{"id":17321,"date":"2025-05-14T13:49:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T11:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/?p=17321"},"modified":"2025-05-14T13:50:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T11:50:31","slug":"people-of-su-it-monja-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/2025\/05\/people-of-su-it-monja-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"[:en]People of SU IT: Monja Smith[:]"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A day in the life of Monja Smith: Connecting people and technology<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PDF article_Monja Smith<\/a><\/p>\n

In the world of IT, we often focus on systems, infrastructure and technology. But at the heart of it all are people \u2013 the ones who turn ideas into solutions. Monja Smith, Project Delivery Capability (PDC) Programme and Portfolio Manager at Stellenbosch University\u2019s IT Division<\/strong>, brings a deep understanding of this balance, combining strategic insight with a people-first approach.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her role goes beyond managing projects or implementing technology. It\u2019s about connecting people, understanding their needs and ensuring that the tools they use truly support them. \u201cOur core mission is to support, not dictate. We aim to create a central space for managing IT-related projects across the university, while balancing capacity, risk and stakeholder needs,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about management and systems \u2013 it\u2019s about understanding how people work and how technology fits into their world.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As PDC Programme and Portfolio Manager, Monja provides a structured, strategic overview of IT initiatives at the university. She helps ensure that projects align with institutional priorities, are feasible in terms of time and resources, and that their outcomes deliver real value. \u201cWe help projects to be implemented not just through oversight but by supporting the people who run them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She draws on methodologies like PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments), a globally recognised project management framework that emphasises clear roles, accountability and structured delivery stages. \u201cPRINCE2 helps us manage risk, communicate better and stay aligned \u2013 but we always tailor it to the people and context.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No two days are alike for Monja. Her work is rooted in communication, collaboration and keeping projects on track. Agility is essential. \u201cYou have to expect the unexpected and be flexible,\u201d she says. Her success lies in understanding the unique environments of the university\u2019s many faculties and departments \u2013 and tailoring her support accordingly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Monja didn\u2019t plan on a career in IT. She studied marketing but became involved in her husband\u2019s IT consulting business, which sparked her interest in technology. \u201cI didn\u2019t choose IT \u2013 IT chose me,\u201d she laughs. Her experience spans telecommunications, software development and finance, both locally and internationally. \u201cEach job taught me something new, but when I came to SU, I felt like I\u2019d found a place that excited me \u2013 full of fresh challenges and incredible people.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Monja, IT has always been about people. \u201cI work with people, not just systems,\u201d she says. \u201cI want to understand how they work, what they need and how we can make their work easier. It\u2019s not about pushing solutions \u2013 it\u2019s about collaboration.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This people-first approach drives her work. She understands that not everyone in IT is a project manager, and not all stakeholders speak the same technical language. \u201cI always say: meet people where they are. Adapt to their reality instead of expecting them to fit into yours.\u201d She also ensures that the projects she supports comply with security, governance and audit standards.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A key lesson Monja has learned is the importance of kindness. \u201cKindness isn\u2019t a weakness \u2013 it\u2019s a strength,\u201d she says. \u201cIt opens doors, builds trust and helps you accomplish more than technical skill alone.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She credits her team and the IT Division for embodying this value. \u201cThey\u2019re smart, wise and constantly learning \u2013 but they never lose sight of the human side of IT. People don\u2019t always see the pressure and dedication behind the scenes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside of work, Monja has a deep love for ballet, opera, antiques and history. \u201cI grew up in the theatre, so it\u2019s always been part of my life,\u201d she shares. She also draws strength from her faith, which she says has shaped her work ethic and grounded her throughout her career.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Monja is passionate about helping others harness technology to improve their work and believes this mission will only become more important as the digital landscape evolves. She reminds us that the best IT solutions understand and serve the people who use them. Collaboration, understanding and human touch transform technology into a powerful agent of change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About the PEOPLE OF SU IT Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u201cPeople of SU IT\u201d spotlight series introduces the Stellenbosch University (SU) community to the faces behind the screens\/scenes in the IT Division. <\/span>In each feature, <\/span>we will<\/span> share the stories of team members who help support, <\/span>maintain<\/span> and evolve the digital landscape at SU.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[:]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[:en] A day in the life of Monja Smith: Connecting people and technology\u00a0 PDF article_Monja Smith In the world of IT, we often focus on systems, infrastructure and technology. But at the heart of it all are people \u2013 the ones who turn ideas into solutions. Monja Smith, Project Delivery Capability (PDC) Programme and Portfolio […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11479,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54470],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-meet-our-people"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-22 04:59:12","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11479"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17321"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17348,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17321\/revisions\/17348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}