The former Oxford Saïd student has been made the new Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg.
Letlhokwa Mpedi has been appointed as the Letlhokwa Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of Johannesburg with effect from 1 March 2023.
Letlhokwa studied at Saïd Business School in 2022, on the Oxford Advanced Management programme (OAMLP).
Reflecting on his achievement, Letlhokwa said:
‘It is an honour and a privilege to be allowed to lead a high-performance and dynamic institution such as the University of Johannesburg. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to learn from my OAMLP teachers, and fellow students and, most importantly, to rediscover myself as a leader.’
This Oxford Advanced management and leadership programme is spefically designed for senior leaders just like Letlhokwa who are at, or near the top of their organisation. Candidates typically will have held senior roles for at least 10 years.
Praising the programme, which Letlhokwa credited for helping him prepare for the change, he said:
‘I have learned a lot from the programme about being a future-fit leader and that resonated well with my institution's vision ‘to be an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future.’’
This has helped prepare me for the new role because one of the things that one graduates with is an OAMLP Leadership Playbook. With this, I reflect on the opportunities, risks and future scenarios facing my organisation, its purpose and the purpose of my leadership, as well as my leadership priorities and values and the strategic decisions that need to be taken.’
Expressing his felicitations, Andrew White, who taught Letlhokwa on the programme, said the news was a ‘much deserved appointment for a wonderful leader.’
Advocating the benefit of Oxford Saïd executive education, Letlhokwa said it ‘helps you rediscover yourself as a leader and a person. This rediscovery is important for one’s leadership journey.’
To current Oxford students, he offered this advice:
‘Interact and keep in touch with your classmates. They are solid leaders and there is always so much to learn from them. I am continuing to learn from my classmates, who are now my friends, even though our cohort graduated in July 2022!’