Renowned economist Prof Jeffrey Sachs headlines Unisa’s Founders Lecture

Invitation-Renowned Economist Prof Jeffrey Sachs headlines Unisa’s Founders Lecture

The University of South Africa (Unisa) will hold the 2025 Founders’ Lecture and Gala Dinner at its main campus in Pretoria on Thursday, 20 November 2025, hosted by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula.

Since its inception in 2004, the Founders’ Lecture has grown to become one of Unisa’s premier intellectual events. Over the years, eminent scholars and leaders from across the continent and the world have graced this platform, firmly establishing it as a flagship event for intellectual and scientific engagement in Africa and beyond. 

Renowned Economist and Public Policy Analyst, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, will deliver this year’s Founders’ Lecture under the theme “Solidarity, Social Justice and Reclaiming Futures: The Roles of Universities in Contested Geopolitics.”

Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs is a world-renowned economist and global leader in sustainable development. He serves as the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He has been a Special Advisor to successive United Nations Secretaries-General on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is also a long-standing member of the World Economic Forum’s network of global experts. He is widely recognised for his work on poverty alleviation, climate change, and international economic cooperation.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025

Time: 18:00 for 18:30

Dress Code: Business Formal  

Venue: ZK Matthews Great Hall, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Building, Unisa   

                Muckleneuk Campus, City of Tshwane

Parties from the business, finance and economic sectors interested in attending the lecture may contact Ms Nolwazi Mwabi on mwabin@unisa.ac.za.