The University of Pretoria is a complex and vibrant ecosystem where multitudes of people carry out tasks and objectives daily, working towards the common goal of becoming a leading research‐intensive university in Africa. For each member of the organisation to thrive, a conducive environment must be created and maintained. This is the mammoth task of Mr Sandile Mthiyane, UP’s Chief Operating Officer, and his team. Mthiyane began his role at UP in February 2020, bringing to the institution extensive management and leadership experience from various industries including the manufacturing, FMCG and financial sector. His personal goal is to be one of the best business executives South Africa has ever produced. For the university, his main aim is to create, maintain, and enhance an environment for all UP staff and students to carry out their mandate, in the most efficient and effective manner.

Having taken up office right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature of his role took on a unique format. Mthiyane outlines how when the pandemic was merely a conversation of theories, the University had to put mitigating plans in place on the advice of medical experts, and treat the pandemic as a reality. They had to be as prepared as possible from the get-go. The main task was ensuring continuity. Measures put in place included ensuring information technology sources were up to speed, updating teaching platforms, and assisting staff and students to work from home.

Additionally, while creating a virtual campus, the physical campus had to be safeguarded against security threats, seeing as the property was vacant.

Human resources posed its own set of challenges. Certain jobs could easily be done from home, while others were not easily translated into from-home tasks. Another pressing issue for the operations portfolio was labour negotiations; ensuring all discussions were carried out in good faith while creating a healthy relationship with the relevant stakeholders.

These are only a few of the many areas that Mthiyane continues to oversee while ensuring the financial sustainability of the University, since the departments under his portfolio carry some of the biggest costs.

With a portfolio of just under 3000 staff members, these responsibilities do not balance on his shoulders alone. “It isn’t about the individual,” he says, “I rely very much on the people I work with. Without them, none of it is possible.” He adds that further to this, the success of UP’s operations lies in the hands of every single employee, from the lecturers to the cleaning staff – everybody contributes to the reputation of the University. He states: “You can support us so that we can support you better.” Added to this, Mthiyane encourages everyone to report anything that appears to be out of place by using the relevant channels, emphasising that giving positive feedback goes a long way to create an inspiring environment for all to work in.

Looking forward, staff and students can anticipate projects aimed at creating a Future Fit environment which will enable the university to perform at its best. This includes the development of a digital transformation strategy; upgrading the university data storage system; enhancing cyber security; human resource service delivery improvements: continued coaching, mentoring and development of staff; transformation of security management: with a greater focus on campus safety and finding ways of improving employee value proposition for security staff within their roles and continuously improving execution of construction projects and maintenance processes. Lastly, Mthiyane highlights the University's intentions to reduce its carbon footprint through environmental sustainability measures, which includes implementation of renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency measures.

Ultimately, Mthiyane and his team continue to roll up their sleeves daily to get the job done and enable an environment of excellence. Mthiyane concludes with his philosophy for work: “One of my biggest aspirations is for staff to feel proud of the work they put in, and aim to become the best university in Africa. Ultimately, success lies in understanding that we need to have students who are proud to attend UP and who will encourage others to enrol here. They need to be convinced that this is where they will achieve success in life.”