‘Extraordinary icon’ is first black female UP chancellor
She is a retired constitutional court of South Africa judge, with a rich history in the legal fraternity.
Emeritus Justice Sisi Khampepe was officially inaugurated as the University of Pretoria’s first black female chancellor on Friday in the Aula building on the Hatfield campus.
Company CEOs, university donors and senior members of the legal fraternity attended the inauguration.
Khampepe had previously dedicated four decades to a legal career, where she is revered for upholding the principle of equality.
The retired Constitutional Court of South Africa judge was elected to the five-year term at UP in May, with the possibility of a further term, subject to due process, said UP spokesperson Liesel Swart.
Academic and Professional Staff Association chairperson Eugene Maluleke congratulated Khampepe on her new role.
“She is a labour lawyer at heart and as we continue to fight for transformation, equality and better working conditions.”
SRC president Thuto Mashile also urged the new female chancellor to fast-track transformation at the institution.
“Judging by the calibre of our newly elected female black chancellor and her contributions to society, we are confident in her ability to facilitate transformation at the university.”
Khempepe, in accepting her new role, explained that students played a critical role in fighting apartheid but they “have a different fight now – that of defending our democracy”.
“In particular, they are fighting to improve the quality of life of all citizens in a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.”
“As your chancellor, I commit to doing everything that I can to continue navigating the university along the road it is marking out towards long-term societal impact, change and sustainability,” she said.
She said in a bid to continue helping students, UP was attacking the critical issue of fundraising, as it was anticipated that universities would receive less state grants over the next five years and beyond.
“Fundraising is necessary to make up the shortfall in state funding that all universities currently face,” Khampepe said.
Khampepe also lauded the university’s vice-chancellor and principal, prof Tawana Kupe, for championing a fundraising project, dubbed “the giving day”.
The campaign aims to raise an additional R100-million for major projects over the next three years, for student support such as tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, food and devices for academically deserving students whose families cannot afford their study costs.
Kupe in congratulating Khampepe said the chancellor embodied all the values which many espoused at UP.
“We are truly grateful to have this extraordinary South African icon as our chancellor.”
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