The class was told to dress professionally for a formal class photo, followed by a fruitful class discussion reflecting on the students’ assignment for the week. Everything soon changed when students were told to pack their bags and quickly make their way to Adlers restaurant – where the team first to arrive would receive a surprise. True to the competitive nature of the Honours class, students raced over, despite the pouring rain, to find the lecturers of the Department waiting for them for a surprise prize giving. The prize giving idea originally came from the Honours students, when they suggested earlier in the year to award students for aspects other than academic performance, such as creativity and presentation skills. Since team-based learning is central to the Honours experience, with students having the opportunity to work with almost every individual in the class, the suggestion was readily implemented.

Another dimension to the prize giving was to reward students for their great work on the Gautrain project. The students were challenged to develop and execute a publicity stunt on campus to create awareness and excitement among the younger generations for using the Gautrain. In addition, the groups had to develop an online viral marketing campaign to increase the number of young users of the train. The Gautrain kindly sponsored cash prizes for the two best teams which were:

The winning team: Journey

From the left: Prof Yolanda Jordaan (Head of Department Marketing Management); Fern Shaw, Jaqui Basson, Lerana Jacobs, Kylie Coleman, Nompumelelo Kubheka and Ms Nontu Mashaba (Lecturer for the subject)

The runner up group: Egoli

From the left: Prof Yolanda Jordaan (Head of Department Marketing Management); Angeline Rodrigues de Franca, Sianne Carter, Soné Dos Santos, Macita Hardacre, Ms Nontu Mashaba (Lecturer for the subject) and in front from the left, Chané da Costa and Mignon Postmus

One Honours students, Soné dos Santos, reflected on her Honours year, saying: “Honours is all about team work, running toward an end destination. Sometimes you will slip and fall but you should pick yourself up and keep on running. Honours is not about which groups finished first, it’s about finishing any challenge as a group together. Be committed and dedicated from beginning ‘til the very end.”

Professor Yolanda Jordaan, Head of the Department Marketing Management, ended the evening with some wise words on living a balanced life, whishing students well and encouraging them to give back to the Department in future.

We wish you well Honours class of 2013.