Vox populi: Comments from a random selection of staff on the qualities they would like to see in DVCs

"The new DVC must demonstrate commitment to genuine transformation and equality at UCT. A willingness to cut through the rhetoric, excuses and inertia that appears to be present still among our senior leaders. They must also have a willingness to drive transformation and equity in our institution more boldly, creatively and deliberately over the next five years."

Roger Arendse
Academic Association

"A DVC ought to be aware of the various sections and academic structures and faculties. They must have a close working relationship with the Deans and understand the problems they encounter in their work and be able to give support."

Associate Professor Sandile Gxilishe
Linguistics and Southern African Languages

"I am more concerned with the process than the candidates. We (UCT) often do not do these things in an efficiently serious way."

Dr Kenneth Hughes
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

"Personally I would like to see a DVC as a role model, someone who can be seen to lead their own life and in the same manner lead the institution. I will appreciate someone who appreciates the full spectrum of diversity and creates opportunities to take up leadership roles across the board."

Kurt April
Information Management and Leadership

"Strong leadership qualities are important. I want to see a DVC who will lead the varsity in the new higher education era but in the same breath the leadership should not be purely academic. They have to understand the versatility of this institution."

Shahied Daniels
Finance and Administration

"The new DVC should be someone who is a leader and has vision. He or she must be able to work closely with people who are behind the scenes."

Fundiswa Nakani
Development Office

"A DVC should be more intimately involved with workers and students and they should be accessible. We should not have to go through channels in order to address grievances."

Bobby Lewis
Communication and Marketing

"The DVC forms the core of the Senior Leadership at UCT therefore a DVC should be first and foremost a respected leader, respected both for their leadership and inter-personal skills and their academic record. The DVC must reflect the values and vision of the University: excellence, equity and a demonstrated commitment to research. They should also be people of local and global influence."

Lesley Shackleton
International Academic Programmes Office

"The new DVC should be someone that would be committed to addressing the institutional culture and by that I mean staff equity amongst academics. The candidate should also be someone who is going to be committed to the institution's commitment to producing quality researchers, especially women and black researchers."

Jerome September
International Office Officer

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