The annual prize-giving for the top marketing students was held on 21 April 2023, directly after their graduation ceremony. The event, hosted by the Department of Marketing Management, was a celebration of academic excellence, to recognise the hard work and accomplishments of these exceptional students throughout their academic journey. In attendance were proud PPS prize sponsors, Mangali Ngcobo (PPS representative) and Jacques Viljoen (representative of the Stephan and Pierre Viljoen Award), as well as professors, lecturers, family members, and the top achievers.

The ceremony was an informal session where students interacted with the lecturers, who encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in their careers. The parents were there to witness the special occasion and hear more about how their children performed. The Department presented awards and certificates to the top marketing students, followed by an opportunity to take professional photographs with their loved ones.

Awards (sponsored by PPS) were allocated in the following categories:

• The Best BCom (Marketing Management) student in 2022 was awarded to Rochelle van den Berg, who is currently enrolled as an honours student in the Department. Rochelle received a prize to the value of R4 000.
• The Best BCom Hons (Marketing Management) student in 2022 was awarded to Chloë White, who flew in from the United Kingdom for her graduation. Chloë received a prize to the value of R5 000.
• The Best MCom (Marketing Management) student in 2022 was awarded to Reolin Ramsamy. Reolin received a prize to the value of R6 000.

From left to right: Reolin Ramsamy, Chloë White, Mangali Ngcobo from PPS, Rochelle van den Berg and Prof Yolanda Jordaan (Head of Department).

Bianca Frost, a lecturer in the Department of Marketing Management, received the Stephan and Pierre Viljoen Award. The award is a significant honour bestowed upon a qualified PhD student or staff member each year. Students can utilise the prize to obtain further industrial and/or academic experience in the field of marketing management, by attending a high-level scholarly conference, taking a course, or visiting a reputable international institution and/or a marketing management expert. Academics can take a specialised marketing management course or present a paper at an international conference. Frost plans to attend the 7 Experiences Summit 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, which would be most advantageous to her career advancement. The major purpose of the visit is to network with some of the experts, such as Prof Roto, Prof Duerden, Prof Hill and many more.

From left to right: Bianca Frost and Mr Jacques Viljoen, representative from Stephan and Pierre Viljoen Award.

During the awards ceremony, attendees were treated to a light lunch while reminiscing about their academic journey. The atmosphere was filled with joy, pride, and excitement as the students basked in their achievements and celebrated with their loved ones.

The graduation event was a testament to the students’ hard work, dedication, and excellence in their academic pursuits. It was a proud moment for the students, their families, and the Department of Marketing Management, as they celebrated the achievements of these outstanding students. As they move on to the next chapter of their lives, the students can take pride in the fact that they have set the bar high and have demonstrated what it takes to be successful in their chosen fields.

The Department congratulated all the Marketing Management graduates who obtained their degrees during the 2023 Autumn graduation season.