Unisan appointed to key position at NASDEV

 Unisa’s Acting Manager: Student Social Development, Mmangakane Mmako, has been appointed as a National Executive Committee Member of the prestigious National Association of Student Development Professionals (NASDEV). The association is  the leading body for student services and development practice in the post-school education and training (PSET) sector.

Mmangakane Mmako

This honour signifies the university's commitment to quality education that equips students for leadership positions within the educational sector. Mmako will serve a three-year term as the organisation’s Gauteng Regional Coordinator. Her responsibilities include the following key roles:  presiding as chairperson of the NASDEV Regional Committee, convening at least two NASDEV regional meetings, recruiting membership at regional level, distributing information about NASDEV activities in Gauteng, and initiating regional activities for staff and student development.

Currently, Mmako holds the office of Acting Manager: Student Social Development, under the Department of Student Development (DSD). The former executive member of the university’s Communication Student Association (COMSA) holds, among others, an honours degree in Integrated Organisational Communication.

As a passionate student mentor, her role, entails training students, and enhancing and capacitating their competitiveness in leadership and ICT (information and communication technology) knowledge. She explains. “In addition, I assist students outside my scope of duty, by directing and making follow-ups regarding their academic and social issues, and personal matters.”

Mmako encourages students to make use of the university’s counselling services offered by the Directorate for Counselling and Career Development (DCCD), which provides career, academic and personal guidance, and counselling to prospective and registered students in person, by telephone, e-mail, and online.

Mmako believes that as an association of practitioners representing all universities and further education and training colleges in the country, NASDEV will conduct seminars, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives to discover new and best practices. She says that her role as the Gauteng Region Coordinator will further enhance her knowledge in crafting student development practice agenda, capacity building and professionalisation of students affairs.

Front row: Eastern Cape Region: Dzulani Munzhelele (University of Fort Hare), Deputy President: Philani Hlatshwayo (Tshwane University of Technology), President: Muzomuhle Mhlongo (University of KwaZulu Natal), Secretary General: Nosipho Msimango (Sol Plaatje University), Gauteng Region: Mmangakane Mmako (University of South Africa)
Second row: KwaZulu Natal Region: Trudis Msowoya (University of Zululand), Treasurer: Anele Mkondweni (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), Deputy Secretary General: Thabiso Mbewe (Tshwane University of Technology), Projects and Events Officer: Tumalano Moeti (University of Free State)
Back row: Limpopo Region: Andisani Mathelemusa (University of Venda), Central Region: Motlogelwa Moema (University of Free State)

Mmako emphasises NASDEV's dedication to educating students in a holistic way. Their approach, she says, combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, aiming to develop well-rounded graduates who can meaningfully contribute to society.

Mmako plans to use her experience at NASDEV to revitalise partnerships and programmes that cultivate highly skilled students and exceptional student leaders, ultimately contributing to the success of the university and its stakeholders.

* By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement