Leadership Lekgotla appointments and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

In continuing to build a solid senior leadership team that is a cornerstone of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) success, there has been a number of updates around some key Leadership Lekgotla roles. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Update on Leadership Lekgotla recruitment processes

Several updates have been shared around key Leadership Lekgotla roles as part of continuing efforts to fortify the senior leadership team. These include updates on some new appointments, as well as progress on ongoing recruitment processes.

Recent updates include the appointment of Professor Thokozani Majozi as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation; the extension of Mr Richard van Huyssteen’s term as acting Chief Operating Officer; and the extension of Associate Professor Kathy Idensohn’s term as interim Registrar.

• Read the full VC Desk: Update on Leadership Lekgotla recruitment processes.

2. Inaugural lecture by Professor Green-Thompson

Professor Lionel Green-Thompson will present his lecture as part of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Inaugural Lecture series on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 18:00 SAST. The lecture, titled “From a Village to the Globe: Reflections on a Journey in Social Accountability”, will be held at the New Learning Centre Lecture Theatre, Anatomy Building, Faculty of Health Sciences campus.

This lecture will explore social accountability in health professions education. It defines the responsibility of institutions to align teaching, research and service with the priority health needs of the communities they serve. It frames social accountability as both an ethical position and a practical approach to equity, relevance and responsiveness in healthcare education.

It will also examine how communities shape this accountability through the African philosophy of ubuntu. The lecture will show how professional identity forms within relationships built on trust, dignity and shared responsibility. It will trace how these ideas have influenced institutional and national reforms, including workplace-based assessment, accreditation frameworks and wider debates on the future of health professions education in South Africa.

Professor Green-Thompson is the Dean of Health Sciences at UCT. He previously held senior roles at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and the University of the Witwatersrand. He has led national and global conversations in the field; chairs key bodies; and focuses his research on clinical competency assessment, professional identity formation, transformative education and social accountability.

• Read the full VC Desk: Upcoming UCT inaugural lectures: March and April 2026.

• Register to attend the lecture.

3. First provisional timetable published

The UCT Examinations Office has published the first provisional timetable for the mid-year examination cycle. Students can view their timetable on the exams page. Any requests for amendments must be sent to the relevant academic department for consideration by the head of department. UCT wishes students all the best ahead of the exams.

• View the timetable.

4. Participate in the First-Year Transition Survey

The Institutional Planning Department invites all first-year students to participate in the First-Year Transition Survey to share their experience as new students: what worked well, what was challenging and how UCT can better support future first-year students.

The survey seeks to gain insights into student experiences in their first weeks at UCT. This will help understand the university’s support practices and identify gaps that can be addressed.

The survey will close on Sunday, 29 March 2026 at midnight.

• Complete the survey.

5. Reminder: security checkpoint on upper campus

The UCT community is reminded that as of October 2025, Campus Protection Services (CPS) has implemented a vehicle checkpoint on upper campus as part of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security.

Checkpoint operations

• The checkpoint operates Monday to Friday from 20:00 to 05:00, and 24 hours a day over weekends.
• The location remains upper campus.
• During periods of high traffic volumes (e.g. events or additional classes), random checks will be conducted to minimise congestion.
• Daytime checks may be implemented from time to time as part of crime prevention operations.

Access and inspections

Members of the UCT community and visitors entering or exiting campus may be subject to vehicle inspections where required. These checks are preventative in nature and form part of UCT’s broader risk management approach to protect people, property and academic activities.

All inspections are conducted in accordance with the applicable legal framework, including relevant national legislation governing access control and security operations.

CPS officers conduct checks professionally and respectfully. Cooperation from staff, students and visitors is requested at all times.

UCT remains an open campus. However, these measures are necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.

CPS thanks the UCT community for the continued understanding and support.

Communication and Marketing Department