On Thursday, February 20th, 2025, Professor Klaus-Jürgen Bathe hosted the annual Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Induction Dinner, a gathering to welcome the incoming class of scholars and reconnect with alumni and UCT staff who have been instrumental in the scholarship programme's success.

Professor Jeff Murugan, UCT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation, acknowledged the vital role of alumni funding in empowering students and expressed profound appreciation to Professor Bathe for his unwavering support and visionary leadership. Professor Bathe challenged the alumni and scholars to forge a dynamic community of leaders committed to creating a more equitable and prosperous South Africa, stressing the daily practice of gratitude.

Guest speaker Napo Mochekoane, a 2019 scholar, shared a deeply personal reflection on the programme's impact, recounting how it revealed his untapped potential for leadership and community influence. He passionately encouraged KJB alumni to step forward as leaders, emphasising the transformative power of individual action. The Director of Student Affairs concluded the evening with a vote of thanks, reminding everyone of the importance of cultivating gratitude to combat entitlement and fostering a culture of kindness and understanding within their communities.

Romy Stevens, a 2024 recipient of a KJB engineering award, said, “It has been an honour to be supported by this wonderful initiative and I wish to commit to the values of giving back to the community through dedication, altruism, humbleness, justice, and passion.”