Dear UJ community,

This week, I want to start by congratulating the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS), under the leadership of its Acting Director Professor Siphiwo Mahala, on the major strides it continues to make in advancing scholarship, research, creativity and community engagement. Over the past few months, JIAS has emerged as a formidable platform for intellectual exchange, hosting conferences, webinars, public lectures and conversations with leading scholars and writers from South Africa and around the world. These engagements have included webinars with internationally acclaimed authors such as Vikas Swarup, author of Q&A, which was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, and Ben Okri, author of The Famished Road and the youngest and first Black writer to win the Booker Prize in 1991.

Deepening South Africa’s Intellectual and Political History

JIAS has also continued to deepen its engagement with South Africa’s intellectual and political history through its public lecture programme. Of particular significance is Professor Xolela Mangcu’s public lecture, Rewriting Mandela: The Making of a Radical Pragmatist. More recently, as part of the commemoration of Women’s Month, JIAS focused on women making meaningful contributions to contemporary society. On 06 August 2026, the Institute launched its Women’s Month Seminar Series at its micro-campus. The programme included a keynote by NIHSS CEO Professor Pearl Sithole and Zikhona Valela’s seminar, titled Nomadabi: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela – a Figure Forged in Struggle. On Thursday last week, JIAS launched a book titled Sound Me Out: A Lifetime of Music & Memories by Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph. The book is a product of the African Biographies Project, a special initiative by the Vice-Chancellor which supports the research and publication of biographies and memoirs of prominent African historical individuals from South Africa, Africa, and the African diaspora.

On Tuesday this week, JIAS hosted a panel discussion titled From Screen to Screen: Women in Literature and Film, featuring leading women writers whose literary works have achieved extraordinary success on screen. Moderated by celebrated actress Samela Tyelbooi, the panel featured Angela Makholwa, author of Red Ink and Critical, But Stable, both of which have been successfully adapted for the screen. The panel also featured Nozizwe Jele, author of Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word, whose 2016 film adaptation broke box-office records, and former JIAS Writing Fellow Sue Nyathi, whose book The Polygamist has recently been adapted for the screen and is making waves internationally. To read more about this, click here.

Global Footprint and Partnerships

On Tuesday this week, I had the privilege of welcoming Prof. Dr Necdet Ünüvar, Rector of Ankara University, Türkiye, and his delegation. Ankara University holds a distinguished place in Türkiye’s higher education landscape. Founded in 1946, it was the first university established as a university of the Republic of Türkiye and has developed into a comprehensive, research-intensive institution with a strong presence across the health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences and other fields. The visit was an important step towards deepening the relationship between our two institutions through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

For UJ, this is particularly significant given the strength and breadth of our Faculty of Health Sciences, which combines academic excellence, clinical training, research, innovation and community engagement. I am particularly encouraged by the potential for collaboration in paramedic education and research, an area where the exchange of knowledge, practice and innovation can have a direct impact on emergency healthcare systems and, ultimately, the communities we serve. At UJ, we believe that institutionalisation must translate into meaningful academic partnerships, stronger research networks, greater opportunities for our students and tangible societal impact.

On Monday, I had the honour of hosting His Excellency Mr Jean Robert Pillard, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to South Africa, for a tour of some of the University’s research and innovation sites. We visited the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (CEI) at the Auckland Park Bunting Road (ABP) Campus, the Rescue Simulation Centre, Optometry Clinic, and the 3D-printed house at the Doornfontein Campus (DFC). At the CEI Hub, Professor Michael Rudolph (CEI Director) demonstrated UJ’s use of sustainable farming practices and composting to enhance food security. He especially mentioned the use of greywater generation and bioremediation to repurpose the water for irrigation, aligning with the water-energy-food nexus. To read more about this, click here.

Embassy of Haiti to South Africa and UJ to host a Public Lecture

I am delighted to announce that next week, on Monday, 24 August, the Embassy of Haiti, in partnership with the UJ Faculty of Humanities and the Division for Global Engagement, will host a public lecture. Ambassador Pillard will deliver the lecture, titled Bois Caïman: The Night the World Began to Change. The lecture is an opportunity to discover the beginnings of the inspiring and historic Haitian Revolution of 1791 from the diplomatic head of Haiti to South Africa. The lecture forms part of the strategic relationship between UJ and the Embassy of Haiti in South Africa.

In May this year, UJ and the Embassy of Haiti to South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen academic cooperation, innovation and international engagement. Later, in May, as part of South Africa’s Africa Month commemorations and ahead of Africa Day celebrations, UJ hosted a historic commemoration of the 223rd Anniversary of the Haitian Flag (on 18 May). This was part of advancing the dialogue on Pan-African unity, diaspora identity, and the future of partnerships between Africa and the Global South. Next week’s lecture will take place at the Kerzner, School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), APB Campus, at 17h30.

CNBC Africa AI Summit: Shaping Africa’s AI Future

Next week, on Thursday, 27 August, I will be joining leading business leaders, policymakers, investors, academics and technology experts at the CNBC Africa AI Summit 2026 edition in Sandton. UJ will also have a prominent presence in the exhibition space, providing an opportunity to showcase the University’s research, expertise, innovation and broader work in AI to delegates and key stakeholders. I am particularly looking forward to participating in the fireside chat, Beyond Regulation: Governing the Future of AI in Africa, to be moderated by CNBC Africa Editor-in-Chief Godfrey Mutizwa. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes our economies, workplaces and societies, the conversation about how we govern and harness this technology has never been more important. Africa must have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of AI.

This means building the knowledge, skills and governance frameworks that enable us to embrace the opportunities AI presents while addressing its risks and ensuring that the technology responds to our own African realities. Our role is not simply to prepare Africa for the future of AI, but to help Africa shape that future. This requires keeping people at the centre of technological progress and ensuring that innovation translates into meaningful societal impact by improving lives, expanding opportunity and helping to address the challenges facing our communities. This is the future of AI, I believe we should strive for, one that does not simply change Africa, but helps us change Africa for the better.

More Media and Publicity

In case you missed it, I invite you to read my article that appeared in the Business Day yesterday under the headline SA will have to rely on stopgap measures to protect election from AI. In it, I examine the crucial issue of opportunities and risks posed by AI in a fragmented party landscape such as South Africa since 1994, which is characterised by the growing influence of independent candidates and increasingly competitive coalition politics that have fundamentally reshaped the electoral environment, amongst other matters. This is especially important as we approach the November 2026 local government elections, which have seen two camps seemingly emerging. On the one hand, there are those who believe AI can ensure the quality of elections, and on the other, those who fear manipulation and the corrosion of the democratic process.

In such a context, where electoral margins may be narrow and political competition more intense than ever, the opportunities and risks posed by AI become even more consequential. I then argue that despite this, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) itself remains the loudest voice, which is notable. You can read the full article here.

Research and Innovation

In the same vein, I have been impressed by the volume of research output coming out of UJ, especially by our women colleagues, at a time when the country celebrates Women’s Month. One such study is by Dr Mariette Frazer, a senior lecturer in the Department of Marketing Management at the UJ College of Business and Economics (CBE). The research found that retail employs one in five working South Africans, contributing 11.5% to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and ringing up over R1.1 trillion in annual sales. However, this crucial sector faces a leadership skills deficit that can threaten the survival of many businesses. Another interesting finding is that of technology as a developing threat to retail jobs in brick-and-mortar shops. According to the research, e-commerce grew by 32.4% to represent 19.6% of global retail sales in 2021, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Online and in-app shopping provide great customer experiences, as do hybrid experiences with in-store pickups. However, these create new complexities to manage.

UJ STEAM EXPO 2026

Next week, on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, we will host the second edition of the UJ STEAM EXPO. Launched last year, the event seeks to highlight the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education. The Expo offers learners an opportunity to discover how these fields can inspire innovation, creativity and their future academic and career journeys. It brings together academic entities across the University, as well as learners and teachers in and around Johannesburg, in a dynamic showcase to reignite passion for STEAM in schools, especially in the era of AI and job security. This underlines the University’s continued commitment to prepare the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

As with last year, learners are expected to explore groundbreaking projects and interactive showcases presented by UJ’s seven faculties, the College of Business and Economics and its Johannesburg Business School (JBS). This includes experiencing a 3D-printed wall, stepping into a virtual reality courtroom, exploring the University’s AI Hub, and learning practical first aid and firsthand the innovative teaching, research, and learning that define UJ. The event aligns strongly with UJ’s Strategic Plan 2035, which sets out a bold vision to position the University as a future-focused, globally recognised African institution.

UJInvnt launches website

One of the important entities is UJInvnt, our University’s Intellectual Property (IP) commercialisation company, which supports UJ staff, students, inventors, and affiliated researchers in commercialising their IP. Through the commercialisation of university research and innovations, UJInvnt aims to strengthen UJ’s position as a research-intensive university with global reach. I am pleased to announce that UJInvnt has launched its website, making it easier to engage with the team. The standout feature is the ‘Book a Consultation‘ option, which staff, students, inventors and affiliated researchers can use to schedule one-on-one sessions on commercialising IP, determining spinout readiness, financial modelling for inventions or innovations and building go-to-market strategies.

Last month, UJInvnt’s spinout company, PhytoMolecules, was honoured by Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who signed the Research and Innovation agreement, reaffirming the University’s strategic focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer. This supports the visibility and development of innovation within the University. For more information about UJInvnt, visit their website: https://ujinvnt.co.za/.

Residence Starter Pack Initiative: Call for Donations

Student Affairs is launching the Residence Starter Pack Initiative, a compassionate effort to support first-year students who arrive at our residences with limited resources. For many of these young people, the first weeks in residence can be overwhelming, not only academically but also with basic household essentials. We kindly invite you, our dedicated staff members, and our students to donate gently used items that are still in good working condition.

Specifically, we need pots, irons, kettles, cutlery (spoons, forks, knives), and dishes (plates, bowls, cups). These small but essential items will help deserving first-year students settle in with dignity and a sense of belonging. Your unused kitchenware could become the very thing that makes a student feel at home. For your generous donation, please drop off your items at the designated campus office closest to you. Our friendly staff there will receive and record your donation.
Below are the designated drop-off points:

ABP Campus: Unothando Mthimunye: Sable Court, First Floor.

APK Campus: Tumelano Moeti: E Ring 319.

DFC: Derrick Bvuma: Office 30, Quadrum Building

Soweto Campus: Nkeki Letshoene: ADB 411.

REMINDER: 2027 SRC Elections

Student Representative Council (SRC) elections provide a legitimate platform for students to choose leaders who can bridge the gap between the student body and university management. This ensures that academic and welfare concerns are addressed. I am pleased that the elections for the 2027 UJSRC are already underway, having started this week. I encourage all eligible students to exercise their voice and participate in this important democratic process. The elections will close on 11 September 2026. Your vote is an opportunity to choose the student leaders who you believe will best represent your interests, champion the issues that matter to you and contribute positively to the UJ community. Additionally, I urge you to carefully consider the respective candidates and their visions, engage with the election process, and make an informed choice. Every vote matters, and every student has a role to play in shaping the student leadership of our University.

Celebrating Staff Achievements

I am pleased to announce that Prof David Monyae, Director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies, has been appointed to the Sustainable Development Goals Initiative (SDGI) Panel of Experts, under the theme Country Investment Strategy. The SDGI is a joint initiative involving the Presidency of South Africa, the German Government through GIZ, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University and the African Monitor Trust. The Panel of Experts provides evidence-based expertise to support the development of policy products for the Presidency’s Policy and Research Services Branch. Prof Monyae will serve on the Panel for one year, until 31 July 2027, contributing his expertise to policy briefs, emerging issues analysis and other strategic policy inputs. The University congratulates Professor Monyae on this important appointment and wishes him every success in contributing to South Africa’s sustainable development and policy priorities.

I also congratulate our Chief Information Officer, Ms Maletsema Phofu, on being named among the 35 Top Women in Tech in Johannesburg , whose leadership, expertise, and impact are helping to shape the city’s technology landscape. Johannesburg is one of Africa’s most influential business and technology hubs, bringing together leading financial institutions, telecommunications companies, global technology organisations, and fast-growing digital enterprises. Women currently account for approximately 39.5% of South Africa’s ICT workforce, highlighting both the progress made and the opportunity to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in technology. This reaffirms Ms Phofu as a technology and cybersecurity leader in information security, digital transformation, and secure technology adoption, including cybersecurity and data governance.

Celebrating UJ Sport Achievements

It is with immense pride that I share that UJ has been crowned the 2026 Varsity Football Women’s champions after a commanding 5-0 victory over UP-Tuks at UJ Soweto Stadium. In front of a passionate home crowd, UJ delivered a dominant attacking performance, with Lindelwa Mabuza scoring twice and earning FNB Player of the Match honours. At the same time, Mpho Dlamini, Kabelo Mokoena and Sbongakonke Mzobe also found the net. The emphatic victory caps a remarkable tournament run for UJ and sees the Orange Army lift the title on home soil.

Earlier on Wednesday, our Senior Women’s Football Team won their third Varsity Football championship! Our Orange Army produced a stellar performance in the final, defeating the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks Ladies) to capture the coveted title. Their victory caps off an extraordinary campaign, with our team having been undefeated in five matches leading up to the final. Having finished as runners-up last year, UJ is making up for it this time around with a truly defining moment of perseverance, grit, and excellence. On behalf of the entire UJ community, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the technical teams and our student-athletes. UJ All the Way! To read more about this, click here.

High Tea With the VC

I have the pleasure of inviting you to a special Women’s Month edition of the VC’s High Tea book this afternoon with Ms Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo. We will discuss her book, The Syndicate of Twenty-two Natives. In this deeply personal memoir, Ms Sangweni-Siddo pays tribute to her late father, Professor Stan Sangweni, and tells the story of a remarkable family legacy, one rooted in land, perseverance and the determination to secure a future for generations to come. As usual, we will meet at the UJ Library on the APK Campus at 14h00. To register, click here. For in-person attendance, you can book your space here.