South Africa’s tertiary education landscape continues to reflect the broader tensions and aspirations of a society still navigating the long shadow of inequality. While access to higher education has expanded significantly since the end of Apartheid, universities across the country continue to grapple with questions of transformation, equity, financial sustainability, and relevance in a rapidly changing world. Within this complex environment, spaces for open, reflective dialogue, especially between students and the people who lead and shape institutions, become valuable and essential.

Leadership is not merely a privilege, but a moral obligation to serve others and drive positive change. Rhodes University SRC Leadership Week provided a necessary space for confronting the responsibilities facing young leaders today. The panel discussion, “Empowering Future Generations,” brought urgent attention to the intersection of business, leadership, and civic duty. Speakers challenged students to view leadership not as status, but as a moral obligation rooted in self-awareness, community engagement, and ethical conduct. This discussion mattered because it moved beyond theory, calling on youth to act now—within their campuses, communities, and careers. Leadership is not reserved for the future; it begins with present choices that shape a more just and accountable society.

Across the African continent, conversations about sustainable development often centre on economic policy, foreign investment, and infrastructure. Yet, one critical factor remains insufficiently addressed: leadership and governance. While the continent holds vast human and natural resources, many countries face persistent poverty, political instability, and weak institutions. This raises a pressing question: is the absence of accountable leadership and ethical governance the missing link in Africa’s pursuit of sustainable progress? Unpacking this question requires a closer look at how decision-making, public trust, and institutional integrity shape the continent’s development path.

The official opening of the Oppidan Bus Shelter and common room marks a significant achievement, realised as a legacy project by the Student Representative Council (SRC) of Rhodes University. The development of the bus shelter was initiated to establish a safe, on-campus environment for Oppidan students, providing them with a secure place to wait for their transport and the Oppi bus to take them home.