The University of Cape Town (UCT) celebrated student excellence and service at the annual Student Leadership Awards, held on Friday, 17 October, at the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika). 

An initiative of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), the awards recognise students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and commitment to advancing the work of student societies, as well as those who have made a meaningful contribution to society.

Honouring courage, conviction and care 

Addressing the audience, Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mosa Moshabela commended the award recipients for their dedication and sense of service, noting that the evening was about “recognising those who have stepped forward in order to serve”. He told students that “each of you plays a vital role in shaping the university that we are becoming. We also gather at a time when the meaning of leadership is being refined and redefined”.

Reflecting on the qualities that define modern leadership, Professor Moshabela said “leadership today is not just about a position of authority; it is about courage, conviction and duty of care. It is about leading both with head and heart.”

The VC challenged students to carry the torch of excellence with purpose and to align themselves boldly with the efforts intended to make UCT better, as encapsulated in the institution’s Vision 2030 strategy. He urged them to start thinking about the kind of future leaders they aspire to become, reminding them that while the future is bright, “the world gets more complex, the burden gets heavier and the challenges greater”.

He also reminded students that many people look up to them as examples of influence. “To be part of governance at such an institution like UCT requires you to be ethical and excellent,” he said. “You have to be a champion of the issues students bring to you and be a voice of reason.”

Faculty of Science shines 

Among this year’s honourees, students from the Faculty of Science received several awards in recognition of their impact and leadership. 

• Phoenix Award: Tendai Keith Nyevedzanai 

• Student Advocacy Award: Zizipho Ethel Yekelo 

• Social Responsiveness Award: Zizipho Ethel Yekelo 

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Award: Zizipho Ethel Yekelo

• 2025 Team Award: Science Students’ Council

Zizipho Yekelo described the recognition as a meaningful reflection of her passion and dedication. “These awards serve as a signifier of my passion for the role I played during the year,” she said. “To me, being elected to my position and being trusted by science students was more than enough to keep me motivated to go the extra mile for them. Receiving the Student Advocacy, Social Responsiveness, and the DVC Transformation Awards is a celebration of all the work I put in. It motivates me to keep taking steps towards improving student life, no matter how small they seem.”

She added that transformation, outreach, and student advocacy are vital aspects of university life. “These are extremely important in a university space to tackle the unseen struggles that diverse groups of students face,” she explained. “Having even one voice to speak up for them is a step closer to a more inclusive, accessible, and lively campus filled with academic and leadership excellence.”

Tendai Nyevedzanai said his guiding principle throughout the year has been simple, “Nothing worthwhile is easy.” He added, “From leadership to academics, I’ve made it a point to show up fully and give my best. I’m deeply grateful to be recognised in both spheres and honoured with the Phoenix Award for impactful leadership and commitment to development within the Science community and the broader UCT community.”

Science Student Leadership

Sharing their perspective on the Science Students’ Council’s, “The Science Students’ Council receiving the Phoenix Award for Enduring Excellence is an honour that belongs to the entire Science Faculty community. This recognition reflects the collective effort of students, faculty, and staff who invested their time and energy in rebuilding engagement and trust within our faculty.

Over the past year, we have witnessed encouraging signs of renewed participation; more students attending council events, engaging with initiatives, and contributing their voices to shape our shared academic experience. The real achievement has been creating accessible pathways for student involvement and demonstrating that representation can lead to tangible outcomes.

We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to establish foundational systems, documentation practices, governance structures, and collaborative relationships that we hope will serve future councils well. Rather than reinventing processes each year, incoming student leaders can build upon what has been started and take it even further.

The most rewarding aspect of this work has been connecting with students through career workshops, social events, and outreach programmes. Their participation and feedback have been invaluable in guiding our efforts and reminding us why student leadership matters.

This award ultimately recognises what happens when a community comes together with shared purpose. We are honoured to have played a part in strengthening the Science Students’ Council, and we are optimistic about the foundation that has been laid for continued student advocacy, enduring excellence and engagement in the years ahead.”