On Wednesday, the 15 of May 2024, the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies (DHHS) hosted its annual awards ceremony in the Merensky Library at the auditorium. The award function was yet again organised by DHHS lecturer Dr Karina Sevenhuysen. This year’s theme was “On the Shoulders of Giants”, where the award-winning students could nominate people who have been “giants” on whose shoulders they could lean during their studies. Dr Sevenhuysen clarified the theme by exploring the origin of the expression “on the shoulders of giants” and stating that it is

“a metaphor for using the understanding of major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress.”

And, directly addressing the students, explained that

“it is about giving your gratitude to people who have come before, but also to remember that they (the students and awards winners) are also giants in the making.”

This awards function has been held since the early 1990s and celebrates the extraordinary achievements of top academic achievers in History and Heritage and Cultural Tourism. It illustrates the DHHS’s commitment to its students’ development and success in academia and beyond and maintains a strong relationship between alums, the department, and current students. This includes the sponsorships of awards by former and current students in their roles as industry leaders, such as Johnathan Ball Publishers and Greyspot Consult and Tour Operators. 

Honours awards in History, from right to left: Prof Karen Harris, Henry Stone, Prof Karen Harris, Boitshoko Mboweni, Dr Ria van der Merwe (University of Pretoria Archives) and Jarred Clark.

The DHHS is grateful to these and other sponsors from academia and industry for their continued collaboration with the department. This year, the DHHS was delighted to be able to present prizes for the Historical Association of South Africa, the Southern African Historical Society, Historical Publications Southern Africa, Getaway magazine, Protea Book House, Van Schaik Publishers and the University of Pretoria Museums.  

Honours awards in Heritage and Cultural Tourism, from Left to right: Hannes Engelbrecht, Marli Rheeder, Dr Sian Tiley-Nel (Head of the University of Pretoria Museums), Marli Rheeder, Prof. Karen Harris, Elmien Viktor.

In a special dedication, Dr Karina Sevenhuysen described Prof Karen Leigh Harris, the head of the department, as a “super supervisor” and the “Giant among Giants” for the mammoth and supportive role she plays in the development of the department’s students and staff alike. Dr Sevenhuysen took time to dedicate a twenty-five-word book describing Prof Harris, which included words such as passion, dedication, caring and supervision.

Prof. Karen Leigh Harris, a giant among giants

The winners and recipients of the awards are as follows:

HERITAGE AND CULTURAL TOURISM AWARDS

Letang Mohlahlo: Department of Historical and Heritage Studies Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the first-year level.

Brenda Labuschagne: Department of Historical and Heritage Studies Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the second-year level & Department of Historical and Heritage Studies Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the second-year level in community-based Tourism.

Rhinolda Baloyi: Department of Historical and Heritage Studies Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the second-year level in community-based Tourism.

Mzingaye Hlabano: Greyspot Consult and Tour Operators Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the third-year level & Historical Association of South Africa Certificate for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism over all three years at the undergraduate level.

Marli Rheeder: Getaway Magazine Award for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at honours level; UP Museums Book Prize for the best research report in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the honours level & Historical Association of South Africa Certificate for outstanding performance in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at honours level.

Elmien Viktor: Department of Historical and Heritage Studies Award for best Campus Tours tourist guide at honours level.

HISTORY AWARDS

Dharsha Reddy: Jonathan Ball Publishers Award for outstanding performance in History at first-year level.

Domonique Bennetts: Historical Publications Southern Africa Award for the best History essay by a first-year student.

Ayanda Zulu: Jonathan Ball Publishers Award for outstanding performance in African History at second-year level & Protea Book House Award for outstanding performance in History at second-year level.

Sarah Walker: Southern African Historical Society Award for outstanding performance in South African History at second-year level & Protea Book House Award for outstanding performance in History at second-year level.

Gemma Mills: J.L. van Schaik Publishers Award for outstanding performance in History at third-year level; Johan Bergh-Historia Award for outstanding performance in History at third-year level & Historical Association of South Africa Certificate for outstanding performance in History over all three years at the undergraduate level.

Henry Stone: J.L. van Schaik Publishers Award for outstanding performance in History at the honours level; Historical Association of South Africa Certificate for outstanding performance in History at honours level & Historical Association of South Africa Award for outstanding performance in Film History at honours level.

Boitshoko Mboweni: Protea Book House Award for the best research report in History at honours level.

Jarred Clark: Jonathan Ball Publishers Research award for the best assignment and presentation by a History honours student on primary research: “What’s in the Box?”- project.

- Photography by Danolien van den Berg