By Charmaine Ndlela
The SaveUnisa Forum has called for the resignation of University of South Africa (UNISA) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Puleng LenkaBula, following the university council’s decision to reappoint her for a second five-year term, effective January 2026.
The forum is demanding a transparent review of leadership performance and institutional stability at the university. It argues that the timing of the reappointment has shifted the balance of power within UNISA’s leadership structures and accuses the council of failing to exercise effective oversight over executive management.
SaveUnisa further claims that the decision ignores what it describes as critical systemic failures within the institution, saying new leadership is needed to address deep-rooted governance concerns.
The group has also accused Professor LenkaBula of allegedly misrepresenting her qualifications to secure the vice-chancellor position. It claims she does not hold a recognised master’s degree or the required 10 years of executive experience, as stipulated in the 2020 advertisement for the post.
In response, UNISA dismissed the allegations, describing them as a “rehash of baseless and unfounded claims.”
In a statement, the university said the SaveUnisa Forum has, since 2021, repeatedly questioned the integrity of the institution’s leadership, particularly the council and the vice-chancellor.
Regarding Professor LenkaBula’s reappointment, UNISA said the council acted within its mandate after conducting a comprehensive performance review, based on performance contracts and annual assessments completed since her appointment.
“Having satisfied itself that she met the agreed performance targets, council resolved to reappoint her for a second term. The complaint by the SaveUnisa Forum regarding the timing of the reappointment is frivolous and without merit,” the statement said.
Professor LenkaBula assumed office in late 2020, becoming the first woman to serve as vice-chancellor of UNISA.
In recent years, the university has faced several controversies, including allegations of senior staff purges, financial maladministration and abuse of power.
UNISA added that it is under no obligation to provide evidence of its processes to the SaveUnisa Forum.
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