Leadership requires wisdom
- Wits University
Student Leadership Conference calls for ethical leadership, integrity and accountability.
The University of the Witwatersrand hosted its inaugural Student Leadership Conference on 4-5 October 2024 at the Great Hall. The event themed Leading with Integrity was hosted by the Centre for Student Development (CSD) in the Division of Student Affairs. During the two days, students and emerging leaders engaged in robust discussions with leaders from various sectors, including academia, business, politics, arts and civic society to engage in critical discussions on leading with integrity in an increasingly complex and volatile world, in line with the Wits2033 strategy towards fostering graduates to be leaders with integrity.
Professor Garth Stevens, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for People Development and Culture, opened the ceremony by highlighting the importance of servant leadership, emphasising that it must be accompanied by strategic skills, authenticity, and collaboration.
The keynote address was delivered by former president Kgalema Motlanthe. He stated that: “True leadership requires resilience and a commitment to serve the people, not personal gain.” He stressed the importance of transparency and integrity in leadership. For more insights, watch Motlanthe’s address.
Hlombe Ndzube, a Bachelor of Science Honours in Property Studies student, was part of a panel deliberating on the meaning of integrity for the current generation of student leaders. For her as a young leader who is a founder of Urban Uplift, a non-profit organisation aimed at supporting homeless individuals, the conference “provided a space for reflection, for questioning what it truly means to lead in times where integrity feels increasingly scarce.”
Ndzube's presentation amplified sentiments from other speakers, such as Vuyo Mwase, CEO of Energy Mobility Education Trust (EMET), and Amina Yuda, a Financial Services Regulation Lawyer, who both highlighted the importance of embracing integrity as a personal value, even in the private sector, preparing students for their leadership journeys beyond University.
The two-day conference illuminated several essential insights: it emphasised the vital role of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling global challenges, underscoring that diverse perspectives foster innovative solutions. Participants also recognised the importance of cultivating resilience and ethical leadership, particularly in uncertain times, where adaptability is crucial. Furthermore, it became clear that student leadership must align with the broader goals of the University, particularly in driving transformation, promoting sustainability, and embracing digital innovation to shape a progressive future.
The conference also marked the official launch of the CSD, under the leadership of the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Tshegofatso Mogaladi. This Centre brings together the Development and Leadership Unit (DLU), Student Governance Office (SGO), Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO), and the Student Transitions and Persistence Unit (STPU) for a common purpose – student development. In his closing address, Jerome September, the Dean of Student Affairs, encouraged students to engage in the programmes offered by the Centre as part of their personal and professional development journeys, while continuing to strive for academic excellence.