THE University of Zululand will today officially name Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele as new chancellor at an inauguration ceremony.

Professor Ntombifikile Mazibuko will also be inaugurated as vice-chancellor and rector of the institution.

Ndebele's appointment will see him succeed President Jacob Zuma, whose term as chancellor came to an end last year.

The minister said he was both humbled and honoured by the university council's decision to appoint him and stressed that education was one of the government's priorities.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Ndebele said: "I wish to thank members of the university council, the senate and the wider students body for the confidence in me demonstrating my appointment as chancellor."

Mazibuko, a former deputy vice-chancellor and head of humanities at the University of KwaZulu Natal, will be the second female to hold the position of vice-chancellor at the university.

She said she was prepared for the challenges that will come with her new job given the experience she had gained at UKZN.

"I look forward to the challenges at the University and I hope I will have a positive input in making the right decisions," said Mazibuko.

University spokesperson Sishosonke Maphisa said the appointment of Ndebele and Mazibuko was long overdue.