Update on Leadership Lekgotla recruitment processes

Dear colleagues and students

Our leadership team is a cornerstone of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) success, working to implement our strategic priorities and driving our mission to unleash human potential. I am writing to share updates on several key Leadership Lekgotla roles as we continue to shape a new leadership team poised to sustain our excellence and impact.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Research and Internationalisation

Professor Jeff Murugan has been acting DVC since January 2024 and has agreed to remain in the role until 31 March 2025. This role was readvertised, with the closing date of 12 January 2025. The selection process is under way.

DVC: Teaching and Learning

As communicated in November 2024, Professor Brandon Collier-Reed was appointed into the role of DVC: Teaching and Learning effective from 1 January 2025. I once again warmly welcome him to management and wish him every success in this new role.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Mr Mughtar Parker will continue to serve as acting COO until 31 March 2025. This position is currently under review after it was modified several times.

Interim Registrar

The Director of Legal Services, Associate Professor Kathy Idensohn, has agreed to serve as interim registrar until the end of 2025. The position will be readvertised in due course.

Special Advisor

Emeritus Professor Hugh Corder has been appointed as special advisor on governance to the vice-chancellor, and will support the Office of the Registrar on governance matters.

Dean: Engineering & the Built Environment

Professor Alison Lewis is currently serving her second and last term, which will end on 31 July 2025. The recruitment process for this role has commenced.

Dean: Health Sciences

Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, who has completed his first term, has had his second term approved. He will continue in this role effective from 1 February 2025 until 31 January 2030.

Dean: Humanities

Similarly, after completing her first term, Professor Shose Kessi has been approved for a second term effective from 1 February 2025 until 31 January 2030.

Dean: Law

With Professor Danwood Chirwa’s second term set to end on 31 December 2025, the recruitment process for this position is also under way.

Executive Director: Human Resources (HR)

While the search and selection process for a permanent incumbent continues, Advocate Barbara Mapara and Mrs Naeema Brey will continue to serve as acting ED: HR on a rotational basis. Advocate Mapara will serve until 30 April 2025, thereafter Mrs Brey will serve for another three months, from May to July 2025.

I thank these colleagues for their unwavering support to UCT, and commit to the UCT community that UCT will continue to work meticulously and diligently to fill these roles with the best candidates to serve our university.

Yours sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
UCT Vice-Chancellor & Principal

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements