Sandra’s stage and film career spans a period of 30 years. During this time she has performed leading roles in the plays of renowned international and local South African playwrights, totalling over 100 different productions to date. She has also established a reputation as an outstanding actress in many countries overseas, including England, France, Germany and the United States.

Besides Sandra Prinsloo's popularity as an actress and artist, she is one of the most controversial personalities in the local world of entertainment. Her involvement with and concern for the racial situation in South Africa is well known beyond the borders of this country. Her appearance in the title role of Strindberg’s Miss Julie opposite black actor John Kani in 1985, met with bomb threats and violent assaults. She was the first white South African actress to appear on stage in love scenes with a black actor.

De Kat magazine named Sandra as one of the 100 most influential people in South Africa.

Even though Sandra’s acting career was focused on theatre, she also starred in eight movies and many television series and productions. Among her movie roles is the female lead in Tigers don’t cry opposite Anthony Quinn and, of course, the memorable The god's must be crazy, which had tremendous international success.

At present Sandra has her own TV chat show on Kyknet, interviewing prominent South Africans.

Spring Graduations

The University of Pretoria is one of the largest universities in South Africa, with a rich cultural diversity. Last year the university reached a student population of close to 62 000, of which approximately 45 000 were contact students. Of the 45 000 contact students, 54% were women and 46% were black. The University also attracts students from the rest of the African continent and from across the world. About 4 000 international students were enrolled this year, making a very important contribution to the diversity of the university’s academic life.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, described graduation day as a very important day in the life of both the students and the institution, as it is an important rite of passage which symbolises success and the achievement of an ideal. “When a person graduates, it signifies the end of one phase of life and the beginning of a new one”, said Prof De la Rey.

Prof de la Rey said that graduation is also an opportunity for a university to reflect on the state of education in the country, and particularly on the role of the University of Pretoria in changing the lives of people. “Our contribution to national development lies primarily in producing graduates who are valued for their academic and professional skills, and also valued for their ability to bring about a better society for all of us”, said Prof De la Rey.

In April, at the University’s earlier Autumn Graduation ceremony, nearly 14 000 undergraduates and postgraduates received their certificates, diplomas and degrees. “We are very proud of our achievements as a university and the contributions we are making to change South Africa for the betterment of all”, said Prof De la Rey.

Prof De la Rey concluded by encouraging the graduates to become active members of TuksAlumni, as it plays an important role in the life of the University. She said that graduates become part of a very large national and international network of almost 200 000 Tukkie alumni, many of whom occupy leadership positions in countries across the world. She called on the graduates not to lose contact with the University and to continue to inform the University of their accomplishments.

“Your relationship with the University of Pretoria does not end today, but simply enters into a new phase. I urge you to ensure being good ambassadors for the University of Pretoria”, said Prof De la Rey.