Prof José Frantz at her farewell lunch at UWC in January 2026. Image: Shelley Christians / UWC

After 29 years of dedicated service to the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor José Frantz, leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond titles and administrative responsibilities. At her recent farewell, colleagues, friends and family gathered to honour not only an accomplished academic leader, but a woman whose influence has been deeply felt across the institution she affectionately describes as her “intellectual home”.

From the beginning of February 2026, Prof Frantz will take up a new role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at Sol Plaatje University. Yet, as she stood before the UWC community for the final time, it was clear that her departure marked the close of a profoundly meaningful chapter – one shaped by purpose, people and principled leadership.

“After 29 years of service, I stand before you deeply humbled and profoundly grateful,” she said. “This institution, the University of the Western Cape, has shaped me in ways that words can scarcely capture. It has been more than a place of work; it has been a space of growth, challenge, purpose and becoming.”

Prof José Frantz embracing long-time colleagues and friends, UWC’s Institutional Planner Loïs Dippenaar and Former UWC Institutional Planner Larry Pokpas. Image: Shelley Christians / UWC

Her journey at UWC has been defined as much by relationships as by roles. Reflecting on nearly three decades of service, she acknowledged the collective impact of those she encountered along the way.

“Every person who has crossed my path along this journey, whether for a brief moment or across many seasons, has played a role in shaping my character,” she shared. “The uplifting moments strengthened me, while the difficult ones refined me.”

Those challenges, she noted, were often the moments that shaped her most profoundly. Rather than allowing adversity to harden her, she made a conscious decision about the kind of leader she wanted to be.

“Even in moments of challenge, I learned to pause and say to myself: this is not who I want to become,” she said. “I chose not to allow adversity or negativity to harden me. Instead, I committed myself to being someone who uplifts others, who leads with empathy, and who remains grounded in values.”

That philosophy has been evident throughout her career in senior leadership in higher education. Her work reflects the quiet but powerful influence that Deputy Vice-Chancellors responsible for research and innovation have in shaping universities, often behind the scenes, yet central to institutional success.

Prof José Frantz and UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Robert Balfour. Image: Shelley Christians / UWC

In an era when universities are increasingly judged not only by teaching outputs but also by research relevance, innovation, and societal impact, this leadership role has become critical. It is within this space that research agendas are shaped, emerging scholars are supported, postgraduate pipelines are strengthened, and institutions are positioned to respond meaningfully to social and economic challenges.

Prof Frantz consistently emphasised that leadership was never about authority or hierarchy, but about service. “UWC has taught me that leadership is not about titles or positions,” she said, “but about service, about creating spaces where others can thrive, where ideas can flourish, and where dignity is never compromised.”

Her contribution comes at a time when higher education institutions, particularly in South Africa and the broader Global South, are expected to act as engines of development, innovation and transformation.

Through steady, values-driven leadership, Professor Frantz helped strengthen UWC’s academic project and research culture, ensuring that scholarship remained both excellent and socially responsive.

Prof José Frantz after concluding her final address to colleagues, family and friends at UWC. Image: Shelley Christans / UWC

Her legacy was also underscored by UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Balfour, who reflected on the tangible outcomes of her leadership, particularly in research development.

“I could see, even in the year of being here with all of you, that the work that had been done with emerging scholars, with our postgraduate programmes, and with our UWC research chairs, was going to be a lasting legacy,” said Balfour. “It was clear that these initiatives would benefit the institution and help the University prosper, and indeed, that has come to pass.”

He pointed to UWC’s growing national research footprint as evidence of this progress. “Thanks to these initiatives, UWC now holds 26 SARChI Research Chairs. This is significant when one considers that there are 26 universities in South Africa.”

Prof Balfour emphasised that such achievements do not occur in isolation, but are the result of sustained, principled leadership. “We are seeing measurable, substantive progress, and it is thanks, in large measure, to the collective efforts of everyone gathered here, under the leadership of Prof José Frantz, that UWC has reached this point.”

Prof José Frantz. Image: Shelley Christans / UWC

As Prof Frantz steps into the next phase of her journey, she does so with gratitude and a deep sense of connection to the institution that shaped her. “As I reflect on nearly three decades at this remarkable institution, I do so with gratitude for the people, the lessons, and the shared purpose that have defined this journey,” she said. “Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving alongside you.”

Her departure marks the end of an era for UWC, but her legacy of principled leadership, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to knowledge in service of society, will continue to resonate long after her farewell.