Sol Plaatje University (SPU), through its Student Life and Development Unit under the Division of Student Affairs, recently hosted the second annual Kopano Ya Dinaledi Leadership Programme from 16 to 21 June 2025. The six-day initiative formed a central part of the university’s Youth Month activities, reflecting SPU’s commitment to nurturing ethical, socially conscious and action-oriented student leaders.
Now in its second year, Kopano Ya Dinaledi – which means “The Gathering of Stars”- brought together 100 SPU students representing all faculties and levels of study, from first-year to postgraduate. Participants were selected through a rigorous application process and engaged in a transformative leadership journey combining theoretical training, practical experience and reflective dialogue.
During the opening session, Mr Buntu Mnyaka, Senior Manager: Student Life and Development, emphasised the importance of the programme in cultivating impactful student leadership at SPU. “Kopano Ya Dinaledi is a catalyst for student transformation. It empowers students to expand their horizons, lead with curiosity, and drive positive change on and beyond our campus,” he said.
SPU was selected as one of five universities nationally to participate in the Youth@SAIIA G20 Roadshow, which introduced students to South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency and the Youth 20 (Y20) platform. Students developed and submitted an SPU G20 Youth Statement for consideration in the broader Y20 process. Further collaboration included sessions with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and PanSALB, reinforcing the importance of active citizenship and multilingual democratic participation. The programme also featured training by the School of Etiquette, empowering students with tools for professional presence, workplace etiquette, and confident self-presentation.
The programme themes included Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Personal Mastery, Ethical Leadership and Social Justice, and Environmental Stewardship. The Division of Student Affairs worked with multiple partners to deliver sessions through masterclasses, panel discussions, community outreach, and a Consciousness Leadership Tour of Kimberley’s historic sites, delivered in partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Native Minds.
Participants were grouped into teams – Pioneers of Change, Red Wolves and Innovative Champions – and collaborated with local NGOs such as Mpumelelo Youth Movement, the Galeshewe Youth Network and Sisonke Child Welfare Centre. Their task: co-develop low-cost, sustainable solutions to improve service delivery and community impact.
Speaking at the programme’s close, Dean of Student Affairs, Ms Nicole Morris, highlighted the Division’s commitment to advancing student centricity and engagement – not only through academic support, but by promoting holistic development rooted in an ethic of care, active engagement, and vibrant campus life. She further encouraged participants to remain actively involved in university life, aligning their journey with the SPU Student Success Framework.
The programme was enriched by a dynamic line-up of speakers and panellists who brought diverse insights, experiences, and expertise across a wide range of leadership, policy, and development themes. Their contributions helped to deepen the students’ understanding of ethical leadership, innovation, community engagement, and global citizenship – leaving a lasting impression on the next generation of SPU changemakers. Their voices reinforced the programme’s mission to not only inform, but to inspire action – reminding students that leadership is both a responsibility and a call to serve.
The 2025 edition of Kopano Ya Dinaledi affirmed the value of student-led transformation, grounding leadership in ethics, practical engagement, and a deep understanding of community responsibility. As SPU continues to invest in purposeful youth development, this programme remains a beacon for empowering students to not only envision a better future but to actively shape it.
