11 minute read
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 sacrifi ces to fulfi ll their responsibilities. We celebrate our students and staff for their commitment to excellence.
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 “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.
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 fi nalist 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 confi dent 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 defi ne you; measure your height, weight, speed and life expectancy. However, numbers cannot measure the size of your dreams,” he says. “Don’t let numbers defi ne you. Know that there is no mountain too high and no dream too big. Believe in yourself.”
Lauren Franke
Solid career advice always in fashion
My journey to securing my very fi rst 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 fi ve-drafts-fi ve-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 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 off er 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
Staying on the ball leads to sports success
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 certifi cate. 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 Certifi cate 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 offi ciated at the following matches as a citing offi cer:
• 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 fi nal matches • 2018 – SA vs Wales & England vs
France; O18s Tests in SA • 2018 – Craven Schools Week, in Paarl
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.
After that, he took up the post of Faculty Offi cer 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 Offi ce for Student Development (OSD) where he retired in 2020 after 33 years of loyal service.
“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,” refl ects Middleton.
“These became ground-breaking initiatives in higher education with many universities benchmarking themselves against these 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”.
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 staff er. He describes UWC students as “fi rmly anchored in why they are here, how they got to this point and what they want to achieve”.
“They are not defi ned by the labels placed on them,” says Middleton.
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.
Zimkhitha Mdekazi
Our resident helper
Zimkhitha Mdekazi’s journey from student to staff member at UWC commenced in 2002 when enrolling for a Certifi cate 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
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 aff airs began when she joined the department of Residential Services in 2012.
“During my interview, I was asked about my fi ve-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 fi ve 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 fi nd 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 Offi cer 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 fi rst-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 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 fi nancial challenges of running a quality service.
Thalitha Gaya
Talitha Gaya: Finding compassionate comrades
Through the Peer Mentorship Programme off ered 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 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 fi nal year and the Offi ce 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 offi cial campus communications, self-refl ection, living life with gratitude, hard work, and connectedness to my family, God and our roots.
