Unisa Lekgotla: Catalyzing Strategy and Student Success in 2026

The Principal and Vice-Chancellor's Lekgotla, held on 23 and 24 February 2026 at the University of South Africa (Unisa), served as a pivotal forum for senior management and academics to propel the institution's strategic agenda. Lekgotla, a Setswana term referring to a traditional gathering for dialogue and decision-making, embodies Unisa's cultural roots while addressing modern imperatives. Under the theme "Strategy Propulsion, Execution Architectures and Institutional Commitments," the event aligned efforts with the Unisa 2030 Strategy and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

This annual strategic meeting connected daily operations to broader visions, assessing progress, tackling execution gaps, and forging pathways for student-centered transformation. With Unisa as Africa's largest open distance e-learning (ODeL) university, enrolling about one-third of South Africa's public higher education students, the Lekgotla underscored the urgency of enhancing student success amid systemic pressures.

Day One: Constructing Execution Frameworks for Institutional Impact

The first day focused on reflective presentations from portfolio heads, covering achievements and hurdles in research, innovation, engaged scholarship, tech-mediated learning, student support, and financial sustainability. Discussions highlighted synchronized actions, ethical stewardship, and balancing innovation with stability to bridge strategy-implementation divides.

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, opened proceedings by honoring civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson, drawing parallels to ongoing struggles for educational equity. "The emancipatory project is the same everywhere among the oppressed, including in the context of our times," she stated, urging continued pursuit of justice.

Challenges like systemic barriers and leadership alignment were dissected, with panellists Nombulelo Sesi Nxesi and Khathutshelo Innocent Sirovha emphasizing consequence management and adaptability. The session laid groundwork for agile governance, mentoring young academics, and resourcing transformative education.

Day Two: Solidifying Commitment to Student Success

Shifting to actionable priorities, the second day featured group deliberations on implementation enablers, strategic pathways, and performance indicators. Emphasis fell on research-driven decisions, diagnosing gaps in student access, success, and retention through data analytics.

Dr Letlhogonolo Marumolwa presented evidence-based insights into performance disparities, particularly among National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recipients, prompting probes into failure rates. Prof Solomon Magano highlighted accolades like Distinguished Professor James Okwe Chibueze's Royal Society Rising Star Africa Prize, showcasing Unisa's research prowess.

"This year’s Lekgotla has been a great success," Prof LenkaBula affirmed. "The improvements suggested... should be shared worldwide." Implementation plans are slated for finalization by late March 2026, targeting measurable outcomes in student support.

Unisa's Scale: Enrollment and Graduation Benchmarks

Unisa's stature is unmatched, with provisional 2022 figures showing 362,215 enrollments—33% of South Africa's public higher education sector. The university consistently graduates over 20% of national totals, peaking at 27% in 2020 and 46,502 in 2022 across colleges like Education (93,006 enrolled, 12,844 graduated) and Law (79,780 enrolled, 9,141 graduated).

These metrics affirm Unisa's role in expanding access, yet underscore the need for throughput improvements.

Persistent Challenges in South African Higher Education

South Africa's higher education sector grapples with capacity shortfalls, where over 500,000 qualified matriculants face rejection annually due to limited spots—only 235,000 available against 656,000 passes. Unisa mitigates this via ODeL, but issues persist: high dropout rates (national first-year DE cohorts up to 50%), NSFAS delays sparking protests, AI-driven plagiarism surges, mental health crises, and immigration compliance for foreign staff (77% issues flagged by Parliament).

Unisa-specific hurdles include delayed programs, economic pressures on unprivileged students, and bridging execution gaps. Broader trends like enrollment pressures and funding constraints demand innovative responses.

Innovative Strategies to Elevate Throughput and Retention

The Lekgotla outlined data-driven interventions:

• Tech-Mediated Learning: Enhancing ODeL platforms for personalized support and early alerts via big data analytics.
• Student Support Services: Piloting Supplemental Instruction (SI) to boost retention and graduation rates.
• NSFAS Scrutiny: Investigating failure patterns among aid recipients for targeted aid.
• Mentorship Programs: Rated professors guiding young academics, fostering multigenerational leadership.
• Curriculum Agility: Adjunct appointments for teaching and assessment, aligning with industry needs.

Unisa aims to raise proxy graduation rates from 13% to 16%, countering national trends where only 38% complete three-year degrees by year seven.

Prof Puleng LenkaBula's Visionary Leadership

Prof LenkaBula championed agile, listening management: "We are committed to thorough ideation, research, and data analysis." Her emphasis on Africa's intellectual futures, as echoed in the 12 February 2026 Opening Ceremony, positions Unisa as a beacon for equitable education. Enrollments surpass 150,000 returning students, signaling demand for ODeL amid turbulent landscapes.

Empowering the Next Generation of Academics

For the first time, young academics gained prominent platforms, contributing critiques and aspirations. Prof LenkaBula noted: "We have given them... a prominent platform... to hear their critiques, aspirations, inputs, and experiences." This inclusivity promises constructive, multigenerational strategies for student success.

Implementation Roadmap and Measurable Milestones

By March 2026, detailed plans will feature timelines, KPIs, and agile governance. Priorities include diversified funding, digital transformation, and evidence-based accountability. Success hinges on coordinated leadership and resource stewardship.

For students, this translates to enhanced support mechanisms. Aspiring academics can explore opportunities via higher ed jobs or university jobs at Unisa and beyond.

Implications for Students and South Africa's Future

Unisa's renewed focus equips distance learners—often working adults from marginalized communities—with tools for success. Improved throughput addresses SA's skills gaps, fostering employability in a fragile world.

Stakeholders praise the Lekgotla's momentum. Explore professor ratings on Rate My Professor or career guidance at higher ed career advice. South African opportunities abound at AcademicJobs ZA.

Photo by Askas Jeremy on Unsplash

Outlook: Unisa's Enduring Commitment to Africa's Intellect

As Unisa charts 2026 and beyond, the Lekgotla exemplifies resolve against challenges. By prioritizing student success, the university reclaims Africa's intellectual leadership. Prospective students and professionals, discover roles in faculty positions, admin jobs, or post a job to connect talent.

This strategic pivot promises impact, urging all to "define tomorrow" through education.