Unisa students in Jozini receive support thanks to strong stakeholder relationships

During the 2025 application and registration period, when operational constraints limited the Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region’s capacity, Siyabonga Myeni, manager of the Youth Development and Support at the Office of the Municipal Manager at the Jozini Local Municipality, and Bayanda Mthombeni, intern in the Youth Development and Support Office, together with their dedicated team of employees and stakeholders, stepped up to assist.

Cllr Thembinkosi Michael Malu (in blue shirt) with employees and Jozini stakeholders

This achievement underscores the importance of the region’s strong relationships with stakeholders in rural areas. These partnerships are crucial for extending the university’s reach and helping students in the most remote locations to access the support they need. Their support has made a difference in the lives of these students, and Unisa KwaZulu-Natal is deeply grateful for their partnership.

Building strong stakeholder engagement and relationships is based on trust and respect. It takes regular dialogue, transparent information sharing, and keeping stakeholders informed about Unisa’s plans and activities. This involves treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their position or background.

Collaborating with stakeholders to identify common goals and working together to achieve them fosters a sense of ownership and shared purpose. This ensures that everyone is working towards a common vision. Consistently delivering on commitments, acting with integrity, and being accountable for actions builds trust over time.

By prioritising these elements, the Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region demonstrated the capacity to continue building strong and productive relationships with stakeholders in ensuring that students in rural communities can access the support they need to succeed.

*By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal, with input from ChatGPT