A Transformative Milestone: Celebrating Women’s Month with the Tenth Female Vice-Chancellor in South Africa
Brightness Mangolothi Director: Centre for Diversity, Inclusion Social Cohesion
For many years, the average number of female vice-chancellors in South Africa remained at six. Today, we celebrate a historic shift — 10 women will now lead our universities as vice-chancellors. This is not just progress; it is a bold affirmation of transformation and excellence.
Most recently, Professor Debra Meyer was appointed as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Sol Plaatje University (SPU), effective January 2026. Her appointment marks the 10th and adds to a growing cohort of trailblazing women in leading our South African Universities.
This year also saw the appointments of:
Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), succeeding founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso
Professor Hester Klopper at the University of the Free State (UFS), bringing global academic leadership to the institution.
Professor Tandi Matsha-Erasmus at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), a C1-rated scientist and seasoned academic leader, now leading one of the country’s premier health sciences institutions.
Other female vice-chancellors currently at the helm include:
Professor Sibongile Muthwa (Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Xoliswa Mtose (University of Zululand) — serving their second term in office.
Professor Puleng LenkaBula (University of South Africa); Professor Rushiella Songca at Walter Sisulu University (WSU); Professor Pamela Dube at Central University of Technology (CUT); Professor Nokuthula Sibiya at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) serving their first term in office and also the first female vice-chancellors at their universities.
These appointments are more than symbolic. They reflect a growing commitment to transformation and inclusivity in higher education. Yet, we must remain ambitious. True representation means striving for at least 50% female leadership across our institutions.
We honour Professor Thoko Mayekiso, for her pioneering work at UMP, which laid a foundation strong enough for another woman to follow — a rare and inspiring moment in our history. Until now, female vice-chancellors were often succeeded by male counterparts. This transition signals a new era of continuity in gender-inclusive leadership.
We salute Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT) — one of South Africa’s top-rated universities. Her tenure was marked by bold leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to transformation. Even after stepping down, she continues to break stereotypes and inspire through her work in public education and advocacy.
While we celebrate the historic milestone of 10 female vice-chancellors, we are equally encouraged by the growing number of female Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) and Executive Deans across South Africa’s 26 public universities. These women are leading with boldness. Their presence is a powerful signal that the pipeline is strengthening.
It would be amiss not to acknowledge that whilst we celebrate women in leadership, especially at the vice-chancellor level, women leaders face heightened scrutiny, and resistance that their male counterparts may not experience. This reality makes it even more urgent to build a robust, support for women in these roles and for women aspiring to these roles. We must invest in leadership development, mentorship, and institutional transformation to ensure that gender equity is not an exception, but the norm in higher education leadership. We must implement gender equity policies and monitor and report progress on gender representation regularly. It is also important we invest in research on higher education leadership gender dynamics to inform our practice. Importantly, we need to celebrate the wins made by women.
As we prepare the next generation of female vice-chancellors, let’s make sure that celebration is ingrained in the culture. Let us honour the experiences, elevate the voices, and establish environments that empower, support, and value women in leadership roles.
As we celebrate women’s month lest we forget the courage and resilience of the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against unjust pass laws. It is a time to reflect on the strides made in gender equality, while acknowledging the ongoing struggles women face across all sectors of society. The wings of change are felt in higher education, 69 years later, a milestone showing that all was not in vain. We acknowledge the likes of Professor Brenda Gourley, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Professor Connie Mogale-Mokadi Professor Rachel Gumbi, Professor Mapule Ramashala, who were the first few female vice-chancellors post 1994.