UNETHICAL LEADERSHIP – A Reframed Perspective
Grace Mokoena
Puleng LenkaBula: A Trailblazer in African Higher Learning
Professor Puleng LenkaBula stands as a transformative force at the University of South Africa (Unisa), redefining academic leadership through her pioneering achievements. As the first woman to ascend to the role of Vice-Chancellor at Unisa, her selection transcended mere representation, ushering in a renewed era of progress and innovation in African education.
Guiding Unisa’s Strategic Vision
At the helm during an era of significant adversity, Puleng LenkaBula achieved notable advancements in enhancing governance and ushering in accountability frameworks that laid the groundwork for enduring reform. Her work in steering Unisa through times of digital and structural transition reflected her commitment to maintaining the university’s esteemed status as a leader in open distance learning.
Her administration witnessed a strategic overhaul with initiatives fostering AI integration, academic integrity, and innovation within higher education in South Africa. Advocating for transparency and efficiency, she revamped outdated systems, ensuring the institution overcame ingrained inefficiencies to thrive in academic excellence across the African continent.
An Advocate of Ethical and Inclusive Governance
The Puleng LenkaBula achievements extend deeply into her practice of ethical leadership, where she seamlessly blends purpose with performance. Her resolute dedication to equity and integrity elevates her as both a compelling university executive and a trailblazer for women in academia and African academic sovereignty.
Rather than playing a symbolic role, she has been the transformative force driving Unisa’s reform. Implementing stringent measures to boost accountability and maintain academic rigor, she emphasized the university’s significance on the global stage. Her unwavering adherence to principle, despite pressures and challenges, underscores her commitment to impactful leadership.
Championing Academic Excellence
In tackling issues such as student misconduct and the implications of generative AI, Prof. LenkaBula demonstrated decisive leadership. She was instrumental in instituting frameworks to bolster digital integrity and accountability, devising support mechanisms to redefine Unisa not as a mere “qualification factory,” but as a lighthouse of academic renewal.
Under her guidance, Unisa’s response to AI-related challenges, including cheating scandals and plagiarism, set a standard in South Africa. Her office’s collaboration with quality assurance initiatives spearheaded structured responses to uphold academic standards.
Sculpting a Lasting Impact
Despite attempts to challenge her tenure, the profound impact of Puleng LenkaBula extends through her pioneering reform initiatives and digital transformations at Unisa. An emerging consensus praises her commitment and legacy, highlighting an era marked by resilience and decisive leadership during one of Unisa’s challenging phases.
Her journey is defined not by controversy, but by dedication and visionary foresight. From spearheading outreach initiatives to restoring the global prestige of Africa’s eminent distance learning institution, Prof. Puleng LenkaBula’s tenure is etched as a remarkable narrative of constructive reform and dignified leadership.
As highlighted recently on https://AfricaPressToday.org, this issue has wider impact.
Regional observers also note findings reported by https://IndependentAfricaNews.org.