Dear UJ community,
Monday this week marked the start of the 2026 Academic Year. Our campuses are once again vibrant, bustling with activity, and filled with great anticipation and expectations. Everywhere I go across our campuses, I see a spirit of positivity and optimism – and this fills me with hope for the future. It demonstrates how motivated our students are as they continue on their journey to shape their future.
2026 Academic Opening
We marked the start of the year with the Academic Opening event last Friday at the AW Muller Stadium (Auckland Park Bunting Campus), where we welcomed our first-year students. It was particularly gratifying to witness the stadium transforming into a sea of orange and being engulfed by a carnival atmosphere. I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event. We were especially privileged as our Chancellor, Dr Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, attended the event, along with award-winning Sport Broadcaster and UJ alumna Ms Motshidisi Mohono and renowned DJ and radio personality Mr Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane. To read more about this, including our most sought-after academic programmes across a broad range of faculties and disciplines, as well as our world-class facilities and infrastructure, click here. You can also watch here.
UJ a leading University in Sub-Saharan Africa and on the African Continent
Our University continues to live up to its public standing as an international University of choice, anchored in Africa and the Global South, dynamically shaping a sustainable future. Yesterday, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) released the inaugural 2026 Sub-Saharan Africa rankings, and the results show UJ’s growth as the leading institution of higher education in the region and on the African continent. UJ came out at an impressive #2 position, demonstrating our strong position as the fastest growing University on the continent.
Nearly 70 universities from 21 countries are featured in this inaugural edition of the QS Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings. South African universities make up 9 of the top 10 universities. In total, 13 South African universities are ranked in the top 50. The QS World University Rankings Sub-Saharan Africa edition uses the same indicators as its other global rankings, but the regional measures that regional stakeholders have identified as most important. The Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings are based on five performance lenses and eight key indicators, tailored to reflect the nuances of the region. These include the Global Engagement lens, where UJ is the regional leader positioned first!
This is the latest in a string of global rankings that have recognised UJ as the fastest-growing university in Sub-Saharan Africa and on the African continent. The rankings are an acknowledgement of our University’s continued commitment to reimagining higher education as a driver of societal change through strategic partnerships and community upliftment projects. One of these is the Africa-by-Bus initiative, our flagship programme aimed at deepening students’ understanding of Pan-Africanism and Regional Integration. It offers academic, cultural and policy engagements across borders. To read more about the latest University rankings, click here.
New Chair of UJ Council
I am pleased to share that Dr Yondela Ndema has been duly elected as the Chair of Council, following the conclusion of Council’s prescribed governance processes. Dr Ndema’s election reflects the confidence of Council in her strategic leadership and extensive governance experience. She is not new to the higher education sector, having served on the UJ Council since 2017, including as Vice Chairperson and Chair of several Council Committees. Her long-standing involvement with the University has provided her with a deep understanding of its strategic priorities, governance environment, and institutional culture, ensuring continuity and stability in Council leadership. Dr Ndema is a highly accomplished executive with more than two decades of experience across the public and private sectors. Dr Ndema currently serves as Executive: Compliance and Ethics at Barloworld South Africa. In this role, she oversees group-wide ethics, compliance, and governance frameworks within a complex, listed multinational organisation. Click here to read more about this.
Messages of Congratulations
I am pleased to share that one of our honorary doctorate recipients Professor Alfred Z. Msezane has been recognised by the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) as a Black History Month Honoree. As you may recall, Prof Msezane received an Honorary Doctorate in March last year. He is internationally acclaimed for his groundbreaking contributions to theoretical atomic and molecular physics. His pioneering work in electron–atom and electron–molecule scattering has significantly advanced global understanding of fundamental atomic interactions, influencing research across multiple scientific disciplines. Prof Msezane’s recognition is not only a personal accolade. His legacy of pioneering research, intellectual leadership and unwavering commitment to mentorship embodies the values and aspirations of this great University. Click here to read more about this.
In the same vein, I also congratulate Dr Sipho Zulu, Archivist at the UJ Library, on his appointment to the National Archives Advisory Council by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. Minister Gayton McKenzie. The appointment is for three years, effective from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2029. The appointment recognises his expertise in archival practice and affirms UJ’s growing contribution to heritage preservation and public access to knowledge. As our Executive Director (acting) of UJ Library, Dr Nkhenso Sibuyi said, this appointment is a proud moment for the library but for the University as a whole. It speaks to the calibre of our staff and the important role UJ plays in shaping national conversations on memory, heritage, and access to information.
High Tea with the VC
We will resume the High Tea with the VC hybrid book discussions on Friday, 27 February 2026. We will discuss my latest book, From Predator to Prey: Leadership Lessons from the African Wild and Beyond, and renowned marketing and brand strategist, Thebe Ikalafeng, will be my discussant. He is the award-winning founder of The Brand Leadership Group, a multi-disciplinary advisory group at the intersection of strategy, creativity and intellectual property law. Through Brand Africa, he advocates for a brand-led African renaissance. He is also the Chancellor of Sol Plaatje University. We will meet at the UJ APK Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, at the usual time of 14h00 (CAT). For in-person attendance, RSVP here. For virtual attendance, book here to join.
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.
