Communicating the Vision A hallmark of Professor Rensburg’s leadership style was active listening and inclusive engagement. “We had wall-to-wall meetings for the first ninety days,” he recalls. “It was a combination of listening carefully and communicating an ambition, initially of ‘inclusive excellence’, and later of ‘inclusive global excellence and stature’.” This intensive engagement with academic and professional staff helped foster buy-in and a shared sense of mission. Equally important was engagement with alumni. Working closely with Professor Van der Merwe, then Pro Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Muller, who served as Registrar, Rensburg spearheaded efforts to revitalise UJ’s alumni relations. “We invested considerable effort in getting the new convocation up and running,” he says, noting that alumni engagement remains robust at council level to this day. While Vista University’s alumni had largely been absorbed by Unisa, UJ gradually built ties with alumni from its Soweto Campus – a development that brought deep pride both to the University and the community it serves. Revitalising the Soweto Campus Among the many strategic achievements of Rensburg’s tenure was the transformation of UJ’s Soweto Campus. Initially seen as a peripheral, ‘dormitory’ campus, it was revitalised with new residences and expanded programme offerings. “The ambition was that we would have a campus more or less the size of Rhodes University, with six to seven thousand students and at least 80% living on campus,” Rensburg shares. That vision continues to unfold, positioning the Soweto Campus as a vibrant academic and social hub. A Legacy of Leadership Professor Rensburg’s legacy is not merely one of institution-building, but of leadership continuity. His successor, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, was recruited and mentored through a thoughtful succession process, a testament to Rensburg’s commitment to sustainable leadership. Reflecting on the enduring role of alumni, Professor Rensburg offers a heartfelt message: “One of the most wonderful things about being at the University of Johannesburg is that you meet a diverse community of friends that will last you a lifetime. Nurture those relationships as much as your relationship with your alma mater: do not forget to water these trees.” He urges alumni to remain connected, to contribute their leadership, insights and experience, and to play an active role in shaping UJ’s future.
Looking Ahead Today, the University of Johannesburg stands as a powerful symbol of transformation and excellence in South African and global higher education. Its success is rooted in the bold decisions and unwavering dedication of its founding Vice- Chancellor. Professor Ihron Rensburg’s tenure was
defined by visionary leadership, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to building a university that reflects the best of South Africa’s diverse heritage. His story is not only a profile of a leader, but also a testament to what is possible when unity, vision, and purpose come together. Read more about Prof Rensburg’s comprehensive reflections on the making of UJ in: Serving Higher Purposes: University Mergers in Post-Apartheid South Africa. 2020. Stellenbosch: African SUN Press. https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za/ book/serving-higher-purposes-university-mergers-in-post-apartheid-south- africa/1120016 3
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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