Our Journey: 2016-2020 CREATING YOUR FUTURE
Division of Student Development and Support
Division of Student Development and Support
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MEET OUR LEADERS UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: SDS Prof. Pamela Dube pdube@uwc.ac.za
DIRECTOR: CAMPUS HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTRE Dr Manoj Bagwandeen mbagwandeen@uwc.ac.za
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DVC: SDS Mr Khaya Magopeni nmagopeni@uwc.ac.za
DIRECTOR: RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Mr Mark Seale mseale@uwc.ac.za
DIRECTOR: CENTRE FOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Mrs Laetitia Permall lpermall@uwc.ac.za
DIRECTOR: SPORT ADMINISTRATION Mr Mandla Gagayi mgagayi@uwc.ac.za
HOD: FINANCIAL AID Mr Michael Kwatsha mkwatsha@uwc.ac.za
MANAGER: OFFICE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Mr Winston Middleton wmiddleton@uwc.ac.za
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS
CENTRE FOR STUDENT SUPPORT
OFFICE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
FINANCIAL AID
CAMPUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTRE
SPORT ADMINISTRATION
The CSSS provides broad student-centered development and professional services, programmes, training opportunities and resources aimed at enhancing students’ academic experiences, graduate attributes and quality of life.
To build out and maintain vibrant student development programmes that are responsive to The Student Experience and student learning outcomes, and meaningfully embedded in the University’s co-curricular space and academic project.
“Dedicated to creating a sense of community” Student Housing Placement and Administration ResLife focuses on psycho-social programming, living and learning activities, academic support, leadership development and general wellness support for all residence students.
The Office for Financial Aid provides access to financial support and advisory services to all academically deserving students, especially those that are coming from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
A medical practice offering affordable healthcare services and embracing a holistic approach.
UWC Sport builds and profiles the image of the University through the support of both competitive and campus recreation sport as a contributor to the holistic development of the students and staff of the University.
FOREWORD AND CONTENTS
READY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS For sure, university life does have its challenges but our staff members at the Division of Student Development and Support (SDS) are ready to serve where needed. SDS is an integrated service at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), comprising six offices that collectively oversee student affairs. SDS comprises staff members who possess a range of experience and skills to ensure that our students receive services to complement their academic experience.
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NYONE WHO HAS STUDIED AT UNIVERSITY
would likely have fond memories about the connections they made with other students, their lecturers, and even those times when things seemed tough yet they pulled through.
We understand that stepping into a new routine of vigorous studies and a new environment may seem overwhelming at first. We endeavour to create an environment that is welcoming to our students. From residential services to ensuring sporting facilities, and helping students with disabilities access an equal education without discrimination, it is our role to work as a team and lay the groundwork for student success.
As most of our students are entering their young adult life and preparing for life-changing careers, we want them to aspire to greatness. Over the last five years, we have achieved many milestones, as you will find out in this publication. We take this moment to reflect on our past five years as a Division. We are proud of our contribution to building out UWC and look forward to the next chapter, 2021 to 2025 of this journey. We encourage readers to view this publication as our story told through the voices of staff and students. We showcase our work and introduce our stakeholders to the goals we still want to achieve as part of an ongoing conversation. So, join us on this journey as we have every intention to grow to greater heights. PROF. PAMELA DUBE DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contents 02
The World of SDS
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Integrated Operational Plan and Goals
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Professional Development
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Game Changers
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Achievements
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Challenges and Mitigating Strategies
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Desired Enablers
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Celebrating our Staff and Students
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Thanking our staff UWC’s Sport Administration ensures students have access to sports facilities. One of our great achievements is nurturing top athletes and Herschel Jantjies (Springbok and IRB World Cup winner) is one of them.
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THE WORLD OF SDS
AS PROFESSIONAL LEADERS, WE ASPIRE TO CO-CREATE A HOLISTIC UWC STUDENT EXPERIENCE FOR CRITICAL GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. students to be goal-directed as change agents. This tagline is echoed in the Charter of UWC Graduate Attributes and Goal One of the University’s Institutional Operating Plan 2016-2020, the Holistic Student Experience. It is a strengthsbased approach that keeps in line with the SDS ethos.
UNITING TO HELP FUTURE-READY STUDENTS SHINE Through six departments, Student Development and Support (SDS) delivers an integrated service to our students. Our work over the last five years has been guided by our clear strategy and informed by the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Institutional Operation Plan 2016-2021 – with successful results.
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TUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT SHOULD ESSENTIALLY BE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS IN
HIGHER EDUCATION. The growth and the increasing demand for this function over the last few decades in the higher education landscape has been propelled by the need in the world for multi-skilled, adaptable, innovative global citizens to tackle the challenges of the 21st Century. As a central institutional function or Division, whether you call it student affairs, as in the United States, or student development and support, as in Europe,
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
this field in higher education has seen the development of an essential service in the education of students worldwide, including developing countries such as South Africa by dedicated professionals. At UWC, the work that SDS does is guided by our Vision Statement: “As professional leaders, we aspire to co-create a holistic UWC student experience for critical global citizenship”. Coupled to this is our tagline ‘Creating Your Future’, a call to encourage
Our services are delivered through six departments, namely: Office for Student Development; Campus Health and Wellness; Centre for Student Support Services; Financial Aid; Sport Administration; and Residential Services. Through our departments, we have achieved several goals and gained much recognition over the last five years. This includes being named the Greenest Campus nationally three times; identified as one of the best Career Services three times; launching a Co-curriculum record, the Media Society that had led to the establishment of uDubs Radio; recognised internationally through our UWC Creative Arts Choir through its national and international awards; leading our rugby team to win the Varsity Shield; increasing our mental health services as well as support and advocacy programmes for gender-based violence or gender equity, including a policy on sexual violence. Typically, student development and support services include but are not limited to most of the co-curricular activities necessary to support and develop students holistically. At UWC, these are considered co-curricular activities, which are programmes and learning experiences that complement the formal teaching and learning of the academic project without earning credit points and which reflects a range of substantial participation and initiatives of students during their study years. In the context of multi-cultural academic
diversity, stimulated by globalisation, it is necessary for all aspects of university life, student services included, to meet various challenges. Many aspects of student life, on an academic, social or cultural level, become more difficult to understand and manage with a population that finds itself in a state of continual growth and diversification. To this effect, the creation of efficient student services that are focused on its necessities, to provide the required support for academic activity and stimulate personal, social, cultural and cognitive development, is needed. Critical global citizenship asks of individuals not so much to neglect notions of belonging and practice to a particular locale, but to extend such
Asiphe Cetywayo
Preparation improves student’s job search MY JOB INTERVIEW PREPARATION was made a whole lot easier thanks to the Career Xplora Mock Interview tool. With this tool, you have two options. You can either take a pre-structured interview for your specific discipline or create your mock interview by selecting questions.
You then record your interview, play it back and request others, or Careers Service, to review it. The questions in the tool are not only career-focused. Some are personal questions such as “describe yourself; what are your short/
affinities beyond the territorial boundaries of their formal national membership and to think critically and ethically about their local, national and global relationship with those who are different from themselves. As such, a critical global citizenship approach espouses citizenship that is democratic and ethical, as well as being aimed at achieving social peace and sustainable justice, but which is also affected by material conditions of inequality that require political solutions and commitment from individuals, states, non-governmental and civil society organisations. It is our goal at SDS that UWC graduates are not only future-ready but also able to aspire to the ideals of being truly global citizens.
long-term goals?” and others are behavioural based such as “describe a situation where you had difficulty in dealing with a team member”. Fortunately, I was asked questions at an actual interview that were similar to those that I selected for my mock interview. The Mock Interview tool was my favourite tool offered on Career Xplora as I am quite shy and could record myself in my own space. I then reviewed the interview and identified mistakes that could have negatively influenced my subsequent interviews. My mistakes included the number of times I said ‘uhm’, lack of eye contact, poor posture, speaking too fast and facial expressions. These aspects are often overlooked by students when, in fact, it could make or break your chance of landing a job. I received valuable feedback from a staff member of the Careers Service after sharing the recording. The tool is remarkable in that you can record and review it as many times as you like until you feel that you are confident enough.
Evadne Abrahams
Celebrating a global citizen amidst our ranks EVADNE ABRAHAMS embodies many qualities of our work with students. She started working as an administrator at the Child Guidance Unit at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) after the June 1976 student protests that catapulted South Africa’s youth struggles into the global spotlight. Abrahams continued working for UWC for a few more decades after that and retired only after 43 years of loyal service.
Abrahams was the architect and head of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSwD) at the Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS). Her passion and deep regard for students, colleagues and UWC, resourcefulness and her networking skills enabled OSwD to become a benchmark for student services across higher education institutions. Labels such as “disadvantaged, limited or dependent” were never part of her vocabulary. And Abrahams demanded that students and colleagues find agency within themselves, that principles be upheld and that giving up was not an option. Her ‘can-do-it’ spirit and creative energy rubbed off on all who crossed her path. All the staff at CSSS celebrated her and the privilege of working with a wonderful human being and global citizen.
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INTEGRATED OPERATIONAL PLAN AND GOALS
New students arrive for a whole new world of opportunities at the University of the Western Cape during Orientation Week.
SETTING GOALS ENSURES WE SHINE University graduates need to be competitive and relevant in a global context, given the demands of the changing higher education landscape and the 21st Century workplace. To this end, a holistic student experience is at the heart of what Student Development and Support (SDS) offers.
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DS STAFF BELIEVES in the transforming and empowering value of education and the integral and inherent experiences of each student are recognised.
SDS proposes a student-centred, strengths-based approach that optimises engaged student learning, success and wellbeing through a diversity of pathways in the co-curricular space. We provide professional, research-based development and support services and co-curricular programmes, with inclusivity and effective student engagement.
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
SDS Strategic Priorities Our strategic priorities are aligned to five of the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Institutional Operating Plan (IOP) goals. These are the student experience; learning and teaching; people framework; enhancing UWC’s standing and profile, and leadership, management and governance; and informed by the Well-being Indicator Tool for Youth. The outcome of an integrated planning and implementation process was the five strategic priorities, each with identified
key projects driven collectively or individually by SDS departments. Furthermore, these projects are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 and expected to be the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The top four goals of the SDGs to address the global challenges are to reduce inequalities (#10), poverty (#1), gender inequality (#5), and promote peace, justice and strong institutions (#16). The 17 Goals are interconnected and the plan is to achieve them all by 2030.
SDS defines new paradigms SDS staff strives to harness respect for individuality, culture, identity and their needs; get the job done; activate
student potential by promoting their agency. As SDS, we strive to engage all students and staff as responsible and worthy. We are co-creators of the success of our students, campus, environment and our sustainability. Through building relationships, we enrich each other’s values, and thus support the potential for academic success. Steady progress has been made in achieving our vision and strategic priorities through an optimal structure, relevant policies, efficient systems and intentional programmes.
SDS values People centredness Student success is central to our mission. Staff wellness and resilience are paramount in partnering and supporting the mission.
Integrity We model the highest level of ethical standards and best practices to attain exceptional quality in our work. Integrity is exhibited when our actions are in alignment with the values of morality, honesty, mutual responsibility, accountability and professionalism.
Agency We value students’ agency in becoming socially and environmentally responsible members of the campus and engaged citizens of the global community.
Respect We treat each individual and our environment with high regard, appreciation and courtesy.
Inclusivity We embrace, support, celebrate and we are strengthened by diverse perspectives, abilities and identities.
Caring We provide a welcoming, safe and conducive environment that allows students to develop and achieve their life’s goals and learning.
SDS Strategic Priorities Student Development and Support Strategic Framework Each SDS department plan informs the SDS Strategic Plan. Following a comprehensive review, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor-SDS presented the SDS Strategic Plan to the University Council. It is outlined below. 1. Holistic student experience and co-curricular opportunities Selected key projects: n Experiential Learning n Nutrition and Wellness Project n Co-curricular Transcript n Radio Project n Incubator Leadership Development Programme n Career Xplora Portal n Disability Focus and Inclusive Programme n Policy Review n High Performance Sport n Oppidan Students Forum n UCDP/HDI Grants 2. Academic Excellence Support Selected key projects: n Ikamva Lethu Fund n Faculty Forums n Making Your Mark – 2nd year students focused predictive analytics programme n South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE)
5. Stakeholder networks and public engagement Selected key projects: n Fundraising n Tiger Brands Partnership n Rape Crisis and Genderworks n AKESO and SADAG n Universal Design Africa
Institutional Operating Plan Goals Core Goal Areas The Student Experience: Stimulating university experience through student enrolment management and co-curricular opportunities. Learning and Teaching: Excellent learning and teaching experience. Research and Innovation: Excellent research and innovation.
Enabling Goal Areas 3. Student Governance and Leadership Selected key projects: n Functioning and Alignment of Governance Structures n Incubator Leadership Development Programme n Student Engagement Sessions and Leadership Conversations n Debates n Elections 4. Human Resources and Transformation imperatives Selected key projects: n Student and Staff Wellness n Student Ambassadors n Staff Development
People Framework: Higher education employer of choice. Financial Viability: Strengthen and diversify UWC’s financial base. Enhancing UWC’s Standing and Profile: Shape the internal and external standing and profile of UWC. Development of the Campus and Surrounding Areas Leadership, Management and Governance: Provide effective leadership and strong governance and management practices.
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SDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FUTURE-READY STAFF
KEEP LEARNING
Staff academic pursuits
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DEGREES COMPRISING:
The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) graduate attribute of an attitude towards lifelong learning is developed amongst Student Development and Support (SDS) staff as well. Bearing testimony to this, our staff members have over the last five years engaged in a variety of continuous professional development and academic progression programmes.
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DS HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING staff to
develop their skills through establishing human resource training activities, including 153 workshops attended during UWC’s Institutional Operating Plan (IOP) period 2016 to 2020. Our staff are also affiliated to various professional bodies within the higher education sector. This includes the
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA); Educational Psychology Association of South Africa (EPASSA); South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP); Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE); South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA); Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I South African Chapter); Higher Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA); South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP). At an institutional level, SDS has served on 17 committees at UWC, participating influentially towards the realisation of the goals in the UWC IOP as well as influencing higher education activities nationally.
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PHD DEGREES
MASTERS DEGREES
HONOURS DEGREES
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT (SDS) STAFF ARE ALWAYS STRIVING TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES AND ENSURE OUR SERVICES REMAIN EFFECTIVE. A few of the main committees SDS staff served on are the Senate Executive Committee; UWC IOP Task Team; Marketing and Recruitment Support Forum; Registrar’s Administrative Forum; SDS Co-Curricular Record Committee; First Year Experience Reference Group; SASI Road Map Project; Safe Campus Project; Graduate Competency Development Task Team; Sexual Violence Task Team; UWC Food Security Task Team. A key professional development activity in which SDS contributes towards has been UWC being recognised as a quality institution of learning and teaching. This was achieved through providing internship training for social work students in their final year of qualification. Strengthening professional links has led to Therapeutic Services (TS) at the Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS) in the office of SDS gaining accreditation with the HPCSA as a psychology intern
Staff conference attendance in numbers:
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STAFF MEMBERS
PRESENTATIONS
attended various conferences
were delivered by staff
50 5 NATIONAL CONFERENCES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
attended
attended
training site, allowing MPsych students to complete their final year of training before writing their national board exams and registering as psychologists. The TS at CSSS internship programme is well known and respected nationally for excellent training of counseling psychologists. The internship year requires intensive training and supervision of two selected intern psychologists per annum. The intern psychologists deliver a professional counseling service to UWC students under close supervision from senior psychologists at TS. The intern psychologists offer individual and group counseling, psychometric assessments, community service, crisis intervention and psycho-educational workshops to UWC students. In the past eight years, all the intern psychologists trained at TS, CSSS passed their board exams on the first attempt and registered as professional psychologists with the HPCSA. SDS introduced a much-needed programme to address gender-based violence in general and specifically a trauma response option for survivors of rape and/or sexual assault. In partnership with Rape Crisis and the Thuthuzela Care Centre at Karl Bremer Hospital, survivors of this trauma had direct access to a “one-stop-centre” to offer medical, forensic, legal and counseling support, free of charge. Rape Crisis trained a number of UWC staff members and student leaders to be first responders in cases of rape and/or sexual assault. Clear protocols were put in place across UWC to offer an efficient and rapid, co-ordinated emergency response to all reported cases of rape/sexual assault. These partnerships are maintained and services are regularly evaluated and adjusted to serve the student population as best as possible. The fight against gender-based violence and specifically sexual assault and rape is an ongoing main focus area for SDS. Through SDS, UWC is also the only
Staff topics presented at national conferences: n
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Career Services ‘on-theline’: The experience of Career Services at the University of the Western Cape with a Client Relationship Management Tool Sport Leadership and Peak Performance The impact of a cocurricular programme on the development of Graduate Attributes in first-year students A gentle side to toughness, turning challenges into opportunities through sport Exploring Social Accountability for Psychology Therapeutic Services and its efficacy of services at UWC Managing Student Anxiety Towards reducing the stigma and increasing Hope and Recovery in students with mental health issues
university in Africa with trained facilitators to offer an internationally accredited Personal Mastery and Empowerment Training Programme amongst higher education students and staff, and this is in affiliation with the IMAGINE Global Change Initiative. SDS staff’s personal growth includes furthering their academic qualifications and participating in a number of conferences. At least five of these conferences were at international locations, which included a presentation at the University of Porto, Portugal, with the topic presented being ‘Embedding Job Search Skills into the Curriculum at UWC’. Another international presentation was delivered at the IMAGINE Personal Mastery and Empowerment Institute Global Summit in Morocco and Amman respectively, while Italy and Botswana hosted sports conferences which were attended by SDS delegates.
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GAME CHANGERS
CHANGE THE STATUS QUO!
Students with disabilities have customised test and exam venues, ensuring they are part of the education journey at UWC.
Student Development and Support (SDS) has been able to introduce events, activities and procedures that have marked significant and strategic shifts. Our interventions tackle some of the everyday challenges that students face. We call these our Game Changers, which have primarily focused on student’s mental health, food security and gender-based violence.
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AME CHANGERS are the culmination of
our staff ’s innovation, creativity and passion in response to our shifting landscape. In this section, we offer insight into some of our Game Changers.
Universal Design Ground Floor Sponsored by DHET, the new universally designed space of the Office for Students with Disabilities opened to improve the experience for students with disabilities.
nutritional dry food packs. In collaboration with the hunger relief organisation Rise Against Hunger, the project augments the existing food security and nutrition projects within SDS.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation Funded by DHET through UCDG, this project aims to provide safe spaces for students to engage in discussions, training and advocacy against genderbased violence in support of UWC’s Sexual Violence Policy.
Making Your Mark through MAP-Works
Food packing event in collaboration with Rise Against Hunger to create awareness about food security.
Mental Health and Wellness Funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) through the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG), this project aims to utilise research and engagement with staff and students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to understand the contextual challenges and behaviours to inform the development of an integrated, grounded Mental Health and Wellness policy and plan.
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
Funded by DHET through UCDG, this project aims to use predictive analytics as a proactive measure to enable student engagement and student success. Online survey results generate an individual and faculty map to facilitate agency in the pursuit of academic excellence.
Rise Against Hunger This project encourages student and staff participation in the packaging of
Student Achievement Awards We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the SDS Student Achievement Awards in 2019. The categories included Student Governance and Leadership, Student Leadership, Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Student Mentoring, Student Tutoring and Academic Support, Student Orientation, Work Study, UWC Brand Ambassadorship and Best Performing Student Structure.
Personal Mastery and Empowerment This project, in collaboration with the NPO Cabanga, provides participants with a framework and the tools to create the change they want to see in their life and to stay on the growing edge of self-mastery.
Ikamva Lethu Fund
Sport is one of the ways we help students stay mentally healthy.
Launched in 2016 in conjunction with the SRC, this fundraising campaign aims to support students who do not qualify for financial assistance and form part of the “missing middle”. The Fund assists with fees, food and academic materials.
Upgrade of Sports Facilities
Nutrition and Wellness
The Stadium has undergone various upgrades to meet the increased demand for world-class training, competing and hosting facilities.
Sponsored by the DVC-SDS and a partnership with Tiger brands and Food Forward, the Nutrition and Wellness project assists students that experience food insecurity.
UWC Career Xplora portal The Careers Service Management tool by Symplicity enables UWC Career Service to provide a customised online service to our students via our Career Xplora portal. Students and Recruiters have access to online career services, thus greatly enhancing efficiency and quality, and enabling us to move towards a paperless system.
High Performance Centre (HPC) Funded by the HDI grant the HPC allows athletes to improve their performance and competitiveness through state-ofthe-art medical and scientific support services. Supported by dedicated medical staff and students, the HPC has enhanced the student athlete’s ability to compete at national as well as international level.
Financial Aid Upgrading to Mercury The Financial Aid Office established a multi-faceted communication strategy to increase its reach and awareness of available funding through collaboration with internal departments and securing long term funding from external donors.
Co-Curricular Record Launched in 2016, the Co-Curricular Record provides students with an official transcript of their involvement in learning and development activities outside of the confines of the academic programme.
Implemented in 2017, the Residence Management System was upgraded to Mercury which automates the residence placement process.
New Door Locks System and Refurbished Access Points Some residences were upgraded with electronic door lock systems. Students can access their rooms via a card and this has addressed illegal occupancy and theft within residences. Other residences will be upgraded within the new IOP cycle.
UWC Media Society Academic Support Programme In collaboration with the Department of Sport Recreation and Exercise Science (SRES), the Academic Support Programme was established in 2019. Student athletes are supported in managing their academic commitments and achieving academic success while balancing their ability to be competitive within their sport codes.
All Student Leaders Induction Established in 2018, the University of the Western Cape’s Media Society consists of Radio, TV and Print Media and it marks UWC’s return to the media space after the previous Campus Radio Station ceased to exist. This student-driven campus- and community-focused media initiative aims to create and promote a professional media environment at UWC.
Sustainability of the Gym
Leadership Incubator Programme
The UWC gym was relaunched in 2016. It provides fitness and training services to the UWC community as well as the surrounding communities at a competitive price point. The incomegenerating ability of the gym has enabled it to support UWC athletes competing in national events.
Launched in 2018 the programme offers aspirant student leaders who wish to form part of formal student governance an opportunity to engage in leadership conversations, training workshops in order to be exposed to practical tasks or assignments of student leadership beforehand.
Inaugurated in 2018 the All Student Leaders Induction (ASLI) provides induction and training for over 200 student leaders across all residence bodies and programmes including the Green Campus Initiative, the Creative Arts Choir and the RS Tutors.
Free Health Checks The Campus Health and Wellness Centre (CHWC) in collaboration with NGO’s and NPO’s offer students free and quick health checks that they would usually not be able to afford or have the time to do. The CHWC continues to offer free HIV counselling and testing services. TB and STI screenings as well as PAP Smears are also available. Male and female condoms are provided free of charge as part of the HIV and STI prevention campaign.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
Nazrana Parker (centre), Co-ordinator of UWC Careers Service, was the joint winner for the SAGEA Best Employer Representative Award in 2019.
WINNING WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE Student Development and Support (SDS) has reached a number of milestones in achieving its key objectives and at the same time enhancing progress for the University of the Western Cape (UWC). With our support for students covering the breadth of university life, it is ultimately students who benefit most from our achievements.
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HROUGH VARIOUS STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS, our
achievements are the result of the effort and skill of our staff members who deliver services with commitment, courage and passion. We work as a collective to ensure co-curricular activities and learning experiences complement student’s academic pursuits. Our co-curricular programmes and interventions have been developed as part of our five-year strategic plan, which is linked to the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Institutional Operating Plan (IOP) strategic framework.
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
Our co-curricular programmes are aimed at enabling students to realise their full potential. Students need to become self-aware beyond the classroom and ready for life after graduation. We try to ensure that students are empowered to use their education and skills to have a positive impact in society. To this end, the Office for Student Development (OSD) has been focused on ensuring students can access information and tools to assist them plan a career path. In 2017, OSD launched UWC Career Xplora, the Career Service Management
tool by Symplicity. Through this tool, students and recruiters have access to online career services, enabling the move towards a paperless system, which greatly enhanced efficiency and quality. Just two years after its launch, in November 2019, the UWC Career Xplora portal won the award for the Best Work Readiness Initiative at the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) Awards, a national employer benchmark survey among leading recruiters. This award is bestowed upon a university careers service unit that has developed an innovative work readiness initiative to effectively prepare students for the job search and world of work. While this was an external marker of our success, by June 2020 the fact that more than 12 000 of our
students and alumni accessed this portal for their job search confirmed our decision to invest in this tool. Further testimony to this achievement was the results of the 2019 Universum South African Student Survey, which found that UWC students were satisfied with our careers service. Since 2016, this satisfaction rating ranged between 6.9 and 7.6 points, consistently higher than the national average. Other achievements at the SAGEA Awards include being voted third place for the Best Careers Service and fourth place for the Best Career Fair in 2019. SDS has also made it to the Top 10 universities for Best Careers Service and Best Career Fair since 2013 in the SAGEA Employer Benchmark Survey, which provides the latest market information to the graduate recruitment industry. This demonstrates that UWC remains an institution of choice for employers when searching for graduate talent. SAGEA also rate our staff highly. In 2019, Nazrana Parker, Co-ordinator of UWC Careers Service,
Our winning numbers
was the joint winner for the SAGEA Best Employer Representative Award. This award goes to a university careers service staff member who liaises with employer representatives, who nominate the best performers to SAGEA. OSD achievements in other co-curricular activities include managing the Student Representative Council election, which since 2002 has been declared credible, free and fair. OSD also runs the annual Student Orientation Programme, which has been benchmarked by numerous universities in South Africa. SDS believes in value-add interventions and programmes. To ensure our work improves, we conduct surveys to gain information and feedback to inform our strategies that respond appropriately to the needs and aspirations of students. UWC was not immune to nationwide student protests in 2015 and in 2017. Protests had an impact on university assets and eroded relationships between
staff and students. However, our persistence in reaching out to students through programming and communitybuilding initiatives paid dividends. As we value the student voice, RS administered surveys and compiled reports about services and student knowledge of our support services. Through this, students became more aware of our processes. As a result of this intervention, RS demonstrated a steady increase in students accessing support and services. Student leadership in turn offered thematic programming on current issues for students to connect and have important peer conversations on topical issues. Among these issues has been gender-based violence and RS decided to change its logo to reflect its stance against this scourge. In partnership with students, RS conducted focused campaigns to educate, advocate and create awareness about gender-based violence.
OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE STUDENTS USE THEIR EDUCATION AND SKILLS TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOCIETY.
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ATHLETES REPRESENTED SOUTH AFRICA AT THE CUCSA GAMES IN ZIMBABWE (2018) AND BOTSWANA (2018)
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ATHLETES REPRESENTED SOUTH AFRICA AT THE WORLD STUDENT GAMES (UNIVERSIADE, ITALY) IN 2019
12 000
OF OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI ACCESSED THE UWC CAREER XPLORA PORTAL FOR THEIR JOB SEARCH SDS co-curricular programmes have successfully helped UWC students realise their potential beyond the classroom.
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collaboration across SDS departments. The pool of donors is increasing. The Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS) has different offices that link students to our broad range of services. Its Office for Students with Disabilities (OSwD) in September 2019 moved into its new revamped offices located on the ground floor. This was a culmination of years of engagement to make universal access possible for students with disabilities. UWC’s winning athletes claim another victory.
Sport Administration achievements n
Student Sports Council revived in 2017 and coordinated the following initiatives: Leadership and Athlete Honours Board, Student Athlete Computer Lab, Collection and distribution of sanitary towels to female athletes and learners in collaboration with the Thembi Kgatlana Foundation.
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Student Athlete Academic Support Programme established in 2019.
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Many student athletes have graduated, including two doctoral candidates who played football, namely Dr. Lwando Mdleleni and Dr. Siyabulela Hamnca.
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Appointment of diverse staff: Ms Nadia Mgulwa (African female), Mr Hassan Sobekwa
Another noteworthy achievement was when the university’s Creative Arts Choir, under the mentorship and support of RS, was announced as the winner in the World Choir Games in 2018. The choir subsequently participated in the opening ceremonies for the Varsity Cup rugby tournament, university awards evenings and fund-raisers for worthy causes as part of marketing themselves and becoming selfsustaining.
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
(African male), Mr Clement Trout (Coloured male) and Mr Glen Bentley (Coloured male). n
From 2019, female teams will be coached by female coaches, such as football, volleyball and cricket.
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External stakeholders and public engagements: • University Sport South Africa – UWC Sports Director is First Vice-President • Varsity Cup – UWC Sports Director is a Board Member • Varsity Sports – UWC Sports Director is an Executive Member • University Sports Company – UWC Vice-Chancellor is the Chairperson • WITS Sport - An MoU with WITS Sport for a staff exchange
The Development Officer (DO) programme worthily contributes to mitigating risk alongside our counseling staff who offer psycho-social support. Residential Services employ social workers (master’s and doctoral degree candidates) to provide counseling support after hours and for emergencies. The Graduate Competency Development Programme (GCDP), initiated to allow students to study and gain work experience signals
This new space with its universal design provides support to 220 students registered with the OSwD. This building includes an emergency exit ramp with a railing to guide blind and visually impaired students. The height of the reception desk accommodates wheelchair users with sufficient knee clearance. It also has a large Computer Lab with assistive technology and wheelchair accessible desks, as well as a large test and exam venue. The OSwD location move also marked a time of leadership change, with the newly appointed manager, Verushka Daniels, welcomed into her role. The previous founding stalwart, Evadne Abrahams, bowed out after 35 years at OSwD. Among the achievements for our Office for Leadership and Social Responsibility is The Leadership Engagement Dialogue (LED) talks, a platform created to facilitate critical thinking about the future of South Africa. Its main objective is for students to “question everything”. During the LED’s inaugural event in 2019, an emerging legal philosopher and unconventional young scholar, Dr Joel Modiri, presented a thought-provoking input on the notions of freedom.
UWC’s Creative Arts Choir won the World Choir Games in 2018.
CHALLENGES AND MITIGATING STRATEGIES
AS STUDENT AFFAIRS PRACTITIONERS WE NEED TO STAY ABREAST OF CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR FIELD, SUPPORT STAFF IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT, AND ENSURE FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY AT ALL TIMES. These factors, among others, formed part of the Strategic Priorities of SDS and have served us well to mitigate the risks that we faced, including increased demands for resources such as bed spaces, efficient utilities, infrastructural support and personal support services.
Innovation, transparency, flexibility As student affairs practitioners we need to stay abreast of critical developments in our field, support staff in their development, and ensure flexibility and creativity at all times. Higher education in South Africa and the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) SDS is not impervious to the aforementioned international trends.
STRATEGIES FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS Student Development and Support (SDS) is armed with enabling strategies to face various challenges that come with helping students on their path to academic success and personal well-being.
S
TUDENT AFFAIRS, globally, has
experienced a surge in the uptake of students through massification, as the demand for higher education grows. While broader access is desired, this comes with challenges. International
literature speaks of the ever-diversifying student and staff populations, burgeoning effects of contextual and environmental challenges, the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and technological advances in our digital age.
We should recognise that challenges are not necessarily negative and that it could be viewed as opportunities to move forward and even develop enhanced practices to support our students. In respect of Career Services, some of the challenges that have presented opportunities for innovation include ill-preparedness of students in accessing career opportunities after graduation. SDS has demonstrated transparency through student engagement. We have applied the provisions of the SRC Constitution and Election Regulations to ensure credible elections, implemented voter education, including creating a tutorial video outlining the processes for the nomination of candidates and voting, and used effective marketing tools on social media platforms. The review of student governance and the SRC Election Regulations are also on the cards.
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Careers and funding The staff of Careers Service have collaborated successfully with academic champions in faculties who, in turn, have allowed for job search presentations to targeted student groups during lectures and lunchtimes, and embedded job search exercises into the curriculum. These initiatives have increased student agency and broadened the depth and breadth of career services. The implications of the Covid-19 lockdown enabled the Careers Service to seamlessly offer its service virtually. Another persistent challenge has been students’ inability to access funding for their studies. This is partly due to incorrect data and consequently SDS’s ability to identify deserving students. Students do not also read UWC communications emails timeously about funding possibilities.
Dr Lwando Mdleleni, soccer player and coach, at a graduation ceremony. At Student Development and Support, we understand this moment would not come about without a strategy to ensure students have a conducive learning environment.
Sport for student development While the university has enjoyed many sporting accolades with the advent of national Varsity Sports and Varsity Cup competitions, areas for further consideration, such as funding and development, have also become clear. These areas include initiatives towards a multi-purpose indoor sports facility, artificial surface facilities such as hockey AstroTurf, continuous upgrading of sports fields, additional vehicles to ferry student athletes between training and sporting events and an increased budget for sport merit awards to attract a greater pool of talent.
Careers Xplora is a comprehensive, web-based career service management solution for careers service staff, students and recruiters.
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
What has gone well in terms of mediating the immediate challenges such as insufficient facilities or fullaccess appropriate facilities, SDS has managed to provide transportation to students between campus and offcampus facilities. The drawback of this is that it takes students away from their academic project for longer periods. In terms of attracting more talent, SDS has also managed to increase sports merit awards allocation. What has been
encouraging is the university’s current investment in growing its standing through sport by resurfacing of the athletics track, the establishment of a resource centre (a computer lab that students can use whilst at the stadium), and the establishment of a High Performance Gym and its services to ensure that athletes achieve their best.
Happy homes on campus In recent years, a shortage of student accommodation and financial hardships have sparked student protests that disrupted operations and services at the university. This impacted negatively on conducive living and learning conditions and had repercussions for the academic performance. Furthermore, blockages were caused to the placement process for the following new intake. These consequences caused frustration for students and staff alike. Outdated access control infrastructure resulted in illegal occupation of residences. These challenges were mitigated by not providing temporary placements and rather to source private accommodation
for displaced students and students who could not be placed in UWC residences. The university secured the services of a dedicated staff member who manages private accommodation and is responsible for building and nurturing relationships with private landlords, sourcing new placements and maintaining an updated database, and supporting students where challenges arise. There were engagements between RS and the Central House Committee about the roles and responsibility during the placement process. While residence access points and locks have been
updated in many residences, deferred maintenance remains a key challenge and impacts the student’s experience and perception of the institution.
Mental health check In terms of the holistic effort to support students with their psychosocial, co-curricular and academic lives, an increasing number of students have accessed counselling services. Once adopted, the Student Mental Health and Wellness policy will go a long way to address issues that pose a risk to students and the institution.
Enid Heynes
Connecting students with funding opportunities ENID HEYNES started her career in
2004 at the Financial Aid Office. Her tasks included administering the donor funding for students and informing learners across provinces, as part of the campus recruitment team, about funding opportunities. She liaises closely with parents and students about their funding. She is acknowledged for being professional, cheerful, dependable, enthusiastic, courteous and always willing to go the extra mile. Residential Services, an important part of the work that SDS does, is offered from here at the Res Life Centre on campus.
In 2015, she completed the Higher Certificate in Economic Development. After a break, she registered in 2019 for the Advanced Diploma in Public Administration. She juggles her work-studies-life well and is on track to complete her studies in 2020. Her creative leadership is reflected both in lectures and her work. Students hold her in high esteem and she is proud of reading about their success in the world of work. Enid reflects: “This makes my efforts worthwhile, when reading about the success of students who passed through our door, knowing that we were able to touch their lives in some small way.”
The University of the Western Cape’s winning volleyball team would not have been able to achieve success without adequate investment in student sports teams.
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DESIRED ENABLERS
RESOURCING A FUTURE OF ABUNDANCE The University of the Western Cape’s outdoor stadium and track needs to be complemented with an AstroTurf for hockey and synthetic football. Indoor training facilities are also needed.
The staff of the six departments of Student Development and Support work tirelessly to ensure the advancement of student’s academic and holistic development. Further enablers (resources, products or services) will allow a department to flourish beyond expectations. There are ongoing mid-to-long term efforts to secure these from the university or prospective sponsors. We offer insight into what these desired enablers are and how it would improve student life at the university.
Financial Aid Desired enablers: 1. Venue with enough space for staff to have for consultations with students. 2. Venue with boardrooms for donors to consult with students privately. 3. New building which is visible and near student administration.
to attend presentations. All the above can be achieved through communication to our DVC Offices in assisting with our plans and also with the financial aspect in reaching our goals.”
Office for Student Development Desired enablers: 1.
Micheal Kwathsa Financial Aid Office Head “With all the above-mentioned enablers in place, the Financial Aid Office should comfortably provide our donors with the necessary space to conduct their interviews and also to accommodate staff meetings and a bigger group of students
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
Upgrade current Careers Service Management (CSM) software, UWC Career Xplora portal, to the CSM Enterprise Solution. Licencing cost for two years is estimated at R300,000. 2. Redesign the Careers Service Office to include two interview rooms for consulting and recruiter interviews and one soundproof virtual interview room
for students to use to conduct mock interviews or attend formal virtual interviews in a safe and quiet space. 3. Provision of mobile data to students and graduates to assist in their job search. 4. Provide students with a customised and structured job search experience based on their career or disciplinespecific needs and embed job search preparation activities into the curriculum using technology. Nazrana Parker: Careers Service Coordinator “These desired enablers will provide our students with an enhanced job search preparation experience available 24/7/365 during their academic career, allowing them to be prepared for the rigours of the job search and reduce the time frame between graduation and landing their first job. It will also provide recent alumni online access to careers service resources for a minimum of three years after graduation, thus increasing the rate of graduate employment of our students.”
Residential Services Desired enablers: An appropriate monitoring and evaluation software system for managing incidents in residences, as these directly impact students’ experiences of a living-learning environment. This system is to be underscored by the value placed on the rights of all community members. 2. Additional human resources in order to have a dedicated, comprehensive service in the area of Private Accommodation. 3. Additional student housing. 4. Funding towards targeted, sustained psycho-social programming aimed at shifting attitudes and behavior.
Based Violence and other fundamental human rights issues, so that they become global agents of change.”
1.
“Current strategies are impassioned efforts, that would better serve if they were more sustainable and implemented over more protracted periods of the academic life-cycle of the student, and through their own continued efforts beyond. Fostering a human rights context goes hand-in-hand with the former, which makes credible, efficient and transparent processes in the management of Community Standards a necessary area for focus.”
Sport Administration Desired enablers:
Gretna Andipatin RS Residence Life Manager “It goes without saying that one of the most obvious needs in student housing, are additional beds for students, specifically in light of the vast amount of current and prospective student accommodation applicants we receive year on year.” “We also all want to influence change when it comes to addressing social ills in society. We are best placed to capacitate the leaders of tomorrow in areas pertaining to Mental Health, Gender-
1. An indoor sports facility 2. A hockey AstroTurf 3. A synthetic surface football field 4. Increase in sports scholarships 5. Vehicles Mandla Gagayi Sport Administration Director “All these enablers will go a long way in enhancing our students’ competitiveness. An indoor sports facility will enable us to attract elite student athletes to ensure that we remain competitive. Our netball and basketball teams play at the highest level of student sport without having an
indoor centre. Having that facility would definitely make us the best in the country. Furthermore, an indoor centre would contribute to the academic programme by providing much needed flat space for exams and graduation ceremonies, including hosting of conferencing and other national and international events.” “Having synthetic sport surfaces will also allow our teams to train and play throughout the year without having to worry about drought and bad weather.” “Scholarships are needed to ensure that elite student athletes are recruited and retained to UWC until they achieve their degrees while also participating in elite sport. Many student athletes do not have financial means to remain at university because they come from poor families. Giving them scholarships will ensure that they get a chance in life, even if they do not make it through sport. raveling forms a biggest part of sport. As such it is important for the university to have safer mode of travel for students. Transport is also required to cope with ever-growing number of students that play sport.”
Centre for Student Support Services: Therapeutic Services Desired enablers: 1.
Additional professional counselling staff members to improve the student-counsellor ratio and respond to the continuing increased demand for counseling. 2. Resources (human and financial) to focus on preventative care in student mental health and wellness, such as campus wide psycho-educational projects and programmes, instead of the reactive curative response that we are currently forced to do. 3. The addition of a psychiatrist as a consultant on an ad-hoc basis to assist with psychiatric referrals.
Our netball and basketball teams play at the highest level of student sport without having an indoor centre. Having that facility would definitely make us the best in the country.
THE DEMAND FOR COUNSELLING SERVICES AT UWC EXCEEDS THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
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Rone Gerber Therapeutic Services Manager “The demand for counseling services at UWC far exceeds the available resources. Timely counseling interventions may prevent the development of serious mental health issues as well as have a direct impact on a student’s ability to perform optimally academically – decreasing the risk of attrition.” “Early, preventative interventions may reduce the need for seeking professional counselling services that are already scarce and allow students to have agency in their own mental health and wellness management. The public health system is also experiencing a serious shortage of mental health care services, with the result that students without medical aid often have to wait for months to receive proper psychiatric assessments and medication for their mental health challenges. Many students drop out of university as they are not able to cope with their mental health challenges and the academic demands, a situation that can be prevented with timeous and appropriate professional early interventions.”
Centre for Student Support Services: Office for Academic Support Desired enablers: 1.
Resources to design and roll-out a predictive analytical tool with capacity to provide students with personalised feedback on their academic strengths and needs. 2. Training academic coaches in pertinent learning analytics and learning skills. 3. A knowledge hub equipped with computers, online electronic boards and digital tools to stimulate group work, knowledge sharing and host subject-specific learning colloquiums. Dorothea Hendricks Office for Academic Support Manager “Institutional feedback to students is usually based on quantitative assignment, test or examination data. Personal feedback would provide students with the engagement tools, based on their own
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
input, learning expertise input and crafting the X Factors each student could work on to excel. This could have capacity for roll-out to the whole campus. Academic coaches will scaffold the content work in lecture rooms. Our learning coaches and experts would be able to stimulate experiential ways with knowledge, in our venue, role modeling and activating curiosity in this amazing potential the brain has to learn.” “We need a strategic plan developed as well as the resources to train and contract the relevant people to augment our current staff ’s work. We will need at least R11-million per year for five years and an additional R18.5-million for our proposed knowledge hub.”
Centre for Student Support Services: Office for Students with Disabilities Desired enablers: 1.
Transport services adapted specifically for persons with disabilities to assist students in their daily student life. 2. Psychometric, neurological, and physical disability support professionals to provide in-house ongoing assistance and support, i.e. occupational therapist. 3. More current assistive devices and programmes for disability learning needs.
WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE TOWARDS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AT UWC BY OFFERING THEM A SERVICE WHICH WOULD ADD REAL VALUE TO THEM.
Verushka Daniels Office for Students with Disabilities Manager “Transport will help to alleviate students’ existing problem with forfeiting their disability-related care appointments or daily functioning needs such as grocery shopping, which would then give them better quality of life as a student with a disability juggling to stay afloat in a challenging student environment. Professionals with the aforementioned expertise would enhance the service we provide to students by adding a more holistic approach to students with disabilities as a buffer to the disadvantage such students generally experience due to systemic issues.” “The proposed devices and programmes would enhance students’ academic learning ability and performance. These enablers would assist us in our endeavours to become more ethically accountable for the services we render to students with disabilities and acknowledging their intense bravery and courage to enroll for tertiary education in a landscape which is not yet properly equipped for their educational needs.We are advocating for attitudinal change towards persons with disabilities at UWC by offering them a service which would add real value to them.”
Centre for Student Support Services: Office for Leadership and Social Responsibility Desired enablers: 1.
Corporate sponsorships and partnerships in support of our work in food security, gender equity/ transformation advocacy and volunteerism. 2. Facilitation resources, marketing material and printed media about our work. 3. Audiovisual equipment. Garth van Rooyen Leadership and Social Responsibility Manager “Sponsorships would allow us to enhance our footprint and increase our reach to the campus community as well as the surrounding feeder areas around UWC, which the department serves.”
CELEBRATING OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE Students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) have been able to access our services on their path to success. Helping them along the way is Student Development and Support (SDS) staff members who go beyond the call of duty, work hard and make sacrifices to fulfill their responsibilities. We celebrate our students and staff for their commitment to excellence.
“lifelong friends while playing recreational sport” at UWC. “This university will always be home, no matter where I go or who I become in the world,” he says.
Rodwell Ndlovu
University will always be home When Rodwell Ndlovu started studying at UWC he was nervous, but soon found a home at the Sports Department. “When I walked into UWC, I was very scared. The Sports Department became a place of refuge,” he recalls. Ndlovu, who moved with his family from Zimbabwe to South Africa, says he has since made
Ndlovu says he was inspired by the Sports Department’s motto: “Excellence through Sport”. It was this sporting motto that led him to complete his Master’s degree, cum laude. He completed a BA degree in 2013 and a BSc Honours degree in Statistics in 2014. He then enrolled simultaneously for two master’s degrees; one in Astrophysics-Statistics that he completed in 2016 through the University of Roma, and the other in Population Studies and Statistics at UWC. Ndlovu is now pursuing Doctoral studies in Sports Development. Beyond his academics, Ndlovu’s sporting achievements stand out. He proudly wore UWC’s sports colours when he won nine Western Province Athletics 400m titles, the South African Open 400m title and he was a regular finalist at the South African Championships in the 400m race. Ndlovu
often competed against Olympic medallist Wayde van Niekerk, the current world record holder for the 400m race. Ndlovu has also represented Zimbabwe in various continental championships and European tours. And he remains confident that he will qualify for the Olympic Games in 2021. It certainly has been an interesting journey since the start of his sporting aspirations at Muizenburg High School where his coach, Hadley Volkwyn, introduced him to the UWC Athletics Club. Ndlovu has meanwhile taken a keen interest in being involved in sports administration at the university level, where he was active at the UWC Athletics Club. He was a member of the Sports Council, serving as Chairperson from 2013 to 2016. He also represented UWC at national meetings and served in an administrative capacity at University Sport South Africa. Ndlovu shows a keen interest in developing himself holistically. “Numbers can define you; measure your height, weight, speed and life expectancy. However, numbers cannot measure the size of your dreams,” he says. “Don’t let numbers define you. Know that there is no mountain too high and no dream too big. Believe in yourself.”
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Edwin Wyngaard
Staying on the ball leads to sports success
Lauren Franke
Solid career advice always in fashion My journey to securing my very first job was catalysed at OSD. When a student did not pitch for The Foschini Group (TFG) mock Interview, I was given the opportunity to participate. I sat down with the Markham Human Resources Manager for Operations and an Engineering Manager and handed them my five-drafts-five-days-later CV. I was glad the Careers Service staff had previously reviewed my CV. During this interview we talked about my strengths, development areas, why human resources was my career choice and importantly, why I would like to work for TFG. I got a
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
call two weeks later requesting my documentation and academic transcript. I was invited to an interview with Recruitment Consultants. Thereafter, I completed psychometric assessments and attended my second interview – and that was a tough one. I had to attend the third interview. After another two weeks, I received an offer to be a Human Resources trainee within The FIX and Exact Brands. What followed was a range of exciting work highlights, including store visits, an annual graduate showcase and accompanying the graduate recruitment team to the Careers Xpo at UWC. I also modelled for The FIX social media pages and the TFG careers website.
Edwin Wyngaard started his career as the Supervisor of the squash courts at the Sports Department in 1990. By 1995, he was a Sports Administrator for rugby, soccer, chess, cricket, boxing and ballroom. When Wyngaard joined UWC he had only a Matric certificate. But by the time he retired in 2018, he had obtained an Honours degree in Management. Wyngaard also became a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society in 2013, a result of his academic achievements. Wyngaard has represented UWC with distinction at University Sport South Africa (USSA). At its 25th Anniversary in 2019, USSA awarded Wyngaard a Certificate of Appreciation for his contribution over the years. Being dynamic and passionate about his work, Wyngaard used sport as a vehicle to improve students’ lives. In 2004, he
Winston Middleton
became an International Rugby Board referee and officiated at the following matches as a citing officer: • 2004 – All Blacks vs Australia Tri-nations Test match • 2012 – World 7’s in Port Elizabeth • 2013 – All Blacks vs Springboks match at Ellis Park • 2015 – World 7’s in Cape Town • 2015 – Springboks vs All Blacks, Castle Championship Test, at Ellis Park • 2015 – Namibia vs Kenya in Windhoek • 017 – World Club 10’s in Mauritius • 2018 – Varsity Cup, SuperSport Rugby Challenge and Currie Cup final matches • 2018 – SA vs Wales & England vs France; O18s Tests in SA • 2018 – Craven Schools Week, in Paarl
BEING DYNAMIC AND PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS WORK, EDWIN WYNGAARD USED SPORT AS A VEHICLE TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ LIVES.
Keep running even during tough times After completing a Social Work degree at UWC in 1981, Winston Middleton worked for the former Grahamstown Municipality for six years.
programmes. OSD received several accolades for their ‘dream work’. I was privileged to sit on a variety of UWC committees, including the Senate Executive, Senate, Faculty and task teams. This exposed me to the inner-workings and governance of UWC”.
After that, he took up the post of Faculty Officer in the newly established Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at UWC. Middleton then moved in 1990 to the Centre for Student Counselling and was appointed in 2001 as the Head of the newly established Office for Student Development (OSD) where he retired in 2020 after 33 years of loyal service.
As a social worker, Middleton always had an interest in community and youth development. He maintains a strong emotional bond with UWC, which was nurtured as a student, alumnus and staffer. He describes UWC students as “firmly anchored in why they are here, how they got to this point and what they want to achieve”.
“I worked with wonderful colleagues who built pioneering services for students in the earlier years, and then later the Careers Service, Student Orientation Programme and Student Governance,” reflects Middleton.
“They are not defined by the labels placed on them,” says Middleton.
“These became ground-breaking initiatives in higher education with many universities benchmarking themselves against these
He maintains a good work-life balance and has been walking and running for over 25 years, having completed numerous road races, including the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons. Middleton says running has helped him de-stress and remain grounded during tough times.
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Zimkhitha Mdekazi
Our resident helper Zimkhitha Mdekazi’s journey from student to staff member at UWC commenced in 2002 when enrolling for a Certificate in Business Studies and then for a BA degree. “Studying was challenging but I persevered and graduated in 2006,” says Mdekazi. In February 2006, Mdekazi was appointed as an Administrative Assistant at Residential Services. “Little did I know it would end up bringing exciting career opportunities for me. This role made me realise my passion for working with students and caring for their well-being and co-curricular growth,” she says. By 2008, she was appointed Residence Coordinator and later on as a Cluster Coordinator. “My fears and anxieties got the better of me as I questioned if I was ready for the leap. However, I drew strength from my mom’s words, ‘Change is never easy my child. I know you can do it, Mambathane’. She called me by my clan name,” says Mdekazi. “I then completed a BA Honours degree. During that time, my seniors realised my
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Dr Faeza Khan
potential and I was then appointed to my present role as Student Housing Manager. “The leadership and support of colleagues and our Director, Mark Seale, who embraces staff development, is greatly appreciated,” she adds. “My rewards come from assisting students to realise their potential, achieve their goals and recognising the contribution I can make in the lives of our students.”
Search for knowledge is an ongoing process Dr. Faeza Khan’s journey in student affairs began when she joined the department of Residential Services in 2012. “During my interview, I was asked about my five-year goal. Having just graduated in 2010 with a Master’s degree in Social Work, I responded that I wanted to pursue PhD studies,” says Khan. “Little did I know that the journey would not be an easy one. Being ambitious, I declared proudly that I would complete the thesis in the prescribed five years. I registered in 2012 but did not anticipate
that a marriage with a ready-made family demands so much commitment and attention. So I took a break in 2013, and continued in 2014.” Khan says although her doctoral journey was lonely, she was well supported by her supervisor, Professor V Bozalek. “I sharpened my research skills, and my journey taught me more about myself and enhanced my academic literacy, as I had been struggling to find my scholarly voice.” In August 2018, Khan’s mother passed away, leaving her distraught but strengthened to continue in her academic pursuits. “My mother was very close to me. She was my anchor, believed in my academic abilities and spent hours listening to my complaints. Her words of encouragement gave me the energy to pull through again,” says Khan. “As my last gift from a mother to a child, I realised that my mother wanted me to complete the degree. After eight years, I did it. I am grateful for all that I have learned on this journey. I am ready to engage with the world as a critical citizen in the pursuit of social justice and understand that the search for knowledge is an ongoing process.”
Dr Manoj Bagwandeen
A healthy track record in service Dr Manoj Bagwandeen, also known as ‘Dr B’, joined the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in 1999 as a Medical Officer at the Campus Health department, as it was called then. This was still a turbulent time for South Africa, as the nation was still transitioning from an apartheid government to the challenges of a newfound democracy. The country’s changing laws prohibited UWC from operating a medical practice. After extensive research and consultations, it became evident that the operation of a clinic had to be outsourced if it were to remain viable as a first-class facility. Bagwandeen was awarded the contract to run and operate the clinic, now known as the UWC Campus Health and Wellness Centre (CHWC). Bagwandeen has been providing vital and quality primary health care services since then and has become an integral part of UWC. He sits on numerous steering and advisory committees of UWC relating to health. Bagwandeen has also played a critical role in formulating the HIV/Aids programme for
Thalitha Gaya
UWC and has been involved in the UWC Covid-19 response. These interventions have assisted UWC in remaining at the forefront of managing these challenges. The CHWC has meanwhile grown under Bagwandeen’s leadership, despite changing legal and regulatory requirements and ongoing financial challenges of running a quality service.
Talitha Gaya: Finding compassionate comrades Through the Peer Mentorship Programme offered by the Centre for Student Support Services (CSSS), I began interacting with genuine, inspiring and amazing people. Today we are still friends. CSSS had a meaningful impact on my life and I will cherish it for years to come. In 2018, I wanted to change to the Faculty of Arts as I discovered my passion for the Social Sciences. With assistance from the CSSS staff, my application was approved. The CSSS staff is dedicated to serving students and teaching them to take charge of their destiny. I worked as a
CSSS HAD A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON MY LIFE AND I WILL CHERISH IT FOR YEARS TO COME. student assistant on campus to partially pay my tuition fees, taking up rowing, a sport I never imagined before, and attending Hope Hikes that created awareness about mental health. I also attended workshops hosted by CSSS that helped me grow. I am completing my final year and the Office for Academic Support has always been there for me. Without the love and support from the staff of SDS, I would not have coped with the demands of undergraduate studies. They are the heroes and heroines. So much has been reinforced, such as good values, being proactive, taking responsibility, time management, reading official campus communications, self-reflection, living life with gratitude, hard work, and connectedness to my family, God and our roots.
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SERVING OUR STUDENTS
THANKING OUR STAFF
We thank all staff members who are united in serving our students.
Office for Student Development Winston Middleton Nazrana Parker Natalie Thomas Mihlali Ncukana
Centre for Student Support Services Clayton Kleinsmidt Megan Brink Monique Manuel Verushka Daniels Stacey Elias Naythan Kayser Simone Matika Josua Marshall Mncedisi Zulu Melissa Moodley Carwell Lekay Garth Van Rooyen Marcia Minnaar Jody-Lee Josephs Rone Gerber Lynne Abrahamse Celeste Treu Lindokuhle Mandyoli Alexia Daniels Dorothea Hendricks Craig Loubser Carmen Loubser Louisa Van Romburg Susan Mannheim Hilary Van Der Westhuizen Bomikazi Kohli Nigel Jansen Zeena Spannenberg Laetitia Permall Amanda Swartz Fiona Chandler
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Our Journey: 2016-2020
Sport Administration
Financial Aid
Mandla Gagayi Derick Orderson Cedric Achilles (Retired) Edwin Wyngaard (Retired) Timothy Jones (Retired) Avril Langeveld Colin Kensley Andrew Wrankmore Elmien Cloete Glen Bentley Hayward Barends Adrian Heyns Nadia Mgulwa Hassan Sobekwa Clement Trout Jonathan Swarts Fredrick Alexander Damoen Hyster Erens Januarie Margo Daniels Eugene Le Roux Simpiwe Makinana Chester Williams (Late) Paul Treu Brent Hess Zoleka Bavuma Keenan Watson Kirsten Huckle Lubabalo Faleni Cohen Julius Angelo Nelson Wynand Andreas Dr. Barry Andrews
Micheal Kwatsha Melanie Mitchell Colleen Arendse Ebrian Johnson Enid Heynes Emelio Keet Phumza Jamjam Mpho Nhlapo Lucille Teegler Trevor Khumalo Nomaphelo Malamlela Afiesa Duarte Esther Seleke
DVC:SDS Ncedikhaya Magopeni Natasha Dreyer Taygon Sass Lizette Buys Thozama Skiti Akhona Mfanyana Lulamile Mntumni Mthuthuzeli Magobiyane
Campus Health and Wellness Dr D H Bagwandeen Dr A Martin Sr Valencia Prince Mariam Adams Pooja Bagwandeen Kim Stevens Thembi Mkhokeli Evette Witbooi
Residential Services Mark Seale Neliswa Majola Bubbles Mzalazala Nuraan Kamaar Sarah Louw Thembi Vena Bianca Daniels Trevor Harker Fundi Hleza Thabiso Mbondi June Wanza Lesley Messiah Oscar Krieling Gretna Andipatin Faeza Khan Candice Stroud
Lerato Tseleli Sibusiso Njeza Muvhungu Ramavhoya Zimkhitha Mdekazi Fanelwa Makaluza Siseko Mtengenya Vuyelwa Maseko Andrew Alexander Thombi Malife Honest Ngqiniso Zukiswa Xakeka Michelle Carelse Ayanda Magidela Kholeka Ntozani Janine Julies Lucrecia Saaiman Grant Williams Yanga Zezani Unthi Vemile Asanda Sibara Johannes Dreyer Humphrey Quma Sarah Pretorius Trevor Fredericks Elaine Ockhuis Margaret Nobanda Cynthia Macoombie Sandisa James Agnes Engelbrecht Andile Xakwa Mzwandile Menziza (Retired) Ntsikie Sihawu Martin Joe Stanley Christians Peter Damons Gwendoline Ross (Retired) Chantall Botes Laurian Cupido Redaa Najaar Nomfundo Msuthwana Nosisanda Mjelo Njabulo Maphumelo Venete Januarie Bongekile Chili Lawerence Pretorius
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Download the ‘Careers by Symplicity’ App available for Android, IOS and Windows mobile devices. Visit Careers Service at the Office for Student Development in the Student Centre or email us at studev@uwc.ac.za for assistance in completing your UWC Career Xplora profile at: https://uwc-csm.symplicity.com/students
The Division of Student Development and Support (SDS) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is an office that comprises six departments, namely Residential Services; Sport Administration; Financial Aid; Centre for Student Support Services; Campus Health and Wellness; and the Office for Student Development. These departments collectively offer integrated services to students, aimed at enhancing their UWC experience. SDS also aims to equip students for their journey after graduation. With our logo ‘Creating your Future’, SDS encourages students to be goal-directed and take up their place as global citizens. Contact us on 021 959 3590 or email us at dvcsds@uwc.ac.za
FROM HOPE TO ACTION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE.
