The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Facilities Management Division garnered multiple accolades at the 2024 Higher Education Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) Gala dinner, hosted by the University of Mpumalanga on 17 October 2024. The awards ceremony followed the HEFMA conference, held from 14-17 October, themed Sustainable Campus of the Future, inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030).
Excellence in Facilities Maintenance
UJ was awarded the prestigious Excellence Award for its outstanding maintenance of facilities. The university’s innovative use of the Archibus system to manage work orders has revolutionised its operations, moving from paper-based to fully digital processes. This transformation has resulted in a remarkable improvement, with UJ now achieving a closure rate of 95-99% on work orders, compared to just 45-55% four years ago. Among the 26 South African universities, UJ’s Facilities Management team has been recognised for its exceptional efficiency and management of maintenance services.
Long Service Award for Dr Joe Manyaka
Dr Joe Manyaka, UJ’s Senior Director: Campuses and a long-standing member of HEFMA, received a Long Service Award for over 20 years of commitment to the association. He is the only member to have served as HEFMA President twice, in 2014 and 2019. Dr Manyaka played a pivotal role in developing HEFMA’s strategic vision, which has shaped the organisation’s progress and is now being updated for the next decade.
His mentorship of young leaders in the association and his significant contributions to international partners like TEFMA (Australasia), AUDE (UK), and APPA (US) were also recognised.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr Manyaka
In addition to the Long Service Award, Dr Manyaka was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award* for his unwavering dedication to HEFMA’s growth and sustainability. His leadership has been instrumental in developing future leaders within the association, and his guidance continues to be a cornerstone for many. Known for his mentoring and coaching, Dr Manyaka’s contributions to facilities management, both locally and internationally, are highly regarded by peers and industry experts.
These awards highlight UJ’s commitment to excellence in facilities management and its continued leadership in higher education infrastructure.
