FVZS Leadership Institute / Leierskapsinstituut

On 27 May 2026, we gathered to celebrate Africa Day, under the theme "assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063," with a specific focus on target 7, which seeks to expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water-and sanitation-related activities (water harvesting, water efficiency, recycling and reuse technologies) and target 8, which seeks to support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

Dr. Michele Carstens delivered a thought-provoking keynote, outlining SUWI’s work in vocational and higher education, professional training in water sciences, and initiatives such as Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) and the Platform of Vocational Excellence (PoVE) Water, all aimed at building skills and institutional collaboration for a sustainable water sector.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, to the Centre for Collaboration in Africa, and to Dr. Carstens.

SU postgraduate students and staff are invited to Africa Day 2026, where we’re turning strategy into action.

Join us as Dr. Michele Carstens, looks at SDG 6 on securing sustainable water & safe sanitation to drive Agenda 2063.

The time for hesitation has passed, and the gaps in access must be closed.

From the health of our ecosystems to the engine of our economic productivity, we are deliberately and decisively building a resilient, water-secure Africa.

🗓️ 27 May 2026 | 13:00 – 14:00 SAST
📍 Krotoa (CREST Lecture Room 4043)

Be there. Lead the change.
https://forms.office.com/r/6RV1vR18ua

Congratulations to all the Maties who availed themselves last weekend. Over 800 of you decided to take the first and most difficult step.

Your bravery deserves recognition, so from the FVZS team; we are proud of you! Take the chance to congratulate yourselves on the decision to stand and make a difference.

Our theme for 2026 is Building a Campus to Build a Nation. The message lands differently with local elections coming in November because a university that leads well teaches a country to do the same🇿🇦.

To every student at Stellenbosch University stepping into leadership, embrace this opportunity and hold it with care.

Lead well Maties!
We believe in you.

Photos📸: Henk Oets

How can Africans achieve epistemic freedom and justice in the presence and immanent logics of colonialism when they interpolate decolonisation?

Join us for the first session of the FVZS Decolonising African Leadership Masterclass Series; Epistemic Justice: African Subjectivities and African Logics of Being, led by Dr. Phila M. Msimang.

📅 Date: 14 May 2026
⏰ Time: 18:00 – 20:00
📍 Venue: VDS 1010 & MS Teams (hybrid)
🍽️ Refreshments will be served
https://forms.office.com/r/csA0Q7nBTv
🔓 Free entry but you must sign up by 13 May 2026 @ 16:30 SAST.

Throwback to our Welcome to Parliament Masterclass.

We unpacked representation, debate, and power.
A huge thank you to Dr. Ralph for sharing his expertise with us.🙏

And thank you to everyone who showed up!

More masterclasses coming. Stay tuned :)

MatiesLead 2026 Registration is Open!

Under the theme “Building a Campus to Build a Nation,” MatiesLead 2026 positions student leadership as a lived practice, grounded in purpose, inclusion, ethics, and empowerment beyond the classroom.

In a pivotal local election year, the role of students in shaping democratic life and civic engagement is more important than ever.

📌 Phase 1: Aspiring Leaders
🗓 9 May 2026
📍 Hybrid | Jan Mouton Learning Centre

Open to students from all Stellenbosch campuses, begin your leadership journey and step into active citizenship.

🔗 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VuCN39ghPe

What does it really mean to have your voice represented in Parliament? 👀

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Azv6pjwKWEKEM6Eg3_zTSB-ibBkhL-9GtNUp_cV9p_ZUNUxaREYxSzVPWEdUNkNXU1hYWlBBNEU4Vi4u&route=shorturl

Join the next Welcome to Parliament Masterclass as we dive into Representation, Debate & Power, unpacking how policies are debated, how parties raise issues, and how Parliament reflects the voices of the people 🇿🇦

This session is interactive, practical, and designed to put you in the seat of a decision-maker.

💥 100% FREE for students
🔁 Attended the first one? You don’t want to miss this next session
🌍 Missed the first? No stress, you can join from any masterclass

📅 16 April 2026
⏰ 18h00 – 20h00
📍 Stellenbosch Engineering Faculty, Room E2005 (Entrance across Academia)
💻 Or online via MS Teams

🍴 Refreshments available

Join us, bring a friend, and come engage democracy differently.

See you there

🎙️ FVZS Unplugged – Episode 2

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Heidi October, Head of the FVZS Student Leadership Institute, for a powerful reflection on 15 years of impact ✨

From shaping student leaders beyond university spaces to reimagining leadership on a global scale, this conversation dives into the heart of what FVZS stands for.

Through initiatives like Honorary Lectures, Masterclasses, UNESCO-linked conferences, and MatiesLead, FVZS continues to grow as more than an institute, it’s a movement 🌍

A movement committed to purpose-driven leadership, justice, and active citizenship in a rapidly changing world.

🎧 Listen now and join the journey.
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