The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Student Governance and Development Unit will host its third annual Student Leadership Week (SLW) from Monday, 21 September to Friday, 25 September 2026, under the theme: “Purposeful Leadership: Impact Beyond the Title.”
The week will bring together DUT student leaders and distinguished speakers for a programme focused on leadership, integrity, innovation, diversity, inclusion and social impact.
Among the prominent speakers is Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, who will deliver the keynote address at the closing ceremony on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Indian Cane Growers Hall, ML Sultan Campus.
Her address, titled “Leading with Integrity: Building Trust, Accountability, and Excellence,” will explore the importance of ethical leadership, accountability and trust in building stronger institutions and communities.
Advocate Gcaleka is a jurist and public servant with more than two decades of experience across the criminal justice system, government and oversight institutions. Her career has been characterised by a commitment to justice, good governance, accountability and the fight against corruption.
Her leadership extends beyond South Africa. She was recently elected Second Vice-President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), following her tenure as President of the IOI African Region. She also serves as Chairperson of the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) and is a member of the United Nations Working Group of the IOI.
Through these roles, Advocate Gcaleka has contributed to international discussions on integrity, accountability and good governance, while promoting the African continent’s voice in the global anti-corruption discourse.
She is also the first Black female National Chairperson of the Society of State Advocates and continues to champion ethical governance, effective oversight and the protection of citizens’ rights.
DUT Student Governance and Development Manager, Mr Masiza Ngculu, said Student Leadership Week is aimed at equipping student leaders with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to become effective and purposeful leaders.
“The programme will provide a platform for student leaders to engage with key leadership principles while developing their sense of belonging, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership acumen,” said Ngculu.
He said the initiative supports DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy and its commitment to producing adaptive graduates who are able to respond effectively to the changing needs of society.
DUT Dean of Students, Dr Clement Moreku, said the University remains committed to developing graduates who are creative, innovative and adaptive, while encouraging them to contribute positively to society.
“Through initiatives such as Student Leadership Week, we continue to invest in the intellectual, social and ethical development of our student leaders, recognising that today’s student leaders are tomorrow’s custodians of our institutions, industries and democratic society,” said Dr Moreku.
DUT Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Mr Sihle Nkosi, said the vision for Student Leadership Week is rooted in the work of the VUNA Leadership Academy and one of the strategic objectives adopted by the SRC in alignment with ENVISION2030.
“As student leaders, we have identified the need to deliberately invest in leadership capacity development by creating platforms that encourage meaningful conversations, critical thinking and leadership that leaves a lasting impact beyond individual terms of office,” said Nkosi.
The week will officially open on Monday, 21 September, with a keynote address by DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, titled “Shaping the Future: Student Leadership as a Catalyst for Social Change and Transformation.”
The opening ceremony will also mark three years of Student Leadership Week and its contribution to developing and empowering DUT student leaders.
Day Two will focus on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, with renowned businessman and philanthropist Mr Moses Tembe delivering a keynote address titled “From Vision to Reality: The Power of Innovation in Leadership.”
On Day Three, Professor Ndumiso Ngidi, Director of the International Centre for Non-Violence (ICON) at DUT, will deliver a keynote address titled “Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Identity, Belonging and Inclusive Leadership.” The day will focus on the theme “Diversity, Identity and Belonging: Becoming vs Being.”
Day Four, Thursday, 24 September, will coincide with Heritage Day and will be commemorated through a Cultural Festival at DUT’s Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg.
Student Leadership Week will conclude on Friday, 25 September, with the closing ceremony and keynote address by Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka.
The programme will bring together the week’s key themes of purposeful, ethical and impactful leadership, while providing student leaders with an opportunity to reflect on their role in shaping DUT and society beyond their terms of office.
Pictured: Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, who will deliver the keynote address at DUT’s Student Leadership Week closing ceremony on Friday, 25 September 2026.
Picture: Supplied.
Simangele Zuma
