Fulufhelo Netswera

PhD - Development Sociology
MPhil - Sociology
Hons - Economics
BA - Economics

Professor Netswera has a 29-year career in South Africa’s research and innovation sector, spanning four research councils (HSRC, CSIR, NRF and NIHSS) and six universities (Technikon SA, UNISA, UL, CPUT, NWU and DUT).

His roles have included lecturer, researcher, grants manager, and academic leader.

From January 2020 -2025, Prof Netswera served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Under his leadership, postgraduate graduations (Master’s & Doctoral) increased from 88 (2019) to 134 (2024), while research output units grew from 109 (2020) to 209 (2024).

Prof Netswera also established the BRICS Research Institute (https://www.bricsri.co.za/), which now connects over 90 academics and doctoral students from BRICS nations in multilateral collaborative research. To date, over 100 academics from institutions such as Afe Babalola (Nigeria), Takoradi Technical University (Ghana), Ghana Communications and Technology University, and Makerere University (Uganda) have registered for doctoral degrees at DUT and numerous have graduated.

Prior to DUT, Prof Netswera directed the North-West University Business School (2017–2019), the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Deputy Dean of Research (2015–2017) and before that, led the South African BRICS Think Tank (SABTT), which coordinates BRICS-related academic, policy, and research collaborations.

He also directed the Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership (TGSL) at the University of Limpopo (2013–2015), directed Research Management at UNISA (2007–2012), during which the institution’s research outputs more than doubled, from 554 to over 1,200, and secured several NRF Research Chairs. At the NRF (2005–2007), Prof Netswera managed postgraduate funding programmes, the Thuthuka Programme, Postgraduate Scholarships and established the Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.

Between 1997 and 2005, he held various research roles at CSIR, HSRC, IDASA, and Technikon SA, andserved as Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Neo Mathabe.