The impact of the Tshwane University of Technology merger on diversity in the workplace: a case study

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School.The introduction of a real democracy in South Africa during 1994 created the opportunity for reconstruction of almost everything that originated from the apartheid regime. Change in the political arena was the catalyst and driving force in reshaping the demographical landscape. The playing fields of reconstruction included political, social, economic, sport, education and many other areas. Higher Education Institutions reflecting the demographics and ideology of the apartheid system in terms of cultural composition of students as well as the workforce, formed part of the reconstruction plan. Such change included the merging of tertiary institutions that originated from the apartheid era. Three institutions formerly known as Technikon North-West, Technikon Pretoria and Technikon Northern Gauteng, were merged into the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The merger process of TUT was extremely complex in nature and composition resulting in a long and exhaustive process spanning a period of five years. The long change process directly and indirectly adversely impact upon TUT staff members. This study focuses on the adverse effects of diversity on staff members as a result of the various merger initiatives