We are excited that this year's Bon Voyage and Alumni Conference for the Rhodes Scholar community resident in South Africa will be held at The Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday 06 September 2025.
The programme will have a literary focus and will include discussions with authors Max Price (South Africa-at-Large & Magdalen 1980), in conversation with Malebogo Ngoepe (South Africa-at-Large & Wadham 2010), and Gareth Morgan (South Africa-at-Large & Linacre 2000), in conversation with Isaac Shongwe (South Africa-at-Large & Christ Church 1989), about their recent books; and with publisher Robert Plummer (Diocesan College, Rondebosch & St John's 1992). Scholars will be introduced to the new cohort of Scholars-Elect (2025) and have time to spend reconnecting with old friends and making some new ones over lunch and drinks.
To avoid disappointment, kindly register by latest Monday 01 September 2025 (14:00) as numbers and catering have to be confirmed with the venue on the 1st. Partners are most welcome to attend too.
NOTE: SAARS intends to establish a WhatsApp Community Group for all Rhodes Scholars elected from and/or based in South Africa. This will be administered by the SAARS Committee and used strictly to disseminate information about local alumni events and Scholar News. If you would like to be included in the group, please OPT IN and respond YES to the relevant question in the invitation and provide the cell phone number to be linked to the WhatsApp Group.
Please see below the programme! We look forward to connecting with our alumni and to welcoming the Scholars-Elect (2025) into our Rhodes Scholar community.
PROGRAMME
From 10:00
Registration commences
Tea/ coffee and snacks on arrival
11:00 – 11:05
Welcome | Lisa Klein (South Africa-at-Large & St Antony’s 1994)
11:05 – 11:45
In Conversation | Statues & Storms: Leading through Change
Author Max Price (South Africa-at-Large & Magdalen 1980) in conversation with Malebogo Ngoepe (South Africa-at-Large & Wadham 2010)
Q&A
11:45 – 12:15
From the Publisher’s Desk
Robert Plummer (Diocesan College, Rondebosch & St John's 1992)
Q&A
12:15 – 12:45
Meet the Rhodes Scholars-Elect (2025)
Introductions by: Niamh Ahern (South Africa-at-Large, Scholar-Elect 2025) & Wonderful Khumalo (South Africa-at-Large, Scholar-Elect 2025)
12:45 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 15:15
In Conversation | Becoming Good at Crises: A Field Guide for Leaders
Author Gareth Morgan (South Africa-at-Large & Linacre 2000) in conversation with Isaac Shongwe (South Africa-at-Large & Christ Church 1989)
15:15 – 15:30
Thanks and Close | Lisa Klein (South Africa-at-Large & St Antony’s 1994)
15:30 – 17:00
Drinks and socialising