From 22–28 June 2025, 45 students from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) participated in the institution’s flagship Africa by Bus programme—a 3,000 km journey from Johannesburg through Zimbabwe and Zambia. Organised by the Faculty of Humanities and the Division for Global Engagement, the trip aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Pan-Africanism and Regional Integration, offering academic, cultural and policy engagements across borders.
The delegation comprised students from all seven UJ faculties, the College of Business and Economics, and the Johannesburg Business School, united by a shared purpose: to learn from peers and institutions across the continent and explore what a more connected Africa might look like.
Academic collaboration across borders
The first major stop was Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) in Zimbabwe on 23 June, where students were welcomed by senior staff and attended a lecture by Prof Jacob Mapara, Director of the Institute of Lifelong Learning and Development Studies. His reflections on the historical evolution of Pan-Africanism resonated strongly with UJ students. Third-year Education student Fikile Maseko said Prof Mapara’s focus on entrepreneurial thinking left a lasting impression:
“He emphasised the university’s commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. It made me believe that if more graduates adopted this perspective, global unemployment could be significantly reduced.”
On 24 June, the students visited the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) in Zambia. Here, UJ’s Dr Emmanuel Matambo delivered a lecture on youth participation in political transformation, drawing from his book Zambia’s Youths and the 2021 General Election: Rescuing Democracy through Activism and Social Media. His message inspired reflection among the students, many of whom were engaging with Pan-Africanism academically for the first time.
For Masego Tserema, a fourth-year Law student, the experience marked a turning point:
“Before this trip, I didn’t know what Pan-Africanism meant. Now, I have a few definitions, connotations and critiques up my sleeve.”
The lectures were followed by a tour of the UNILUS campus, where students explored new research laboratories and a medical campus. MSc Biotechnology student Lordy Gabriel Molisho found this particularly meaningful:
“As a scientist, it was valuable to see the strong commitment to academic and research excellence. I’m optimistic that this will lead to collaborative efforts addressing African challenges with African-led solutions.”
Evidence, policy and student voice in Lusaka
On 25 June, the group engaged in a workshop at the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), attended by postgraduate interns from Columbia and Cornell universities. UJ’s Prof Bhaso Ndzendze, Vice-Dean for Internationalisation in the Faculty of Humanities, provided a data-driven overview of progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in South Africa and Zambia. The session concluded with student-led research presentations, where UJ participants received thoughtful feedback from SAIPAR’s team.
Thandolwethu Khumalo, a Humanities student and peer mentor, reflected on the intellectual exchange with peers and experts:
“What stood out most was the diversity of perspectives shared by both students and lecturers. It inspired a renewed sense of purpose toward building an advanced and integrated Africa.”
Immersive learning beyond lecture halls
The trip also offered rich cultural immersion. On 26 June, students visited Lusaka’s vibrant markets and the historic home of Oliver Reginald Tambo, who spent 22 years in exile in Zambia during South Africa’s liberation struggle. These moments underscored the human dimension of Pan-Africanism—its roots in solidarity, memory and lived experience.
On the return journey, students made another stop at CUT on 27 June before heading to Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Masvingo on 28 June. There, they were welcomed with a campus tour, a live interview on GZU FM, and an insightful lecture on the post-apartheid relevance of Pan-Africanism by educator Joel Mukusha from the Department of Ethics, Philosophy, Religion and Theology. He praised the initiative as a real-world embodiment of Pan-African ideals:
“You are exemplifying Pan-Africanism. You are doing it.”
This cross-cultural engagement also had creative implications. For Kaamilah Heath, a BA Honours Design student from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, the trip linked directly to her research:
“Hearing about Pan-Africanism from three different countries was enriching and thought-provoking. As a designer, I now see how design and storytelling can drive collaboration and help build a more integrated Africa.”
Third-year Business student Ikaneng Mmako similarly appreciated the opportunity to reshape her understanding of the continent:
“The trip changed my perception of other African countries—especially Zimbabwe. It showed me there is so much more to see and learn.”
A vision for ongoing collaboration
According to Maipato Mmako-Dlamini, the trip’s coordinator, the Africa by Bus programme is not only about discovery, but about long-term impact:
“It’s important for South African and South Africa-based students to see the African continent as a place where they can find opportunities, make careers and otherwise remain engaged. This trip, and others which have come before and which will follow in future, are an important building block. We would like to thank Mr Lebethe Malefo of the Division for Global Engagement and the Faculty for supporting this work.”
UJ intends to deepen the institutional relationships established through the trip. “Each of the four universities offered something unique,” said Prof Ndzendze. “From CUT’s emphasis on technology transfer, to UNILUS’s interdisciplinary approach, and GZU’s strength in the social sciences—these are partnerships we plan to grow.”
