​The social entrepreneur, human capital developer, thought leader and author, Ms Wendy Luhabe, will this year deliver the annual Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Honorary Lecture at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The honorary lecture, which aims to stimulate critical and challenging dialogue about our country and the continent, is hosted by the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) Institute for Student Leadership Development with the financial support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Luhabe is a pioneer in the economic empowerment of women and her revolutionary ideas have enabled South African women to become investors for the first time in the mid-'90s, after South Africa became a democracy. Over the past 20 years, she has chaired and served on various boards in South Africa and overseas, including becoming the founding chair of South Africa's International Marketing Council established by former President Thabo Mbeki. She is a mentor for younger generations and a recipient of numerous awards and honours. She received four honorary doctorates for her work with women, is a former Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and in 2014 was appointed Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. Luhabe is passionate about leadership development in Africa and inter-generational dialogue to find new solutions to Africa's challenges.

SU bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Luhabe in 2006. 

“As we celebrate Stellenbosch University's centenary this year, and in line with the example set throughout his life by the late Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert as respected politician, business leader, critical thinker and SU Chancellor, we explore leadership throughout the century and specifically how 21st century leadership speaks to the current challenges and opportunities facing young people today," says Ms Heidi October, Head of the FVZS Institute.

RSVP by 3 August 2018 to fvzs@sun.ac.za.