​Besides initiating a sense of belonging for students in various university campuses, student societies are also known for humanitarian work. The University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Golden Key Chapter recently scooped four awards for doing excellent work. These included 1st place for most community service hours, 1st place for most campus awareness events, Joint 3rd place for most fundraising events and joint 3rd place for personal development events.
The Southern African Golden Key International Honor Society hosted the Ubuntu Leadership Summit in July 2019 at the Maslow Hotel Time Square in Pretoria. The UJ Golden Key Chapter was recognised as one of the high-ranking chapters in Southern Africa with GOLD chapter standing for the academic year 2018.
Mr Lebethe Malefo supervises the UJ Golden Key UJ chapter, together with Student Development Practitioner Mr Dumisani Nyingwa, the 2018 Graduate Advisor Ms Zikhona Mzuku and President Mr Mogomotsi Manganye. The Gold status was as a result of the collective effort of the Executive Committee and the Subcommittee structure of the UJ Chapter.
The Golden Key is an internationally recognised, non-profit organisation affiliated with over 400 universities worldwide. It was founded in 1977 at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Golden Key South Africa started in 2000, introduced at UJ as a chapter in 2014. The organisation offers a membership that is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of university students having completed at least one full academic year of study.
Some of the notable academic and personal development projects include the high school learner’s empowerment winter bootcamp 2018. It was organised with the UJ International Students Society (UJISS) and Ubuhlobo Bokwenene. The event attracted the then Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela, Dr Oscar van Heerden, Prof Rory Ryan, Prof Chris Lansberg and Mr Chris Fortuin.
“We pride ourselves as a world-class, progressive society that is relevant, relatable and in touch with student pulse on the ground. We collaborated with Cornerstone and Lebone residences on textbook drives and consistent weekly inter-campus residence night study sessions. We maintain strong ties of organisational relations with UJ entities such as the UJ International House, the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Science, and the Academic Development Centre, among others.
“Our mission is to enable our UJ Golden Key members and non-members to realise their potential through the advancement of academic work, leadership and service. Through our society, we show leadership and the fun that comes with it.