According to UP’s Strategic plan 2022-2026 , it is of central importance to achieve demographic diversity and inclusion to achieve substantive transformation. To attest to UP’s strategic plan objective, South Africa has been famously referred to as the rainbow nation because it is made up of so many diverse cultures and religions. Implementation of the strategy is often a challenge, with comprehension of the common areas of diversity, inter alia, cultural, racial, gender, physical disabilities and diversity in interests by staff and students as a critical starting block. UP’s 2022 – 2026 Strategic plan highlights the fact that, if we do not transform teaching and learning, research and social engagement as well as our spaces and the languages we use, we will not achieve substantive transformation. “To remedy the context, staff and students of all genders, ages and cultures must feel included - hence I like my traditional attire, because I feel I’m belonging to the cultural group that I identify with and in which I feel accepted,” says Eva Kekana, general assistant in Department of Institutional Advancement.

 “When I’m excluded I may feel resentment and a lack of confidence, and feel isolated which leads to the loss of faith in a successful future,” says Rendani Tshishonga, finance coordinator. Losing talented and skilled staff because of a lack of diversity conveys a negative public image of the institution, and some excellent students may leave for competitors’ institutions of higher learning. This is the direct opposite of UP’s strategic plan 2022-2026 , which is about turning threats into opportunities and introducing innovations and disruptive ideas that will benefit the university and society at large. 

”Ignorance of existing institutional diversity is a disservice to the entire UP Community,” says Kekana. According to Rendani Tshishonga, team effort and support from all institutional spheres is of paramount importance for the success of a diversity program. “Ignoring the importance of diversity or transformation guidelines and policies causes harm to the UP Community, because we may lose talented staff or students. Learning to respect each other’s diverse dimensions adds the tangible value of inclusion in an institution,” says Rendani.

According to Dr Matete Madiba, the UP Director of Student Affairs, "the UP 2022-2026 Strategic Plan challenges all of us to do our part in ensuring that the university earnestly pursues the path to diversity, equity and inclusion. All of us stand to benefit, and this should encourage everyone to do their part. Through the UP-Transformation Committees in every faculty and every professional service department, the SRC transformation sub-council, and all related structures, the UP community should move from mere talk to serious action as far as diversity and inclusion is concerned."