For daily news visit: www.news.uct.ac.za/dailynews Ndlela ntle, Prof Njabulo S Ndebele – Page 3 SPECIAL EDITIONMonday Paper Newspaper of the University of Cape Town June 23 – July 21, 2008 Volume 27#10 Farewell to an era as Ndebele pays tribute to students, staff and alumni Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Njabulo S Ndebele leaves the university at the end of this month after eight years in office. In his farewell to staff, students and alumni, he paid homage to their fine collective effort HELEN THÉRON given us to work and for his care and thoughtfulness,” West added. “Prof riting in his final report, Prof Ndebele, your mark has been made Ndebele said: “I am intensely and we appreciate it well.” proudW to have been at the helm of this In turn, Prof Ndebele said the ef- institution in a time of considerable forts of the professional and admin- change and adaptation during South istrative staff had underpinned the Africa’s first decade of democracy. university’s academic endeavours and “When I arrived in 2000, my helped to nudge UCT into the world’s dream was to shape UCT’s path by top 200 university rankings last year. promoting an environment where The PASS Forum farewell was individuals would be empowered to one of many hosted by various uni- give of their best. versity constituencies over the past “This includes our students, weeks (see pages 2 and 3), all bearing whose youth and energy continuously testimony to a much-loved and well- invigorate our university, as well as respected leader. our teachers and researchers, whose An author and academic, Prof quest for excellence has contributed Ndebele joined UCT from the Ford to UCT’s growing profile.” Foundation eight years ago, succeed- Prof Ndebele included those com- ing Dr Mamphela Ramphele, who mitted individuals in the professional, took up a position at the World Bank. administrative, support and service At the time, Prof Ndebele was departments, as well those serving on resident scholar at the Ford Founda- Council, Senate and the Institutional tion’s headquarters in New York. He Forum. joined the Foundation in September “Our successes can also be proud- 1998 after a five-year term of office ly claimed by all those who have as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of donated to this institution, in time and the University of the North in Sov- other ways. This includes govern- enga, Northern Province. ment, through public money, as well He is also a former Vice-Rector as many organisations, corporations of the University of the Western and individual philanthropists.” Cape. Earlier positions include He also praised UCT’s alumni chair of the Department of African whose skill and expertise contributes Literature at the University of the to society on a daily basis and who Witwatersrand, and Pro Vice-Chan- serve as “great ambassadors” for their cellor, dean, and head of the English alma mater. department at the National University “All have contributed to an of Lesotho. institution that is able to continually So long: Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Njabulo S Ndebele presided over his last graduation ceremony in the Prof Ndebele will spend the next renew itself by facing new challenges Jameson Hall on Friday, 13 June. He joined UCT in July 2000 and served two terms of office. He is succeeded by 12 months on sabbatical at Bard head-on, adapting to rapid change Dr Max Price. College a small liberal arts university, and, most importantly, securing ex- north of New York, where he will cellence – thereby answering the call the university alongside such gifted Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Pro- even the most cataclysmic event with work on “getting my writing voice to advance knowledge for the benefit and committed individuals.” fessor Martin West used an anecdote calm, his most emotive exclamation back”. of all. Bidding adieu to the Vice-Chan- that described his boss succinctly. being, “Oh, man!” Our best wishes go with him for “It has been a privilege to serve cellor at the PASS Forum on 12 June, Prof Ndebele, he said, faced “We thank him for the space he’s this new chapter. Research blossoms in VC’s eight-year tenure HELEN THÉRON He was speaking at a function to Sehlapelo, deputy director-general, De- 69 NRF A-rated researchers and 277 892 units in 2006, and our postgraduate celebrate UCT’s research endeavour. partment of Science and Technology. of the NRF’s rated researchers, in all scholarships have grown from R10 mil- esearch had blossomed at this A copy of the 2007 Research Mangaliso said UCT research categories. lion in 2003 to R21 million in 2007.” university and could not have Report was presented to Prof Ndebele, satisfied three key national criteria: In his response, Prof Ndebele He lauded the researchers, research flourishedR if not lead by a VC who honouring his contribution during his producing world-class research that confirmed steady growth in a number support staff and the leadership of the “cares very much about research”, eight-year tenure. contributed to transforming society of sectors. former DVC for research, Prof Cheryl Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Pro- Guest speakers at the function were while ensuring a sustainable environ- “Research funding [at UCT] has de la Rey, for their passion and com- fessor Danie Visser said of outgoing Professor Mzamo Mangaliso, president ment. grown from R240 million in 2003 to mitment. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Njabulo S and CEO of the National Research He commended the university for R547 million in 2007, publications “I’m proud to leave UCT in a good Ndebele. Foundation (NRF), and Dr Bethuel having produced 30 of the country’s have grown from 563 units in 2003 to position and on an upward trajectory.” 2 Monday Paper FAREWELL June 23 – July 21, 2008 Volume 27#10 Tributes to an ‘extraordinary’ South African of intellect, courage and integrity Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Njabulo S Ndebele was saluted at several farewell functions. Here are some of the thoughts expressed by a host of well-wishers Letter from the Chancellor, Geoff Budlender, Mrs Graça Machel Chair of Council rofessor Njabulo Ndebele is an nothing abstract or cloistered about achievement. His task was to move jabulo Ndebele’s leadership is moral vision. extraordinary South African. I how he has chosen to live his life. the university forward towards its first and foremost a moral lead- The other quality of Njabulo wantedP to make that statement at He is passionately engaged and ap- transformational goals, fundamen- ership.N If anything, it characterises Ndebele’s leadership, which is the outset because in these most parently unafraid to tackle the most tally and fast, while simultaneously the Ndebele Vice-Chancellorship. reflected in the events of the past challenging of times we need difficult of issues, sometimes draw- protecting and maintaining its The focus on moral issues does not weeks, is the space he gives others extraordinary South Africans, ing fierce attacks upon himself in internationally recognised academic always lead to simple solutions. The to act. Sometimes we yearn for the people with the intellect, courage the process, though he is a gentle, standards. Easy to say, inestimably Vice-Chancellor is a person given leader who will stride out ahead of and – most of all – the integrity of man. He is a fearless, free thinker difficult to do. to reflecting on ambiguity, complex- us, making the grand gesture, saying Njabulo. whose wellspring is principle and Today, and especially today, in ity and contradiction. He shuns the “Follow me”. This is not Njabulo Njabulo is that rare sort of per- compassion. the context of events unfolding in simplistic answer. That, I love to Ndebele’s style. The politics of the son who gives intellectuals a good Njabulo has led this institution the country, Njabulo and his col- say, can sometimes be frustrating spectacle are inconsistent with his name. An intellectual he certainly is through its formative first years leagues can proudly say that UCT to those of us who want the quick inner being. His style is different. – of the highest order – but there is of the 21st century. It is a major students have a sense of belonging. answer. But no-one can doubt that It is building unity, leading a moral underlying the engagement with vision, creating space for others to ambiguity is a hard-edged clarity of express their passion and energy. Professor Martin West, Professor Hugh Deputy Vice-Chancellor Corder, Dean of he position of Vice-Chancellor we are indeed fortunate that he did so. Ndebele developed a strong and inclu- Tat any university is no sinecure, He has led UCT through a vital period sive leadership team, and gave them least of all in South Africa. Professor of consolidation, building on strong space to work. the Faculty of Law Njabulo Ndebele is the first Vice-Chan- foundations left by his predecessors, He hands over a strong and stable cellor in our history to have had a prior and then into a period of consolidation, institution, ready to face new chal- experience of being a Vice-Chancellor. and then into a period of considerable lenges and opportunities. He has done hinking back over the last eight Your style of leadership restored a Accepting the call was surely the development. all this with calm, thoughtfulness and years, the main qualities that you level of confidence and predictability, triumph of hope over experience! But As Vice-Chancellor, Professor dignity. haveT brought to the office of Vice- without losing sight of the overrid- Chancellor are: calmness, reflective- ing imperative for change and of our ness, inclusiveness, integrity, human necessary commitment to social justice.