​At the welcome event held at Madibeng on the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ihron Rensburg, with the presence of some members of the Executive Leadership Group (ELG), gave an overview of UJ’s achievements and the caliber of teaching, learning, research, innovation and the global footprint of the University.

“The University is making waves – not only here on the continent, but globally – such that United States President Barack Obama chose UJ as the place to engage with young Africa leaders across the continent. That says something about the University that you’ve chosen to join”, he said.

The VC encouraged the new staff to strive to achieve beyond their own expectations in everything they do; be it at the gate when welcoming visitors and prospective students, or on the telephone when handling an enquiry.

“We’re all driven; we’re all passionate about establishing an outstanding institution, and we are prepared to let nothing stand in our way to get where we want to be, regardless of the positions we hold,” Prof Rensburg said.

Some of the new additions to UJ’s workforce include Mr Innocent Masoka, who joins Human Resources as a Business Partner for Operations and UJ Sport. Previously he was HR Business Partner at the South African Bank Note Company, a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank.

“What struck me the most was that, according to the VC, UJ has strategic objectives, the 2025 Strategic Thrusts, and even though there is a strategy in place, that’s not where it ends. At UJ the strategies are implemented; UJ is an implementer,” said Masoka.

Another new staff member, Ms Pearl Makoti, who took position as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director: Information and Communication Systems, said: “I appreciated the fact that the VC gave each of us an opportunity to introduce ourselves to him and the rest of the ELG. It felt good to know we’re not just numbers, but we are people and he wants to know us better.”