Interim VC says goodbye to ‘dedicated, loyal’ UCT community

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Vice-Chancellor interim Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy finishes his term on 31 July, some 16 months since he got the call that he was being considered for the role.

Emeritus Professor Reddy recalls the conversation with former Chair of Council Babalwa Ngonyama, it was an early morning call: “You can imagine it was completely out of the blue [for me]. And she said, ‘I can’t give you too much time to think about it either’,” he said with a laugh.

For Reddy, the decision was not a difficult one to make, though he did have to discuss this with his wife. “I had a pretty good idea of the impact it would have on our lives. I care a lot about the place and [at the time] I felt that, if I could assist in this way, I would make myself available to do so.”

Reddy has spent almost his entire academic career at UCT. At his retirement in 2020, he held the South African Research Chair Initiative’s (SARChI) Chair in Computational Mechanics. He is the author or co-author of over 200 publications and has supervised over 70 doctoral and master’s students to graduation. He has served as dean of the Faculty of Science, and on three occasions as an acting deputy vice-chancellor (DVC), over these periods covering collectively a wide range of portfolios. He also served three terms on Council as a member elected by the Senate.

“I am constantly impressed by the ingenuity of our students, their energy and their activism.”

“What this position has provided me with is an opportunity to see the institution in its entirety, which is different and insightful and gives one a pretty good idea of what a complex institution a university is. We have really dedicated people at UCT. They are loyal. We have a wonderful student body and whatever the period is, you scan the student body, and you are struck by the richness of the diversity. Witnessing and being part of that youthful enthusiasm is a huge reward. I am constantly impressed by the ingenuity of our students, their energy and their activism, which I think is so important.”

Calm, cool, measured

There is no doubt in Reddy’s mind that his own experience in the role certainly brought him front and centre to some of the university’s biggest stakeholders: students. What he’s observed is a future brimming with potential.

“I observe them, and I consider what they are doing and where they are going, and it fills me with optimism for our country. If these are the kinds of young people we have as students, then, it bodes well for our future,” he said.

At one of his last official engagements, the academic heads of department (HoDs) dinner on 29 July, Reddy was given a standing ovation after acting DVC for Teaching and Learning Emerita Professor Linda Ronnie took to the podium: “He is calm, cool and measured. He has drawn on not only his experience at the university, but also his external insights. These various experiences enabled him to lead the university through the start of a recovery period. We commend you on your patience, kindness and your strength.”

Reddy is now looking forward to spending time with his new grandson, being able to play more tennis, and returning to his various academic and research projects, as Professor Mosa Moshabela prepares to take on his role as the 11th VC of the institution on 1 August.