With the University of Johannesburg celebrating 20 years of its existence as a symbol of inclusiveness and transformation in the higher education sector post-1994, Leadership Magazine sat down with Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi to retrace some of the steps that have led to where the institution is today–celebrated among some of the top global universities.
Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi may only have been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2023, but he considers himself an integral part of the university’s remarkable transformation over the past two decades.
During the interview, Professor Mpedi described the institution’s 20-year journey as “remarkable,” noting that the University of Johannesburg has achieved in two decades what many much older universities have yet to accomplish.His deep roots at UJ, both as a former student and as a dedicated staff member, have given him a unique perspective and a strong sense of belonging to the university’s ongoing journey of growth, innovation, and transformation. This came out during a Leadership Magazine’s recent interview with him, as the institution marks its 20 years journey to becoming the only university that has improved its position in the 2024 global rankings.
During the interview, Professor Mpedi described the institution’s 20-year journey as “remarkable with the institution achieving what some universities that are far older have not achieved in what UJ have in 20 years.”
That “remarkable journey”, Mpedi avers, “was driven by a vision and hard work that saw UJ turning into an amazing institution that stands out among its contemporaries.” He also pointed out that he regards himself as part of UJs academic maturity, as a former student a staff member
The transformation UJ went through, Mpedi contends, was driven by vision, strong leadership and a prudent allocation of the necessary resources to support a strategy tagged “launching global excellence and stature (GES 4.0) in 2014.
GES 4.0, Mpedi explained, was a comprehensive excellence-driven catalytic plan focused on research, teaching, internalisation, and societal impact, all anchored in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Africa’s development needs. It was also based on UJ’s transformation journey, global footprint, and strategic investments aimed at positioning the university as a leading global institution with a strong African identity.
Professor Mpedi highlighted the university’s development trajectory as being part of the strategy. This is because of his previous experiences at the university as a former student; director of the university-based Centre for International Comparative Law and Social Security Law CICLASS (at the university’s predecessor the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU); Association Professor in the Faculty of Law; Professor in the Faculty of Law; Head of department within the Faculty of Law; Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law; Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic.
As someone with that longstanding relationship with the university, Mpedi was also able to connect the dots when it comes to the various interventions the institutions went through as part of its 20-year journey to the now world class university that UJ has turned out to be.
He, for example, was able to show the link between UJ’s GES 4.0 strategy, Strategic Plan 2025 and the recently adopted Strategic Plan 2035. For him the GES 4.0 Strategy and Strategic Plan – introduced in 2024 and 2021 respectively laid the groundwork by focusing on technological leadership, and institutional fitness for global stature.
The Strategic Plan 2035 (adopted under his leadership) builds on the foundation by integrating societal impact and sustainability as core to UJ’s identity and future, thus advancing its development trajectory into a global leading research-intensive university – deeply engaged in addressing global and African challenges.
In his view, the adoption of Strategic 2035 is “a transformative step for UJ to evolve as a dynamic institution that integrates innovation, sustainability, global collaboration to address pressing social challenges and continue its ascent as a research-intensive globally impactful university”.
Explaining UJ’s commitment to innovation, the university’s leadership envisage a situation wherein, due to the kind of access they have created, students can enhance their employability by seamlessly switching from virtual reality experiments to brick-and-mortar classrooms.
History
Twenty years ago, on 1 January 2005, the University of Johannesburg was born out of a merger of the then Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Prior to this merger, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of Vista University had already been incorporated into RAU.
The merger was part of a broader restructuring of South African higher education, aimed at reducing the number of institutions and promoting inclusivity and transformation in the post-apartheid era. It was also part of the transformation mandate from “racial division to Rainbow Nation” embodiment—seeing the institution becoming a microcosm of South Africa’s diversity with campuses in historically segregated areas of Auckland Park, Soweto, and Doornfotntein.
To drive its mandate, UJ established a Transformation Unit to promote inclusivity, human rights, and social justice, embedding these values in curricula and policy. As part of its rebranding, the institution replaced the colonial heraldry with a logo featuring two African hoopoes (a breed of distinctive Old-World Birds belonging to the family of Upidae, reknowned for their striking appearance, unique behaviours, and rich cultural symbolism), symbolising unity and an open book representing knowledge renewal.
In those 20 years, UJ has transformed remarkably from a relatively new institution to achieving strategic ascendancy as well as global excellence and stature. The institution’s rising stature was catalysed by its Global Excellence Strategy (iterated as GES 4.0) in 2014. GES 4.0, focused on three main objectives, including: research leadership; the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR); and Internalisation.
Some of the GES 4.0 elements include embedding the Sustainable and Development Goals (SDGs) into teaching research and operations, and prioritising 4IR to address sustainability challenges. There is also the GES Fund supporting SDG-aligned research, while the Missing Middle Fund ensures equitable access to education directly combating poverty.
From the research angle, UJ established 73 research centres, with 336 NRF-rated researchers becoming #1 in South Africa for research publications (3 144 accredited units in 2024). From the 4IR point of view, UJ pioneered “Education 4.0”, integrating AI, nanotechnology, and sustainable technology into curricula. On the internalisation front, UJ formed partnerships with Universitas 21 (U21).
U21 is a global network of research-intensive universities established in 1977 to foster international innovation, and address global challenges. Its mission and principles are to connect institutions across borders, enrich education and research through internationalisation, and develop global responsible leaders.
U21 emphasises sustainability, equity, and knowledge sharing to tackle grand challenges like SDGs. Its guiding principles are inclusivity, diversity, leadership development, and fostering cross-cultural trust among members, who are 30 research-intensive universities across 19 countries including UJ.
U21’s impact and recognition is accentuated by the way it provides a platform for members to share best practices and accelerate SDG-driven projects such as poverty reduction research.
UJ’s major achievement pertaining to societal impact and sustainability is demonstrated by its emergence as a global leader in advancing SGDs, integrating them into its institutional DNA through strategic frameworks, impactful research, community engagement, and international partnerships. This has led to UJ attaining global recognition and rankings.
For example, in the Impact Rankings 2024, UJ was ranked #1 in Africa and #36 globally, reflecting excellence across multiple SDGs, especially SDG1 (No poverty where it leads globally), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). A #1 ranking in global impact rankings—specifically by the Impact Rankings—signifies that a university has demonstrated unparalleled excellence in advancing the SDGs through its research, operations, outreach, and governance.
For universities, this ranking is a catalyst for policy influence, student recruitment, and funding opportunities—proving that academic excellence and societal impact are inseparable.
With regard to SDG-Specific Leadership, UJ was recognised for SDG10 (Reducing Inequalities) through initiatives like the Missing Middle Fund, supporting more than 60% of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Overall, UJ’s global profile exemplifies how universities can drive SDG attainment by merging academic rigour with social responsibility. Its recognition as Africa’s top SDG-aligned institution underscores a replicable model: strategic vision, community co-creation, and global solidarity are key to achieving the 2030 agenda.
As a product of that bold move, UJ has on its part positioned itself as a progressive and inclusive higher education institution by adopting a vision that today has seen the institution becoming only one of the few universities in South Africa that have retained their position in the global rankings, reasserting its status among the leading universities in the world.
According to Time Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings report released last October, UJ was only one of the few universities in South Africa to have retained their position. The report shows that UJ maintained its standing within the top 500 universities worldwide.
The rankings marked a milestone for sub-Saharan Africa, with 54 universities from 15 countries—including UJ—represented in THE World University Rankings.
Other noticeable UJ achievements include being ranked #1 in South Africa and Africa among universities younger than 50 years according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University rankings, and it has risen to 60th place globally in this category—a significant leap from its previous ranking band of 151 to 200.
Meanwhile, other additions to UJ’s accolades include being ranked the Best Institution for Engineering and Computer Science in South Africa. According to THE 2025 Subject Rankings, UJ was named the best in these critical and competitive fields. The institution has also been recognised as the most improved African university over the past five years.
UJ has also shown to have a significant Alumni Impact with over 200 000 graduates having gone on to shape industries globally—reflecting the university’s success in producing influential professionals and leaders. UJ research initiatives have also been found to contribute significantly to knowledge production and societal advancement—with a focus on transformation, equity, and access.
As Professor Mpedi confirmed to Leadership Magazine, research does show that the institution has implemented a comprehensive suite of initiatives to drive transformation, promote equity, and expand access. The path to achieving these objectives was carved through the establishment of a Transformation Unit, the development of employment equity plans, and the recent unveiling of the institution’s core values of impact, innovation, inclusivity, and integrity—draped on campus buildings to enforce institutional identity and social responsibility.
To promote equity-driven education access, the university is providing financial aid to more than 60% of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, addressing tuition gaps, and promoting socio-economic mobility (SGD 1 and SDG4). There is also a non-discriminatory policy to ensure equitable admissions regardless of race, gender, disability or socio-economic status.
On the other hand, there are research projects steering epistemic access for historically-disadvantaged students to address systemic barriers in curricula and pedagogy.
Through its UJ digital project, the university offers Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) and Whole Programmes (WPs) in high-demand fields, including engineering, AI, and health, targeting students excluded by campus limitations, enhancing employability, and addressing Africa’s skills gap.
The institution’s 4IR-aligned curricula integrates AI, nanotechnology, and sustainability into courses ensuring graduates do meet global workforce demands. As part of its commitment to societal impact, the university has formed partnerships with funders to support projects merging technology with community solutions.
In line with its commitment to utilising technology to improve graduate employability and technological innovation, UJ has also established the Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM), which is driving curriculum reform, graduate employability, and technological innovation in South Africa. By integrating advanced technologies like AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) into STEAM education, CALTSTEAM addresses critical gaps in higher education while aligning with the demands of the digital revolution.
It’s such as the integration of VR and AR into teaching practices that holds immense potential to revolutionise teacher training. As South Africa navigates the ever-evolving landscape of education, these technological transformations are poised to shape a new era of effective, data-informed micro teaching practices that prepare teachers to meet the diverse and complex needs of 21st-century learners within 4IR.
On the other hand, Mpedi ascribes the institution’s rapid ascent from a newly-merged institution to a world-class university to its strategic vision, commitment to innovation, and societal impact, and outstanding achievements in global rankings and research excellence.
This trajectory surpasses many older universities, positioning UJ as a beacon of African academic excellence and transformation, he avers. He also argues that UJ’s achievements are due the fact that it was a product of a bold move by the government of the day aimed at unifying diverse institutions to form a modern university that embodies inclusivity and transformation, reflecting South Africa’s “Rainbow Nation” identity.
“Our story as an institution is a formidable one indeed. In just under two decades, we have shown our ability to respond to our shifting context and emerge as dynamic and active participants. We have been at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) in Africa and our commitment to Pan-Africanism, transformation, equity, and access has not wavered. These ideals remain in the fabric of our institution.” Professor Mpedi also highlighted the importance of international collaboration and UJ’s role in producing graduates equipped to address real-life challenges.
“UJ’s success is a testament to our investment in research and innovation. UJ has consistently strengthened its international partnerships and increased its research output, making strides in areas that directly impact the country and the continent. With a keen focus on the future, UJ continues to play a pivotal role in South Africa’s higher education landscape, contributing to global knowledge production and addressing pressing societal challenges.”
Under Mpedi’s leadership, UJ recently unveiled its Strategic Plan 2035—an ambitious roadmap designed to help the institution to navigate the challenge-laden path as a key stakeholder as far as the future of higher education in the country and the role it should play in building a prosperous egalitarian South Africa.
Aligned with the SDGs, the Strategic Plan reaffirms UJs commitment to addressing global challenges like climate change, inequality, and access to quality education.
Unpacking the Plan for Leadership Magazine, Professor Mpedi emphasised that the Plan placed social impact and sustainability at the forefront.
“The challenges we face are complex, but they offer unique opportunities for innovation and leadership.” He further highlighted UJ’s role in tackling these issues through research, education, and partnerships, positioning the university as a global leader in driving change.
The Strategic Plan is built on three key pillars that will guide the university’s trajectory over the next decade:
- Societal Impact and Sustainability: This commits UJ to driving positive change by tackling issues such as inequality and environmental sustainability through innovative research and education.
- Global Footprint and Partnerships: It is UJ’s aim to strengthen its international collaborations with universities, industries, and governments to enhance knowledge-sharing, innovation, and global influence.
- Technology For The Future: Leveraging its leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), UJ will continue to integrate cutting-edge technology, ensuring students are equipped for an increasingly digital world. UJ’s approach to technology remains, people-centred, ethical, focusing on solutions that serve humanity.
Professor Mbedi, who is a former student of the institution in both its apartheid era and after 2005, is proud of the fact that under his leadership and that of his predecessors UJ has consistently championed academic transformation, groundbreaking research, and technological advancement.
“The new strategic plan cements UJ’s position as a transformative institution with a clear mission: to create a sustainable future through education that empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to society,” enthused the VC.
The plan has been supported by UJ’s Chancellor Dr Phumzille Mlambo-Ngcuka, who has described it as being “crucial for the sustainability of UJ and will leave a lasting social impact. It shows that the university’s efforts go beyond the classroom, touching the broader society.”
The Vice-Chancellorspeaks
UJ was born from a merger that was not without its challenges. What helped the university to grow into the success story it is today?
Looking at where UJ is today from being an unknown entity with a new logo, what comes to my mind are three things: vision, strong leadership, and the allocation of resources to support the vision and strategy of transforming the institution into a more inclusive and diversified space where people of South Africa can come together to pursue their life dreams.
There was also a strategy called global excellence and stature—this meant putting resources into interventions that will drive excellence when it comes to issues of research as well the kind of graduates the university produces.
UJ has developed a distinct identity in the higher education space. What do you think makes it unique?
It is the decision taken by the university to provide access and to show that access and excellence are not mutually exclusive. We committed to debunking the myth that when you increase access you inevitably end up providing low quality education. The majority of our students are the so-called first generation to study at university. They come here to access quality education that could help them transform their lives and those of the families they come from. To assist them we must make high quality education accessible to them. Coming from a rural village in Hammanskraal, I have been there. I know how it is to dream of a better life—fortunately this very university believed in and gave me that opportunity. It makes me happy when I see those young people from those disadvantaged communities working hard to change their lives, and as an institution we are able to give them a leg up so that they can fulfil their dreams.
On the other hand, what gives UJ another unique identity is how we have developed into a leader in the area of 4IR technology. Through our various initiatives—now including the recently launched UJ digital—we are bringing technology out in the open to show people what can be achieved through technology. Because of this, when people think about UJ they think about cutting edge technology. These are some of the things worth celebrating when we look back at our 20 years of existence.
UJ is also transforming professions. For example, when it comes to accounting there is no university out there that contributes as many black and women-chartered accountants as UJ does. We are deliberately supporting our students to become the best of what they can be because women are generally under-represented in leadership positions, but instead of complaining about the situation we provide our female colleagues—especially those who are leaders—with the tools to go out there and shine. As it is we have leadership programmes for women at our business school.
Since becoming Vice Chancellor, which moments or milestones have been the most rewarding for you?
There are too many to count. Only last week, we launched the UJ Digital project. This is a digital platform that provides digital education. We have over 100 courses, and already there are over 20 000 people who have already registered. These programmes are for those who cannot access education from brick-and-mortar centres. When I took up this position, my commitment was that we wouldn’t slow down when it comes to the transformation of this institution.
We see many opportunities for us to make societal impact and promote sustainability—that is our commitment. For example, as part of our societal impact project we have, in partnership with a generous donor, installed satelite internet at Hanyani High School in Venda. Now the learners have access to some internet hotspots around the village where they can access the internet even after school so they can do their homework.
In 2023, the school was among the worst performing schools in the country, with a 57% pass rate. Last year, however, the school achieved an impressive 92.1%. This is a remarkable turnaround, and it is due to the collaborative efforts of the School Advisory Board, the principal, staff at the school, and UJ’s transformative Societal Impact project. This initiative, which dates back to 2014, addresses critical infrastructure needs in the remote villages of Gwakwani, Matatani, and Mbodi, situated between Thohoyandou and Musina. The project focuses on delivering sustainable solutions in energy, water, connectivity, and education, directly contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of its commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education, UJ collaborated with the South African Jewish Board to launch the Tshumisano Learning Centre in 2023. This state-of-the-art learning facility at Hanyani Secondary School is equipped with computers, books, and updated learning materials to engage learners and teachers. The facility boasts a satellite for uninterrupted internet access and solar powered lights. Spearheaded by UJ’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), this initiative has revolutionised learning and teaching in the region.
Meanwhile, the University’s Process, Energy, and Environmental Technology Station (UJ PEETS) and SOURCE Global, in collaboration with UJ’s Faculty of Health Science and Water and Health Research Centre (WHRC), have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to provide clean drinking water to families in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.
The Eastern Cape Water Provision Project has resulted in 400 hydro panels being installed across four villages—Lujazu, Luphoko, and two schools in Mthambalala and Cutwini, providing over 1 000 community members with access to their own source of clean water.
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University of Johannesburg: 20 Years of Milestones
Academic and Research Excellence
- UJ has produced over 200 000 graduates since 2005 with a student body representing over 80 nations
- UJ is the top-ranked South African and African university under 50 years (Times Higher Education Young University Rankins)
- UJ is regarded as the best university in engineering and computer science (THE 2025 Subject Rankings)
- UJ consistently achieves the highest research output per capita among South African universities and is the country’s foremost contributor to research production
Global Impact and rankings
- In 2025, UJ topped the global Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty)
- UJ is ranked among the top 50 universities globally in THE Impact rankings.
- UJ aligns its initiatives with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and African Union Agenda 2063
Fourth Industrial revolution (4IR) Leadership
- UJ is a continental leader in 4IR, integrating advanced technology and digital innovation into the academic and research agenda
- The university has developed numerous 4IR catalytic initiatives and is recognized for its thought leadership in innovation in this space
Community Engagement and Societal Impact
- UJ runs the largest student community engagement volunteering programme in Africa, with 20 000 students participating
- Its community engagement initiatives are central to its Strategic Plan 2035, focusing on societal transformation and sustainable development
- UJ collaborates with industry, government, and civil society partners to address pressing social challenges, including gender-based violence and community upliftment
Arts, Culture and Student Life
- UJ Arts and Culture has played a pivotal role in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and societal impact through a robust programme of visual arts, theatre, music, film, poetry, and dance
- The UJ Choir, a celebrated ensemble, continues to be a highlight of the university’s cultural life, with special performances marking the 20th anniversary
- Initiatives like the UJ Arts Academy and Arts Appreciation Programme provide meaningful access to the arts for all students
Diversity and Access
- UJ’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in its diverse student body, inclusive policies, and support for the students from underprivileged backgrounds
- In 2025, the university received 600 000 first year applications, resulting in a highly competitive selection process
Leadership and vision
- UJ’s leadership, including Vice Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mbedi, continues to drive the university’s vision for innovation, excellence, and societal impact
- The university’s 20th anniversary has been marked by celebrations, reflection, and a renewed commitment to shaping the future of education and research in Africa and beyond
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Who is Professor
Letlhokwa Mpedi?
Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi is a professor of Labour and Social Security Law and has a B Juris degree and LLB from Vista University. He also has an LLM degree in Labour Law from the then Rand Afrikaans University, as well as a LLD Degree in Mercantile Law from the now University of Johannesburg. Professor Mpedi also has a certificate in Advanced Management and Leadership from the Oxford University. Professor Mpedi also has an honorary Degree from Caucasus University in Georgia
Before his current position as Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mpedi served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Executive Dean (Faculty of Law) at the University of Johannesburg. Professor Mpedi has published widely on social security and labour law in South Africa, Southern Africa, and Anglophone Africa. His most recent publication on leadership is a book, ‘From the Baobab to the Mosquito: Rethinking Leadership through African Sayings’, by Tracey McDonald Publishers.
