My name is Solomon Mosiane, and I hail from Pampierstad, a small township in the heart of the Northern Cape. My journey at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) began – like many others – with excitement, curiosity and a determination to build a meaningful future. I quickly realised that university life is about more than lectures and assignments; it’s a space to discover who I am, what I stand for and how I can contribute to something greater than myself.
That desire to serve drew me into student leadership, where I had the honour of serving as SRC President in 2021/22. The experience was transformative. I discovered the power of representation, the strength of unity and the responsibility of ensuring others are heard. Leading through a time of challenge and change required courage, compassion and a deep commitment to student well-being. It also deepened my belief that leadership is most powerful when rooted in lived experience – when you truly understand the people you serve because you’ve walked the same road.
Today, I serve in the Student Recruitment Unit within the Office of the University Registrar – a role that feels deeply meaningful. I now help shape SPU’s future by welcoming new students who arrive with the same hopes I once had. I stand before them not as an outsider, but as someone who sat in their seat, walked their path and emerged with purpose.
Travelling across the Northern Cape to speak to young people about SPU is not just a job – it’s personal. I’m speaking to learners from towns like my own, who are searching for belonging, opportunity and a chance to dream. And I don’t need a script – because I lived the journey. I guide, share and inspire because I have seen firsthand the difference this institution can make.
Helping to influence the next generation of SPU students is both humbling and empowering. Every conversation with a prospective student reminds me of where I began – and fuels my commitment to help others realise their potential. In their aspirations, anxieties and ambitions, I see my younger self. That connection drives me to ensure they see SPU not just as a university, but as a place where they too can become changemakers.
