From the Vice-Chancellor
UCT inaugural lecture for November 2024
14 November 2024
Dear colleagues and students
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series is more than just a celebration of academic achievement – it is an ideal platform to dive into the pioneering work of our esteemed professors.
As we wrap up this series for 2024, please join us for a lecture by Professor Sithombo Maqungo, a leader in orthopaedic trauma surgery and passionate injury prevention advocate. The lecture will be held on Thursday, 28 November 2024 at 17:30 in the Neuroscience Institute Auditorium, E-Floor, Groote Schuur Hospital. This will be the only inaugural lecture for November.
Titled “Been there, fixed that, presented there and published that. Is this all there is to the life of an academic trauma surgeon?,” Professor Maqungo will share unique insights from his impactful career, revealing what it truly means to be a trauma surgeon dedicated to saving lives – and preventing harm.
Professor Maqungo is the head of the Orthopaedic Trauma Service at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT, and clinical lead for trauma care and injury prevention within UCT’s Division of Global Surgery.
This lecture will offer insights into Professor Maqungo’s multifaceted career and his reflections on the role of academic trauma surgeons in public health advocacy. His discussion will cover his personal and professional journey as a clinician and academic; evidence-based strategies to prevent injuries; collaborations with public health officials and organisations for safer communities; and case studies showcasing successful injury prevention initiatives.
Cape Town, with its exceptionally high rates of trauma-related violence, underscores the need for focused injury prevention. Professor Maqungo’s lecture will address critical questions about the moral obligations of medical practitioners to extend their impact beyond clinical settings.
This trailblazer’s career has spanned roles in research, education and clinical leadership. With an MBChB from the then University of Natal and advanced qualifications from UCT, including the FC Ortho (SA) and MMed degrees, he has further specialised through fellowships in New York, Jerusalem and London, adding a global perspective to his practice and teaching.
Professor Maqungo’s contribution to orthopaedic trauma care is extensive, with 75 academic publications, 100 podium presentations and over 1 000 citations. He has held influential positions, including president of the Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care Foundation (South Africa) and past president of the South African Orthopaedic Trauma Society. He also serves on the boards of advocacy organisations GunFree South Africa and ChildSafe.
Join us for this engaging evening to explore how trauma surgeons can contribute meaningfully to injury prevention and community safety.
Date: Thursday, 28 November 2024
Time: 17:30 SAST
Venue: Neuroscience Institute Auditorium, E-Floor, Groote Schuur Hospital
We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a thought-provoking event as the curtain falls on our 2024 inaugural lecture series.
Sincerely
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.
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Exec comms
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