Cheers and ululations as UCT installs Prof Mosa Moshabela as 11th VC

“I am mindful that there are many young people who aspire to become vice-chancellors, and I encourage you all the youth of this country and continent, including those watching online, to continue to dream, strive and aspire, and hopefully, one day we may be honouring one of you right on this very platform.”

These were some of the opening remarks offered by the University of Cape Town’s 11th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela as he delivered his speech during his official installation as head of the institution.

Looking dapper in a black suit and a regal black bow tie, he smiled and waved at the audience to much applause when walking to the podium to make his maiden speech. “I think the Fezeka High School Choir (who rendered several musical items) stole the show,” UCT News jokingly said to him afterwards. “I tried, though, [to steal the show with the bow tie],” he said with a mirthful reply.

On a more formal note, the day marked the official robing of Moshabela as the 11th VC of Africa’s premier university, and there to bear witness were academics, family, friends, VCs of other universities, current and former government ministers, students and the broader UCT community.

UCT Chair of Council Norman Arendse SC thanked his fellow Council members for appointing “the young man” that is Moshabela as the new VC, after months of rigorous planning and interviewing for the position. The post was left vacant by Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and filled in on an interim basis by Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy, both of whom attended the ceremony. Arendse said that he was looking forward to see how Moshabela would lead the university into the future.

“Professor Moshabela has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and an unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.”

Fellow co-host of the day Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe’s joy was evident as she welcomed guests to the occasion. “UCT has always been a beacon of excellence, resilience and transformation. For over a century, we have stood firm in our commitment to academic distinction, breaking boundaries and pushing the frontiers of knowledge,” she said.

“Today, we reaffirm this commitment as we welcome a leader who exemplifies these values. Professor Moshabela is a scholar, a leader and an individual whose personal and professional journey speaks to the essence of resilience and purpose. His appointment as vice-chancellor is not only a personal milestone for him but a moment of profound significance for our university.”

Dr Moloi-Motsepe continued: “Professor Moshabela’s professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From his transformative work as deputy vice-chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to his internationally recognised contributions to public health research, Professor Moshabela has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership and an unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.”

Kindness, mercy

Beyond his accolades and achievements, it is his leadership philosophy that sets him apart, she noted. “Professor Moshabela believes in people-centred leadership, a value instilled in him by his grandmother, who taught him the importance of placing people at the heart of every decision. His name literally translates to ‘kindness/mercy’, a call to all of us to lead with kindness and compassion. He carries with him a deep sense of ubuntu – the recognition that we are all interconnected and that our collective success is greater than the sum of our individual achievements.”

Moloi-Motsepe assured Moshabela that he assumes this responsibility with the full support of the institution. “As VC, you assume leadership of Africa’s premier university at a critical moment. The challenges facing higher education are numerous – from navigating the complexities of a changing world to addressing pressing student and campus issues as well as ensuring that the university is alive to societal needs.

“As you take on this role, know that you have the full support of the UCT community. We stand with you, ready to walk this journey together, confident in your vision and inspired by your passion. Your journey, rooted in resilience, humility, and purpose, is one that will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy on this institution and the broader community we serve.”

Before addressing the audience, Moshabela signed the university’s Golden Book that dates back 10 decades, having first been used as a visitor’s book in 1918, with signatures of vice-chancellors, chancellors and honorary doctorate recipients, such as South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu – both late. As a section on the book reserved for honorary doctorate recipients reached capacity in 2023, Moshabela also signed the new book.

“I do not, at all, take my appointment and inauguration for granted. I am mindful that there are many others in this country, across the continent and the world, who are quite capable, who could be standing right here in front of you today,” Moshabela said in his opening statement.

“I am reminded of a young man by the name of Sinoxolo Gcilitshana, an educator, who self-identified as the future VC of UCT. He is now late, passed on before his time, before he could realise his dream.”

On the day, Moshabela had the support of his family, including his wife, mother, siblings and “our girls” who he said, “make everything and everyday meaningful”.

Grey hair

“I have no grey hair as yet. I plucked out one or two strands that suddenly appeared in my beard in the past couple of months. I am sure you’ll support me as I dedicate every future strand of grey hair to my new home, UCT,” he quipped.

“Four years ago this month, UCT announced Vision 2030: an ambitious initiative that was created in consultation across the entire university community. The central mission, of course, is to unleash human potential to create a fair and just society. That is a worthy goal.

“I look forward to the future as we journey together; as we consolidate the three missions of UCT, explore the fourth mission of UCT, and position UCT as a catalyst for change in Africa, while we embrace our African values of ubuntu – ‘I am because you are’, lift others as we rise and leave no one behind. And we do this with compassion.

“Remember, UCT is not just bricks and mortar, but all of us at UCT, past, present and future generations. All of us.”