Vuyo Kahla, a Rhodes alumnus who has served the university as a member of both council and the board of governors, has been elected as its new chairperson.
Vuyo Kahla, a Rhodes alumnus who has served the university as a member of both council and the board of governors, has been elected as its new chairperson.
Kahla, the university’s first black council chairperson, takes over from Judge Jos Jones, who stepped down on 13 March 2014.
Kahla has extensive leadership and global executive experience.
His contribution to education includes being the chairman of the council of Johannesburg's St John’s College, member of the University of South Africa (UNISA) council and its executive committee, and chairman of the UNISA audit and enterprise risk management committee. He retirement from that forum in June 2013.
Kahla said he was "most humbled by the trust and honour bestowed on me to succeed (Judge Jones)".
Kahla is a member of Sasol Limited's executive committee and a director of a number of Sasol group companies and the South African Revenue Service's audit committee.
Kahla holds a BA LLB from Rhodes, and during his student days held a number of leadership positions.
He is an Abe Bailey Fellow and has, among many other achievements, been recognised as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
He is married to Ms Vuyelwa Masangwana and has a son, Lubabalo, and twin daughters, Vuyisa and Velisa.
Judge Jones served as Chair of Council for 18 years.
He said it had been an honour and that he was proud to have been able to contribute to the university and its council.
The Judge was thanked for his contribution to the university by a number of council members and university officials, among whom was outgoing Rhodes Vice-Chancellor, Dr Saleem Badat.
Rhodes' Registrar, Dr Stephen Fourie, thanked Judge Jones on behalf of the university council and said he looked forward to Kahla’s contribution as chairperson, particularly as he leads the process of selecting a new Vice-Chancellor.
Dr Fourie said Kahla’s duties commenced immediately after the election at the council meeting on 13 March.
The council is responsible for the university's governance while its management is the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor's office.
