Dear UJ community,

One of the things that fills my heart with joy is seeing our staff, students and alumni being recognised for their outstanding work and contributions to society. It always reminds me that our unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. Your hard work and ability to remain focussed and produce quality work, even in the midst of challenges, is truly admirable. It truly sets the gold standard, fuelling our collective achievement while elevating our University’s brand reputation as the top producer of knowledge that we use to positively use for societal impact and sustainability.

UJ alumnus wins TIA Global Cleantech award

A member of our esteemed UJ Alumni community, Mr Mogale Maleka (a graduate from our Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), has been awarded the prestigious Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP-SA) 2025 Award for his groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture. The award celebrates the brightest innovators in cleantech, recognising individuals and projects that are driving environmental solutions and shaping a sustainable future. The award ceremony was held in Sandton on Friday last week. Maleka’s recognition highlighted his innovative hydroponic farming system that addresses key challenges in South Africa’s agricultural sector.

A key feature of the innovation is its ability to operate without constant access to water or electricity. Using renewable energy sources, including solar power and battery storage, enables the system to remain operational even in off-grid areas. This innovation empowers farmers, even in remote locations, to produce food consistently, ensuring greater food security and economic stability. With this recognition, Maleka is poised to bring his sustainable farming technology to international markets, further advancing the global cleantech revolution.

Recognition for Professor Tebogo Mashifana

Apart from Maleka’s success, UJ was also represented at the awards by Professor Tebogo Mashifana (Senior Lecturer and Researcher: Department of Chemical Engineering), who earned first runner-up for her Green Building Products project. This innovative initiative repurposes waste materials, such as plastic and solid waste, into sustainable, cement-free building products. The project contributes to waste reduction while addressing infrastructure challenges and aligns with UJ’s ethos of developing innovative, sustainable engineering solutions. The TIA GCIP-SA, a highly respected national award, recognises South Africa’s most innovative and sustainable cleantech solutions, with winners benefiting from increased exposure, funding opportunities, and access to global networks. Well done colleagues, I am immensely proud of you, and keep the UJ flag flying higher and higher. To read more about this, click here.

Honorary Doctorates

This week on Monday, we concluded the honorary doctorates conferrals during the ongoing Autumn graduation ceremonies, with Professor Lumkile Wiseman Nkuhlu being recognised for his stellar contributions to the South African society. He was nominated by our Department of Accountancy. The first African man to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, Prof Nkuhlu is a visionary leader whose life and work have shaped South Africa’s accounting profession, education system, and broader society. As I said during the conferral ceremony, Prof Nkuhlu is a living example of how education, determination, and service can transform lives and societies. I was particularly touched by his words during his acceptance speech, when he called on graduates to serve their country ethically and in an exemplary manner. Indeed, Prof Nkuhlu’s life is a testament to the values of resilience, service, and excellence that UJ seeks to instil in its students.

During this graduation season, we honoured five distinguished individuals. They are Professor Alfred Msezane (a distinguished physicist), His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe (former President of South Africa), Ambassador Barbara Masekela (renowned poet, academic, and diplomat), and Sister Abegail Ntleko (a pioneer of social transformation). During this graduation period, more than 13 000 students who have completed their qualifications will graduate. Of this number, more than 9 000 are undergraduate students, while the rest are postgraduates, including 2310 Honours, 308 Master’s and 68 Doctoral qualifications. To read more about this, click here.

Women’s Leadership Development Programme

Yesterday, I had the honour of delivering a keynote address at the Women’s Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) event at UJ. Women’s leadership programmes are designed to address the gender gap in leadership positions and provide women with the skills and tools they need to succeed in leadership roles. This programme, in particular, assists emerging women leaders in navigating personal and professional growth by identifying both the factors that propel leaders forward and those that hinder progress, including the importance of self-care.

It is essential for creating a more equal and diverse society, and to unlock the full potential of women in leadership. It creates a supportive social environment that not only benefits individuals but also enhances collective cognitive performance. Indeed, the programme continues to be a pivotal part of UJ’s story, and I look forward to watching your journeys unfold over the next year and beyond. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s powerful book ‘We Should all be Feminists’, she says: “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful.”

Media and Publicity

I invite you to read three articles that I published in two national media outlets last week. In the first of the two articles that appeared in the Mail & Guardian (M&G) on March 24, titled Navigating the future: Law meets the fourth industrial revolution, I explore the critical question of how do we, as a society, navigates the seismic changes brought about by the 4IR while ensuring that our legal frameworks keep pace with technology – particularly artificial intelligence (AI)? In the second article, also published in the M&G on Friday, March 21, entitled Embracing diversity: A call for action on Down Syndrome Awareness Day, I remind everyone that inclusive education is not just a moral imperative that has the innate potential to transform the lives of those with Down syndrome, but that it has legal and ethical obligations. In the third article, that appeared in the Daily Maverick on March 21, titled Masters of resilience: Life lessons in leadership and discipline from the dojo, I reminisce on the valuable lessons I learnt as a young boy in my practice of Kyokushin karate, and how these continue to shape my approach to leadership today. I hope you find these articles enjoyable and enriching.

High Tea with the VC

I wish to remind everyone to join me for the second hybrid High Tea with the VC book discussion later this afternoon. Today’s event, hosted in celebration of International Women’s Month, will feature Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, our Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research. She will share her insights centred on her impact books:

• Navigating Academia: Women’s Stories of Success and Struggle – A Call to Action
• Research Mentorship: A Developmental and Transformational Tool in Shaping and Sustaining African Women’s Career Progression in Academia.

We will meet at the Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, at 14h00 (CAT). For in-person attendance, RSVP here. For virtual attendance via Zoom, click here.

Support our remarkable UJ Sport athletes

Lastly, I congratulate our UJ Senior Women’s Rugby team for securing two victories in their first three matches in the Women’s FNB Varsity Cup tournament. Today, the team will face the University of Fort Hare (UFH) at the UJ Rugby Stadium at 15h00. I urge all members of our Orange Army to support our team. Tickets are available free of charge via the UJ Sport App – please download yours now and be part of the exhilarating atmosphere this afternoon. Furthermore, I wish our junior athletes all the best as they compete in the Athletics South Africa Age Groups National Championships in Cape Town.

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.