06/12/2025
[Press Release Statement]
7 December 2025
For immediate release
Distinguished MUT Alumnus Pledges R100 000 to Strengthen the University’s First-Ever Endowment Fund
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) continues to witness the rising influence and generosity of its alumni community, with one of its most accomplished graduates leading the way. Mlamuli Buthelezi, who studied Mechanical Engineering at MUT from 1984 to 1986, has pledged R100 000 toward the University’s pioneering Endowment Fund, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to student success and institutional advancement.
Buthelezi is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Oak Tree Technologies, a consulting firm specialising in engineering projects, the energy sector, and transportation and logistics. Buthelezi’s executive leadership across South Africa’s logistics and infrastructure landscape has distinguished him as a respected voice in national development conversations. In 2025 at the Annual Fundraising Dinner, the MUT Alumni Relations Office honoured Buthelezi with the Grand Patron Award, recognising him as “a pillar of sustained giving, stewarding the first-ever MUT Endowment Fund vision with consistency, generosity, and deep institutional loyalty. Buthelezi’s contributions, Institutional Advancement noted, “strengthen the foundation on which student success is built".
Why is Buthelezi making this pledge?
When asked to share the motivation behind his latest commitment, Buthelezi explained that his support was rooted in a long-term vision:
“The MUT Endowment Fund has the potential to become a sustainable resource capable of meeting student needs for generations. All things considered, I believe we must grow it into a fund that can truly meet the demands, and support MUT’s long-term mission.”
Buthelezi’s involvement dates back to the inception of the 100 Million & Change Alumni 10-Year Resource Mobilisation Campaign by the MUT Institutional Advancement, where he became one of the key alumni who championed the support of MUT’s first Endowment Fund. Buthelezi’s pledge today is aligned with his belief that universities thrive when alumni take the lead in building sustainable financial ecosystems. “My intention is to help MUT create a fund that matures, grows, and provides dependable support year after year, not just once off. This is how we build a lasting impact,” he said.
Has Buthelezi honoured the pledge?
Although today marks his formal pledge of R100 000, Buthelezi has already demonstrated unwavering commitment. From November 2024 to date, he has contributed R66 900 towards the Endowment Fund, making him one of MUT’s most consistent and visionary alumni donors.
MUT officials confirm that his latest pledge continues the momentum he initiated following the 2025 Annual Fundraising Dinner, where he expressed strong support for advancing the University’s sustainability agenda. Buthelezi’s philanthropic leadership is part of a growing movement of MUT graduates shaping the Institution’s future. His combination of professional excellence, national-level leadership potential, and sustained giving, set a precedent for what alumni-driven impact can look like. As MUT prepares for the next phase of its Endowment Fund, positioning it to support students sustainably, his pledge is both a financial and symbolic milestone.
Ends.
