The University of Mpumalanga’s (UMP) founding vice chancellor, Prof Thoko Mayekiso, has been awarded the BBQ Editor’s Outstanding Service Award.

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This was during the 21st Annual Premier Black Business Quarterly Awards (BBQ Awards) held at Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Johannesburg last Friday.

According to UMP spokesperson, Tlangelani Ubisi, the award recognises Mayekiso’s exceptional leadership in steering the university, established in the democratic era.

Prof JJ Tabane, editor of BBQ Magazine, said: “As a new university in our country, the UMP needed a leader who could take it to the highest level. Mayekiso has managed to be a shining light in higher education and is worthy of this outstanding service award.”

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Ubisi added that the BBQ Awards – South Africa’s most prestigious and longest-running black business awards – have, for the past 21 years, celebrated champions of excellence, transformation, good corporate governance and leadership. Mayekiso is the outgoing vice chancellor, with the UMP having already announced her successor.