WSU HOSTS FIRST ALUMNI REUNION TO STRENGTHEN LIFELONG BONDS

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has recently hosted its first-ever alumni reunion at the Butterworth Campus on August 15, marking a significant step in building lasting relationships between the institution and its graduates.

The vibrant event was hosted by the Alumni Relations Office (ARO) led by Acting Deputy Director Mr Sandiso Mbongo under a theme: Your story started here, let’s write the next chapter together.

Mbongo, said the gathering was a milestone in reconnecting with WSU’s alumni, many of whom are excelling in their careers across South Africa and abroad.

“We are trying to build inter-generational space that will enable networking. Create opportunities for engagement. Allow alumni to identify spaces where they can offer their time, talent and treasures back to the institution,” Mbongo said.

He called for a culture of giving back, not only through money and emphasised that WSU must feel like home to its graduates, a place they belong to, long after completing their studies.

Delivering a keynote address, renowned academic, public intellectual and political analyst Professor Somadoda Fikeni reflected on the rich history and significance of Walter Sisulu University, highlighting its cultural and educational impact, the challenges faced during its formation, and the enduring importance of strong alumni connections.

“WSU carries with it the legacy of resilience and transformation. It is more than a university; it is a symbol of what education can do to change lives and societies,” he said.

His central theme focused on the role of alumni as custodians of the university’s legacy, and called on the university community to unite the diverse histories of WSU’s legacy institutions into one powerful narrative.

“Alumni are not only recent graduates or high-profile individuals. Every person who has walked through the doors of WSU, including honorary graduates, forms part of this living legacy,” Prof Fikeni said.

He further used the metaphor of the “fish” approach, where graduates drift away, versus the “hen” approach, where each alumnus is nurtured and protected, to stress the value of deliberate, caring engagement.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca, presented the state-of-the-art university facilities and shared remarkable progress achieved under her leadership and reminded the community that the institution’s foundation remained unchanged.

“The core business of WSU is teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement,” she said.

Prof Songca celebrated the university’s rapid growth in research outputs, which rose from 95.2 units in 2019 to more than 580 units in 2024.

“WSU is now ranked 17^th in the country, and we have set a clear vision to break into the top 10 by 2030,” she said.

Highlighting staff development, Prof Songca noted the rise in qualifications, with many academics completing Masters and PhDs including support staff.

“This growth in our academic capacity strengthens our teaching and research, and it shows that we are a university on the rise,” she said.

The reunion also featured a panel discussion with young renowned alumni who shared their journeys and achievements, motivating WSU students to see the institution as a university of choice.

By: Yolanda Palezweni