The Council of the University of Fort Hare has announced the appointment of Professor Wezile Chitha as the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and Principal, following a unanimous decision at a Special Council Meeting held on Friday, 16 October 2026.
Chitha, an accomplished academic, medical doctor and higher education executive, is expected to assume office during the first quarter of 2027.
Announcing the appointment, the Chairperson of Council, Dr Siyanda Makaula, described the decision as a significant milestone in the University’s institutional development.
“The appointment of Professor Chitha marks an important moment in the history of the University of Fort Hare as we advance our journey of institutional re-visioning and rebirth. Council was unanimous in its decision, reflecting our collective confidence in his leadership capabilities, academic credentials and experience in institutional governance and transformation.
“As we look towards 2040, our responsibility is to build a University that honours its extraordinary history while responding decisively to the demands of the future. This requires more than academic excellence and research distinction. It demands institutional stability, effective governance, sustainable infrastructure and, fundamentally, a student experience that reflects the dignity, aspirations and potential of every young person who chooses Fort Hare.
“We are confident that Professor Chitha possesses the strategic vision, executive experience and leadership qualities necessary to advance these priorities and guide the University into its next chapter,” said Makaula.
Rigorous and inclusive recruitment process
The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment and selection process conducted in accordance with the University’s approved Procedure for the Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. The process included candidate screening, shortlisting, competency-based assessments, strategic presentations and structured interviews.
On 15 October 2026, shortlisted candidates presented their strategic visions for the University’s development towards 2040 at a Joint Sitting of Council, Senate and the Institutional Forum. Representatives of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Convocation and organised labour were also in attendance. Formal candidate interviews followed on 16 October 2026.
Council’s decision followed the unanimous recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor Recruitment and Selection Committee, together with consideration of institutional voting outcomes and comprehensive candidate assessments.
Chitha emerged as the highest-ranked candidate in both the Senate and Institutional Forum assessments, reflecting consistent support across these important institutional governance structures.
Makaula said the process demonstrated the importance of institutional participation and collective responsibility in determining the University’s future leadership.
“The recruitment process was comprehensive, rigorous and informed by the University’s established governance procedures. The unanimous recommendation of the Recruitment and Selection Committee, together with the support demonstrated through the Senate and Institutional Forum assessments, provided Council with a strong foundation for its decision. We are particularly encouraged by the alignment achieved through this process, which reflects a shared commitment to the future of Fort Hare,” he said.
Distinguished academic and executive leadership career
Chitha brings extensive experience in academic leadership, executive management, institutional governance and organisational transformation.
A qualified medical doctor and health economist, he holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), a Master’s degree in Public Health specialising in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health from Walter Sisulu University.
He currently serves as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Walter Sisulu University, where he is also an Associate Professor of Health Systems and Policy.
His previous leadership roles include Acting Assistant Dean for Strategic Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand and founding Director of the Albertina Sisulu Centre for Global Health and Research.
Chitha was elected President of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for the 2025–2030 term, reflecting his national standing and extensive experience in professional regulation, governance and institutional leadership.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to institutional restructuring, organisational transformation, strategic partnerships and service delivery innovation. His leadership at Walter Sisulu University has included initiatives aimed at strengthening academic programmes, research capacity and community engagement.
An established researcher, his scholarship spans health systems strengthening, public health policy, health economics, clinical governance and equitable access to healthcare.
His career reflects a distinctive combination of academic scholarship, executive leadership and public-sector governance.
Leading Fort Hare towards 2040
Chitha’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the University advances its institutional re-visioning and rebirth and prepares to develop a new long-term strategic framework informed by its aspirations towards 2040.
The University’s future strategic direction will place particular emphasis on academic excellence, research impact, institutional sustainability, effective governance, infrastructure development and the quality of the student experience.
Council expressed confidence that Chitha’s experience in strategic leadership, organisational development and institutional transformation would enable him to advance these priorities, consolidate institutional stability and strengthen Fort Hare’s standing within South Africa’s higher education landscape.
Concluding, Makaula called on the University community to unite in supporting the incoming Vice-Chancellor.
“On behalf of Council, I warmly congratulate Professor Chitha on his appointment. The future of Fort Hare is a shared responsibility, and its success will depend on the collective commitment of our students, staff, alumni and institutional stakeholders. We look forward to working with him to strengthen institutional stability, advance academic excellence and build a future worthy of Fort Hare’s remarkable history and aspirations.”
“The Fort Hare we want has always been about more than the appointment of one individual. It is about the future we aspire to build together. Today, we have taken a decisive step towards that future by appointing the leader we believe Fort Hare needs,” concluded Makaula
©Higher Education Media Services.