Executive communiqué: UJ announces Xoliswa Kakana as its new Chairperson of Council

Date: Oct 26, 2022 | Media Release, News

Dear UJ Community,

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Xoliswa Kakana as its new Chairperson of Council, effective 1 January 2023.

Ms Kakana will succeed Mr Mike Teke, whose term as the University’s Chairperson of Council ends on 31 December 2022.

Ms Kakana is a renowned leader in the field of Information and Communication Technology, and we are confident of her unwavering and outstanding commitment to continue with the University’s efforts to be recognised as an innovative and rigorous place of learning in the fourth industrial revolution with impactful research. We are pleased to welcome her to oversee our ambitious plans.

Ms Kakana is the founder of ICT-Works, one of the leading 100% black female-owned IT companies in South Africa. She currently holds the position of Executive Chair and Group CEO for the company managing its growth and operations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent.

An electrical engineer by profession, Ms Kakana has more than 30 years of experience in the Electronics Engineering and ICT sectors, holding positions in many blue-chip technology companies. Since the start of her career, she has positioned herself as a leader in the country’s information, communication, and technology sector.

Ms Kakana is an active contributor to the industry’s evolution and people’s transformation. She has held several non-executive director roles, including as chairman of SANSA (South African Space Agency) board and is currently a member of the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), Old Mutual Insure board and UJ Council.

She holds a BSc in Maths and Applied Maths from the University of Transkei; a Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering from F.H. Giessen-Friedberg University, Germany; a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Henley Management College, London; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Technology Management and Innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University.

Ms Kakana is a certified Advanced Coach Practitioner and Facilitator with Clarity Academy and is an Apprentice of Supercoach Academy.

Issued by:

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

Vice-Chancellor and Principal

University of Johannesburg