by Lerato Motsisi
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) constantly looks for opportunities to offer short learning programmes (SLPs) that could have a positive societal impact. It is to this end that the University partners with external organisations, foundations and companies that could contribute to the development and implementation of such programmes. The Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment engaged with the Blueprint SA Group, as well as the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation in exploring opportunities for collaboration in the development of an SLP focused on stakeholder management and social facilitation.
Departments from the Faculty of Humanities, attending the workshop included Applied Languages, Public Management, Journalism and Integrated Communication and from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, the Departments of Building Sciences and Geomatics attended.
This initiative underscores the reality that social facilitation and stakeholder engagement are inherently multidisciplinary fields that demand the focused attention of institutions of higher learning. Universities have a responsibility to equip students with academic knowledge as well as to provide practical, solutions-oriented programmes that address top-priority societal challenges. By training change agents in effective, empathetic community engagement, institutions assist in making it easier for society to understand, accept and embrace transformation. In doing so, they not only ensure the success of these interventions but also affirm their role as drivers of sustainable social change.
In his opening address, Prof Mashupye Maserumule, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, highlighted the critical importance of strategic partnerships in ensuring the relevance of TUT’s academic offerings. He emphasised the key-role of collaboration with external stakeholders in developing programmes that respond to societal needs while preparing future-ready graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to their communities and professions. He said: “The University can be a social facilitator in itself, offering a programme that helps close the gap between business, government institutions and the community.” He described the workshop as a valuable platform for deepening collaboration with partners such as the Blueprint SA Group and the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation and for positioning TUT as a national leader in impactful, community-centred education.
In conclusion, Prof Maserumule reiterated the workshop’s purpose of fostering an interactive dialogue on ways to support these partnerships and co-create educational solutions that strengthen the relationship between diverse sectors and the communities they serve.
As the first formal engagement between TUT and the Blueprint SA Group, the workshop addressed a proposal to address what was identified as a critical gap in higher education: the need for a programme on stakeholder management and social facilitation. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that effective communication and stakeholder engagement are essential skills in today’s complex social and institutional environments.
Playing a key-role, Groovin Nchabeleng, Chairperson of Blueprint and a member of the Ronnie Mamoepa Foundation, initiated the dialogue. The Foundation has a long-standing relationship with TUT’s Faculty of Humanities, particularly through its memorial lectures and related activities to honour the legacy of the late Ronnie Mamoepa - an influential and astute communicator.
The Blueprint SA Group, one of South Africa’s largest 100% Black-owned marketing and communication agencies, was central to the success of the workshop, sharing their vision and experience to guide the proposed Short Learning Programme (SLP). Introducing the agency’s background, Nchabeleng, emphasised the company’s strong track record in delivering work that connects local insights with national impact.
Based on Blueprint’s background, expertise, and strategic vision for ways to support TUT in developing and implementing the proposed Short Learning Programme (SLP), Nchabeleng views this collaboration as a unique opportunity for meaningful contribution to education and social development by empowering individuals with the skills to navigate complex stakeholder environments. The agency expressed its commitment to working alongside TUT in co-creating a curriculum that not only bridges academic knowledge and practical experience but also strengthens relationships between institutions and the communities they serve.
“We have done exceedingly well in building a reputation for delivering meaningful work, linking local insights with national impact. Practitioners in marketing and communication continuously face challenges in recruiting graduates who specialise in stakeholder management and social facilitation. Our team is here to share relevant case studies to help deepen understanding of these concepts, and to work with TUT in bridging this gap through the development of a targeted Short Learning Programme,” Nchabeleng said.
During his presentation, he delved into a detailed case study showcasing real-world applications of stakeholder engagement and social facilitation, providing a practical demonstration of how these tools can be used to foster cooperation, address resistance to change and improve project outcomes, thus reinforcing the need for formal academic training in this space.
According to Nchabeleng, Blueprint would like to form a long-term partnership with TUT to co-develop and offer the SLP aimed at building a talent pipeline equipped to meet the growing demand for professionals in stakeholder engagement.
Following the presentation, a robust and interactive discussion ensued, focusing on how higher education institutions like TUT can respond to this educational gap by offering short, practical programmes that equip students and professionals with the necessary skills to engage stakeholders effectively and facilitate meaningful societal change.
According to representatives from the two TUT Faculties, the engagement and workshop is a step towards positioning TUT as a leader in community-centred education and professional development, with programmes that are both academically rigorous and socially relevant.
Following the success of the inaugural session, a follow-up workshop is scheduled for the end of June, which will map the way forward and begin the process of programme development.
Stakeholders and TUT staff members attending the inaugural workshop to explore opportunities for collaboration in the development of an SLP focused on stakeholder management and social facilitation.