University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe recently hosted a luncheon to celebrate the 32 UP-affiliated alumni and staff included in the 2022 Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list.

Each year over the past 16 years the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list has celebrated young people who create a positive, tangible impact on society. Since those first awards, 159 UP alumni and staff (including this year’s 32 honourees) have been named among South Africa’s top young people.  

Prof Kupe with the Mail & Guardian honourees 

“By being in this room, by making your way onto this prestigious list, you have staked your claim as some of South Africa’s brightest young minds,” Prof Kupe told the honourees at the event, which was held at UP’s Hatfield Campus. “On behalf of myself and the University of Pretoria, we value this opportunity to celebrate the excellence you have achieved. We salute you for the long hours of hard work you’ve undoubtedly dedicated to thriving in your field, and we’re inspired by the positive, tangible impact you are making in so many different ways.”

Alexander Oloo, awardee in the category Business and Entrepreneurship, said it was an honour to make the list since South Africa has many young and talented people. “This means that the work that my team and I are doing is greatly appreciated out there, and this is a motivation to work even harder.”

Dr Khavharendwe Rambau, awardee in the category Technology and Innovation, said, “It was exciting finding out that I formed part of this year’s Mail and Guardian list, and this propels me to do even more. I do not take this recognition lightly.”

Jaen-Jacques Nell, awardee in the category Editor’s Choice, said, “I was surprised that I made it, but excited at the same time because this recognition will advance my profile and the organisation that I work for.”

Sikander Kalla, awardee in the category Health, said, “For me it was a roller-coaster ride, because I found out about this recognition at the end of June, and I had made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list at the start of June. So in the space of a month I had achieved so much – it was all surreal.”  

Prof Kupe said he feels great pride when looking at the list of honourees and the wide variety of fields in which they do their work. “One of my focuses as Vice-Chancellor has been to remind UP staff members and alumni to always look for ways to take what we do – whether it is research, innovation, thought leadership – and take that out of the so-called ‘ivory towers’ of higher education. We need to make that real, and translate our research into practical changes that improve lives in our communities.”

Samantha Castle, Senior Manager: Alumni Relations at UP, also congratulated the awardees during the luncheon. “As the leader of a team that is all about pride in our institution, I want to wholeheartedly express my personal and our collective pride in each of you,” she said. “The ways in which you are attaining your goals and inspiring others gives meaning to our work. When you shine, UP shines, and we could not ask for better brand ambassadors than each of you. The work you are doing out there to change the world and create the better South Africa we all dream of makes us so proud.”

The event was hosted by UP alumnus and radio and TV host Lennox Wasara, who also encouraged awardees to come back to their alma matter and give back via mentorship, tutoring, and being a guest lecturer.

To find out more about ways in which alumni can stay connected with UP, and also apply for jobs, please go to www.upalumniconnect.com