A retirement function held to acknowledge Prof Annél van Aswegen's contribution to the University of Pretoria (UP) was hosted by Prof Cheryl de la Rey at the Pure Café on the Hatfield Campus on Wednesday, 22 November. Prof Van Aswegen has been serving as a Senior Manager in Prof De la Rey's office.

The Registrar and programme director for the event, Prof Niek Grové, started the formalities by thanking Prof Van Aswegen for her 14 years of loyal service to UP and mentioned that even though the event was her retirement function, she would continue to assist the University in a part-time advisory capacity. The various current and former council members, deans and heads of department who were in attendance were joined by Prof Van Aswegen's husband, Dr Johannes van Aswegen, and their children. When Prof Grové asked Prof Van Aswegen what she considered to be her greatest achievement, she replied that it was her family. This, Prof Grové said, was a reflection of the fine calibre of person that she is.

Prof De la Rey had to fight back her emotions when she gave a tribute to her Senior Manager, to whom she had grown very close over the years during which they worked together. She opened her address with the following quote: 'There is a time for everything ...', which she said underscored the 'inevitable cycle of life'. She went on to mention some of the many milestones that had marked Prof Van Aswegen's distinguished career:

In matric, she achieved six distinctions, after which she graduated with a distinction in Latin from Law School, received her LLB cum laude, was admitted as advocate, accepted a post as junior lecturer in Private Law at Unisa, became Head of the Dapartment of Private Law at Unisa, joined UP as a lecturer in Private Law and was eventually appointed as a Senior Manager in the office of the Vice Chancellor and Principal. In addition to this, she has written a number of articles, has contributed to several books, and has spoken at many conferences. 

Prof De la Rey pointed out that very few women have occupied the senior positions in which Prof Van Aswegen has served, which made her a pioneer. She added: 'Her contributions will be missed, but now she will be able to spend more time with her family.' She mentioned that her speech could be summed up in one word, 'caring', which was what Prof Van Aswegen had shown towards UP. She concluded by wishing her well in her retirement.

Prof Van Aswegen responded by thanking UP for her 14 years of employment and said that she could bid them goodbye with a happy heart and with many fond memories of her time at the University.