PROFESSOR PULENG LENKABULA BREAKING BARRIERS AND BRIDGING THE GAP TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE UNISA.
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ovember 2020 was a historic month for South Africa, it was the month when Professor Puleng LenkaBula was appointed the first woman Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA) after 147 years. This announcement came at just the right time when South Africa’s spirit needed a lift. It restored some faith in the system and gave young South African women and girls the hope that a woman in academia could reach such heights. It further illustrates UNISA’s commitment to changing the face of women in academia. When asked about her appointment, she sentimentally recounts, “It came as a shock and surprise, but my heart was open to it. It made me realize that the Black girl’s dreams around leadership were important.” Her desire to motivate youth and young adults coming from underprivileged communities are what fuel Prof. LenkaBula’s love for higher education. She wants Africa’s sons and daughters to put their trust in education and the opportunities that it can bring. In the words of former President Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She recognizes that each community needs individuals that will take their knowledge and reinvest it to change the footprint and plight of its people. Therefore, she considers her appointment to be an inspiration, obligation, and a calling.
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