Dear UJ community,
I have often, with great enthusiasm and pride, spoken about the achievements of our University across various fields. This is testament that, if we use education purposefully towards societal impact and sustainability, the rewards will continue to come our way. It reminds me of the African proverb, “Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested”. UJ has always been at the forefront of impactful, interdisciplinary research, innovation, and community engagement in South Africa and beyond.
2024/2025 NSTF-South32 ‘Science Oscars’
I am delighted to announce that UJ has again been recognised for the quality of its impactful researchers, with two of our staff members named amongst the winners in the 2024/2025 NSTF-South32 Awards (commonly known as the South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’). The winners were announced last night at a hybrid gala event. The UJ winners are Nobanathi Wendy Maxakato (Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Prof Olaniyi Amos Fawole (DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair-holder: Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research). Prof Maxakato was recognised for her pioneering research into sustainable pathways for green energy solutions, and for developing advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cell technology that enables cleaner and more efficient energy generation. Prof Fawole was recognised for his pioneering sustainable postharvest, agroprocessing solutions, which reduce food losses, and for influencing industry and policy. We are incredibly proud of our winners and those who were nominated. Congratulations!
I AM ME Academic Leader for Sustainability Award
Still on awards, I am humbled to receive the I AM ME Academic Leader for Sustainability Award for 2025. This recognition, presented by the Modern Community Foundation and Modern Centric Holdings, affirms the collective effort we are making to embed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) into every aspect of our academic and institutional work. Sustainability is not an abstract ideal, it is a practical imperative that demands values-driven leadership, inclusive practices, and deep engagement with our communities. I share this honour with my UJ colleagues and students who work daily to advance social justice, environmental responsibility, and equitable development. We remain committed to creating spaces that empower changemakers and ensure that no one is left behind.
UJ/Jozi-My-Jozi Memorandum of Understanding
In case you may have missed it, UJ recently signed a Memorandum (MOA) of Understanding with Jozi-My-Jozi, a community-based structure that is committed to uniting individuals from all walks of life to make a meaningful difference. The MOA marks a monumental step towards community development and innovation. This partnership is more than just a formal agreement; it represents a commitment to enrich the lives of our students and the entire Johannesburg community. Together, we’ll pioneer initiatives in education, research, and community engagement addressing the challenges we face while creating opportunities to live, commute, and work better in Jozi. A heartfelt thank you to Jozi-My-Jozi for their unwavering collaboration and to our Chief Operating Officer, Dr Mpoti Ralephata, and his team at Protection Services, led by the Senior Director Mr Andre Arendse, for this initiative.
Women’s Month
The month of August is commemorated as Women’s Month in South Africa. It is a period when we remember the events of that day on 9 August 1956, when more than 20 000 women defied the odds to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, in a mass demonstration against unjust Pass Laws. It is a fitting reminder that the journey we have travelled so far in our quest for freedom would not have been possible without the contribution of women.
Yet as we take this time to celebrate women, we are also cognisant that huge challenges remain. Problems such as discrimination at the workplace, stigma, bigotry and all manner of stereotypes persist. More disturbingly, the rampaging pandemic of gender-based violence (GBV) continues unabated in this country. A day hardly passes without us hearing horrific stories.
UJ’s zero-tolerance stance against GBV
For these reasons, I wish to reiterate my clarion call about responsible behaviour at our workspaces, especially with regards to the scourge of GBV. UJ has zero-tolerance for any form of violence, intimidation, and bullying, whether in-person or online. The University is implementing various initiatives to ensure a safe environment for all students and staff members. Some of the activities include providing support services for survivors, establishing policies and protocols to address GBV, and training workshops for students and staff to promote gender equality and educate them on GBV prevention. We encourage the UJ community to report any behaviour that they suspect resembles the definitions and descriptions of GBV. To read more about this, click here. May we be empowered by the sentiment: wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’. Malibongwe!
High Tea with the VC
Lastly, I thank everyone who attended the hybrid High Tea with the VC last week on Friday, when I hosted Professor Morley Nkosi a discussion of his book The Way Home: Memories of a South African in Exile. As expected, it proved a fascinating discussion with valuable insights. Click here to watch.
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.
