ALUMNI RELATIONS - OCTOBER 2014

UNITY FOR TOMORROW 1 An Award-winning newsletter

2014 dates to diarise

Alumni Events

08 October

East London Cocktail

15 October

Cape Town Social

17 November

Alumni Awards

28 November

Alumni Thanksgiving Breakfast

Executive Meetings

06 November

NMMU Summer

Graduation

09 December

STUDENTS and alumni have embarked

on a new campaign to bring about aware-

ness regarding student financial plights

and hopefully raise enough funds to assist

some of the financially needy and aca-

demically performing students.

The campaign driven by the Student

Alumni Society (SAS) is targeting all staff,

students, alumni and their friends to help

raise funds for this project.

SAS is selling eco-friendly shopping

bags to raise awareness about the bursa-

ry fund and to encourage financial support

for the fund.

Individuals can support the campaign by:

Purchasing one or more of the shop-

ping bags @ R25 each. Surplus funds

will go towards the Bursary Fund.

Making a cash donation to the Alumni

Association in support of the Alumni

Bursary Fund.

Signing a salary stop order for monthly

contributions

Signing a bank debit order for monthly

contributions.

Encouraging family, friends and fellow

alumni to support the campaign.

The SAS campaign is fully supported by

the Alumni Association who are encourag-

ing every person to assist these students

with their campaign and assist in raising

the necessary funds to assist those stu-

dents in need.

Every bag sold can help to make a dif-

ference! Individuals are encouraged to

buy bags as gifts and help a student bag

an NMMU qualification.

SAS campaign for Alumni Bursary Fund STUDENTS

CARE … The

Student Alumni

Society (SAS)

has embarked

on a campaign

to assist in rais-

ing funds for

the Alumni

Bursary Fund.

Driving the

campaign are

current SAS

president,

Welcome

Kupangwa

(right) as well as

former SAS

presidents,

Sonnetta Human,

Thomas Ter-

blanche and

Curwyn Mapal-

ing.

ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS OCT 2014

2 UNITY FOR TOMORROW www.facebook.com

News Briefs

SA NMMU Representative

PROF Rossouw von Solms was

appointed by the Institute of Infor-

mation Technology Professionals of

South Africa (IITPSA) as the new

representative of South Africa to the

International Federation for Infor-

mation Processing (IFIP) General

Assembly.

IITPSA is affiliated to IFIP to make

South Africa part of this international

IT-community. IFIP represents 56

countries, covering five continents

with a total membership of over half

a million. It is recognised by the Unit-

ed Nations and other world bodies.

International Award Winner

PhD COMPUTING Sciences student

Kayode Ayankoya has been select-

ed as one of two winners in the

“Future of mining and metals” stu-

dent blog contest run by software

corporation SAP.

His prize is an all-expenses-paid

trip to attend a forum on this topic in

Germany in October, where he will

meet key industry leaders from all

over the world. Kayode wrote a blog

on how digitisation, the internet of

things (IoT), big data and data sci-

ence would change the mining in-

dustry in the future.

His research involves how data

collected from outside an organisa-

tion can be integrated with data gen-

erated inside an organisation to

make insightful predictions, recom-

mendations and discoveries that will

increase productivity and efficien-

cies.

Ten blogs were selected based on

the number of likes they received on

the SAP Community Network.

WITH the year quickly drawing to a close, many

alumni related events and projects are still taking

place.

Recently the NMMU Choir celebrated its 20th

Anniversary Reunion which took place over two

days. The Alumni Relations Office will be having

cocktail events in East London and Cape Town

during October. Please visit our website to view

the detail dates and more information.

We are also looking forward to our 5th annual

Alumni Awards. The event will be hosted in No-

vember followed by the Alumni Association

Thanksgiving Breakfast.

In our next edition we will be updated as to who

our Alumni Award recipients are and more alumni

success stories will be shared.

Please stay in touch by liking our Facebook

page following us on Twitter or check out our

website page.

We are proud of our alumni who keep the

NMMU flag flying high

Warm Alumni wishes

Liscka Hendricks

From the editors desk

The sky is the limit for Nthabiseng ONE of the faces behind the new

Vodacom Ad running on television and

among 360 media platforms is no-one else

but our very own former Student Alumni

Society secretary and alumnus,

Nthabiseng Makhoba.

BA Industrial Psychology graduate, Ma-

khoba, is reaching for her dreams and

making herself known in all possible ways

including media platforms she never

thought she would feature on.

Currently employed at Nestle, located at

the largest distribution centre, where she is

extremely exposed the various processes

of recruitment, labour relations cases as

well as legal compliance in terms of the

labor legislation.

“After graduating from NMMU I started

working on Nestle‟s graduate programme

at their head office as an HR graduate. By

July the same year I was moved to our Ice

Cream Factory to get more experiential learn-

ing in Industrial relations.”

She is actively involved in many personal

projects, including running a soup kitchen in

Ratanda, modeling for Mr Price‟s Summer

Catalogue in 2013 and now taking it a step

higher by acting in a television ad.

“The soup kitchen

I am running pro-

vides meals or

soup to disadvan-

taged community

members in Ra-

tanda. In Decem-

ber 2013 the HR Director of Nestle came to

assist us for a day with the soup kitchen.”

Nthabiseng is currently involved in prepara-

tions for an extensive audit regarding labour

compliance within the company.

“I work closely with our corporate communi-

cations department writing articles and pre-

senting episodes of Nestle Inflight to inform

all employees on the happenings of the or-

ganization.”

She speaks highly of NMMU and how the institu-

tion has prepared and contributed to her success.

“As a student I wanted to set myself apart from

the other students and this was done by partici-

pating in many varsity activities, and as cliché

as it may sound, all of these leadership plat-

forms which are provided by the university really

helps to build one‟s self esteem and enhance

leadership abilities.”

Nthabiseng was a House Committee member

in Melodi Residence receiving the House Com-

mittee member of the year award, an AIESEC

member discovering her leadership

characteristics and was formally

molded professionally when joining

the Student Alumni Society in 2010

as their secretary followed by being

a student assistant at the University

Shop.

“We were given many opportunities to network

with various CEO‟s of big company‟s and hav-

ing leadership seminars and that just gave one

a sneak peak of what to expect in a corporate

environment.”

She says having been involved in all these

activities at NMMU set her apart from other

students. “I have continued to do so in the

work place, I am involved in activities and

take upon initiative in getting things done

which will later assist in my own develop-

ment .”

In 2013 she was sponsored to attend the

One Young World Summit 2013 .

SUCCESS IN THE MAKING … Nthabiseng

Makhoba and her twin sister Thabile Ma-

khoba are the new faces behind the latest

Vodacom advertisement .

Liscka Hendricks

As a student I

wanted to set

myself apart

from the others...

Page 3 ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS

UNITY FOR TOMORROW 3

OCT 2014

http://alumni.nmmu.ac.za

The Matrix Architects strives for excellence

DVC to leave NMMU

20 YEARS later, the NMMU Choir is standing tall with many

awards, accolades and national and international experiences

behind them.

The choir, which celebrated its 20 - year music-making mark

with a diverse and multicultural

choral choir are also the voices

behind the university‟s, as well as

city‟s first flash mob, which went

viral on YouTube.

After performing before the

President of South Africa at the

Herald newspaper‟s 150th celebrations, Nelson Mandela said “I

am so proud of you; you truly reflect the spirit of the new South

Africa.”

The weekend events which started off with a Choir Cocktail

which was held at the Chancellors Lounge on NMMU‟s South

Campus on 5 September. The cocktail was sponsored by the

Alumni Association.

Here choir members and former members had a

chance to meet up again and appreciate their times in

the choir with their respective choir mates. The Satur-

day was filled with two events: The Choir Concert and

The Choir Reunion Dinner.

The Choir Concert, included a recognition award

handover from the Alumni Association.

The Choir Reunion Dinner held at the North Campus Confer-

ence Centre was a perfect social closing event enjoyed by for-

mer and current members.

ACCLAIMED SOUNDS … The Summerstrand Dutch Reformed Church was filled with NMMU’s Choir enthusiasts who

came to celebrate the Choir’s 20th Reunion Celebrations held over a weekend in September. Here, Junita van Dijk leads

the NMMU Choir and choir alumni who joined the celebrations.

You truly reflect

the spirit of the

new South

Africa...

NMMU‟s Dep-

uty Vice

Chancellor:

Research and

Academic,

Professor

Thoko May-

ekiso will be

leaving the

university after

serving as

DVC: Re-

search and Engagement for a number of

years.

She will be joining the new Mpuma-

langa University as Vice - Chancellor.

The Alumni Relations Office wishes

her well with her new venture.

THE Alumni Association wishes Professor

Piet Naude, former NMMU DVC: Academic

well in his new position at Stellenbosch Uni-

versity as Director of their Business School.

Prof Naude has served the university for 22

years. “My relationship with UPE/NMMU has

been one of growth and joy. I was able to do

so many things within the same institution and

there was never a dull day.”

When speaking about the Alumni Associa-

tion he says, “I became more actively involved

with the Alumni since my appointment as

DVC:Academic.”

South Africans have a lot of work to still do

to create a “giving back”- culture amongst

alumni. It is

obviously a

two-way

process that

in the end

leads to the

benefit of

both the

university

and the

alumni.

Naude

leaves the university, its staff, students and

alumni with the following message: “Be ex-

tremely grateful for the opportunities you had

and still have in higher education. It places a

responsibility upon us to serve our country

with our knowledge and our skills.”

Farewell after 22 years

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Prof Simpson honoured by alumni A combination of passion, skill, hard work, brain power and a bit

of luck is needed to achieve business success.

Three distinguished businessmen, all alumni of the university

who studied under Professor Simpson towards becoming quali-

fied chartered accountants (CA) shared these and other in-

sights during the Professor Les Simpson Legacy Lecture at

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Waco International Ltd chief executive Royden Vice, also a

Alumni Achiever Award recipient and former managing director

and chairman of Afrox, said there were no silver bullets or short

cuts to career success.

“Passion is important. It is what will get you to the top. You

also need to work

hard, but do not even

think of it as work

and enjoy what you

do … you need a

framework to think

strategically and de-

velop it. You do not

just wake up with it in

the morning,” he said.

Being qualified as a CA had given him the ability to get above

the crowd in the early years to move up the organisational

chart, Vice said.

Former executive director of the Gautrain and Independent

financial adviser Ian Scott, said other important skills needed to

make it in the business world are networking and communica-

tion.

He advised the students to broaden their knowledge of

other divisions in their companies. Qualifying as a CA helped

him have a wide knowledge base of skills, Scott said, not just to

assist vastly different corporates, but also to advise them in a

range of different services.

Former sales and marketing head of Tiger Wheels and Fury

Motor Group chief executive Marq Roberts, said he had gone

into marketing early on, mostly because of his accountancy

background.

His bosses had wanted an accountant to drive marketing at

Delta Motor Corporation.

“Accountability in management normally is measured in finan-

cial numbers. As accountants we can read the numbers. You

need to be able to look at the cake and know what [it will] taste

like. We have a head start in business. More chief executives

today [are] qualified CA‟s,” he said.

SHARING TIPS … The Prof Les Simpson Legacy Lecture

guest speakers at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

yesterday are, from left, Ian Scott, Marq Roberts and Alum-

ni Achiever Award recipient Royden Vice.

Picture: LEONETTE BOWER

Passion is

important. It is what

will get you to the

top. You need to

work hard...

TWO new fe-

male directors

have been ap-

pointed to Continental

Tyre South Africa „s

(CTSA) board. Both,

hold qualifications from

NMMU.

Fayruz Abrahams

(right) and Sivuyile

Boqwana were appointed as Directors to the

CTSA board recently.

Abrahams will be serving in the capacity of

Independent Non Executive Director and

Boqwana as Executive Director.

Abrahams holds a BCom degree in Eco-

nomics and Accounting

(NMMU) as well as a

Master‟s degree in Indus-

trial Psychology (UNISA).

She is currently the head

of Beyond Change, a

management consultancy.

Boqwana (right) who

holds a LLB degree from

former UPE now NMMU,

joined the company as its legal compliance

manager and holds the title of company sec-

retary on the board.

Her appointment marks the milestone of the

first black female executive director to be

appointed to the

board.

Niel Langner has

also been appointed

within Continental Tyre

South Africa as Market-

ing Manager.

Langner joins Conti-

nental with more than 20 years' experience in

the automotive Industry, with his most recent

appointment being at General Motors in their

after sales division.

He holds a BSc honours degree from

NMMU (former UPE).

Passionate about marketing, Langner said:

"I am excited to be associated with such a

strong brand and I look forward to leveraging

the high fitment levels in the OE market and

translating this into the replacement market."

New Alumni appointments

ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS OCT 2014

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The Matrix bags another national award A leading architectural firm has added

another national award to its growing col-

lection after receiving the 2014 South

African Institute of Architects (SAIA) Merit

Award for its design of the Helenvale Mul-

ti-purpose Community Centre.

The Matrix, under the leadership of for-

mer NMMU lecturer and graduate, Pro-

fessor Albrecht Herholdt, are the proud

recipients of three national SAIA awards.

“Our company was nationally recog-

nized by the Institute for the restoration of

its own premises, a former Freemasons

lodge in 2010 and the much acclaimed

restoration of the Pearson Conservatory

in St Georges Park in 2012.

Herholdt, along with his team, boasting

four NMMU alumni, are currently respon-

sible for the upgrading of the iconic Port

Elizabeth Opera House, the Multipurpose

Centre in Kwazakhele and are in the de-

sign stage of the Bachelor of Education

Foundation Phase Building at the Mis-

sionvale Campus. They

won a competition to do the

design.

“We combine creativity

with business and architec-

ture is the perfect platform

to achieve this.”

Being employed at the university for 25

years he has witnessed many success

stories.

“Many of my students have won nation-

al and international awards such as Eric

Voight - who won a national award this

year at SAIA for the Walmer Links project.

Herholdt has been involved in many

projects during his studies such as studio

master during final year which he found

both challenging and satisfactory.

He was also responsible for conservation

surveys and studies of Steytlerville, Aber-

deen, Nieu Bethesda, Uitenhage and Wel-

lington, winning the Cape Times Centenary

Award for his publications on the conserva-

tion of small towns in the Eastern Cape.

He lives by one of NMMU‟s values, „to

strive for excellence‟ and has had two

publications published.

“I recently launched my new book

‘Architectural

Conservation in

South Africa

since 1994’ and

focuses on

roughly 100 pro-

jects The Matrix

have worked on”. The book has attracted

world-wide attention. His upcoming book

‘Architectural Competitions in South Afri-

ca’ (working title) has already generated

international reaction.

Prior to this Herholdt published another

book entitled „Coastal Contemporary Ar-

chitecture of Nelson Mandela Bay 2000 -

2013’ which focuses on 55 of the best

buildings erected in the metro.

“This was to promote professional archi-

tects in the metropolitan area.”

His advise to students pursuing a career

in the architectural field is to join the Insti-

tute of Architects which „bargains for us

nationally‟.

Herholdt has served on the board of

directors twice and during his last term

was chosen on the Executive Committee,

representing the smaller institutes.

He was also National Chairman of the

Simon van der Stel Foundation.

The Matrix respects the old and adds

contemporary, new touches to their pro-

jects. Herholdt has also published a mon-

ograph on the oeuvre of architect William

White-Cooper and a book on eight Gothic

Revival Churches in Central.

The Matrix has received 14 awards to

date both regional and national awards of

merit for conservation projects. Their work

has been widely published and the com-

pany is known for their innovative work,

outstanding detailing and response to

content.

Another four-star rated project they

have designed is the 10111 SAPS Call

Centre in Port Elizabeth drawing in many

students from all over the world wanting

to work in their offices.

Herholdt has also co-ordinated eight

national and international architectural

competitions held in South Africa includ-

ing Transformation of the Red Location,

The modernization of Anglo Americans

Johannesburg Campus, Sarah Baartman

Memorial Camp and the Continent wide

Pan African Parliament Competition.

DRAWING PRAISE: Professor Albrecht Herholdt and Miles Hollins at The Ma-

trix Architects building in Richmond Hill with the award-winning projects.

Picture: JUDY DE VEGA

Join the Institute

of Architects…

they bargain for

us nationally...

Page 6 ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS

UNITY FOR TOMORROW 6

OCT 2014

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ALUMNUS, Alumni Rising Star Award

Winner and acclaimed knitwear designer

Laduma Ngxokolo – one of Port Eliza-

beth‟s most celebrated young ex-

ports came home recently to present his

range of men‟s and women‟s clothing at a

pop-up beachfront boutique.

Ngxokolo launched a women‟s range of

knitwear at SA Fashion Week in April and

has since visited Norway, Holland and

Germany showing his MaXhosa by Ladu-

ma designs.

Together with his sister Tina – a Nelson

Mandela Metropolitan University fashion

design graduate – exhibited garments at

HavanaBlu at McArthur Baths in

Humewood followed by the pop-up shop

which opened to the public during that

period.

Highlights of the evening were TV pre-

senter Siyabonga Ngwekazi as MC, ex-

hibited Ngxokolo designs such as a wool-

len rug, a cellphone cover and an African

potjie.

Ngxokolo was also approached by

SABC3 lifestyle show Top Billing to pre-

sent his story and filmed him at his home

in KwaDwesi, at his Cape Town manufac-

turing base, and his recent visit to Germa-

ny.

Both his brands, The MaXhosa by Ladu-

ma range and the Buyel‟embo Collection

have been major hits this year nationally

and internationally.

But in Europe, he said, “I try to avoid

being classified as an African designer”.

That label, he believes, pigeonholes

fashion brands and he would like to re-

main open to a wider audience.

You magazine fashion editor, Chu Su-

wannapha, and musician Zakes Bantwini

are his biggest fans and are often seen in

some of his garments.

RISING HIGH … 2013 Alumni Rising Star Award

recipient, Laduma Ngxokolo recently came home

to present his range of men’s and women’s

clothing at a pop up beachfront boutique.

Alumni award recipient does NMMU proud

HONOURS graduate in Group Dynamics

at NMMU, Sakhekile Zweni‟s dreams are

finally coming true - with the assistance of

The Herald.

Just a year after securing a dream job at

the Coega Development Corporation,

Zweni will now have a home for his family.

Last year, The Herald featured his aca-

demic success, which allowed him a

chance to prove himself in the workplace.

He has now built a three-bedroom home

where his mother and sister can stay in

Fort Beaufort.

Zweni was a guest speaker at last

year‟s Alumni Reflections event, where

graduates shared their experiences in the

university and workplace.

He was disabled seven years ago but

this did not deter him from getting his

qualification . In The Herald he says he

had to put in four hours extra each day for

work an able-bodied person would do in

only two hours.

“The report contributed immensely to

Coega finding me, as it was an inspira-

tional story to many. The Herald had

opened a door for me,” Zweni said.

Zweni who is from a rural area and grew

up in the citrus farming area of Lower

Blinkwater near Fort Beaufort.

He is currently the diversity officer at

Coega and is required to assist in devel-

oping diversity programmes in finding

strategies to hire and retain under-

represented people.

It all happened after Zweni‟s graduation

ceremony in April 2013, when Coega

called him.

“I was thrilled. The entire family was

happy,” he said

Zweni has been taught valuable life

lessons by his mother and grandmother

who always said to him “Gold is dug out of

mud, so a wonderful and beautiful thing is

dug out of nothing.

Irrespective of your circumstance, you

can do anything you apply your mind to.”

Zweni is currently completing his trea-

tise towards a Masters at NMMU in the

field of disabilities.

Quadriplegic graduate’s dreams are being realized

REFLECTING… Quadriplegic alumnus

Sakhekile Zweni is now the proud owner of

his own house in Fort Beaufort where he

originally grew up.

ALUMNI RELATIONS - PROJECTS OCT2014

7 UNITY FOR TOMORROW http://alumni.nmmu.ac.za

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Zports owner proud to be NMMU graduate

NMMU graduate and Zports owner, Michael Zoetmulder says

passion and family has drawn him back to Port Elizabeth. He

has been fortunate to visit over 30 countries around the world.

And believes the city has got to be one of the best places to

live, despite the daily challenges which living in South Africa

has. Zports recently re-introduced the Train Race event during

July which was a huge success being one of the events he

hopes to build on going forward.

“It‟s exciting being able to introduce different sporting events

to the city and the Train Race compliments our Urban Run,

Muck Run and Color Run events which we manage throughout

the year.”

Michael qualified as a computer programmer and worked in

the field while in the UK and decided he has had enough.

“Time for change and time to get back into sports” he said.

On returning to South Africa he was fortunate to discover

there was a need for professionally organised fun events in the

city. “We‟ve been blessed with good luck and good timing.”

His family and friends convinced him to re-

turn to Port Elizabeth. “There‟s never a better

place than home.”

His Unitas flat mate, Jeremy Sims, who ex-

celled in Computer Sciences influenced him

positively. “He showed just how hard work can

pay off.”

He speaks fondly of NMMU recommending

the institution as one of the best located uni-

versities in the country with awesome facili-

ties.

“I have had great times at varsity and have

made friends for life. Sadly one only realizes

afterwards just how special your time is at

University. I often think back on those care-

free days of cycling to lectures and just enjoy-

ing hang around the Kraal.”

Some lows of being a student at the former

UPE was certainly the language barrier.

“Speaking with a very poor command of the

Afrikaans language, was all the more difficult

trying to do half our subjects in Afrikaans –

hey but we made.”

Michael‟s advice to students are to make

sure that you finish and qualify.

“It‟s easier to change your career path later

in life but you need a qualification to open the

doors for you, always follow your heart, I am

proud of how NMMU continues to grow from

strength to strength.”

IN THE GENES … Michael Zoetmulder, NMMU graduate and

owner of Zports

8 UNITY FOR TOMORROW www.linkedin.com

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ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS OCT 2014

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Alumnus showcases talent at fine art gallery

News Briefs

Alumnus grabs poster prize

PHYSICS PhD student Nicholas

Kwarikunda, has won the poster

prize in the Concentrator Photo-

voltaics (CPV) section at the

29th European Photovoltaic So-

lar Energy Conference (EU

PVSEC) held in Amsterdam last

week

Kwarikunda is also part of the

Centre for Energy Research‟s

PV Group.

The EU PVSEC is the largest

international Conference for Pho-

tovoltaic Research and Technol-

ogies, Industries and Applica-

tions.

For the love of the job

NDip Argicultural Management

alumnus Bahle Kweba loved his

job so much that he was willing

to do it for free has now landed

him a permanent job at the Sun-

days River Citrus Company

(SRCC) and also a national

award.

The national award from the

AgriSeta Excellence Awards

named him Best Performing

Learner: Graduate Placements.

He has secured a permanent

job as a field technician in the

SRCC‟s agronomy department,

after balancing his studies at

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan

University (NMMU) and a two-

year internship in a graduate pro-

gramme at the company.

MTECH Fine Arts

graduate Cedric

Vanderlinden is deter-

mined to reach for the

stars through his fine

art gallery called Un-

derculture Contem-

porary.

Situated in Park Drive,

Central, Underculture

seeks to feature art-

ists predominantly

from the Nelson Man-

dela Bay and Eastern

Cape. Many whom

are NMMU gradu-

ates.

“The gallery is moti-

vated entirely by the

idea that we have this

enormous, marvelous, unbelievable talent

at our disposal and we have neither the

platform nor the public to give them the

recognition, purchases and support they

deserve,” he said.

Vandenlinden‟s main project is the MBDA

Wish You Were Here campaign. Many

NMMU alumni are open sponsors of this

project.

This private sector initiative, started by a

few art professionals, aims to raise the

profile of both the Nelson Mandela Bay

and its visual artists.

“The organisers of the event have created

a high-profile, high-visibility exhibition and

follow-up shows focused on a personal

vision of Nelson Mandela Bay as seen

through an artistic lens.”

This effort is endorsed and supported by

multiple sponsors including NMMU Alum-

ni, NMMU, MBDA and the Chamber of

Commerce and affiliated art and business

groups.

“The exhibition features approximately 90

artworks, a handful of which have been

carefully selected to identify a high stand-

ard of quality, content and artistic in-

sight.”

Sponsors have been invited to select im-

ages and support the artists with the

awarding of prizes in order to maximize

the appeal, longevity and visibility of the

project.

Vandenlinden says that NMMU has cer-

tainly contributed to his life.

“My artistic formation arose out of my time

there, the lecturers and certain people

were instrumental in shaping my thoughts

and understanding about art.”

He then married this with direct business

experience.

“What I benefited the most from, though

and I fear that we are moving away from

that with over-specialized studies, was a

broad knowledge base and lively cross-

pollination.

Together with enthusiastic support of

some lecturers they managed to change

many of the „thank you for not smoking‟

signs into „thank you for not thinking.‟

“I think that universities should be envi-

ronments that foster this kind of playful

and inquisitive boundary pushing.”

Vandenlinden shares his favourite quote

from The 13th Warrior with students and

graduates trying to make it in life outside

the university.

“Luck will see a man through if his cour-

age holds out, so hold on, focus and nev-

er give up.”

CULTIVATING ART … Fine arts graduate Cedric Vandenlin-

den, Owner of Underculture Contemporary Fine Art gallery

is determined to see his art dream realized. Photo by Basil

Brady

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ALUMNI RELATIONS - GALLERY

OCT 2014

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP FOR ED-

UCATORS ... NMMU Director of

Alumni Relations Paul Geswindt was

requested by the Department of Edu-

cation (PE District) to share some

Lessons in Leadership with post lev-

el 1 educators. More than sixty edu-

cators, who form part of a DoE devel-

opment programme, attended the

event which took place at the Mis-

sionvale Campus Conference Centre.

DoE officials Chris Muller (from left),

Michelle Mbaco and Pam Mbusi also

participated in the event with Paul

Geswindt.

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SHARING CULTURES … The annual alumni “Reflections”

event for Diversity Month focused on the theme, 20 years

of democracy. Attending the event were Hiten & Jhesal

Parmer (photo 1) as well as BCom (Law) graduate Aarti

Narotam (photo 2) who not only shared her story but also

performed a traditional Indian dance.

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CELEBRATING TOP 40 … NMMU Alumni Association together

with the Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber hosted a cocktail event to

celebrate the achievements of the Top 40 Under 40 achievers who

are NMMU alumni. Attending the event were Devereaux Joubert

(from left) Perlusha Naidoo and Marieka Barnard (photo 1) along

with Mr Steyn (from left) and Professor Joleen Kotze - Steyn with

Director: Alumni Relations Paul Geswindt (photo 2).

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ALUMNI RELATIONS - 20TH CHOIR ANNIVERSARY

OCT 2014

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REUNITING … With the Choir festivities which took place

recently many choir alumni and friends joined in the open-

ing function in the form of a cocktail. Talitha Oosthuizen

(from left), Mikhael Gelderblom & Jode May (photo 1),

NMMU’s Dean of students Khaya Matiso (from left), Alumni

Association President Randall Jonas and Director of Alum-

ni Relations Paul Geswindt (photo 2), former radio present-

er and Group Public Affairs & Communications Manager for

Coca-Cola Buli G and acting CEO of the NMMU Trust Renita

Affat (photo 3), Ken Gotyana and Gustel Agenbag (photo 4)

and Grace Zichawo (from left), Kendra Cosburn, Siphumle

Ntsokolo and Beverly Blignaut (photo 5) enjoyed the cock-

tail event which kicked off the celebrations.

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REUNITING … With the Choir festivities taking place recently

many choir alumni and friends joined in the opening cocktail

function. Present were Talitha Oosthuizen (from left), Mikhael

Gelderblom & Jode May (photo 1), former radio presenter and

Group Public Affairs & Communications Manager for Coca-

Cola Buli G and acting CEO of the NMMU Trust Renita Affat

(photo 2), Ken Gotyana and Gustel Agenbag (photo 3), a

group of NMMU’s choir members and choir alumni enjoyed

the cocktail event which kicked off the 20th Choir Anniversary

celebrations. NMMU Alumni Association presented the NMMU

Choir with a Certificate of Appreciation at their 20th Anniver-

sary Concert the Saturday Evening. Receiving the award from

Alumni Association President Randall Jonas (right) are Mzukisi

Kota, Jessica Horne and Junita van Dijk - conductor (photo 5).

NMMU Choir 20th Reunion

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ALUMNI RELATIONS - LONDON SOCIAL

OCT 2014

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LONDON ACCOLADES… The CEO of SABMiller

Dr Alan Clark (centre) received his Alumni

Achiever Award at the Alumni cocktail function

held in London during July. Dr Clark could not

attend the 2013 Alumni Awards ceremony but

agreed to be the speaker at the event in Lon-

don, where he is based. NMMU Trust Acting

CEO Renita Affat (left) and Director: Alumni

Relations Paul Geswindt join him in the picture.

Attending the event were Corbyn Dolley (from

left), Robin Petersen, Riaan Osman (photo 2).

Also attending the event were Pieter van

Rooyen and Adam Collier (photo 3) and Jean

Horak-Druiff (from left), Shumoné Groener,

Gregory Stange and Lisa Baird (photo 4).

UK Alumni Social

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