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UFS Council approves extension of Prof Bonang Mohale’s term as Chancellor

04 October 2024 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Stephen Collett

During a meeting on 27 September 2024, the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the extension of Prof Bonang Mohale’s term as the eighth Chancellor for another five years – from 4 June 2025 to 3 June 2030.

“The university is fortunate to be able to extend the term of someone of Prof Mohale’s calibre. The Council and I are delighted that Prof Mohale will continue to fulfil the role of titular head of the university,” said Mr David Noko, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

“This well-deserved extension of Prof Mohale’s term as Chancellor is a testament to his exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to the university’s success and growth. The university community deeply appreciates his ambassadorial dedication, his commitment to social justice and humanity in everything he does, his value-based leadership principles that are aligned with those of the UFS, and the way he engages with our staff and students during his many visits to the campuses,” said Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, in a congratulatory letter to Prof Mohale.

“It is a great honour for me to serve for another term at one of the finest universities in the country. I am absolutely touched, profoundly humbled, and deeply honoured indeed! I am fully committed to continuing to advance the interests of the UFS and to be one of its ambassadors, and I wish to thank the Council for the confidence bestowed onto me,” said Prof Mohale.

Prof Mohale was appointed as Chancellor of the UFS on 4 June 2020. He is the former President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Professor of Practice in the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) in the Faculty of Business and Economics, and Chairman of two listed entities, the Bidvest Group Limited and ArcelorMittal, as well as Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Africa and SBV Services. He is a member of the Community of Chairpersons (CoC) of the World Economic Forum and author of two best-selling books, Lift as You Rise and Behold the Turtle. In November 2001, he received the Presidential Award for his ‘Servanthood in South African Industry and the Economic Empowerment of Previously Disadvantaged Individuals’.

He is the recipient of the following:

- African Union’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ 2024 at the Africa Career Summit and Gala Awards in recognition of exceptional contribution and achievement.

- 2024 Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology South Africa (SIOPSA) ‘Special Presidential Business Leadership Award’ for commitment to ethical leadership, social justice, and economic transformation.

- 2023 ME-Vision Academy Award – ‘Exclusive Recognition in Successful Leadership’ for consistently leading self and people successfully; successfully leading as a senior executive and chief executive officer; successfully leading society in various impactful roles and contributing to mentoring and inspiring future successful leaders.

Prof Mohale has been included in the Reputation Poll International’s (RPI) 2023 list of the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’. The selection criteria are integrity, reputation, transparency, visibility, and impact.

News Archive

Report card outlines major achievements

2005-02-04

Staff at the University of the Free State (UFS) have received above-inflation increases in remuneration averaging 18,2 percent since the year 2000, according to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Official Opening of the UFS today, Prof Fourie gave a report card for the UFS which he said indicated significant progress in salaries and promotions as well as capital expenditure and infrastructure development on the campus.

“The aggregate extra earnings of staff (money in their pockets above inflation) from 2000 to 2005 amount to R75 million in salaries. This is the result of the hard work of all staff and we pay tribute to them,” he said.

Prof Fourie said that several categories of staff are better off than before the financial turn-around strategy was implemented in 2000 which aimed to make the UFS a financially sustainable campus.

The lowest paid workers and professors had received an additional structural correction, which gave professors at the UFS a 27% above-inflation increase (on total remuneration package) since 2000.

He said there had also been a dramatic increase in promotions to associate professor and full professor during the last 6 years.

From 1999 to December 2001, there were only 9 promotions to associate professor. From January 2002 to January 2005, there were 37 such promotions to associate professor, four times as many.

Regarding promotions to full professor, from 1999 to December 2001 there were 7 promotions. From January 2002 to January 2005, there were 31 promotions to full professor, more than four times as many.

“We have also created a new category of senior professor to give due recognition to the outstanding work of our leading academics in many fields,” Prof Fourie said.

The UFS has introduced numerous new and innovative learning programmes, together with an increasing number of community service modules which enhanced the UFS as a leader in service learning and helped to make it a university engaged with its surrounding community.

According to Prof Fourie the number of support staff had also grown along with the professionalisation of the support services.

He said management was aware that there still several challenges regarding staff overload and staff development but that these were being addressed

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

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