Join the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute's 15th Anniversary & Annual Honorary Lecture

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, cordially invites you to the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute’s 15th anniversary celebration of student leadership excellence, and to the annual FVZS Honorary Lecture of the Centre for Student Life and Learning.

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Professor Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State, businessman and author.

Professor Mohale is the Chancellor of the University of the Free State, former President of Business Unity South Africa and Professor of Practice at the Johannesburg Business School in the Faculty of Business and Economics. He serves as Chair of two listed companies, The Bidvest Group Limited and ArcelorMittal, as well as Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Africa and SBV Services.

He was appointed Sherpa of the Values 20, a global community of values-driven experts and practitioners that engages meaningfully with the Group of Twenty (G20), launched in 2020 during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency. In 2022, he convened and chaired the Eskom Electricity Crisis Roundtables, addressing structural constraints to a sustainable future for South Africa’s electricity sector. Professor Mohale is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Community of Chairpersons and the best-selling author of  Lift As You Rise, Behold the Turtle and Coming in from the Cold (autobiography).

Among his many industry awards are the following: 

• The 2025 South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Chairperson’s Friends of the Profession Award, recognising his lasting contribution to the profession and his continued commitment to purpose-driven leadership.
• The 2025 Epitome of Black Excellence Award, presented in partnership with the United Nations in recognition of his significant contribution to economic development in South Africa and beyond.
• The 2024 Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa Special Presidential Business Leadership Award for commitment to ethical leadership, social justice and economic transformation.
• The African Union’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), presented at the Africa Career and Gala Awards, in recognition of exceptional contribution and achievement.
• The Presidential Award (2001) for Servanthood in South African Industry and the Economic Empowerment of Previously Disadvantaged Individuals.

In addition, Professor Mohale was included in the Reputation Poll International’s 2023 list of the 100 Most Reputable Africans. Selection criteria include integrity, reputation, transparency, visibility and impact.

This annual honorary lecture is supported financially by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and aims to provide a platform for student leaders, academics and alumni, as well as the broader international community, to engage critically with contemporary issues of democracy and governance.

Theme:  In times of sociopolitical turbulence: How can the Constitution still anchor our democracy and inspire citizen leadership?

Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Time: 17:30 for 18:00 - 20:00

Venue: Hybrid event – Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), 10 Marais Street, Stellenbosch, or online

Dress code: Smart casual

RSVP: Seating is limited. Please click here to register online before 11 March 2026.

Participants who register for online attendance will receive the link on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. For further enquiries, please contact [email protected].