TUT Secures SARChI Research Chair in Smart and Sustainable Municipal Service Delivery
Academics
8 July 2026
By Phaphama Tshisikhawe
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has been awarded a prestigious South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair under the DSTI/NRF Decadal Plan Aligned Research Chairs programme.
The new Research Chair, titled “Smart and Sustainable Municipal Service Delivery”, will be hosted by TUT and led by Prof Zeleke Worku. The Chair will focus on developing innovative, technology-driven solutions to enhance municipal service efficiency, sustainability, and urban governance.
Prof Zeleke Worku, the Chairholder, welcomed the award, saying:
“This SARChI Chair represents a tremendous opportunity to tackle the real challenges facing our municipalities. Through smart technologies and sustainable practices, we aim to deliver research that strengthens local governance, enhances service efficiency, and improves the quality of life for communities across the country.”
Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement at TUT, described the achievement as a major milestone for the institution:
“We are thrilled to secure this SARChI Research Chair. It reinforces TUT’s commitment to applied research and innovation that addresses national priorities. This initiative is fully aligned with our Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) 2026–2035, which prioritises the growth of postgraduate education, research capacity, innovation, and sustainable development to build entrepreneurial communities and impactful solutions for South Africa. We look forward to supporting Prof Worku and his team as they work towards impactful solutions for sustainable municipal service delivery.”
Moreover, the Chair is expected to strengthen TUT’s research capacity, foster multidisciplinary collaborations, and create new opportunities for postgraduate training and partnerships with municipalities and industry stakeholders.
This success highlights TUT’s growing role in producing research that contributes directly to South Africa’s development goals.