Rhodes University held its annual Vice-Chancellor and Thomas Alty Awards on 6 June this year. This award ceremony recognises staff who successfully completed an additional qualification either through Rhodes University or an external academic institution over the past year.

Manager of Learning and Development at Rhodes University, Mr Schalk van der Merwe, said in an email to recipients: “Congratulations to all staff who have recently successfully completed an additional qualification. We acknowledge that this takes dedication and sacrifice.”

Thirty-eight staff members received an award from the VC’s Office. These staff members have studied hard over the last few years to enable them to better serve the student community.

Humanities Assistant Librarian, Mr Vuyo Ntamo, expressed his delight at being recognised. “For the University to recognise us in this way, is remarkable and it justifies me coming to Rhodes. I love the fact that I can study whilst working to improve not only myself but to be able to better help students within the library setting.”

For Senior Organisational Psychology Lecturer, Dr Grant Freedman, the CHERTL course was well worth his time. “I found that the most valuable aspect of the course was me coming into contact with other academics from a variety of disciplines. Hearing what they were doing in their classrooms gave me ideas on what to apply in my classroom,” he said.

Another recipient, Mrs Ikhona Mvaphantsi, who received a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies, indicated that the hard work she put in finally paid off. “It is not easy to be a wife, mom, and work and study, but the hard work and sacrifices have paid off. Already the work covered in my studies is paying dividends in my current portfolio within the Rhodes University’s conference office. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the Communication and Advancement Unit for their support and giving me the opportunity to make use of my new found skills when I worked there,” she said.

This year there have been seven PhDs, six Masters degrees, six Bachelor’s degrees, 13 CHERTL certifications, one LLBC degree, and five postgraduate diplomas and certificates.   

This year’s awardees are:

Debbie Martindale

Mr Thuso Moss                

Mr Gareth Robertson           

Miss Seshnee Reddy                

Mrs Nicholette Searle              

Miss Sibabalwe Mpofu                

Ms Noxolo Ntintili            

Dr Eugene Grosch

Mr Evert Knoesen

Dr Grant Freedman

Mr Sandiso Bazana

Dr Sheunesu Ruwanza

Samkelo Malgas

Mr Alan Herbert

Mr Nkosinathi Madondo

Dr Candice Coombes

Dr Aretha Phiri

Mr Karl Van der Schyff

Dr Sukhmani Mantel

Dr Jane Tanner

Mrs Ikhona Mvaphantsi          

Mr Vuyo Ntamo

Miss Thembeka Amanda Phephu              

Miss Masimbulele Buso               

Mrs Margaret Gascoyne Wolff               

Mr Elija Moleseng Madiba              

Mr Christopher Thorpe              

Ms Jaqueline Trassierra          

Miss Buncwanekazi Mankantshu           

Miss Philisa Tawule              

Dr Loshni Govender

Dr Alan Herbert              

Dr Carol Leff                

Dr Tawanda Mataka              

Dr Lyndrianne Myers               

Dr Thando Njovane             

Dr Ian Sieborger           

Mr Cecil Peters

Dr Remigius Nnadozie

Mr Khaya Tantsi