Professor Jonathan Jansen is an internationally respected academic, author, and motivational speaker whose work focuses on transformation, leadership, and the future of education in South Africa and beyond. A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, he has held senior positions across Africa and worked extensively in Southern and East African universities.
Professor Jansen is known for his fearless commentary on the politics of education, his research on post-colonial universities, and his advocacy for academic excellence rooted in equity. His books and keynotes explore themes such as institutional reform, leadership under crisis, the dangers of complacency, and the opportunities available to African students when given proper support and access.
His speaking engagements inspire leaders, educators, and students alike to imagine stronger, globally competitive African universities while warning against the political, financial, and cultural pitfalls that erode higher education systems.
With a commanding presence and an unwavering commitment to education, Professor Jonathan Jansen stands as a beacon of inspiration within the academic community. As a distinguished South African leader, he embodies the essence of resilience, intellect, and compassion. His journey, marked by transformative leadership and profound insights, has positioned him as a sought-after speaker globally. Prof Jansen’s compelling narratives and visionary perspectives have captivated audiences across diverse platforms, making him a revered figure in both academia and public discourse.
Born and raised in South Africa during the tumultuous era of apartheid, Prof Jonathan Jansen developed an early awareness of the power of education in effecting societal change. Armed with an indomitable spirit and a thirst for knowledge, he pursued academic excellence, earning his stripes as a scholar and educator. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Prof Jansen has held esteemed positions, including Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State and Senior Professor at Stellenbosch University.
His expertise traverses the domains of education policy, leadership, and social justice, garnering him international acclaim. Prof Jansen’s groundbreaking research on educational transformation in post-apartheid South Africa has reshaped discourse on inclusive schooling and equitable access to quality education. As a prolific author, his publications have become seminal texts, influencing pedagogical practices and policy formulation worldwide.
Beyond academia, Prof Jansen’s magnetic presence as a speaker has left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. His impassioned talks, infused with personal anecdotes and scholarly insights, resonate deeply with individuals from all walks of life. Whether addressing educators, policymakers, or corporate leaders, he has a unique ability to galvanize audiences towards collective action and positive change.
In summary, Prof Jonathan Jansen emerges as a transformative force within the academic landscape and the realm of public speaking. His unparalleled expertise, coupled with his unwavering commitment to social justice and educational equity, makes him a compelling choice for event planners seeking to inspire and enlighten their audiences.
Contact Us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Professor Jonathan Jansen reflects on his experiences across universities in Southern and East Africa, noting troubling similarities in the challenges they face: chronic instability, underfunding, and government interference. He cautions against South Africa’s “exceptionalism” the belief that its institutions are immune from decline.
Using examples from Wits, UCT, and other universities, he argues that they are not unique but part of a broader African post-colonial university system. Without intervention, South African institutions risk the same fate as Zimbabwean and Mozambican universities, where instability has undermined excellence.
Jansen laments that student movements, while important, sometimes contribute to institutional fragility in moments of euphoria. With ten universities already in crisis, he warns that degrees from some institutions are becoming meaningless offering young people a product so diluted that it fails to equip them for success without connections.
Drawing on his time in Silicon Valley, Jansen insists that South African students have equal talent to peers at Stanford or Berkeley; what they lack is opportunity. Yet he emphasizes the ease with which universities can be destroyed, what takes more than a decade to build can be undone in mere months. His call is urgent: protect the African university, respect young people’s potential, and safeguard the future of higher education.
00:00 Experiences in Southern and East African universities
00:30 Shared challenges: instability, underfunding, state interference
01:00 Warning against South African exceptionalism
01:40 Risks of decline similar to Zimbabwe and Mozambique universities
02:10 Impact of student movements and institutional fragility
02:40 Current crisis: basket-case universities and weak degrees
03:15 South African students equal in talent to global peers but lack opportunity
03:40 The fragility of universities—years to build, months to destroy
04:01 Closing warning on the urgency of reform
Speaking at a University of Cape Town graduation ceremony, Professor Jonathan Jansen shares a deeply personal journey from growing up in Retreat to receiving an honorary doctorate decades after being turned away as a young applicant. He reflects on UCT’s progress—from apartheid-era injustices to incremental steps of transformation, such as renaming spaces after Sarah Baartman and removing colonial symbols.
Jansen asks a central question: what is a university? He defines it as a space where reason triumphs over rage, humanity over racial nicknames, and free speech over silence. Unlike churches, parties, or movements, universities must remain places where all can speak and be heard. He warns, however, that this ideal is under threat in South Africa. Acts of destruction, exclusionary language, or silencing dissent undermine the very essence of the university.
He cautions students that defending this ideal will come at personal cost they may face marginalization or ostracism. Yet universities are not mere factories of degrees or research; they must produce leaders who stand for truth, even alone. Jansen ends with a powerful call: UCT and its graduates can only soar if they embody Cornel West’s words, leaders who are “unbought, unbound, unafraid, and unintimidated.”
00:00 Personal journey from Retreat to UCT honorary doctorate
01:00 UCT’s progress: research, transformation, and symbolic changes
02:10 Defining the university: reason, humanity, and free speech
03:20 Threats: burning property, silencing voices, racial exclusion, politicized hiring
04:30 Defending the university will bring ostracism and challenge
05:10 Universities must produce leaders who stand for something
06:00 Cornel West’s call: unbought, unbound, unafraid, unintimidated
Yes, he addresses global academic and leadership audiences.
University transformation, leadership, education reform, social justice, and student activism.
Dimpho Lekgeu is a passionate communicator and changemaker committed to social justice and driving positive impact through powerful storytelling. She uses her platforms to spark conversations that inspire action, bridge diverse perspectives, and address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. Dimpho’s career began in community radio, where she discovered the transformative potential […]
Lerato Ditshego is a dynamic force in the business world, wielding her expertise as a Business Woman and Director of two successful ventures: Eccentrics Visual Arts Agency and Ruby stone boutique hotel. With a multifaceted skill set encompassing facilitation, speaking, content production, and podcast hosting, Lerato embodies the epitome of entrepreneurial prowess. Her journey began […]
Nicky Verd is a dynamic Digital Futurist, Kickass Author, International Keynote Speaker, and Consultant renowned for her pioneering insights into the AI-driven economy. A voice for those yearning to disrupt the status quo and reinvent themselves, Nicky’s electrifying presentations empower audiences to embrace the future with confidence and creativity. With a background that combines personal […]
Dr. Roze Phillips is an African futurist dedicated to unleashing the abundance of Africa to the world. She is the founder of Abundance@Work and speaks and consults regularly on topics related to the Future of Work and the Workforce of the Future. Roze does a radio show on Cape Talk radio about Future trends and […]
Bryan Habana, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of rugby, is a legendary South African rugby player and one of the most electrifying athletes to grace the sport. Renowned for his blistering speed, strategic gameplay, and unparalleled determination, Habana has etched his name in history as one of the greatest wingers of all […]
Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane is a force to be reckoned with. Described in Finding the Woman Within: How to thrive in a male dominated society as being a shatterer of glass ceilings and someone who rewrote the rules, she has won multiple awards which have honoured her work as CEO of a variety of highly recognised companies. […]
Thabo Limema is a banking professional with local, regional, and international experience spanning over 10 years. Throughout his career, which started and still is in corporate & investment banking (CIB), he’s always sought to build his skills & capabilities to be a world class banker, who provides exceptional service and expertise his clients. He entered […]
Amanda du-Pont is an actress, television presenter, and commercial and fitness model, voice over artist and business woman. Amanda has acted on numerous television shows such as Muvhango, Generations, A place called Home, City Sesla, Intersexions, End Game, Task Force, Tarryn & Sharon, Kowethu, Mzansi Love and Single Guyz. Amanda has also acted on CBS […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
