iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu students, Thembekile Mdluli and Tshepiso Moshoeshoe, were recognized for their outstanding scholarly contributions at the Southern African Youth Development Council 2026, each receiving the Best Overall Paper award in their respective thematic areas.
Held in Johannesburg from 26 to 29 June 2026, the programme brought together young leaders, researchers, and development stakeholders from across the Southern African Development Community under the theme of youth industrialization, leadership, and regional integration for sustainable development.
Among the university's participants, Mdluli presented under Theme 3, while Moshoeshoe presented under Theme 4. Their award-winning presentations highlighted the quality of research and academic excellence nurtured at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu.
Their achievement reflects the caliber of student development and academic engagement fostered at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu. It also underscores the university's commitment to developing graduates who contribute meaningfully to contemporary development discourse, particularly in areas linked to innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, leadership, and regional transformation.
The SAYDC 2026 programme featured high-level dialogue sessions, policy engagements, agricultural exhibition activities, entrepreneurship and innovation discussions, and regional networking platforms.
Hosted in South Africa, SAYDC 2026 welcomed delegates from Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Angola, Malawi, and other countries across the region.
