursued karate (Kyokushinkai), which later took me to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for my honours degree. My initial plan was to continue directly to doctoral studies nonstop, but an opportunity arose at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), where I was recruited during a career expo at UWC. I eventually completed my master’s and doctoral studies part-time at Stellenbosch University, while working at Technikon SA and later at the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA).
How did your career take off and develop over the years?
I am proud to refl ect on a 29-year career in South Africa’s research and innovation sector, spanning four research councils (HSRC, CSIR, NRF and NIHSS) and six universities (Technikon SA, UNISA, UL, CPUT, NWU and DUT). My roles have included lecturer, researcher, grants manager, and academic leader.
From January 2020, I served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), where I was headhunted to lead the faculty and establish the DUT Business School. The School became operational in 2022 and has since graduated numerous MBA, PGDip and HC candidates. Under my leadership, postgraduate graduations (Master’s & Doctoral) increased from 88 (2019) to 134 (2024), while research output units grew from 109 (2020) to 209 (2024).
I also established the BRICS Research Institute (https://www.bricsri.co.za/), which now connects over 90 academics and doctoral students from BRICS nations in multilateral collaborative research. Furthermore, I developed a strong Pan-African internationalisation strategy, signing multiple MoUs with African universities. To date, over 100 academics from institutions such as Afe Babalola (Nigeria), Takoradi Technical University (Ghana), Ghana Communications and Technology University, and Makerere University (Uganda) have registered for doctoral degrees at DUT and numerous have graduated.
Prior to DUT, I directed the North-West University Business School (2017–2019), where I successfully merged the Mafi keng and Potchefstroom business schools and led the institution towards the achievement of the prestigious AMBA accreditation. At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), I served as the Deputy Dean of Research (2015–2017). During this time, I hosted the landmark “Day Zero Water Crisis” conference in 2018, which attracted strong international participation, including the World Toilet Association (WTA) which is led by South Korea’s city mayor but with participation from European and African countries too.
Before that, I led the South African BRICS Think Tank (SABTT), which coordinates BRICS-related academic, policy, and research collaborations. I also directed the Turfl oop Graduate School of Leadership (TGSL) at the University of Limpopo (2013–2015). At TGSL I co-led an extensive review of sanitation systems throughout Limpopo towns of from Modimole to Musina.
Earlier in my career, I directed Research Management at UNISA (2007–2012), during which the institution’s research outputs more than doubled, from 554 to over 1,200, and secured several NRF Research Chairs. At the NRF (2005–2007), I managed postgraduate funding programmes, the Thuthuka Programme, Postgraduate Scholarships and established the Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme. Between 1997 and 2005, I held various research roles at CSIR, HSRC, IDASA, and Technikon SA, where I also served as Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Neo Mathabe.
What other leadership roles inside and outside academia have you held?
I have served in several academic, professional, and governance capacities at diff erent institutions that include:
- Editor of the Journal of Commonwealth Youth and Development (2011–2015).
- Board member of PIKITUP, where I chaired the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and acted as Board Chairperson (2017–2019).
- Vice Chairperson of the Southern African Business Schools Association (SABSA), and Interim Chairperson (2018–2023).
- Non-Executive Director of the HSRC Board (2012–2013).
- Executive member of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), where I expanded operations to include SADC universities (2011–2013).
- Adjudicator for the Women in Science Awards (SAWISA, DSI) from 2011 to 2025.
- Chairperson of the CHE Reference Group on Transformation of South Africa’s Higher Education Sector (2025–2026).
- Adjudicator for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards (2005–2007).
- Erasmus Fellow at the University of Groningen (Netherlands, 2014) and at the Ludovika Public Service University (Hungary, 2021–2025).
- Visiting Professor and Adjunct Professorship roles at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Lincoln International Business School (UK), Sparsh Global Business School (India) and Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU) of Uganda.
And on the scholarly front?
I have edited over 10 academic books, three journal special issues, authored 16 book chapters, and published over 45 journal articles.
Recent works include:
- Russia in BRICS: Reshaping the Alternative Global Multilateral Financial Institutions (IGI Global).
- Higher Education and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Cross-National Perspectives on the Challenges and Management of Higher Education in Crisis Times (Brill).
- State-Owned Enterprises in Africa and the Economics of Public Service Delivery (AOSIS).
What is your vision for the Research and Postgraduate Studies portfolio at UNIVEN?
My decision to join UNIVEN, instead of one of South Africa’s established research-intensive universities like UP or UCT, is because I believe the institution has untapped potential. UNIVEN represents fertile ground with limitless opportunities informed by its rural location. My vision for UNIVEN includes but not limited to:
a) Reinforcing the academic responsibility to fulfi l the university’s tripartite mandate of teaching, research, and engagement.
b) Establish a research culture wherein at least 75% of all academics hold doctoral qualifi cations and, in the near future, prioritising the recruitment of doctoral holders.
c) Expanding specialised research institutes, centres, and chairs in partnership with various stakeholders.
d) Aligning research output targets by all academics with DHET publication targets and norms.
e) Building impactful local, continental, and international research partnerships to position UNIVEN as a research-intensive university.
f) Driving locally relevant and impactful grant-funded research projects.
g) Prioritising innovation, patenting research outcomes and commercialised spin-off s.
h) Foster entrepreneurship culture, particularly among students and social entrepreneurship in partnership with communities.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni, said as he welcomes Prof Netswera, “It is my honour to offi cially welcome Prof Fulufhelo Netswera to the University of Venda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies. His extensive academic background, expertise, leadership and global networks will play a pivotal role in advancing our institutional priorities in research, innovation, and postgraduate training. I invite the University community to join me in welcoming Professor Netswera as he assumes this important role in driving our strategic vision forward”.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
