The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is proud to announce the worthy appointment of Full Professor and seasoned scholar, Professor Makhosazana Faith Vezi-Magigaba, as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL).She began her term on 1 December 2025, making history as the first black female dean of FCAL. Expressing her sentiments following her appointment, the professor said, “This is a moment of profound institutional significance and a reflection of how far we have come as a University. I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law. This milestone is not only personal, but also a testament to the University’s commitment to growth, transformation, and the nurturing of its own leaders.
“My driving force is my deep sense of purpose, my faith, my family, and my desire to my meaningful impact. As I step into this new chapter, I remain committed to academic excellence, transformational leadership, and contributing to the growth of the next generation of scholars and entrepreneurs,” Prof Vezi-Magigaba shared.
Prof Vezi-Magigaba holds a BA Honours in Industrial Psychology (University of Zululand), and MBA from Jackson State University in Mississippi, USA, DCom (UNIZULU) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (University of KwaZulu-Natal).
“My career at UNIZULU began in 2004 as a contract lecturer. Though returning to my alma mater was not part of my initial plan, I believe that God directed my path, and I embraced the journey wholeheartedly,” she admitted.
The institution that moulded her as a student has had a lasting impact on her career as an academic too. “UNIZULU has offered me numerous opportunities for growth, and I am a living testimony to its transformative influence. Over the years, I have held key leadership roles. From 2011 to 2021, I have served as Acting Head of Department of Business Management, and from 2022 to 2025, I served as the Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration, and Law,” she said.
In January 2025, Prof Vezi-Magigaba was promoted to Full Professor. This milestone, she said, reflects her years of commitment, scholarship, leadership, and service. She attributed the accomplishment to consistency, passion, ambition, and teamwork, as well as the support of her colleagues and students who have been part of her academic journey.
A pivotal breakthrough of Prof Vezi-Magigaba’s career came when she joined Enactus, an experience that ignited her passion for entrepreneurship and inspired her to pursue a DCom. After eight impactful years with Enactus, she joined Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), where she contributed to promoting student and graduate entrepreneurship both at UNIZULU and nationally. The opportunities and visibility gained through EDHE opened further doors for excellence, and many of her achievements within EDHE contributed significantly to her elevation to Full Professor.
Affectionately known as Nana, Prof Vezi-Magigaba hails from KwaNdengezi Township in Durban where she grew up in a close-knit family comprising of her parents, three sisters and three brothers. She considers herself blessed that both her parents are still alive. It was them who laid a solid foundation and instilled in her the values that continue to guide her journey.
She is also deeply grateful to UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Xoliswa Mtose and her former deans Prof Dev Tewari and Prof Lorraine Greyling for consistently supporting her. Additionally, she acknowledged her colleague Shalen Heeralal for his unwavering support me when she was “ready to give up”.
She concluded by extending her heartfelt thanks to her husband and daughter for their unwavering patience, especially during the late nights and long hours of work. Lastly, she acknowledged Enactus and EDHE, both of which played a transformative role in shaping her career path and opening doors to excellence.
