VUT appoints veteran distinguished academic as Interim Registrar
08 March 2024
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has appointed Professor Louis Molamu as the Interim Registrar effective from 26 February until 31 August 2024.
The Registrar at VUT occupies a pivotal role within the university operations. One of the numerous strategic functions of the Registrar is to cultivate an enabling environment wherein the University Council can effectively exercise its oversight and fiduciary role – a task Prof Molamu is determined to lead through institutional governance advising and administrations, as well as policy risk and compliance management.
As the Interim Registrar, Prof Molamu is also expected to oversee the successful coordination of broad formal academic activities and the university calendar. He will be responsible for these, and many other professional functions linked to the Registrar’s Division, while he also doubles as an integral part of Senior Management and as the Secretary to Council with a dual reporting line to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and to the Chairperson of Council. More importantly, Prof Molamu will play an instrumental role in reviewing and streamlining operations of the Registrar’s Division to ensure that it functions optimally.
The Johannesburg-born seasoned academic and researcher, brings the desired wealth of higher education experience and expertise to VUT. These attributes, coupled with his proven track record of transformative leadership, will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the continued success and growth of our university.
Despite having obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Fort Hare (UFH), followed by a UED and M.Sc in Sociology from the University of Bradford, England, he first cut his teeth in academia as a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Botswana in 1980. What followed thereafter was trajectory of growth within the academic ranks. From 1996 he held various senior roles at the University of South Africa (UNISA) until his retirement in 2012. His extensive career includes positions such as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and ultimately, Registrar of the biggest university in Africa.
His professional journey also involved impactful roles in university administrative positions. He actively contributed to UNISA’s SENATE Committees from 2004 to 2012 and served as a dedicated University Council Member from 2001 to 2017. His commitment extended to various professional organizations, where he held memberships.
An accomplished author and journal writer, Prof Molamu has published numerous books and journals, presenting his research at conferences and workshops. His academic prowess is further exemplified by his role as the Coordinator of the Young Academics Programme at UNISA from 2015 to 2019.
Prof Molamu is a distinguished figure known for his significant contributions to the understanding of Tsotsi-taal, a language documented in his acclaimed work, “Tsotsi-taal: A Dictionary of the Language of Sophiatown,” published by UNISA in 2003. This literary masterpiece delves into the rich, bold world of Sophiatown, the iconic black cultural hub of the 1950s, providing profound insights into its history and cultural tapestry. His personal connection to Sophiatown adds an emotional layer to his work, as he spent his formative years in this vibrant community until the harsh policies of apartheid led to its destruction. His family was forcibly relocated to Soweto, a chapter in his life that deeply influenced his academic pursuits and dedication to preserving the heritage of communities like Sophiatown.
The Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof Khehla Ndlovu welcomed Prof Molamu as the Interim Registrar and further thanked Dr Speech Nelana who was temporarily assigned the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations and decision-making processes associated with the Registrar’s portfolio for the month of February.