VANDERBIJLPARK – The Desmond Tutu Hall at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) was packed to capacity on Wednesday as former President Kgalema Motlanthe delivered the second Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture calling on South Africans to reclaim the country’s future.
The lecture, hosted in partnership with the Walter Sisulu Foundation, drew government leaders, academics, students, civil society organisations and community members for a powerful discussion on leadership, social justice and South Africa’s future.
Addressing the audience under the theme, “1976: The Promise That Rose | 2026: The Promise Looted | 2076: The Future We Reclaim,” Motlanthe reflected on the life and leadership of anti-apartheid icon Walter Sisulu.
He described Sisulu as a leader who was both shaped by history and helped shape it.
“He was shaped by history he did not choose and became one of those rare individuals to whom history altered its direction,” Motlanthe said.
“If we present Sisulu only as a product of his circumstances, we diminish his agency. If we present him only as an exceptional hero detached from the movement and institutions that sustained him, we distort the meaning of his leadership.”
Speaking to Ster, VUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalisation, Prof Simphiwe Nelana, said the lecture forms part of a long-term partnership with the Walter Sisulu Foundation.
“Last year VUT signed a memorandum of understanding with the Walter Sisulu Foundation on social justice. We launched the inaugural lecture last year, and this is the second instalment,” he said.
“We want to stimulate meaningful discussions on social justice, transformation and ethical leadership.”
Walter Sisulu Foundation CEO Mphumzi Mdekazi said VUT was chosen because of Sisulu’s deep historical ties to nearby Evaton.
“When we retraced Walter Sisulu’s footsteps, we came to Evaton, where he found refuge while being hunted by the security police. He also built his entrepreneurial journey here and owned land in the area. That made VUT the ideal partner,” Mdekazi said.
He added that the foundation deliberately selected speakers known for speaking honestly.
“It is not easy to tell the truth these days. We wanted truth-tellers. Former President Motlanthe and Prof Allam Mousa display leadership qualities that closely reflect those of Walter Sisulu.”
The memorial lecture formed part of ongoing efforts to preserve Sisulu’s legacy while inspiring a new generation of ethical leaders and active citizens.
