The University of Cape Town (UCT) has announced the appointment of Professor Mosa Moshabela as its 11th vice-chancellor, effective October 1, 2024. This decision follows a comprehensive and consultative six-month recruitment process.
Currently serving as the deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Moshabela has held this role since 2021. His responsibilities there have encompassed leadership in research, innovation, postgraduate studies, strategic partnerships, and technology transfer, among other areas. He has also served at one international and two other local universities, highlighting his extensive experience in academia.
An accomplished academic and clinician scientist, Professor Moshabela is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and has received numerous accolades, including the PHILA Annual Award in 2022 and a Ministerial Special COVID-19 Award in 2020-2021 for his contributions to public health and science communication. He chairs the Governing Board at the National Research Foundation and serves as Health Commissioner to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.
Professor Moshabela’s research focuses on the implementation science of health innovations, aiming to enhance healthcare access, quality, and equity, particularly in resource-limited sub-Saharan African countries. His work has been instrumental in addressing infectious diseases such as HIV and TB, and he has secured significant research funding from various prestigious organizations, including the US National Institutes of Health, the Wellcome Trust, and the European Union.
Globally, he is involved with several international advisory boards, including the Lancet Healthy Longevity and the US National Academies’ commission on the Global Roadmap to Healthy Longevity. His international recognition underscores his expertise and commitment to advancing global health.
Throughout the selection process, Professor Moshabela demonstrated a profound understanding of the challenges facing UCT and a commitment to agile, transformative, and values-based leadership. The selection committee is confident that he is the ideal candidate to lead UCT into a sustainable future, ensuring the university’s success well beyond 2030.
Professor Moshabela will succeed Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy, who has served as interim vice-chancellor since March 2023.
