Read how young and old alumni have joined hands to help UP become the best it can be, by giving many more students the opportunity to receive a high quality education. The call for bursaries for academically deserving students from all walks of life has evoked tremendous support. Also read about the 2014 Laureate awards, news from alumni clubs and interest groups, the successful rugby day, donations by the alumni group in Rustenburg and the re-opening of the newly renovated Kya Rosa.

 

Laureates 2104 honoured

The University of Pretoria annually acknowledges its alumni who have excelled in their fields. Laureates are nominated for an outstanding contribution to society and their sector.

 

Dr Derize Elizabeth Boshoff

Dr Derize Elizabeth Boshoff is an internationally recognised and respected paediatric cardiologist. Her research has resulted in diagnosis and intervention with heart catheterisation on children. The prognosis of children and adults with congenital heart problems can now be improved dramatically. Dr Boshoff boasts an impressive list of publications in international subject-related journals.

Ms Irma Joubert

Ms Irma Joubert is the award-winning Afrikaans author of popular historical novels such as Tussen stasies and Anderkant Pontenilo. Her most recent work, Tolbos, was published in 2013. Her books are top sellers in South Africa and the Netherlands, and have also been translated into German and English. Her novel Kronkelpad was awarded the public prize for translated fiction in the Netherlands in 2013.

Dr Jane Olwoch

Dr Jane Olwoch holds a PhD in zoology. She held an academic post at UP before being appointed Managing Director: Earth Observation at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). For the last ten years, she has been involved in climate change research and her work has been published in peer reviewed journals and presented at numerous local and international conferences. She serves on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is a lead author of a chapter entitled ‘Climate change and human health’ that forms part of the panel’s report.

Dr Fannie Sebolela

Dr Fannie Sebolela obtained an honours degree in lexicography at UP, followed by a master’s degree and a doctorate. He was the principal of Khensani Primary School in Soshanguve, which was honoured by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as the winner in the DBE’s programme that celebrates excellent teachers in the country. Dr Sebolela wa recognised for his outstanding leadership in primary school education in South Africa.

Mr Albertus Quartus Swanepoel

Mr Albertus Quartus Swanepoel obtained his BA in fine arts and worked as an assistant to well-known fashion designer Marianne Fassler. Today he is a world renowned headwear designer based in New York. His clients include Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Wu, Diane von Furstenberg and Marc by Marc Jacobs. His celebrity clients include Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet and Niki Minaj. His headwear was included in an exhibition named ‘Hats: an anthology by Stephen Jones’ in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

Prof Roelf van den Heever

Prof Roelf van den Heever is the founding head of UP’s Department of Computer Science and played a pioneering role in establishing computer science as an academic discipline in South Africa. His company, EPI-USE Systems (Pty) Ltd, which he started with five other entrepreneurs, had its roots in UP’s Unit for Software Engineering (USE). He developed an international conglomerate of companies that provide information technology services in 110 countries and software products in more than 80 countries. A group of talented alumni of the Department of Computer Science and other UP alumni make up the core of the EPI-USE group.

 

 

Young Alumni and Student Committee makes a difference

 

The Young Alumni and Student Committee (YASCOM) of the University of Pretoria once again made a huge difference in the lives of poor and underprivileged UP students. YASCOM was established in March 2013 with the mission to foster an environment where students and young alumni can support each other and develop into active ambassadors of the University of Pretoria.

In March last year, YASCOM embarked on the Bins of Hope project, where students were requested to donate items most needed by deserving students (including non-perishable food, toiletries and clothes). The items were placed in designated bins at various locations on the University’s campuses and in residences. Bins of Hope enhances the Student Feeding Scheme of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA).

YASCOM continued with the R5 Canvas Pledge initiative. UP students were given the opportunity to print their hands in paint on a large canvas, symbolising a pledge for R5 or more. The funds raised will be used to finance charitable causes at the University, more specifically the Student Feeding Scheme of the DSA. Even though it was essentially a charity project for students by students, UP staff also pledged their support to assist students in need. Both these initiatives presented a platform to raise awareness among students of YASCOM’s objective and to educate students about the problems faced by less privileged students every day.

YASCOM functions under the umbrella of the Alumni Relations Office in the Department of University Relations (DUR). The purpose of YASCOM is to raise awareness of and encourage support for alumni activities and to cultivate a spirit of philanthropy or ‘giving back’ among students and young alumni. This committee is the first of its kind in the country. According to Prof Denver Hendricks, Director of DUR, through these initiatives, students will develop and foster a spirit of giving back and will probably continue this culture once they become alumni.

YASCOM took their initiatives to residences and the Mamelodi Campus and was astounded to see how many students supported the project. According to Jacqui Pietersen from Alumni Relations, TuksNaledi residents collected small change and donated a huge bag of money towards the initiative. ‘One international student walked into my office one afternoon to give a tenth of his salary, which was R67,00, in support of YASCOM projects, which was a truly humbling experience for me.’

YASCOM knows that a hungry student cannot perform academically and will therefore not be able to compete for the bursaries that are available to them. The committee subscribes to the motto that charity begins at home, so instead of looking to support charitable causes outside the University, YASCOM ‘pays it forward’ at UP.

According to Ms Pietersen, YASCOM would not have been able to reach its objectives without the hard work and diligence of the YASCOM team. ‘These students and young alumni are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students at Tuks. It has been a difficult year for all of them but they persevered and I am so proud of them. YASCOM also wants to thank staff and students who generously contributed towards our initiatives. We want to extend a special thank you to JuniorTukkie, the Faculty of Humanities, especially the staff and students of the Department of Communication Pathology and the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC), for collecting food and toiletries to assist students. People opened their hearts and purses to support YASCOM’s initiatives throughout the year and showed that they are proud Tukkies.’

Should you be interested in getting involved in YASCOM initiatives, please contact Jacqui Pietersen at [email protected].

 

 

A grand old lady restored to her former grace and splendour

Kya Rosa, a well-known landmark of the University of Pretoria’s, was refurbished in 2014 and re-opened recently.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, members of the executive and alumni were in attendance. At the opening, Prof de la Rey reiterated that ‘Kya Rosa holds a special place at the University and in the hearts of alumni.’

The refurbishment of Kya Rosa was part of a move to repurpose the space for wider use and to serve practical needs. The various rooms now serve as smaller venues for meetings and waiting areas for guests. The building features historic photographs and paintings that recount the story of UP over the years. In revamping Kya Rosa, a great effort was made to ensure that it would retain its original look and feel.

The alumni were represented by TuksClub 60+. This group of alumni made the opening even more special by handing over a cheque to the Vice-Chancellor in support of the Tuks Scholarship Fund. The aim of the fund is to ensure that future generations of students will also be able to benefit from studying at UP.

We encourage all alumni to make a small monthly contribution to the fund thereby leaving a legacy that will enable poor yet academically sound students from all walks of life. To find out more and to contribute to the Tuks Scholarship Fund, please contact Cheryl Benadie on 012 420 5026 or at [email protected].

 

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, was the first to sign the new Kya Rosa visitors’ book

 

 

Rustenburg alumni assist Tuks with student bursaries

 

The TuksAlumni Regional Committee in Rustenburg under the chairmanship of Mr Francois Grobler and the previous chairperson, Mr Dieter Krüger, raised R30 000 in donations in aid of a bursary fund for the Tuks Rugby Supporters Club (TROK).

The money was handed over to TROK at the annual TuksAlumni Rugby Day between teams from Rustenburg Impala and the University of Pretoria on Saturday 24 January 2015. Both Tuks teams won (with 41–26 and 43–8, respectively) against the first and second teams of Impala Rugby Club. The day was supported by many local alumni as well as well-known rugby legends such as Wynand Claassen, Moaner van Heerden and Frik du Preez. Alumni and friends celebrated the day, the donation and their alma mater at a function afterwards.

The money was raised by means of donations from and sponsorships by local alumni, friends and businesses, as well as through events presented by TuksAlumni: Rustenburg. ‘In 2014 we presented a cultural evening with Afrikaans singer and alumnus Jak de Priester, and this year we plan to invite Theuns Jordaan to perform in May,’ says Mr Grobler. According to the Manager: Alumni Relations at the University, Dr DC Jacobs, this is an example of the tangible and active way in which UP’s alumni all over the world can support their alma mater. ‘We thank the Rustenburg alumni and the wider community for their effort, contributions to and involvement with Tuks,’ says Dr Jacobs.

Please contact Simone Hearne at 082 9453726 if you want more information about TuksAlumni: Rustenburg and update your contact details on the TuksAlumni website at www.up.ac.za/alumni. This will ensure that you do not miss out on this year’s alumni activities in Rustenburg.

 

 

London alumni watch rugby together

 

 

This group of alumni in London braved the bitter cold to attend the Blue Bulls against Saracens rugby game at Allianz Park on 31 January 2015. Our alumni representative, Ronel van Zyl (far right in the photograph on the left), had to engage in determined negotiations to secure the under-the-roof tickets at £25 per person. (The usual price is £70 per person.)

 

 

Alumni support Tuks at Varsity Cup games

Tuks handed the defending champions, UCT (Ikeys), their first defeat this year when Tuks won the game against Ikeys 39-24 at the Tuks Rugby Stadium in Pretoria. Alumni supporters came out in force to support their team during the Varsity Cup matches on 16 March against Ikeys and on 23 February against traditional rivals Maties.

Some 58 alumni attended an alumni get-together at the hpc before the match against Ikeys, where they listened to encouraging words from Prof Antonie de Klerk, UP Executive member responsible for sport.

Mr Barend van Graan, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Bulls, addressed alumni at a cocktail on 23 February before the game against Maties speaking about the role of TuksRugby and the Varsity Cup in the selection of new players for the Blue Bulls.

The 53-8 win against Maties will be recorded as one of the milestones in the University of Pretoria's Varsity Cup history and their biggest defeat ever. The seven tries UP-Tuks scored are the most that Maties have ever conceded in a single match.

 

 

Roeleen and Tasha Lemmer dressed to support their team at the Varsity Cup match between UP and UCT

 

Rika and Felix Reinders

 

 

Mr Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company and former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Flip Smit at the alumni event on 23 February 2015.