Latest news with #VaalUniversityofTechnology
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
VUT alumnus wins national award
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is celebrating Khomotso Comfort Ramabokela, a proud alumnus of VUT, for his outstanding contribution to healthcare and the recognition he recently received as 'Celebrate of the Year' across South Africa and the African continent. At 29 years old, the professional nurse and shift leader in the Emergency Department of Randfontein Private Hospital exemplifies the values, leadership, and compassion VUT strives to instil in its graduates. Drawn to healthcare by a deep desire to help others, Ramabokela reflects, 'I've always been interested in careers that allow me to make a tangible difference in people's lives.' His natural curiosity and drive to keep learning made nursing a perfect match. 'The opportunity to learn about the human body, respond in moments of crisis, and support people through their toughest times, that's what motivates me.' Ramabokela completed his Bachelor of Nursing Science at VUT in 2022, calling the experience life-changing. 'The education I received at VUT provided more than just knowledge. It gave me the foundation to navigate real-world challenges in the healthcare system,' he shares. 'My former VUT lecturers, Dikeledi Selepe, Dudu Motloba, Siya Rayise, Maria Mothebe, and Dr Rudo Ramalisa, were always available, supportive, and instrumental in shaping our understanding and skills.' Today, that foundation supports him daily in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. As a shift leader, Ramabokela doesn't just manage urgent medical cases; he leads a team, ensures quality care, and brings empathy, urgency, and calm to every situation. He lives by these essential values in emergency care: empathy, calmness, urgency, leadership, and a hunger to keep learning. 'I want to continue developing in clinical and educational spaces,' he adds. 'But I also value maintaining a healthy work-life balance and spending time with the people I love.' Being named 'Celebrate of the Year' felt deeply affirming. 'It made me feel seen,' he says. 'It motivated me to keep learning, improving, and giving my best. It showed me that what we do matters.' Still, the journey isn't without its challenges. Communication barriers, adapting to change, workload, and limited career development are all part of the reality. But Ramabokela approaches each one with a problem-solving mindset. 'Good relationships with colleagues improve communication. Sharing the workload makes things manageable. Engaging in ongoing training opens doors,' he said. Although he's not yet involved in mentorship or outreach, he's ready and willing. 'I'd love to give back and support future nurses and students, especially in the VUT community. That's where my journey started, and I'm proud of that,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The Headwinds of Revolution: Allan Boesak Summons the Storm
The inaugural Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr Allan Boesak on June 12, 2025, in partnership with the Vaal University of Technology. Image: Supplied The Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture took place on June 12, 2025 at the Vaal University of Technology in Johannesburg. The occasion brought together students, elders, intellectuals and movement leaders to reflect on the towering legacy of Walter Sisulu—one of the most grounded and enduring figures of South Africa's liberation struggle. Among the speakers were members of the Sisulu family, university leaders, and invited dignitaries. But it was Allan Boesak, delivering the keynote address, who turned the gathering into something more than commemoration. He transformed it into a political moment. A gust. A gathering of winds. Allan Boesak stepped up to the podium with a voice that surged from the belly of struggle. This was no ceremony. It was an awakening. His words moved through the hall like a sudden gust through dry grass, lifting the dust, rattling the comfort, opening the space for memory, truth and flame. This was the wind returning. He began with the image of Walter Sisulu in the dock in 1960, charged with treason. Across town, Harold Macmillan addressed the white Parliament with his crafted speech about the winds of change. Boesak refused the mythology. Macmillan came to preserve empire, not dismantle it. His words carried a breeze designed to soothe, to soften, to redirect the storm into bureaucratic containment. That breeze moved through boardrooms and capitals. It promised adjustment. It carried control. Sisulu, Boesak reminded us, stood in a different wind. A wind rising from below. A wind that carried the anger of the Defiance Campaign, the vision of the Freedom Charter, the footsteps of the Women's March, the cries that would soon echo from Sharpeville. What Boesak named the headwinds of freedom. Winds born in the lungs of those who had nothing but their voices. Winds that carry the sound of boots in the street and fists in the air. Winds that refuse management. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Allan Boesak (seated) with Mphumzi Mdekazi, CEO of the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice. Image: Supplied Boesak reached across geographies and generations. From the salt march in India to the Mau Mau in Kenya. From the rebellion of 1857 to the mines of Malaysia. From Dona Kimpa Vita's spiritual defiance to Lumumba's last breath. From Sankara's righteous fire to Biko's unbroken mind. These winds have never settled. They have circled the globe. They have returned in every uprising. Each time a people have refused submission, the wind has blown again. He named the systems that still stalk the continent. The financial nooses, the surveillance machines, the invisible wars. He named the deep-state architecture of empire. The Military Industrial Financial Media Intelligence Congressional bloc that shapes the conditions of life and death in the Global South. He reminded us that Nkrumah saw it. That Cabral died naming it. That Lumumba was eliminated for refusing to serve it. Each time the wind rose, the response came quickly. A coup. A bullet. A new puppet with a Western smile. Boesak then turned to South Africa. The wind that once roared through its landscape of African agency has thinned. The ANC walked willingly into the arms of capital. BEE became a disguise. Transformation became a slogan for looting. Wealth remains in the hands of a few, while the many are fed policies and platitudes. Sasol was sold. Profits left the country. The mines still bleed the land. The poor are told to wait while ministers grow fat. The language of liberation is spoken in the accent of empire. And yet, the air is shifting again. He pointed to the Sahel. To Burkina Faso. Mali. Niger. A new gust is rising. Young leaders are speaking with clarity. They are closing foreign bases. They are reclaiming resources. They are building from the ground. This is not a breeze of hope drifting through think tanks. This is a wind returning to form. Unapologetic. Rooted. Dangerous to those who benefit from stillness. He did not present these shifts as spectacle. He presented them as signal. The continent is stirring. The weather is changing. The people are remembering. And the question that hangs over us all is whether South Africa will rise into this wind or retreat into the arms of its former masters. After Boesak spoke, I sat in the weight of his words. They moved through the chest like thunder waiting to break. They did not dissipate. They gathered. His voice pulled something ancient from the room. A memory older than liberation slogans. A wind older than this republic. This is a clarion call. A call to Black Consciousness. A call to African resurgence. A call at a time when the West has fixed its gaze once again on the land, the minerals, the water, the flesh. A time when the GNU prepares the ground for another erasure. A time when everything rooted in African knowing, feeling and being stands on the edge of annihilation. Before it is disappeared. Absorbed into the white hunger that does not sleep. The occasion was meant to honour Walter Sisulu. Boesak brought more than honour. He brought embodiment. He returned Sisulu to the frontlines. He reminded us that we are not post-struggle. We are still inside it. That the storm has not passed. It waits at the gate. It builds in the silence. It circles through the youth. It gathers behind the mountains. We are the country we create. The wind is rising. The question now is whether we face it or let it pass us by. Four-year-old Kai Singiswa, with his clan grandmother Albertina Sisulu, while proud father Sipho Singiswa. Image: Supplied / Gillian Schutte * Gillian Schutte is a well-known social justice and race-justice activist and public intellectual. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. IOL Opinion Reflecting on Walter Sisulu's legacy, Allan Boesak's keynote at the Vaal University of Technology ignites a call for political awakening in South Africa. Will the nation rise to the challenge? Image: IOL
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
VUT and Sisulu Foundation ignite a new era of ethical leadership in higher education
'This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in.' These stirring words by Dr Allan Boesak set the tone for a day that moved far beyond ceremonial formality. On June 12, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Emerald Tsogo Sun Hotel, formalising a partnership grounded in ethical leadership, institutional renewal, and the urgency of youth agency. More than an agreement, the occasion marked the convergence of memory and mission, a deliberate step towards reclaiming justice, voice, and moral clarity in higher education. The signing took place ahead of the Walter Sisulu Inaugural Memorial Lecture, a milestone event anchoring the shared commitment between VUT and the Foundation. 'This partnership is the start of something generational,' said Dr Simphiwe Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Research, Innovation, Commercialisation, and Internationalisation (RICI). 'Together with the Sisulu Foundation, we are working to elevate justice, values, and voice in higher education,' he added. The programme opened with a musical tribute by the VUT Choir, followed by a welcoming address by Professor Khehla Ndlovu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUT. Framing the event within the broader context of post-apartheid transformation, Professor Ndlovu stated, 'Walter Sisulu taught us that education is a tool for liberation, not assimilation. Today, VUT aligns itself with that moral compass.' Dr Pali Lehohla, Deputy Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation and former Statistician-General of South Africa, delivered a thought-provoking preamble. He reminded the audience of Walter Sisulu's deep moral integrity and political foresight. 'The curriculum must become a site of justice,' he declared. 'This is not just about memory; it is about institutional renewal. We must build knowledge systems that serve our communities.' The keynote address was delivered by renowned anti-apartheid activist, theologian, and global human rights advocate, Dr Allan Boesak. Speaking as the Founding Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation, Dr Boesak brought both intellectual rigour and emotional clarity to his message. 'Walter Sisulu was never concerned with being popular. He was concerned with being principled,' Dr Boesak said. 'In an age of political noise, we need moral clarity, not consensus.' He spoke passionately about youth and leadership, warning against complacency. 'This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in. The moment demands young leaders unafraid to confront corruption, inequality, and apathy.' Quoting scripture and drawing from his work in the Black Liberation Theology movement, Dr Boesak closed with a challenge that resonated across generations: 'Justice delayed is denied. But justice silenced is justice betrayed.' Responding to the keynote, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), praised Dr Boesak's intellectual courage and called for universities to follow suit. 'Boesak reminds us that our universities must be homes of courage. He said that we are in a crisis of moral imagination, and this lecture dares us to recover it.' Mr Mphumzi Mdekazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Sisulu Foundation, led the Recognition Ceremony, honouring the ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Namibia for their contributions to peace, education, and Pan-African solidarity. 'These recognitions are not ceremonial,' Mr Mdekazi said. 'They are reminders that Africa must rise together.' He added, 'Walter Sisulu believed in the freedom of all people, not just South Africans. We honour that belief today.' He reiterated the Foundation's commitment to transformative action. 'The work of the Foundation is not about monuments; it is about movement. It is about giving voice to the silenced and access to the marginalised.' Dr Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu, daughter of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, politician and Patron of the Foundation, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks that blended personal reflection with political insight. 'I carry my father's name not as a badge, but as a responsibility,' she said. 'Walter Sisulu would be proud of this partnership. But he would also ask, what will you do with it?' She encouraged VUT to institutionalise the Walter Sisulu Lecture as a living archive of ethical discourse. 'Let this not be a once-off. Let it be published, archived, and debated. Let Walter Sisulu's name live in students' minds, not just on our lips.' Addressing the students directly, she said, 'Young people, stay on course. Do not be distracted by noise. Let your values guide your steps, even when no one is watching.' With the formal Memorandum of Understanding now in place, VUT and the Sisulu Foundation have committed to a multifaceted partnership aimed at fostering ethical leadership and advancing African knowledge systems. This collaboration includes the development of co-branded curriculum modules focused on ethical leadership, Pan-Africanism, and liberation history. It also encompasses student engagement platforms such as youth summits and writing competitions to encourage critical discourse and active citizenship among young people. A signature annual highlight will be the Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture, designed to deepen public conversations and preserve the intellectual legacy of the struggle icon. The partnership will also work toward establishing research chairs that focus on justice, democracy, and African-led innovation. The event signalled more than an institutional agreement; it marked a call to restore integrity, amplify neglected histories, and drive transformation from the ground up. 'We are not just remembering Walter Sisulu,' said one attendee. 'We are activating his vision, and it begins with partnerships like this.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
VUT and Sisulu Foundation ignite a new era of ethical leadership in higher education
Mphumzi Mdekazi, CEO of the Sisulu Foundation, said the foundation aims to give a voice to the silenced and access to the marginalised. Image: Supplied 'This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in.' These stirring words by Dr Allan Boesak set the tone for a day that moved far beyond ceremonial formality. On 12 June 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Emerald Tsogo Sun Hotel, formalising a partnership grounded in ethical leadership, institutional renewal, and the urgency of youth agency. More than an agreement, the occasion marked the convergence of memory and mission, a deliberate step towards reclaiming justice, voice, and moral clarity in higher education. The signing took place ahead of the Walter Sisulu Inaugural Lecture, a milestone event anchoring the shared commitment between VUT and the Foundation. 'This partnership is the start of something generational,' said Dr Simphiwe Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Research, Innovation, Commercialisation, and Internationalisation (RICI). 'Together with the Sisulu Foundation, we are working to elevate justice, values, and voice in higher education,' he added. The programme opened with a musical tribute by the VUT Choir, followed by a welcoming address by Professor Khehla Ndlovu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUT. The event served to formalise the collaboration between the Sisulu Foundation and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Framing the event within the broader context of post-apartheid transformation, Professor Ndlovu stated: 'Walter Sisulu taught us that education is a tool for liberation, not assimilation. Today, VUT aligns itself with that moral compass.' Dr Pali Lehohla, Deputy Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation and former Statistician-General of South Africa, delivered a thought-provoking preamble. He reminded the audience of Walter Sisulu's deep moral integrity and political foresight. 'The curriculum must become a site of justice,' he declared. 'This is not just about memory; it is about institutional renewal. We must build knowledge systems that serve our communities.' The keynote address was delivered by renowned anti-apartheid activist, theologian, and global human rights advocate, Dr Allan Boesak. Speaking as the Founding Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation, Dr Boesak brought both intellectual rigour and emotional clarity to his message. 'Walter Sisulu was never concerned with being popular. He was concerned with being principled,' Dr Boesak said. 'In an age of political noise, we need moral clarity, not consensus.' He spoke passionately about youth and leadership, warning against complacency. 'This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in. The moment demands young leaders unafraid to confront corruption, inequality, and apathy.' Quoting scripture and drawing from his work in the Black Liberation Theology movement, Dr Boesak closed with a challenge that resonated across generations: 'Justice delayed is denied. But justice silenced is justice betrayed.' Responding to the keynote, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), praised Dr Boesak's intellectual courage and called for universities to follow suit. 'Boesak reminds us that our universities must be homes of courage. He said that we are in a crisis of moral imagination, and this lecture dares us to recover it.' Mr Mphumzi Mdekazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Sisulu Foundation, led the Recognition Ceremony, honouring the ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Namibia for their contributions to peace, education, and Pan-African solidarity. These recognitions are not ceremonial,' Mr Mdekazi said. 'They are reminders that Africa must rise together.' He added, 'Walter Sisulu believed in the freedom of all people, not just South Africans. We honour that belief today.' He reiterated the Foundation's commitment to transformative action. 'The work of the Foundation is not about monuments; it is about movement. It is about giving voice to the silenced and access to the marginalised.' With the formal MOU now in place, VUT and the Sisulu Foundation have committed to a multifaceted partnership. Image: Supplied Dr Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu, daughter of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, politician and Patron of the Foundation, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks that blended personal reflection with political insight. 'I carry my father's name not as a badge, but as a responsibility,' she said. 'Walter Sisulu would be proud of this partnership. But he would also ask, what will you do with it?'
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Randfontein nurse who delivers baby in parking lot earns national praise
Professional nurse Khomotso Comfort Ramabokela (29) won a national award in private healthcare after he helped deliver a baby in a parking lot. Randfontein Herald reports that when Ramabokela arrived at the vehicle in the parking lot to assess the situation, he saw that the baby's head was crowning, which meant the woman was close to delivering the child. He explained he had to prepare himself physically and psychologically for what was to come. His first thought was ensuring the safe delivery of the baby and the health of the mother. He tried to remember that safety and sterility, even outside of the hospital, need to be maintained all the time. Before working for Randfontein Private Hospital, Ramabokela worked in the emergency department and the labour ward, which prepared him for that very moment. He says coming across such emergencies time and again helped him develop calm and focus. During the delivery of the baby, Ramabokela noted there were some challenges, such as a lack of space and comfort for the patient, as well as patient privacy. To overcome these challenges, he put the patient in the back seat and covered her. 'The most important thing to keep in mind during situations like these is a safe delivery. You have to ensure the environment is safe for both the baby and the mother. Easy equipment accessibility and the necessary help are also important,' he says. Ramabokela used his midwifery speciality that he acquired at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and previous experience to help handle the situation. The best moment for him was when he heard the baby's cries and saw the mother's tears of joy. 'Gaining recognition and being appreciated, it motivated me to keep on working hard and also be open to learning opportunities for me to gain more knowledge and be able to apply the necessary skills in the daily challenges that I come across.' He advises other healthcare professionals who might face similar emergencies outside of a hospital setting to stay calm and focused. 'Prioritise a safe and sterile environment for your patients, apply necessary skills and also ask for help from colleagues who are near you when you need help, to provide a good health care service.' The VUT and Lenmed Private Hospital celebrated Comfort for his outstanding contribution to healthcare and the recognition he recently received as 'Celebrate of the Year' across South Africa and the African continent. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
