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Prof Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), was awarded the Diamond Award for Global Educational Leadership by the board of trustees of The Not Alone Foundation during the ninth Diamond Awards held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on 12 April 2025.

The Diamond Awards is a programme designed to honour faces and images of excellence in the entertainment, corporate, and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to society on a local, state, or international level.

Attending the award ceremony, Prof Mohale expressed his gratitude for this truly remarkable, globally coveted, and historic recognition. “I am eternally grateful for this undeserved honour. Allow me to express my appreciation for the high virtues that ennoble your mission and souls, namely love of justice, courage, dedication, and professional conscience, as well as to fully recognise the immense services you render to the world,” said Prof Mohale during his acceptance speech.

“I am absolutely privileged to be part – albeit small – of an entire education ecosystem that seeks to reassert the role of the university as the leading radical institution in social, economic, and intellectual development to, among others, create an inclusive academic excellence and national relevance,” said Prof Mohale.

In a congratulatory letter to Prof Mohale, Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said that this esteemed recognition not only celebrates excellence in educational leadership and community service, but also affirms Prof Mohale’s impact as a visionary leader, serving as a testament to his dedication to embodying values-driven leadership, both locally and globally.

“Your legacy is one of integrity, transformation, and servant leadership – values that continue to inspire the UFS community and beyond. We are immensely proud to have you as our Chancellor,” said Prof Klopper in the letter.