Ms. Thembisile Sisana Machi is an experienced leader in higher education administration. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Pretoria. She also encompasses a variety of undergraduate qualifications inclusive of Bachelors, Honours, and many Post-Graduate Diplomas. Her career spans various roles, including her current position as Interim Director of Student Residence Affairs at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) since 2020. At  UKZN, Her responsibilities include financial and strategic oversight, policy management, and coordination across multiple campuses to ensure safe, sustainable, and supportive student housing.

She is also leading the implementation of Project Renewal in the DSRA space which aims at improving and streamlining student accommodation and residence management. She also collaborates with external entities, such as the National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to address accommodation-related funding issues.

Ms. Machi’s prior roles include Director of Residence Affairs and Accommodation at the University of Pretoria and Deputy Director of Student Academic Administration (among others). Hence, her extensive expertise covers student support, project management, strategic planning and policy development, with a strong focus on student wellness. She has consistently contributed to the higher education sector, incorporating initiatives to improve student experiences, reduce wasteful expenditure, and build institutional frameworks.