Post on 30-Apr-2019
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
Page 4 ALUMNI RELATIONS - NEWSMAKERS
UNITY FOR TOMORROW 4
OCT 2014
www.linkedin.com
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
5 UNITY FOR TOMORROW www.twitter.com
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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
www.facebook.com
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
9 UNITY FOR TOMORROW www.twitter.com
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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).
10 UNITY FOR TOMORROW www.facebook.com
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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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11 UNITY FOR TOMORROW alumni@nmmu.ac.za
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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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