DLU | Development & Leadership Unit

A Wits gathering for emerging leaders to explore what integrity asks of us, and how to put it into practice.

The annual Wits Student Leadership Conference is an annual flagship programme of the Division of Student Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand. Now in its third year, the Conference brings together students, university communities and leaders from different generations and sectors for critical engagement, reflection and leadership development.

Anchored in the theme “Lead with Integrity”, the Conference creates a space to examine leadership beyond titles and positions – focusing instead on the values, choices, responsibilities and consequences that accompany the exercise of leadership.

Through keynote addresses, facilitated dialogues, student reflections and cross-sector engagements, participants encounter diverse experiences and perspectives on leadership while being challenged to reflect critically on their own leadership practice.

Ultimately, the Conference asks participants not simply what kind of leadership they expect from others, but what kind of leaders they themselves choose to become.

BACKGROUND

The Wits 2033 Strategy affirms the University of the Witwatersrand's commitment to developing scholars who are also global leaders. This commitment recognises that a university education must extend beyond disciplinary knowledge to prepare graduates who can exercise judgement, lead responsibly and contribute meaningfully to society. This responsibility assumes particular significance in a world confronted by complex and intersecting challenges – including conflict and humanitarian crises, climate change, technological disruption, widening inequality, economic uncertainty, and concerns about the strength and integrity of governance across public, private and civic institutions.

These conditions place an important responsibility on universities to contribute to the development of well-rounded future leaders capable of navigating complexity and helping to shape more just, resilient and productive societies. It is within this context that the Wits Student Leadership Conference, convened by the Division of Student Affairs, creates a developmental space for students to engage critically with leadership beyond positions, titles and authority.

Since its inception, the Conference has been anchored in the theme:

THEME: LEAD WITH INTEGRITY

Its conceptual grounding has drawn, among other perspectives, on Merry Usman's articulation of integrity in leadership, which emphasises:

Setting clear, ethical standards;
Communicating with transparency and honesty;
Developing a culture of trust;
Taking responsibility for mistakes;
Empowering and supporting others;
Embracing diversity and inclusion;
Leading by example; and
Prioritising long-term success over short-term gains.

These principles provide a useful foundation for understanding integrity in leadership.

The 2026 Conference advances the conversation by asking a further question:

“What does it take to uphold and act on these principles when doing so becomes difficult?”

2026 CONFERENCE FOCUS: COURAGE AS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEGRITY IN LEADERSHIP

Integrity becomes most meaningful when it is tested. Leadership therefore requires more than knowing or articulating one's values. It requires the judgement to navigate competing responsibilities and the courage to translate principles into responsible action, particularly when doing so may be difficult, unpopular or consequential.

Courage, in this context, is not simply boldness, confrontation or fearlessness. It may be expressed through speaking when silence is easier; listening when certainty is tempting; challenging prevailing thinking; making a difficult decision; acknowledging when one is wrong; accepting accountability; or remaining grounded in principle despite pressure to abandon it. The 2026 Conference therefore explores integrity not as an abstract leadership ideal, but as something practised through choices, judgement, accountability and action.

Across the two-day programme, participants will encounter different contexts in which integrity is tested: within student leadership; across generations and sectors; in professional and institutional life; and within the civic and public leadership, in the context of the upcoming local government elections. The programme deliberately moves from principle to practice, reflection to responsibility, and ultimately commitment to action.

At the centre of the Conference is a common question:

“WHEN INTEGRITY IS TESTED BY COMPLEXITY, COMPETING INTERESTS AND CONSEQUENCES, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO ACT?”

Student Leadership Conference

About this event

BACKGROUND

Programme & agenda

Opening and Welcome

Awesome block

AI and It's Dangers

Opening & Welcome

Speakers & facilitators

Ride-sharing Lit Rides

Awesome Guy James Dean

Litrides CTO Abbaas Mhlongo