The University of Venda recently hosted its Annual Strategic Risk Review Workshop and Strategic Planning Session at Seasons Golf, Leisure, and Spa in Hartbeespoort, bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on the institution’s challenges and opportunities. The workshop, Implementing Strategy in the Face of Uncertainty, emphasised the importance of proactive risk management in safeguarding the university’s mission of excellence in higher education and community engagement.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni, highlighted the shifting landscape of higher education, where external factors such as educational policy changes, technological advancements, and financial constraints present ongoing risks. However, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal stressed that risk management should not be viewed solely as a defensive measure, but as an opportunity to innovate, grow, and align efforts with the university’s strategic goals, particularly those outlined in its Annual Performance Plan (APP).
A central objective of the workshop was to identify and prioritise the university’s key strategic risks, analyse their potential impacts, and develop actionable strategies to mitigate or manage them. Participants were encouraged to collaborate and draw on their collective ex-pertise to ensure the university remains resilient and adaptable in an uncertain environment
The workshop also focused on embedding a risk-conscious culture throughout the uni-versity, emphasising that risk management should be integrated into day-to-day op-erations and decision-making processes. This approach will enable the institu-tion to anticipate and respond more effectively to emerging challenges, ensuring continued progress toward its long-term vision of an adaptable, forward-thinking university.
Key risks discussed during the workshop included educational policy shifts that could affect in-stitutional operations; financial constraints – from budget cuts and economic uncertainties; Tech-nological advancements that require ongoing innovation; and the need for safe and inclusive environments for students and staff. Additionally, the Vice Chancellor and Principal shared in-sights from the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024, highlighting five key risks relevant to South Africa, including energy disruptions, economic downturns, unemployment, state fragility, and water shortages. These global risks further underscore the need for high-er education institutions to be agile and prepared for both local and international uncertainties.
At the end of his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal highlighted that the work-shop was a pivotal opportunity for the University of Venda to reflect on its strategic risks and develop solutions to ensure its resilience and continued success. Through collaboration and effective risk management, the university is well-positioned to navigate the uncertainties ahead and continue delivering on its mission of academic excellence and community impact.
During this three-day workshop, the Strategy and Risk Directorate, led by Dr Mut-shinyalo Ratombo, addressed several key topics, including the refinement of plan-ning and reporting instruments, the development and implementation of an Institu-tional Risk Register, and the creation of a Performance and Improvement Plan. On the final day, Dr Ratombo provided an update on the progress of the UNIVEN 15-year long strategy.
Mr Tinyiko Sibiya gave an overview of how strategic risks were managed in the con-text of implementing the strategic plan. He highlighted emerging strategic risks and out-lined fraud risks. Additionally, Mr Sibiya introduced the 2025 Risk Management Frame-work and Monitoring Tool, and shared insights on compiling the institutional risk register.
During the workshop, three commissions were formed to review and deliberate on vari-ous aspects of risk management. These included: reviewing current institutional risks and exposures in terms of likelihood and impact and identifying risks along with their associ-ated key risk indicators. Commission One, focused on the Economic Cluster, led by Dr Phil-lia Vukea. Commission Two, covering the Social Cluster, was led by Prof Tshilidzi Mulaudzi. Commission Three, focused on the Security Cluster, was led by Mr Ratshilumela Mulaudzi.
The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management, Commerce, and Law, Prof. Bar-wa Kanyane, offered a recap of the workshop’s key reflections and outcomes.
In closing the Annual Strategic Risk Review Workshop and Strategic Planning ses-sion, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal expressed gratitude to all those involved in the workshop, particularly the co-programme directors, Ms Beauty Mutheiwana and Dr Takalani Dzaga, as well as the commission chairs and Prof Barwa Kanyane for their contributions. Special recognition was given to the organising committee, led by Dr Mut-shinyalo Ratombo and Mr Tinyiko Sibiya, for their hard work in making the event possible.
In his closing remarks, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal thanked every-one for their commitment and urged the team to stay focused on the work ahead.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
