The governing body and principal policy-making organ of the University is the Council. The Council is working with the Senate, which is the principal overall decision-making organ in respect of all the academic matters and all matters incidental thereto of the University.

The Chancellor is the head of the University who have non-executive functions.

Day-to-day operations of SAUT are directed by the Vice Chancellor, the chief executive academic and administrative officer of the University, an ex-officio Chairperson of the senate and of the Management Board of the University who works closely with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Principals of Colleges, the Deans of Schools and Faculties, the Directors of Campus, Centres and Directorates and Heads of Department. Cultural diversity is vivid in our Community. SAUT Lecturers and Students come from different regional and cultural backgrounds.