"Forward ever, backward never" was the central theme of the address by Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), at the university’s vibrant Official Closing of the 2025 Academic Year. In addition to Unisa staff and students, many of whom viewed the event via streaming media, the ceremony was attended by the who’s who of the diplomatic corps, local and national government representatives, members of the business community, university stakeholders and media houses. Unisa Chancellor, former President Thabo Mbeki, attended the proceedings virtually.

Watch a recording of the ceremony

"We are gathered here this afternoon," said the VC, "to share a moment of reflection, accountability and renewal. We also meet during a difficult time in the country, the continent and the world. Gender-based violence and femicide are not just a pandemic for South Africa but a global pandemic that must be addressed. We call for national and global resolve on this burning issue."

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

She continued: "In the shift in geopolitics and economic landscape, higher education becomes even more essential. Universities must interpret global developments, produce evidence-based analysis, build national capacity, prepare graduates who can navigate complexity, safeguard democratic values, and contribute to a more just and resilient society."

Citing several exciting initiatives, including an enhanced first-year experience programme and the establishment of a Mathematics and Science Centre, the VC stated that it is clear that Unisa is preparing not just for enrolment, but also for excellence and addressing the challenges of the times.

Commenting on the university’s commitment to student support, the VC noted that Unisa provided R176.3 million in direct financial support to students facing financial exclusion during 2025. She also highlighted the role of the Unisa Foundation and donor partners in mobilising a further R17.1 million to assist students who had completed their studies or had fewer than five outstanding modules but lacked the financial means to graduate.

"We recognise that as a university we can rise together and succeed together," concluded the VC. "We will choose peace, excellence, success and global impact, and will be the champion of those who are undermined, trampled upon or who do not have a voice, either because of disability, geographic location or the digital divide. We will be purposeful as Unisa. We will not allow voices without reason to drown us. We will transform instability into coherence. We will ensure that we renew the agenda with confidence."

Speaking earlier in the programme, Dr Dan Mosia, Unisa Council Chair, lauded the university's numerous outstanding achievements during 2025. "Over the past twelve months," he said, "Unisa has navigated a rapidly changing higher education landscape. We proceeded with the utmost conviction and energy to fulfil the mission that we have set for ourselves, including excellence in research, teaching and learning, and engaged scholarship, the expansion of our strategic global partnerships, and, most crucially, placing our students at the heart of everything that we do."

Dr Dan Mosia, Unisa Council Chairperson

He continued: "As we reflect, several milestones shine brightly, but the following are really worth mentioning. A combined 65 000 plus students graduated at Unisa. This number includes  512 PhD students and 922 master’s graduates. No other university in this country, and even globally, can match these numbers. We continued to stake our claim amongst the best universities in the world, with the Times Higher Education ranking placing us seventh among 13 South African universities included in that ranking, and we rose from eighth to sixth place in terms of research quality. The Academic Ranking of World Universities placed Unisa among the top eight universities in the country and the top 1 000 universities worldwide. This year, the university announced the achievement of yet another unqualified audit opinion, marking yet another year in which Unisa has maintained the highest standards of financial prudence, transparency, and governance."

In conclusion, Mosia said that excellence is not a destination; it is a habit. "It is the habit of showing up, of giving your best, of lifting others, and of never settling for good enough," he said. "Today we celebrate the habit of excellence that each of you has cultivated."

The year’s top-performing students from across the university’s colleges were recognised for their outstanding performances with the Council Graduate Excellence Awards, the Senate Graduate Excellence Awards, and the College Graduate Excellence Awards.

Performing to enthusiastic applause during proceedings were "The People’s Poet", Mzwakhe Mbuli, the Unisa Choir, DJ Lamiezy, and gospel legends Willian Sejake, Gift Ledimo and Sabatha Masoka.

Yet another moving performance by the Unisa Choir

With accessibility for all provided by two sign language interpreters, the programme was directed with great aplomb, energy and humour by Prof Ashley Gunter, Deputy Executive Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and Prof Ophilia Ledimo, Head of Teaching and Learning Support in the College of Economic and Management Sciences.  

* By Philip van der Merwe, Editor, Department of Institutional Advancement