Leading on Two Fronts: Prof Moshabela’s Major Global and National Honors

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela has recently attained a series of major global and national achievements, as well as high-level appointments.

These milestones highlight UCT’s continued strategic leadership within South African higher education, global academic research and national policy development.

The highlights include Professor Moshabela’s appointment as Vice-Chairperson of the Universities South Africa (USAf) Board of Directors; his election as Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa; and his participation at the 2026 World Class University Presidents Forum, hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Furthermore, Moshabela has been invited to join President Cyril Ramaphosa on an official Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Learning Visit to the United States from 15 to 20 November 2026.

He was also designated by USAf to lead the theme on Just Energy Transition for the university sector’s delegation during the Presidential Engagement with University Vice-Chancellors and National Science Councils at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 10–11 November 2026.

Appointment as Vice-Chairperson of the USAf Board of Directors

In a significant endorsement of his leadership, the Board of Directors of USAf officially approved the appointment of Moshabela as Vice-Chairperson of the USAf Board of Directors. His term will run from 2 January 2027 through 31 December 2027.

In this role, Moshabela will work closely with the Chairperson to advance USAf’s governance and strategic direction across the higher education sector. Additionally, he will serve on the USAf Executive Committee, which oversees high-level executive operations, institutional strategies and key policy recommendations for South Africa’s public universities.

Election as Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to scientific research and academic excellence, Moshabela has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa. His formal election was recorded at the Council Meeting of the Society on 24 October 2026, marking a prestigious professional accolade. He was elected along with four other UCT academics – Associate Professor Susan Cunningham, Professor Graeme Meintjes, Professor Sharon Prince and Professor Mark Solms.

Invitation to the official Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning visit

Moshabela has been invited by the Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela to join President Cyril Ramaphosa on an official Presidential AI Learning Visit to the United States from 15 to 20 November 2026. This invitation recognises Moshabela’s leadership of one of Africa’s premier research-intensive universities.

During the high-level delegation, Moshabela will engage leading US technology executives, research institutions and academic centres – including Stanford Graduate School of Business and Google/Google DeepMind – on AI skills development, joint research initiatives and national AI policy.

Additionally, two UCT students, Maboletso Letsoalo and Alexander Sittmann, were selected to form part of the 30-student cohort.

Leading national dialogue on energy resilience and just energy transition

Demonstrating UCT’s key role in addressing critical socio-economic and developmental challenges, USAf designated Moshabela to lead the university sector’s delegation during the Presidential Engagement with University Vice-Chancellors and National Science Councils in Pretoria.

Moshabela led the rapid commission on Just Energy Transition, presenting strategic insights on leveraging university research, innovation and cross-sector partnerships with science councils (such as the Water Research Commission and the South African National Energy Development Institute) to support national development goals.

Championing academic–industrial collaboration at global university forum

Moshabela also participated alongside world university leaders at the 2026 World Class University Presidents Forum, hosted recently by HKUST from 4–5 November 2026.

He engaged on international higher education strategies, highlighting the necessity of linking university science with industry capacity to build end-to-end innovation value chains. He emphasised the importance of transparent frameworks for global partnerships, balanced talent mobility and integrated community planning in large-scale academic developments.