From the Vice-Chancellor
Message from the new vice-chancellor
01 August 2024 | Professor Mosa Moshabela
Dear colleagues and students
One of the most commonly known African proverbs states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. This comes to mind on a day like this, as I commence my term as vice-chancellor at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
As I join during this period, following the challenges the university faced in recent years and appreciating the sterling job done by Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy over the past 16 months, I am mindful that we can only go far by going together.
Emeritus Professor Reddy, in his role as Vice-Chancellor interim, stabilised the institution, and I thank him and members of Council, chaired by Mr Norman Arendse (SC), for their steadfast leadership.
I am immensely honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading UCT as the 11th vice-chancellor. I remain humbled by the overwhelming confidence shown in me by the university’s Council and Senate during and post the recruitment process. It is such confidence, and the tangible support I have received even in the weeks leading up to me taking up the role formally, that will serve as the wind beneath my wings.
I start this journey not only full of optimism and hope for UCT, but also mindful of the fact that I will draw from the collective strength of all of you in the UCT community.
UCT is known worldwide for unleashing human potential. As your new Vice-Chancellor, , I commit myself to working with you to unleash your potential to help create a fair and just society.
One of my intentions is to create a university environment where you can grow and contribute to the world on any scale, large or small. UCT’s strength lies in each of you, students and staff members alike.
In addition to creating an enabling environment for students and staff to thrive in, my other goal is to build a united community. Unity should be a common thread that binds us together as a campus community, even in our diversity.
To our students, you may have just completed your first-ever semester at university, or your final semester before graduation. I look forward to meeting you, to seeing you shine and, in time, to capping you at your graduation ceremony.
I also look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our staff members as well, who are all the bedrock of our success as a university. In the coming weeks and months, I will be having engagements with various stakeholders within the university. I look forward to these.
In August, I will also have opportunities to interact informally with some members of the university community when we host no less than four UCT Inaugural Lectures. I will also host the VC’s Open Lecture on 20 August. These events are open to members of the UCT community; and I encourage you to attend. Please look out for further communication and details on these.
There are, of course, many serious challenges ahead for all of us: improving the university’s financial position; rebuilding trust among all our stakeholders; attracting students and academics from across Africa and the globe; and working with other university leaders across South Africa to respond to the higher education funding challenges. Another important priority will be to work with Council to fill the vacancies on the executive team. These team members and I will serve you as you help to take UCT forward.
I look forward to the journey ahead, as we collectively work towards ensuring that UCT remains the best university in and for Africa; and as we continue to pursue the university’s Vision 2030, anchored around the three pillars of excellence, sustainability and transformation.
Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor
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11th UCT Vice-Chancellor’s Installation Ceremony
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council announced Professor Mosa Moshabela as the 11th vice-chancellor (VC) in May 2024. Professor Moshabela, who took office in August, was officially installed on 25 November 2024.
The Chair of Council of the University of Cape Town
Norman Arendse (SC)
announced that the university would host the ceremony at the Sarah Baartman Hall. The ceremony was co-hosted by UCT Chancellor
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe
and was attended by invited guests, dignitaries from higher education and beyond, and invited members of the UCT community.
This event took place on Monday, 25 November 2024 at 10:00.
News from the day
On Monday, 25 November 2024, the University of Cape Town installed its 11th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela.
Announcements about the ceremony
About the VC
Professor Mosa Moshabela formally took up the UCT vice-chancellor position in August 2024.
Duly elected
On 24 May 2024, Norman Arendse (SC), the Chair of Council at UCT, was proud to formally announce that Professor Mosa Moshabela accepted an offer to become the university’s 11th vice-chancellor. This concluded a thorough and consultative six-month recruitment and selection process. He formally took up the UCT vice-chancellor position in August 2024.
Previous UCT Vice-Chancellors
UCT has had 10 permanent vice-chancellors and two acting in the interim between permanent VC appointments. This historical photo gallery includes the 12 leaders who have been at the helm of South Africa’s oldest university in their turn.
Vice-Chancellors in Conversation
UCT VC Professor Mosa Moshabela and former VC Dr Max Price recently engaged in a conversation about leadership, and confronted the challenge of creating unity, trust and collegiality in an institution.
In the News
Khusela Ikamva is aimed at restoring not only the physical forest that was damaged by the fires in April 2021 but also the cultural and spiritual connections that the UCT community shares with the natural fauna and flora.
09 Oct 2024 - 6 min read
Exec comms
Announcements to the UCT campus community
