Students, Springboks and dinner with Nelson Mandela

“I would like to see a situation where our students are not robbed of their destiny of success, accomplishment and impact on society,” said University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela recently when reflecting on his tenure at the helm so far.

“We know students of UCT are selected on merit. They are brilliant and gifted in many ways. And what I’ve seen in the past year, either for financial or academic reasons, is that those students can end up not having a successful journey,” said Professor Moshabela, noting that he has been taken aback by the high cost of living in the city, which greatly affects students.

“The cost of living and finances can make it difficult, and I’d like students to know that when they are struggling, it’s okay and it happens to all of us. No matter how hardworking you are, at some point you encounter a difficult time. I really hope that students can help us help them in their times of need so we can respond on time.”

Moshabela had a one-on-one with acclaimed broadcaster Nikiwe Bikitsha to mark his 12 months in office.

Moshabela said he understands why students often don’t speak out. There’s a perceived stigma in speaking out “but it’s very important that we respond positively”. “[The institution] takes pride in the success of our students, so I want us to work together with our students – and if our response is not adequate, then we must be told.”

The right talent means the right appeal in attracting the top students well into the future. And Moshabela was more than happy to liken UCT’s appeal to that of back-to-back rugby world cup winners, the Springboks, who, in 2023, won an unprecedented fourth title in France.

“The institution has a reach beyond what one would consider affiliated stakeholders. For the people who have been through UCT, I can understand the bond they formed with the institution and the nostalgia.” The interest, he said, is that UCT represents a symbol of hope. “It’s not just a place where you go and study … the way I explained it was likening it to the Springbok team: even if you don’t know and follow rugby, somehow you recognise the role they play in society as a symbol of hope and unity, and as a symbol of success,” said Moshabela.

“I appreciate the idea of ubuntu in practice.”

He may have started in August 2024; however, Moshabela had already been in the city in July, a bitterly cold winter period. He has since warmed to the task. “When I arrived, Cape Town was cold. It was dark; it was windy; and it was raining all at once. I can say, though, that this year has been much better, weather wise. Maybe I’ve acclimatised.”

Having spoken passionately about the weight of student success and UCT’s broader social impact, the conversation shifted to a lighter note – giving a glimpse into the person behind the title.

If you may be wondering what a vice-chancellor does in their spare time, the answer is there is no spare time available. However, as he continues to put his feet under the table and charts UCT’s future, Moshabela hopes there will be time to hike Table Mountain, to go to the beach and enjoy what Cape Town has to offer.

“But that depends on the institution doing well,” he noted.

Dinner guest

The free time remark lead comfortably into a question on who (dead or alive) he would choose as a dinner guest: “Nelson Mandela. I am still amazed at the life of the man. The more I grow as a leader, I appreciate him even more. I appreciate the idea of ubuntu in practice. What would I serve? Oxtail,” he said with a laugh.