Growing up in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, Samkelo Wiseman Junior Maisela learned early that strength is often quiet. His father passed away when he was six, and with his mother frequently away for work, much of his upbringing came from his guardian, who ran a local daycare centre. From her, Samkelo absorbed lessons of humility, service, and kindness, learning that true leadership often means showing up for others without expectation.

"Community engagement is not a once-off act, not charity, but a way of life." With these closing words, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela captured the spirit of Rhodes University's 14th Annual Community Engagement (RUCE) Awards. The ceremony was not simply an evening of recognition but a powerful reminder that Rhodes University belongs to Makhanda and that its strength comes from walking alongside communities to bring lasting change.

When Tatenda Chatikobo began his PhD at Rhodes University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, he didn’t set out to indict the digital revolution. Like many, he had witnessed the optimism that surrounded bringing technology to underserved areas. But as his research deepened, he uncovered a more complicated reality – one that challenged the dominant narrative of digital empowerment and raised uncomfortable questions about who truly benefits from technology in the Global South.

When conservation scientist and philanthropist, Sauleha Rajak walked into the forests of KwaZulu-Natal, she wasn’t just collecting data – she was listening to stories. Some were told in whispers of reverence for ancestral spirits, others in quiet concern over disappearing traditions. “By respecting, learning and immersing myself in the culture,” she reflects, “I came to appreciate the value of co-existence, cultural diversity and building meaningful relationships.”