“It is important to start saving with one’s personal retirement annuity to supplement the pension fund,” says Robinson Mosebe of UP’s Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA), who recently retired from the University after 35 years of service. He chats about his time at UP and offers a few tips on retirement.

We bid a fond farewell to Robinson Mosebe of UP’s Department of Enrolment and Student Administration, who recently retired from the University after 35 years of service!

How do you feel about your career and accomplishments at UP?

I feel very happy to have made it this far. Many did not get an opportunity to accomplish this milestone. It feels satisfying to have worked for the University of Pretoria and contributed to a number of departments, where I worked for over 35 years.

What do you plan to do in retirement?

My career does not end here; the skills I have acquired in my current role at Career Services will be useful. I have big plans to continue being involved in youth development. This is something that is very close to my heart because of the high unemployment rate in my community and in the rest of South Africa. I plan to use my skills to help young people with their CVs and to prepare for interviews, and I hope to encourage entrepreneurship. I want to create opportunities for young people to get access to funding and entrepreneurial guidance.

Do you feel like you have enough resources for retirement?

Well, nobody ever has enough resources, but luckily, I am well prepared and I will try to make the best of the resources available to me. 

Did UP provide you with sufficient training and support throughout your career?

Yes, it has. UP paid for my studies and I did a lot of courses at C@UP as we used to call it in the past, which is now Enterprise at UP. I took advantage of all the training that was available through Nehawu and management recommendations, and that helped me to stay relevant in my career.

What encouraging words do you have for your colleagues who are getting close to retirement?

My advice would be that they must enrol for the pensioners' course that is available as an in-house course. They will get tips on how to save money and not only depend on the provident fund/pension fund. It is important to start saving with one’s personal retirement annuity to supplement the pension fund.