by Kgothatso Monono
Prof Pius Owolawi, Assistant Dean at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) had the honour of delivering an insightful keynote address titled “From Graduate to Game-Changer: Innovating Africa’s Future with AI” during the 7 April 2025 graduation ceremony at the Vaal University of Technology’s Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences. His speech challenged graduates to become the architects of a new African narrative, one powered by technology, inspired by purpose and grounded in leadership.
Prof Pius Owolawi, Assistant Dean at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
In relation to transformation, innovation and agency, Prof Owolawi who is responsible for Industry Liaison, Special projects and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) used a powerful metaphor of an eagle and a lion to paint a vision of the graduate as a dual force of foresight and courage. “The eagle does not flap its wings wildly; it gracefully soars. Use your knowledge to rise above the chaos. See possibilities, see solutions. The lion, not the fastest nor the biggest animal, leads with a mindset. With strategy, let your roar be your ideas. Solve problems with grace and confidence.”
Prof Owolawi, an accomplished academic, engineer and industry expert, addressed the audience of graduates, parents, the faculty, industry leaders and dignitaries, including VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Khehla Ndlovu, emphasising that Africa is standing at the cusp of an AI revolution and the young minds that are graduating are its most powerful catalysts.
He spotlighted local innovations that defy the idea that tech breakthroughs are reserved for Silicon Valley: “From Kenya’s Twiga Foods using AI to reduce food waste, to Aerobatics in South Africa deploying drones for smart agriculture, to AI-powered medical drone delivery systems in Rwanda. These are not imported miracles; they are African success stories. Built by people just like you,” he said.
Pushing further into the cutting edge, he introduced graduates to the emerging frontiers of Generative and Agentic AI systems, not only creating content but adapting, thinking and acting. He urged students to lead in technological innovation and see themselves as job creators as well as problem solvers, armed with the tools of the fourth industrial revolution.
With poetic power, he closed his address by calling on the graduates to embrace both their “lion-hearted leadership and eagle-eyed vision,” leaving them with a powerful affirmation: “You are not simply engineers or developers, you are nation-builders, code-crafters, visionaries and game-changers.”
As the graduates crossed the stage and stepped into the next chapter of their lives, they did so not just with degrees in hand, but with a renewed sense of mission to shape the future of Africa, one innovation at a time.
Prof Owolawi addressed the audience of graduates, parents, the faculty, industry leaders and dignitaries.