Cameron Dugmore, an African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, has commended the University of South Africa (UNISA) for receiving an unqualified audit opinion for the 2022/2023 financial year.
In a statement released on Tuesday October 29th, Dugmore praised the university’s contributions to shaping Africa’s intellectual future, and attributed this achievement to the leadership of UNISA Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula and former President Thabo Mbeki’s support as Chancellor, highlighting their commitment to financial stability and effective governance.
“We can say with pride that UNISA is living up to its vision of being Africa’s leading open distance learning institution, geared towards reclaiming Africa’s Intellectual futures. UNISA, under the leadership of Professor Puleng Lenkabula as Vice Chancellor and Principal together with (former) President Thabo Mbeki as the Chancellor, has done very well by consolidating sound financial management and governance.” said Dugmore.
Dugmore noted that under Professor LenkaBula’s guidance, UNISA has enhanced its global partnerships, such as the partnership with Fern University of Hagen in Germany. The institution has also launched its 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs), a strategic initiative that supports South Africa’s and Africa’s growth through programs in fields such as Marine Studies, 4IR, Automotive, Aviation, Energy, Space Science, Biotechnology, Health, Women empowerment and others.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, UNISA’s executive management celebrated the audit result as an affirmation of the institution’s sound financial practices.
“This achievement affirms the fact that the fiscus of the university, placed under the discharge of the management collective led by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, is being handled with the utmost prudence and diligence. It is also an affirmation of the excellent state of governance and financial management in the university, a fact further demonstrated by the fact that the university grew its reserves from R8 billion in 2018 to more than double in 2022” the statement read.
UNISA has positioned itself as a leader in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Africa. On September 19, the university acquired an agricultural farm in Bronkhorstspruit, east of Pretoria in Gauteng, to serve as a research and training hub focused on agricultural and environmental sciences.
This facility will provide practical training for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, fostering innovative research and developments in agriculture. Additionally, it will act as a platform for entrepreneurship and commercialization, with a strong focus on community engagement, aligning with the goals set forth in UNISA’s Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs).
