It is an honour for me to welcome you to Rhodes University – a proud university where leaders learn. Congratulations on your remarkable achievement in gaining admission to one of South Africa’s most distinguished universities.

Your dedication, resilience, and hard work have brought you to this moment, and I encourage you to take time to celebrate and cherish this opportunity. You have earned your place here, and I hope your presence not only enriches our vibrant academic community but also makes your study experience memorable.

As your Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (DVC: A&SA), I am delighted to support you as you begin this transformative journey of learning, growth, and discovery. Your success is my priority. I am committed to ensuring that you have an enabling environment that supports, guides, and provides the resources you need to flourish. In the same spirit, I encourage you to make your studies your top priority, to be an active learner, and to engage fully with the Rhodes University community – your deans, deputy deans, faculty officers, lecturers, tutors, mentors, student peers, and support staff. University life marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your personal and academic journey. It is a space where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking come together. At Rhodes University, you will not only cocreate knowledge with your lecturers but also learn to apply it with insight, integrity, and purpose. This is your opportunity to grow intellectually, socially, and personally, to challenge yourself and to explore the impact that you can make in the
world. Dream big, aim high, and work with passion and determination.

Think of Rhodes University, where leaders learn, as a place where leaders are nurtured.

Just as a captain learns to navigate storms at sea, here you will develop the skills and knowledge to steer your life with confidence, integrity, and vision. You will make decisions, face challenges, and celebrate victories, all within a community that supports and inspires you. This is where you will learn not only to lead in your chosen field but also to lead in life. At Rhodes University, we encourage you to embrace and live by our University values as you begin your journey. Strive for Excellence in your studies, let Integrity guide all that you do, show Compassion and Respect for others, embrace Diversity and learn from different perspectives, and work together with Collegiality. Upholding these values in your daily interactions will help you build meaningful relationships, contribute to a safe and supportive community, and thrive in your academic, personal and social life.

Rhodes University also aims to develop graduates with the following key attributes that will guide your growth throughout your time here and beyond. You will be supported to become:

• an ethical leader, acts with integrity, and cares for others;
• digitally competent, able to navigate a connected world;
• a critical and engaged citizen, contributing positively to society;
• a life-long learner, continually seeking knowledge;
• curious and innovative, able to think creatively and solve challenges;
• empathetic, understanding and valuing the perspectives of others.

Your transition from high school to university will be both exciting and demanding. It requires a new level of independence, self-discipline, and personal responsibility. University learning encourages you to think critically, engage actively, and become a co-creator of knowledge rather than simply a consumer. Your lecturers, tutors, and mentors are here to guide and support you, but your success will depend on your agency and commitment, perseverance, and willingness to embrace every learning opportunity. Be sure to attend all your classes, participate in discussions, manage your time wisely, and approach every challenge with curiosity and courage.

There are several academic development and support opportunities for you here at Rhodes University. These include Orientation to the institution (Orientation Week and Extended Orientation), Student Peer Mentoring Programme, Tutoring, and Academic Advising. Another key opportunity for your success at Rhodes University is the Pathways to Success programme. It comprises a series of quarterly conversations with myself and other university leaders, designed specifically to support you as you navigate the academic, personal and social aspects of your first year of study. By attending these sessions, you will receive practical guidance, mentorship, and encouragement, and gain valuable insights from experienced staff, mentors, and student peers. I recommend that you attend these sessions, engage actively, ask questions, and make the most of this opportunity, as your participation will help lay a strong foundation for your success at Rhodes University and beyond. Look out for communication and session dates on StudentNews throughout the year; I look forward to seeing you all there.

AS YOU BEGIN THIS EXCITING NEW CHAPTER, REMEMBER THAT
UNIVERSITY LIFE IS ABOUT STRIKING A BALANCE, COMBINING ACADEMIC
GROWTH, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT,
AND OVERALL WELLBEING.

Engage in extra-curricular activities, pursue your passions, and care for your physical and mental well-being. Surround yourself with supportive friends and peers, make the right choices, and approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Remember, your success comes from hard work, consistency, and a commitment to excellence.

With all these in mind, I warmly welcome you to Rhodes University, a place where leaders learn, and futures are shaped. Approach this journey with courage, curiosity, and determination. Work diligently and embrace the endless possibilities ahead. I wish you a fulfilling, inspiring, and successful first year. If you plant and nurture your seeds during your undergraduate years, you will have a smooth and successful university career. I have every confidence that you will rise to the challenges and seize every opportunity that comes your way.

Professor ‘Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs

Last Modified: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:51:37 SAST