On Friday, 22 November 2024, the Department of Marketing Management at the University of Pretoria (UP) marked the culmination of a year of growth, hard work, and achievements with the Marketing Management honours cohort of 2024. The annual year-end function, hosted at the elegant Pure Café on the UP Hatfield Campus, provided the perfect setting to celebrate a remarkable year.

The event commenced with a warm welcome, followed by an address from Prof Yolanda Jordaan, Head of the Department of Marketing Management. Prof Jordaan congratulated the honours students on the completion of their journey and highlighted the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from industry clients. These clients praised the students for their creativity, innovative thinking, and passion for excellence, reinforcing the department's legacy of producing some of the most sought-after future leaders in South Africa’s marketing industry.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the top-performing students for their outstanding achievements. A heartfelt thank you is extended to PPS for their generosity in sponsoring our top student prizes. Thank you to Mangali Ngcobo from PPS for her support with all the arrangements of the prizes and to Andrea Yazbek, PPS representative, who joined the evening of celebrations, handing over the PPS-sponsored prizes to the top students.

This year’s top achievers included:

• Elize Coetzee, awarded for the top research report (BEM 795);
• Charné van der Merwe, recognised as the top student in Marketing in Practice (BEM 783); and
• Alexandra Marques, who excelled as the top student in two modules: Strategic Marketing (SBB 781) and Services Marketing (BVD 780).

Left to right: Dr Euodia Botha (lecturer), Dr Jade Verbeek (lecturer), Dr Bianca Frost (lecturer), Andrea Yazbek (PPS representative), Alexandra Marques (top student in SBB 781 and BVD 780); Dr Danita van Heerden (lecturer), and Charné van der Merwe (top student in BEM 783)

PPS has been an incredible sponsor for the Department of Marketing Management over the years. Their dedication extends beyond generously sponsoring numerous top student prizes; they have also made it possible to commemorate each year’s honours cohort with the annual honours group photo, captured by photographer Anton Hartman. This unwavering support from PPS has ensured that student achievements are celebrated and remembered, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to cultivating a culture of excellence and professionalism in marketing education.

The study of marketing at a postgraduate level at UP is more than merely the attainment of an academic qualification – it provides the opportunity to grow and develop both as an individual and a marketing professional. Our students work in teams with established clients bringing their marketing expertise to life through practical applications. Applying their skills and knowledge to solve real-life problems, the students have opportunities to make meaningful contributions throughout their honours journey – not only within the marketing industry, but also to uplift society through hands-on community engagement.

As we close the chapter on 2024, we celebrate the resilience, achievements, and bright futures of our Marketing Management honours cohort. We look forward to seeing the positive contributions they will make in shaping the marketing industry. Here's to another year of nurturing excellence and shaping the future of marketing!