Dear UJ community,

The month of March marks the beginning of Autumn in the southern hemisphere. Traditionally, autumn is the season of harvest as the crops of our labour are ripe and ready to be picked or gathered. This reminds me of the African proverb, “Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it”. In other words, you reap what you sow. Autumn is also often seen as a season of transitions.

Autumn Graduations

In keeping with the harvest season, we commenced our Autumn Graduations this week on Monday, 3 March 2025.This graduation season comprises 62 ceremonies spread over fifteen weeks, with more than 13 000 students who have completed their qualifications graduating. Of this number, more than 9 000 are undergraduate students, while the rest are postgraduates, including 2 310 Honours, 308 Masters, and 68 Doctoral candidates. This is a momentous occasion for our graduates and their families and loved ones. As my heart swells with pride, my wish is that this accomplishment will lay the foundation for a bright future for our UJ graduates – a future wherein you actively contribute towards the betterment of society.

Join the UJ Alumni

As I congratulate all graduates for reaching this milestone, I also take this opportunity to remind you that as a graduate of this great University, you join the ranks of our esteemed Alumni. This is a way to remain connected with the UJ community, and I encourage you to become one of our ambassadors. By visiting the Alumni Connect platform, you can access your Digital Badge, which can be placed on LinkedIn.

This platform will also provide you with opportunities to connect with other alums and mentors and share information about opportunities. Moreover, you will receive communication about upcoming UJ events, including opportunities to give back to your Alma Mater through fundraising and other initiatives. To use another African proverb, “If you get a fine harvest of maize don’t break your local brotherhood and sisterhood”. And, of course, we value all your contributions in any way possible.

Honorary Doctorates

During this graduation season, we will also confer honorary doctorates on five distinguished individuals who exemplify UJ’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and societal impact and transformation. We will also confer honorary doctorates later during the year (more on these later). The honorary doctoral degrees recognise individuals whose work has significantly advanced knowledge, public life, and social progress. Through their leadership, advocacy, and groundbreaking contributions, they have demonstrated a dedication to making a lasting difference in our world.

The five exceptional individuals are:

• Sister Abegail Ntleko: A globally recognised humanitarian who has devoted her life to serving vulnerable communities, particularly orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Ms Barbara Masekela: A renowned poet, academic, and diplomat who has played a crucial role in shaping South Africa’s cultural and political landscape.
• Professor Alfred Msezane: A distinguished physicist who has made groundbreaking contributions to atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics.
• Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe: His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe is the former president of SA and a respected statesman known for his commitment to democracy, governance, and social justice.
• Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu: The first Black Chartered Accountant in South Africa and a pioneering academic and business leader who is celebrated for his contributions to economic policy and governance. To read more about this, click here.

Celebrating Staff Achievements

Some exciting news this week is that Professor Tankiso Moloi, Executive Dean: College of Business and Economics (CBE) and two of our colleagues in the Department of Accountancy (within CBE) passed their final SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) exams and are now Chartered Accountants (SA); congratulations to Prof Moloi and Caitlyn Krull and Dr Lulama Ngwenya (both senior lecturers). This is by no means a small feat. SAICA is the leading accountancy body in South Africa and one of the prominent institutes globally. The Chartered Accountant (SA) designation is one of the world’s most prestigious qualifications and one of the most challenging examinations to complete. Congratulations, colleagues; we are immensely proud of you.

Please also join me in congratulating Mr Dries Pretorius, the General Counsel of the University of Johannesburg, who has been honoured by being placed on the GC Powerlist for South Africa 2025. He has also been recognised as one of the top 100 General Counsels in South Africa. This award was bestowed on him at a gala event hosted by CDH on 5 March.

First Semester VC Campus Engagement

I thank our staff members who attended the VC Campus Engagements this week at the Auckland Park Bunting (ABP) and Soweto (SWC) campuses. Interacting with many of you in person for the first time this year was wonderful, and I appreciate your valuable contributions. Next week is the turn of our colleagues at the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK, at the UJ Sanlam Auditorium) and Doornfontein (DFC, at the Exam Centre, 2nd Floor, John Orr Building) campuses. Remember that this is an opportunity for staff to engage with me, other MEC members, and the entire UJ Executive Leadership Group (ELG) on important matters pertaining to our beloved university. Your engagement is essential as we continue to steer the University into the future as a leading institution of higher learning that meets its academic imperatives. We will meet from 12:00 to 13:30. If there are any specific issues you would like to have addressed or have a question for me, please send these to bernicem@uj.ac.za.

Books Publishing

I am proud to announce an exciting new publication by UJ, a biography titled Doctoral Supervision: A Bibliography of African Perspectives 2025. This pioneering work has been co-authored by Profs Suraiya Naicker and Lydia Mavuru from the Faculty of Education, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Namibia and the Institute of Education, University College London. The biography presents an extensive collection of accredited research on African doctoral supervision. With a Foreword by Prof Kakoma Luneta, this bibliography is the first of its kind in Africa and recognises African higher education research while also identifying the prevailing research gaps. You can access it here.

High Tea with the VC

In the same token, I also thank everyone who attended the High Tea with the VC book discussions on Friday last week, when Honorary Doctorate Thebe Ikalafeng join us to discuss his latest book, The Traveller: Crossing Borders and Connecting Africa. It was indeed an insightful and riveting conversation with one of the most illustrious communications and brand marketing strategists.

Ke a leboha, ngiyabonga, thank you, baie dankie!

Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi: Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Times mentioned in this newsletter refer to the South African time zone.