The outgoing Executive Committee of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences student house Commercii and their appointed guardian Dr Ingrid le Roux scored a fine hat trick at the 2018 edition of the annual UP Faculty and Day House Awards Function. 

The team won the Administration and Governance Award, which recognised the committee’s documentation of their leadership journey and projects throughout their 2017/18 term, as well as timeously producing high quality reports as required by the Division of Student Development. The team also hosted sessions to train and transfer skills to the EMS sub-house committees, for which they received the Professional Development Programme Award.

Dr Le Roux stated that she is proud of what was achieved with the committee and that the awards were well-deserved for the exceptional team effort that they displayed. "I was blessed to work with this group of strong individuals. They really built on the legacy of the team that came before them and raised the bar even higher," she said. She added that a key part of the team's successful term stemmed from their outward focus on serving and involving students, in order to enhance their EMS student life and give them a pleasant experience during their study years.

Dr Le Roux was named the Faculty House Guardian of the Year, highlighting her key role in supporting the Commercii team. This is a role she has fulfilled since the 2015/16 term, incorporating her life coaching skills to provide self-improvement talks and contribute to the development of the wider UP student leadership cohort. She closes this chapter on a high note as she handed over the Commercii guardianship role to the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership, who will mentor the 2018/19 Commercii team.

“We had a very good term characterised by stability within Commercii. I wish the incoming committee well as they continue with this legacy and make Commercii even greater!” said former Commercii Chairperson Remofilwe Dikoma. Her sentiments were echoed by former Vice-Chairperson Junior Agim, who said: “Our Commercii term was nothing short of inspirational and we are thankful for the opportunity and valuable experience we obtained. We wish the new committee a great and successful term.”

Meet the 2018/19 Commercii Executive Committee:

Zonke Makaula (Chairperson), Tsakisa Guambe (Vice-Chairperson), Mashudu Lavhengwa (Sports), Matsietsi Morobi (Socials), Lesedi Pooe (Treasurer), Amelia Veldschoen (Secretary), Silondile Ndaba (Marketing), Dimpho Lekoloane (Sports), Constancia Mahlangu (External Outreach), Corlette Vermeulen (Internal Outreach), Gontse Mosese (Academics and Mentorship), Allan Mate (Web Design Master) and Lunga Mbatha (Mamelodi Liaison/Transformation)