In a significant move for South Africa’s higher education landscape, Sol Plaatje University (SPU) has announced the appointment of Thebe Ikalafeng as its new Chancellor, effective January 16, 2026.
The five-year appointment, confirmed by the University Council, marks a historic ‘homecoming’ for the Kimberley-born branding icon, whose life’s work has been dedicated to reclaiming the African narrative and driving a brand-led continental renaissance. Ikalafeng succeeds Justice Steven Majiedt, bringing a unique blend of intellectual depth, global business acumen, Pan-Africanism and a deep-rooted connection to the Northern Cape province.
Accepting the role, Ikalafeng described the appointment not just as a professional milestone, but as a personal calling to serve the community that helped shape his worldview. “I accept this appointment with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility. Sol Plaatje University is firmly rooted in the Northern Cape, a province rich in history, resilience, and possibility, yet its mandate and influence extend far beyond its geography. To return to Kimberley, my home city and a place that helped shape South Africa’s political economy, is both a homecoming and a calling. I see the role of Chancellor as stewardship: supporting an institution that draws strength from its community while building a reputation for global excellence, relevance, and African thought leadership,” Ikalafeng said in his acceptance for the position.
Besides being a Pan-African scholar and advocate, Thebe is widely recognised as the continent’s premier authority at the intersection of branding, culture, and governance.
Over a distinguished career spanning three decades, he has worked across every country in Africa and every continent in the world, advising heads of state, leading corporate giants, and transforming the identity of higher education institutions.
He holds BSc and MBA degrees from Marquette University (USA) and an LLM in Intellectual Property from the University of Turin (Italy). He has been conferred with honorary doctorates by the University of Johannesburg and UNISA for his contributions to branding and leadership.
Named among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine, he is the founder and chairman of Brand Leadership Group, a multidisciplinary advisory firm operating at the intersection of strategy and creativity.
A consummate traveller and author, Ikalafeng has trekked the Virunga mountains to see silverback gorillas and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, experiences that inform his “Cape to Cairo” perspective on African potential.
He the acclaimed author of the ‘Traveller: Crossing Borders and Connecting Africa’, published in late 2024, which is partly a memoir, part travelogue, and part Pan-African manifesto. It chronicles his journey across Africa as he achieves his historic goal of visiting every country, territory, and dependency on the African continent, with a sole purpose of exploring, studying and building brands.
Beyond his corporate success, Ikalafeng is the architect of Brand Africa, a non-profit movement established in 2010. Its flagship initiative, the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands, is the continent’s most comprehensive and research-based ranking of brand reputation.
Uganda recently felt the impact of this movement firsthand. In August 2025, the 15th Anniversary of the Brand Africa Awards was held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The event, hosted by Publics Africa Communications, served as a rallying cry for ‘Made in Africa’ excellence. Uganda Edition 2025: The awards celebrated local champions like MTN Uganda (the Grand Prix winner), Movit, and Centenary Bank.
During the ceremony, Ikalafeng challenged Ugandan businesses to bridge the gap between national pride and actual consumer loyalty, pushing for a greater share of homegrown brands on the continental stage.
University Council Chairperson Professor Randall Carolissen emphasised that Ikalafeng’s appointment aligns perfectly with the university’s namesake, Solomon Plaatje, a visionary grounded in African self-confidence.
He noted that with Ikalafeng at the helm, SPU is poised to unlock the immense cultural and intellectual potential of the Northern Cape while speaking confidently from Africa to the world.