Dear UJ community,
September is known as Heritage Month in South Africa. It is a period dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural diversity that makes our country uniquely beautiful. Language and the arts are just some of the many symbols that express our cultures, alongside music, dance, food, and attire. It is, therefore, no coincidence that our University holds its Creative Writing competition dedicated to indigenous langagues in September.
2024 winners of UJ Prizes for Creative Writing
It is with a sense of pride that I announce the winners in the various categories of the UJ Prizes for Creative Writing in celebration of indigenous languages. Ayanda Mchunu scooped the UJ Main Prize for Creative Writing in isiZulu for his play Angikaze Ngikubone Okunje. The play showcases an exceptional ability to create well-rounded, believable characters. Morena Jack Mabotja won the UJ Main Prize in Creative Writing in Sesotho sa Leboa for his play Lentšu le a Khorwa, which centres around a tragedy that captures the reader’s emotions with a beautiful message.
Joining them are the Ethekwini Writers, who won the Debut Prize for their novel Ezosiba, a collection of 19 short stories covering various exciting themes. Not to be outdone is Mashikane W Madigoe, who walked away with the Debut Prize for Creative Writing in Sesotho sa Leboa for his well-constructed poems anthology, called Tšhidi ya Koma. The anthology reflects previous and current affairs affecting and building our societies. I congratulate all the winners for their outstanding work and creative prowess, well-done, everyone! To read more about this, click here.
UJ Choir celebrates 50th anniversary
On the arts front, please join me in wishing our beloved UJ Choir a happy 50th anniversary. Today and tomorrow, the UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), will be hosting the UJ Choir’s 50-year celebration at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, UJ Arts Centre. UJ Choir has bloomed into a musical beacon through the years, mirroring the nation’s historical struggles and aspirations for the future. Over a hundred choir alumni will join UJ Choir 2024 on stage in this special gathering. As Pieter Jacobs, Head of UJ Arts and Culture, aptly put it, the choir signifies who we at UJ are. It exemplifies the unifying power of song, bringing together individuals from diverse socio-political backgrounds into a harmonious unity that transcends the transient borders of our land.
Celebrating staff achievement
Our staff members continue to do us proud in their various areas of knowledge and expertise. Please join me in congratulating Hassina Mouri, our professor of medical geology, for being the first African female geoscientist to be elected as president of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Founded in 1961, with members representing over a million geoscientists, the IUGS is one of the world’s largest scientific organisations. It promotes and encourages international co-operation and participation in studying geological problems, especially those of worldwide significance. In her role, Prof Mouri’s work will help position African experts as thought leaders within the global science system. Well done, Prof Mourie, we are immensely proud of you! Click here to read more about this.
UJ Future Walk
We are drawing closer and closer to the 2024 edition of the UJ Future Walk, our fifth fundraising walkathon, on Saturday, 28 September. This year, UJ is partnering with Lucky Star Heartbeat Sessions to promote healthy living, supported by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Celebrity fitness personalities like Connie Ferguson and King of Squats will lead interactive workout sessions. The partnership aligns with UJ’s Healthy Campus Programme. Tickets are available on the UJ Sport App and website. Prizes will be awarded for the “Largest Participating Team” and “Best Performing Team.The UJ Future Walk has raised over R2 million since its inception in 2015. Read more here.
International Labour Organization Regional Conference
This week, I had the honour of attending the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Conference on The New Social Contract for Social Justice: An African Trade Union Perspective, in Windhoek, Namibia. I had the opportunity to participate in a high-level panel discussion on establishing a new social contract and addressing the limitations of existing governance structures to adapt to transformational changes in the world of work. During the discussion, I emphasised the urgent need to address the impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employment, with a focus on creating inclusive policies, as well as enhancing social protection measures to ensure they meet the evolving needs of all workers. I also emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts among governments, businesses, and unions to reimagine governance structures that promote fairness and equity.
Second Semester Campus Engagements
I thank everyone who attended the first of the VC Campus Engagement events at the Soweto Campus (SWC) and Auckland Park Bunting (APK) campuses on Monday and yesterday, respectively. These are important events when members of our University’s Management Executive Committee (MEC) and the Executive Leadership Group (ELG) reflect on important developments and other relevant matters pertaining to our University over the last few months.
During yesterday’s event, 14 of our female colleagues were presented with the Women in Leadership Recognition Awards. The awards were presented by students from the UJ Jewellery Design Department who designed Jewellery pieces that honour and celebrate women leaders in academia. Congratulations to all the awardees– well done! To read more about this, click here.
Today is the turn of our colleagues at the Kingsway Auckland Park (APK), when we meet at the UJ Sanlam Auditorium. The last of the events will be next week on Tuesday, 17 September 2024; we meet colleagues at the Doornfontein (DFC) Campus (Exam Centre on the second floor of John Orr Building). We will meet at the usual time of 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.
Lastly, and on a sombre note, I join millions of South Africans in paying condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former minister of Public Enterprises, Hon. Pravin Gordhan. He passed away in the early hours this morning, at the age of 75. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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.
