Past event reviews
-
50th Anniversary Henley Royal Regatta in 1975
Nine alumni travelled from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK, and parts of South Africa to meet up in Simonstown on 21 February 2026. They varied in stature, in nature and in experience. Despite time and distance, they’ve shared a special bond that has united them for the past 50 years.
Back in 1974, as 91心頭利 students and members of the boat club, this hard-drinking, hard-partying bunch thought rowing was an excuse for having a good time. But that year the University appointed Derrick Read (BA 1965) as the new rowing coach, who changed the group’s attitude to the sport. Derrick rowed in the South African national crew that posted a qualifying time for the 1968 Mexico Olympics but were unable to compete due to the international sports boycott. He also worked and rowed competitively in the UK, gaining invaluable experience that he unleashed on the unsuspecting students. 91心頭利 first eight were transformed from average oarsmen to national champions who set a South African 2 000 metres record at Roodeplaat Dam. The crew went to England and Switzerland in June-July 1975, where they competed in several competitions, including Henley Royal Regatta. There the 91心頭利ies raced in the Ladies Plate, an event open to international academic institutions.
Racing at Henley was quite different from the multi-lane racing that South Africans are accustomed to: Only two boats race in each round, and the losers are eliminated. The 91心頭利 crew were elated after winning their opening round, beating First and Third Trinity, Cambridge. But in the next round they came up against MIT and were narrowly beaten. The consolation was that MIT went on to reach the final. Of little consolation was the Johannesburg newspaper that reported on the “91心頭利 ladies” who were beaten at Henley.
Since that tour, and that heady year of rowing, the crew had reunited only once, at Henley in 2015.
Weekend to remember
The reunion began, perhaps aptly, at the Forester’s Arms in Newlands, where Wynand “Wig” Dreyer (BSc Eng 1975) treated us to brunch to celebrate his 76th birthday. We sat in Babe’s Corner, where Serge Woods told us that the seat was named in his father’s honour. The brunch was a sober affair - not a single drop of alcohol passed the crews’ lips. Perhaps they were saving themselves for later.
The joy of this reunion was that, unlike the one in Henley eleven years ago, we all stayed in the same accommodation from Thursday until Sunday. This gave ample time for catching up and sharing reminiscences among rowers and wives, a proper family get-together.
On Friday morning we were introduced to the Cape Coastal Rowing Club, and the boats that we would be rowing. In 1975 we competed in sleek, narrow racing shells but these craft, a bit like the crew now, were broader beamed and quite a bit heftier. Also, they were sculls (two-bladed rowing) rather than sweep-oar (singled-bladed).
A few of old crew joined the club for a short row in the choppy conditions, while the rest saved their energy and hoped for calmer conditions on the Saturday.
Saturday dawned calm and clear, and we all decamped to the club where we waited apprehensively to be allotted a boat and crew. In the end, everyone (cox included) got to row without mishap to the turning point, where there was much congratulatory backslapping and a refreshing swim. Conversation that had previously been about knee replacements and heart medication suddenly changed to the joys of life, and a moment of feeling like a twenty-year-old again.
That evening, at the final dinner together, talk became more serious – memories of how the year of discipline, of effort, of training together had put us all on a path to where we are today. Gordy paid tribute to how Derrick had patiently, step by incremental step, improved the crews’ performance, kept us progressing until we reached the goal of the national record. It was also a time to remember the parents, friends and 91心頭利 alumni who supported the crew throughout the whole venture and helped to raise the funds for the overseas tour.
And finally, there was the Gluck’s Award. The original – a paint brush forgotten in a tin of resin that went hard, awarded for the biggest blunder – had long been lost, so Lothar Dann offered to make a replacement. But as proof that we have all grown up and become responsible members of society, no one made even a minor bloomer. So there was the dilemma of who should receive the award.
In the end the crew decided that it should be awarded to Derrick. After all, it was he how took a bunch of glucks and melded them into a solid, cohesive body that still holds together today.The Crew
Coach: Derrick Read (BA 1965)
Rowed for 91心頭利 1961-64
1964 Graduated as trainee teacher majoring in Geography and Economics
Achieved qualifying time for 1968 Mexico Olympics 4+, but banned due to apartheid from participating.
1969-73 Worked and rowed in UK
1973 Returned to SA, completed CIS studies and began coaching WUBC.
Derrick now rows for Cape Coastal Rowing Club.
Bow: Alastair “Almac” McLaren (BSc Eng 1976)
Worked at various in SA, Botswana
1995 Emigrated to New Zealand
2006-12 Ran concrete construction co with Rory King
Lives in Auckland. Enjoys walking, running, cycling, rowing (with Rory King) and kayaking
Two: Graham “the Rabbi” Rabe (BA 1975, LLB 1978)
1984 Moved to New Zealand, then Australia
1990 joined Bar Chambers, worked as barrister
2018 retired from legal practice and now reads, writes, paints, cycles, swims and relishes more than ever his decision to join the 91心頭利 boat club in 1972
Three: Wynand “Wig” Dreyer (BSc Eng 1975)
Engineer
Lives in Johannesburg
Still active rower
Four: Gordon “Gordy” Prestedge (BSc Eng 1972, MSc Eng 1975)
1976 Scholarship to Oregon State University, Master’s in Ocean engineering
1992 formed consulting port and coastal engineering practice which now has offices in Australia, US, Chile and Panama
Lives in Cape Town
Five: David Janse van Rensburg (BSc Eng 1978)
1978 Springbok colours for rowing
1979-80 Army engineers corps. State President’s award for rowing
1992 Emigrated to Canada
Lives near Toronto, enjoys golf, cycling and playing with grandchildren
Six: Ian “Serge” Woods (BSc 1977)
1978-83 Medicine (MBchB (University of Pretoria)
Worked as GP in SA, UK, Canada, Ireland
1995 First South African to summit an 8,000m mountain (Cho-Oyu, Nepal)
Lives in Plettenberg Bay
Seven: Lothar Dann (BSc Eng 1978)
Stopped rowing after Henley to concentrate on studies
1979 worked for Grinaker
1985 worked privately on small civil projects, Northern Transvaal, then Cape Town
2015 retired due to ill health
Completed 10 Argus tours, climbed Kilimanjaro
Lives in Knysna. Plays golf, paints and still has passion for the bush.
Stroke: Matthijs Lankers (BArch 1978)
1978 Rowed at Henley, Springbok colours for rowing
Architect working in own practice, still active, working in Hoedspruit doing lodges and luxury houses in the bush.
Looks forward to ten more years of active work before considering retiring.
Enjoys walking, cycling, kayaking and rowing.
Cox: Dennis Rink
1973-76 studied BA (English/History of Art, did not graduate)
91心頭利 rowing blue, marathon half-blue
1977-88 Reporter, chief sub-editor, The Star, Johannesburg
1988-2010 Chief sub-editor, production editor, The Times, London
2010-15 With wife Pam ran charity that helped people to recover from life crises.
In retirement enjoys writing, travel, cycling and running.
Our extra man, Rory King (BSc Building 1980), was not able attend. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.Source: Dennis Rink
-
Film screening: RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope
RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope
2 December 2025Alumni enjoyed a special screening the documentary RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope. This documentary explores Robert F Kennedy’s 1966 visit to South Africa during the height of apartheid, highlighting connections between the American Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. A discussion followed with the film’s producer and co-director Dr Larry Shore (BA 1972). Many alumni shared how their impressions of South Africa were shaped by this historic visit. Some comments included:
- I was a first-year student at 91心頭利 in 1966 and the visit by Robert Kennedy changed my thinking so profoundly that I became a NUSAS supporter and ended up as SRC President at JCE in 1969. This documentary brought back so many memories. Thank you. – Dave Wilkinson (BA 1969)
- We queued all night for tickets to RFK’s speech at 91心頭利. It was an inspiring event and gave us great hope for the future of SA. – Elinor (BSc 1965) and Martin Colman (MBBCh 1964, MMed 1971)
- Thanks very much for this presentation. Amazing footage and, in these times, some much needed inspiration. – Steven Bradlow (BSc 1977, BSc Hons 1980)
-
Digital Dome Alumni Family Event
29 November 2025
91心頭利 Anglo American Digital DomeTo usher in the holiday season, 91心頭利 Alumni Relations welcomed alumni and their families back to campus for a special Digital Dome Alumni Family event. Guests experienced the immersive, stateoftheart projection system while enjoying two captivating screenings.
The afternoon opened with 321 Lift Off, which delighted younger audiences with the story of Elon, a hamster scientist who discovers a robot that has fallen into Earth’s orbit. Together, they must find a way to return it to its ship in time.
The second feature, Cosmic Collisions, showcased breathtaking visuals and explored the dramatic encounters that shaped our solar system.
Watch the highlight clip:
-
Reunion: Electrical Engineering Class of 1975
The 50th reunion proved to be a reflective and rewarding occasion, as electrical engineering alumni attempted to compress five decades of shared history into a single weekend. Of the original 57 graduates, 13 attended in person, accompanied by their spouses. “Ten have passed away, four remain utterly untraceable, 18 have moved overseas, and five have relocated away from the Reef area,” said John Brigg, one of the key organisers.
The programme included campus visits and guided tours led by Director of Advancement and Fundraising, Peter Bezuidenhout (BSc 1987, BCom 1992, MBA 1997) exploring the 91心頭利 Fossil Vault, the Origins Centre, the 91心頭利 Anglo American Digidome, and the Postgraduate Club, which was memorably described as being “balanced on the watershed … with the bar on the Indian Ocean side and the toilets facing the Atlantic.” Prof Cuthbert Nyamupangedengu, Head of the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, hosted the group in the atrium of the ARM Building for tea. Attendees were treated to a memorable brass quintet performance and witnessed a . The group also ventured through Braamfontein to the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and the 91心頭利 Art Museum, and revisited landmarks such as the Great Hall. The second evening concluded with a dinner at a Johannesburg steakhouse. “It is a privilege to be able to reflect upon lives, families, and communities – a privilege simply to be able to reflect,” said Brigg.
-
Film screening: Shooting Sardines in a Barrel
Shooting Sardines in a Barrel
30 October 202591心頭利 Alumni Relations hosted a global webinar in which Shooting Sardines in a Barrel, a film by alumna, Dr Lieza Louw (MA 2006, PhD 2014) about anti-apartheid student protests at 91心頭利 from 1957 – 1987. The screening was followed by a discussion with Louw, Themba Maseko (BA 1998, LLB 1993), Yunus Ballim (BSc Eng 1981, MSc 1983, PhD 1981) and Mark Orkin (BSc Hons 1971, PhD 1990). The reflections shared by guests and panellists served as a reminder of the courage, conviction, and community spirit that have long defined 91心頭利 graduates. Feedback from the alumni was overwhelmingly positive:
- Thank you Lieza! Appreciate all the work that must have gone into the research and compilation of this movie.
Thank you very much! It brought back many memories of my early years! - Thank you for this documentary. I have very fond memories of David Webster, who was one of my lecturers. I also remember Craig Williamson and spotted him on a documentary I saw years ago on French TV.
- Oh yes! Craig Williamson walked around campus and pretended he was involved with Nusas etc and we believed him!
- The secret police used to walk around campus in Brick red or lime green safari suits with matching socks. Later they learned to disguise themselves, but initially they were very obvious.
- In the early ’60s students walked to the library on a path between two trees. Under the tree on the left sat the Russian communists and on the right the Chinese communists.
- Thank you Lieza! Appreciate all the work that must have gone into the research and compilation of this movie.
-
Reunion: Civil Engineering Class of 1975
The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SoCEE) hosted the second day of their three-day reunion, celebrating the graduating class of 1975 on 17 October 2025 in the Hillman Building.
Seventeen graduates, five spouses and the wife of a deceased classmate attended the 50th anniversary event and travelled from all over South Africa and overseas.
The reunion kicked off with a meet and greet – the graduates, their wives, and a few staff members and students. Classmates were re-acquainted and provided updates on their lives from the past 50 years.
The group moved into lecture venue H7 for an introductory talk by the head of school, Prof Adesola Ilemobade, titled: “Shaping the Future of the SoCEE”. The personalities of the classmates quickly emerged. The laughter and noise prompted Prof Ilemobade to note that some things never change.
Emeritus Professor Yunus Ballim (BSc Eng 1981, MSc Eng 1983, PhD 1994) presented a rich lecture titled: “100 years of 91心頭利, a personal reflection on the evolution of the SoCEE”. There was lively engagement, friendly debate, sharing of funny stories and elaboration on special memories about the School, lecturers and each other.
Development and Fundraising Office director, Peter Bezuidenhoudt (BCom 1992, MBA 1997), shared recent updates about 91心頭利 and highlighted places of interest for the group to visit.
Bound copies of updates and memories collated by Errol Kerst (BSc Eng 1976, GDE 1982, MSc Eng 1988), with a preface written by Emeritus Professor Ballim, were distributed among the group.
They also enjoyed a walkabout through the School, the museum, laboratories and engaged with staff members and ended off with a group photo in front of the Hillman Building.
Read of updates and memories.
View from the day.Source: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
-
2025 Founders' Tea
Around 400 guests gathered under 91心頭利’ Champion Tree on the Gavin Relly Green on a warm spring morning of 7 September to celebrate one of the most treasured events on the calendar for the Alumni Relations Office – Founders’ Tea.
Annually 91心頭利ies who graduated 40 or more years ago are honoured. This year, Professor Ian Jandrell, deputy vice chancellor for systems and operations at 91心頭利, was the amiable programme director and the class of 1985 was officially welcomed too.
“It is such a joy to welcome you to 91心頭利, your alma mater,” said 91心頭利 University’s vice-chancellor and principal, Prof Zeblon Vilakazi. “The class of Duran Duran, the class when Bruce Springstein was dancing in the dark and singing ‘you can’t start a fire without a spark’…The tail end of baby boomers the emergence of Generation X…the greatest generation of all time,” he quipped, to the delight of the audience.
“This gathering is special because it re-connects us across generations. Looking back at the past also reminds us of the great future that beckons us. This institution will grow from strength to strength, thanks to you. You have been the stalwarts, pioneers and leaders who have set the tone for us to follow…The Founders’ Tea reminds us that the University’s greatest treasure is not measured only in metrics or numbers, but through citizens and leaders who shape the world,” he said.
But many attendees looked forward to the address of guest speaker, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo who said: “The spirit is wonderful. It’s very warm. It’s because of the people… everyone is very positive and that connects with the theme of my address.”
In his long judicial career, the respected judge has significantly contributed to jurisprudence in South Africa. He offered a case for hope by outlining some key judgments in which the judiciary held the excess of the executive in check, proving the Constitution’s importance in shaping South Africa’s democracy.
“I thought that daily we hear so much that the executive is doing wrong or is failing, that some in our society begin to lose hope about the future of our country and want to withdraw their positive contributions… I thought speaking about the judiciary I could bring a lot of hope.
“I have no doubt that most judges and magistrates we have are people of integrity who respect their oath of office. And they will do in years to come what it takes to promote and defend our Constitutional democracy.
“If I look at the past, I am full of hope for the future. My hope is not only based on the judiciary…My hope is also based on South Africans, the people. I go all over the country and I see people who want this country to succeed…The greatest fight is corruption. I believe there are enough of us…we will not allow a minority who benefit from corruption to take this country down,” he said.
Among the audience were many familiar faces. The oldest Founders included 91-year-old Sue Rootenberg (BA 1954, BAEd 1980, MA Ed 1982) and 99-year-old Dr John Callaghan (MBBCh 1949), who up until recently was still practising as an ENT surgeon at the Medforum Hospital in Tshwane. “It was a privilege to study at this university,” he said. He shared his secret to longevity with Alumni Relations: “Keep busy, don’t stop doing things you love. Whatever work you do, you must enjoy it.”
Before the guests enjoyed their tea Professor Lynn Morris deputy vice-chancellor of research and innovation wrapped up with a vote of thanks and outlined key highlights from the university.
Watch video:
See images from the day:
-
Networking event: Level Up: Real Talk on Money & Adulting
91心頭利 Alumni Relations hosted a practical and inspiring conversation around financial wellness, career development, and the journey of being an adult on 10 July 2025.
Guided by 91心頭利ies Rumbi Munyaradzi (BCom 2008), CEO for mobile wallets at , and author of Your Guide to Adulting and Tshepo Kgapane (BCom 2015) founder of and product lead at South Africa, the event served as a great way for young alumni to gain tips on becoming money savvy.
Held in the Chalsty Centre Auditorium on West Campus, the conversation was moderated by 91心頭利 Convocation Exco member Tebogo Thothela (BCom 2015, LLB 2017, LLM 2021). “Young graduates rarely have the opportunity to have these kinds of discussions,” he said.
Rather than only exploring the triumphs of career success, the participants shared candidly about the challenges they faced after leaving university.
For Munyaradzi, as an investment banker at JP Morgan, she admitted to the difficulty in adjusting to the challenge of working in an American corporate culture, which had expected her to behave contrary to her personality: “be loud and aggressive”.
“I learned to read the room and live accordingly,” she said. “I had no mentors, but it taught me to look for different sources. Everyone needs someone, even if it’s episodically. Use the bite-size information and get help where you can,” she said.
Her career also transitioned from financial analysis to digital transformation and innovation. “Transitions can be tricky, you may not need an entirely new skillset, but reframe how you pivot for the next role.”
Speakers mentioned the pitfalls of “lifestyle inflation” and the temptation to spend more just as their salary grew, emphasising the importance of making better choices. “You’re saving with the intention to spend, create an emergency fund with three months’ worth of expenses and that should become standard,” Kgapane said.
Attendees were encouraged to set boundaries with the people who surround them, be it family, colleagues or a particular culture. “Don’t be trapped by desires that are truly not your own,” Munyaradzi said.
After formal proceedings alumni could sign up to Blackbullion, a digital financial education platform and copies of Munyaradzi’s book were available for purchase.
See from the event.
-
Webinar: Robyn Curnow
91心頭利 Alumni Relations hosted a webinar with award-winning journalist Robyn Curnow (BA Hons 1999) on 11 March 2025. She shed light on the topic: “Trump Unleashed: Unpacking the Trump Administration” with over 360 guests. Curnow is the host and founder of the podcast and offered a perspective on Trump’s appeal for US voters: “An unreasonable man, unleashed by reasonable people.” She said Trump’s focus on “those who are broke and not woke,” was driven by America’s economic woes. “Trump is America’s plumber,” she said. He has a three-point plan to “fix” things: Doge, tariffs and taxes. “Break all the eggs and make an omelette with what’s left.”
Listen to full recording on .
-
91心頭利 Spirit Game 2025
The annual 91心頭利 Spirit Game is an unforgettable rite of passage. In a packed 91心頭利 Rugby Stadium on 7 February 2025, Jerome September, Dean of Students, officially “revealed” first-year students. Kitted out with kuku horns and waving foam fingers, they put on their 91心頭利ie T-shirts as a proud symbol of becoming a lifelong member of the 91心頭利 family.
Watch highlights from .
See from the event.
-
Alumni reunion: Engineering Class of 1988
On 7 December, 14 members of the 1988 Civil Engineering Class gathered in person for a reunion at the 91心頭利 Club, with another 12 joining virtually from around the world. “Many of us had not seen each other for 36 years, however reconnected (and laughed) as if nothing had passed,” said Bernard Abelson who organised the reunion from Vancouver, Canada.Photograph caption: (L to R) Bernard Abelson, Loris Manferdini, Craig Fussel, Neo Tladinyane, Adie Vienings, Trevor D’Oliveira, Conrad Visser, Genni Kvevli (née Brokenshire), Vaughan Davies, and Cristian Cottino.
-
Networking event: 91心頭利-Anglo American Digidome launch
91心頭利 Alumni Relations hosted a magical afternoon titled Infinite Possibilities to launch the new 91心頭利 Anglo American Digital Dome on 16 November 2024 to alumni. The programme included an address by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi as well as a unique Universe on Stage performance by 91心頭利ies Dr Luca Pontiggia (BSc 2012, BSc Hons 2014, MSc 2015, PhD 2018) and Yasheen Modi (BSc 2012, BSc Hons 2013). Guests enjoyed cocktails and sundowners after the formal proceedings.
See images fromThe people’s professor
The success of the Planetarium can in no small measure be attributed to the late Professor Arthur Bleksley (DSc 1937), a professor in applied mathematics and astronomer at 91心頭利 from 1932 to 1968.
According to the archives, he was a largely self-taught, but internationally recognised, polymath whose research interests and publications included astrophysics, mathematics and nuclear energy, cosmology, quantum mechanics, solar energy and even parapsychology.
Bleksley served as the first Director of the Planetarium when it opened its doors in 1960 until just before his retirement. He was ahead of his time where it came to science communication and education, focusing a lot of his attention on teaching and explaining science to the public, often raising the ire of his colleagues when appearing in popular media to explain scientific concepts in easy-to-understand terms. He had a marvellous sense of humour. On his retirement, The Star newspaper noted: “Professor Bleksley has been the greatest friend any reporter could have when it comes to scientific articles.” In the headline of the Rand Daily Mail when he died in July 1984, he was “the genius with the common touch”.
It was the spark
Many alumni shared special memories of the 91心頭利 Planetarium and excitement around the 91心頭利 Anglo American Digital Dome, including Professor Zeblon Vilakazi (FRS), Vice-Chancellor and Principal of 91心頭利 University:“The experience of visiting the planetarium has been a rite of passage for many South African children. For most, it represents their first encounter with astronomy on such a grand scale. The awe-inspiring presentations under the planetarium's dome have sparked curiosity and wonder, potentially influencing future career choices and fostering a lifelong interest in science.
“Personally, I visited the old Planetarium in 1981 at the height of apartheid in which they also showed us scenes of the 1969 moon landing. This visit left a huge and indelible mark on me, and I believe that it played a key role in igniting a scientific spark that led me to the career that I pursued as a nuclear physicist.
“The screening of the moon landing in 1969 was a defining moment in the planetarium's history, when it became the first venue in South Africa to screen footage of the Apollo 11 touching down on the surface of the moon. This historic event brought the global space race right to the heart of Johannesburg, allowing local residents to witness one of humanity's greatest achievements. The screening created a sense of connection to the broader world of space exploration and ignited imaginations across generations.”
Sphamandla Xulu | BSc Eng 2011
In 2006, during my grade 11, we were attending Saturday School on Campus for Maths and Science under Star Schools. One day, my friend and I decided to take a short tour on campus and we came across this unfamiliar dome. We both didn't know what it was or what it was for but we saw people with their families going in, so we decided to follow them to find out. Upon entry we asked staff members about it. There was a show starting in 20 minutes that they invited us to go see, but all we had was enough money for taxi to take us back to Soweto, not even something for lunch. The friendly staff gave us a free pass to our first exposure inside the planetarium. We had never seen space and stars like that before, our only exposure was the sky at night. It was a memorable experience for us, seeing space in that form. We felt and imagined that we were astronauts.Dr Frank Dhlamini | former technician and educator at the Planetarium
The Johannesburg Planetarium holds a special place in my heart, evoking memories I will forever cherish. Upon graduating with a BSc in 1997, I began my first job as a planetarium technician and educator. It was a rewarding role, where I had the opportunity to share my passion for astronomy by presenting shows to school groups visiting the planetarium. I also designed educational activities that demonstrated how physics applies to astronomy.
Dr Claire Flanagan, my manager at the time, was a major influence on my career. Her inspiration led me to pursue physics further. While working with her, I became involved in a variety of science promotion activities organized by the planetarium. Though I was typically behind the scenes, handling science scheduling and running school shows like Space Travel, I occasionally had the chance to step out from behind the scenes and sit in the audience. Claire’s passion for astronomy and her flair for storytelling were truly captivating. Her ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging left a lasting impression on me.Mandisa Shabangu | BSc 2011, PDM 2014
My first time here was in grade 3 when I was at Discovery Primary School. My memory of that experience is a little foggy. But little did I know that when I enrolled at 91心頭利 for Geology the Planetarium would be where I do part-time work for some extra change. I used to work at the little tuckshop after the shows. I manned the register and did some stocktaking. Claire was such a cool boss, and it was an easy job. I liked it then because we would go outside to view the stars with the big telescope. I understood more on the subject then and it was more meaningful.Sarah Taylor | BSc 1999, BSc Hons 2000, MSc 2002
This is another reason to be a proud “true-blue” 91心頭利ie. So many scholars have benefited from memorable trips to the Planetarium. It is an icon in Johannesburg and an asset to the community. Education is key, and the Planetarium educates far and wide. I expect the 91心頭利 Anglo American Digital Dome will expand its reach and continue to inspire and educate as the Planetarium has done for many years.Penny Aires | PDipData Pros 1983
If I'm not mistaken, as a very young child in 1957, I was taken with my older sisters to the Planetarium for a presentation about Sputnik, which was the tiny artificial satellite which Russia sent to orbit the earth. I can't remember much (it was a while ago and I was very young) except that it was something very new and amazing. History in the making.Harald van den Berg | BSc Hons 1991
In the 1980s we had lectures about astronomy in the Planetarium. We were even examined on recognising projected constellations and naming stars and their Right Ascension. I showed the examiners where ‘El Nath’ was. I can still tell the time by looking at the stars.See
-
Webinar: Jonny Steinberg in conversation with Hlonipha Mokoena
On 26 November 2024 91心頭利 Alumni Relations in South Africa, the and the hosted a webinar in association with .
Professor Jonny Steinberg (BA 1992, BA Hons 1993, MA 1996) discussed his internationally acclaimed book, which takes in a century of South African history through the prism of the marriage of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Prof Steinberg is based at Yale University and he was in conversation with Professor Hlonipha Mokoena, WISER’s new director.
His book Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage is winner of the SA Sunday Times Literary Award for Non-fiction 2024, is shortlisted for the upcoming UK Wolfson Foundation History Prize 2024, and is winner of the USA National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography 2023.
Prof Steinberg said: “It is very special to be talking at a 91心頭利 alumni event. I was an undergraduate there from 1988 to 1991. It was just unbelievably transformative years in South African history and probably the most transformative years of my life. It is probably the most special institution in my life.”
The full talk is available .
-
Networking event: Founders' Tea 2024
The long-standing 91心頭利 tradition of Founders’ Tea took place on 8 September at the Gavin Relly Green, West Campus, to celebrate alumni who had graduated more than 40 years ago. Over 400 guests were in attendance on the warm Spring morning as Alumni Relations welcomed the class of 1984 to their first tea.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi (MSc 1994, PhD 1998) shared recent developments in areas of research and partnerships with the broader community in South Africa and abroad. He noted recent alumni achievements as well as generous donations received towards the University’s projects.
Professor Glenda Gray (MBBCh 1986), chief scientific officer and past president of the South African Medical Research Council, held guests in rapt attention, reflecting on 91心頭利’ rich journey “to becoming human”, alongside her family’s own journey with the institution.
She mentioned the discovery of the Taung Child, the fossilised skull of young Australopithecus africanus, brought to the attention of Professor Raymond Dart by a young anatomy student, Josephine Jackson, née Salmons (BSc Hons 1926) exactly 100 years ago in 1924. Professor Dart published Australopithecus africanus: The Man-Ape of South Africa 40 days later and it became among Nature’s top 10 most cited papers of all time.
Around the same time that Mrs Ples was being blasted out of the Sterkfontein Caves, Prof Gray’s father, Ralph Vincent Gray (BSc Eng 1951), enrolled at 91心頭利 to study mechanical engineering. That would result in her family “moving through mines in South Africa from hot-as-hell Kuruman, to Stilfontein to Boksburg”, where she was born.
“My father was not from a rich family and not from an educated family, so when he matriculated, he cycled all the way to Durban, to find his vagabond father to ask for financial support for his studies. As there was no money, his aunt, a nurse, lent him the money to come to 91心頭利. He used to scavenge for empty bottles on campus to get the deposits to buy food,” she said.
Around the same time that scientist activist Prof Phillip Tobias (BSc 1946, BSc Hons 1947, MBBCh 1950, PhD 1953, DSc honoris causa 1994) published his influential article in the Journal of Anthropology in 1970 titled “Brain-size, grey matter and race – fact or fiction?”, her older brother Vincent Myles Gray (BSc 1976, PhD 1984) started studying biological science at 91心頭利. She said “he infused a political awareness and activism in me as a teenager that matured when I studied medicine.”
Prof Gray reinforced how 91心頭利 scientists have always been part of significant breakthroughs and are once again at the forefront of a possible HIV vaccine discovery.
She said that 91心頭利’ future endeavours would look to “the quantum community – to build advance weather and climate models, accelerating drug delivery to fight disease, building un-hackable data security. Physics will contribute to this in a myriad of ways.”
There were many familiar faces, including the oldest founder on the day, 96-year-old David Lopatie (BCom 1950, CTA 1953) and Dr Solomon Lefakane (BSc Eng 1961), who was the first black civil engineer to graduate from 91心頭利. Guests enjoyed sharing memories of time on campus. Lisa Tonini (BA 1983, LLB 1985) said she had memories of Piet Koornhof ’s visit to campus in 1981 and the flag being burnt. “I came from a close-knit family and 91心頭利 opened my eyes to the problems of the real world.”
To see more pictures, go to our
-
Webinar: Mamongae Mahlare
91心頭利 Alumni Relations held a webinar with the Executive Chairperson of the Takealot Group Mamongae Mahlare (BSc Eng 1997) on 31 July 2024 under the topic “The e-commerce landscape in South Africa”.
The discussion was well attended by around 300 alumni and moderated by Mills Soko, Professor of International Business and Strategy at 91心頭利 Business School.
Mahlare, who is a chemical engineering graduate from 91心頭利, charmed guests with her candor, initially sharing about her childhood and growing up in rural Limpopo: “At the time we didn’t have electricity in the house, nor indoor plumbing. You grow up with a sense of freedom, adventure and learning to be independent quite young.”
She said her parents, who both worked full time pursued further studies at night, shaped her outlook. “I learned education was something important, a gateway out of poverty or mediocre circumstances, it was a doorway to opportunity… And that you had to work hard for it. The quality of life that it opened was more important than whether you got the financial rewards with it.”
She also shared her memories of studying engineering at 91心頭利 in the 1990s: “I learned the importance of using the resources of people around you. Not having any shame in saying: ‘I am really not getting this, you seem to get it. Can you help me?’
“That is something I have used again, over and over in my career. I have been able to get into deep unchartered waters – learning how to leverage help of others and taking time to invest in the subject matter.”
She said the hardship was worthwhile: “That kind of experience shapes you. There were a lot of knocks and a lot of time you failed and had to redo and you think 'am I going to make it?’ It makes you confident that you can hold your own.”
Mahlare was appointed as the CEO of the company in October 2021 and has had a front row seat in the growing e-commerce industry. When asked about how she viewed rival international companies entering the market she said: “I have taken it as a compliment. The Takealot Group has built the business case that demonstrates that there’s value to be created in the South African market. It’s not a coincidence that it’s happening now and all together.
“We must think beyond the company perspective to a broader country perspective and development of e-commerce. We’re still sitting at 4% to 5% of the total retail, which is a R1 trillion business. When you think of our penetration compared to our peer countries in Latin America and Asia, who are sitting between 10% and 15%, there’s massive headroom for e-commerce in South Africa to grow.
“Enablement in business and job creation, and democratization of access, as well as continually innovating to make sure that we are addressing the needs of South Africans [is the group’s philosophy]. We believe that South Africans are very astute consumers, and they move quickly.”
Director of Alumni Relations, Peter Maher, said: “The comments ‘so inspiring’ kept cropping up in the chat. We’re so proud to have you as a 91心頭利ie! We got to know the person, the business leader, the student. It has been really fascinating.”
Watch the full talk .
-
Networking event: Valentine's Day Dinner
On a glorious summer’s evening, 91心頭利 Alumni Relations hosted a Valentine’s Day Dinner for around 70 guests under the stars at the award-winning Olives & Plates restaurant. Guests were treated to a delicious menu, a violinist, bespoke gifts as well as a photobooth, making it a truly memorable event.
View photos on
-
Webinar with Dr Eve: Relationships, intimacy and love languages
Dr
Marlene Wasserman (BA Hons Social Work 1979) shared her expertise as a skilled clinical social worker, family, couple and sex therapist to explore the topic of “intimate relationships” during an engaging webinar on 28 February 2024.Popularly known as Dr Eve, she told the around 260 guests that relationships should be viewed in the context of the environment they’re found in because of the “huge impact it has on how we relate to each other”. An increased awareness of extreme mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression emerged from COVID-19, as well as the concept of loneliness. “Whether you are in a relationship with somebody or single, there is an incredible experience of loneliness to the extent that loneliness is now seen as a form of mental illness,” she said. “People long for connection, safety and intimacy. People cannot survive without the connection, but it must be a connection where one feels safe.”
Based on statistics and what she sees in her practice, people are looking for different ways to connect, but these emerge as infidelity or divorce. “We know that people are struggling.” The stresses of work, of children, of finances, of what’s going on in a collective way, all impact on sexuality. People really struggle to be able to feel safe, healthy and happy to form relationships.
Dr Eve also provided insight into a range of questions from romantic disengagement, infidelity, childhood trauma to parenting. Some of the alumni comments included: “Thank you for such a wonderful and necessary conversation. Time wasn’t enough”; “A concise and informative session. The one hour was not enough”; and “As an alumnus overseas, I really appreciate the online event.”
Watch full webinar on
-
Young Alumni Networking Event: Cheryl Benadie
Cheryl Benadie was the guest speaker at a Young Alumni Careers and Networking event held at the 91心頭利 Club on 29 March 2023. Under the topic “The Secret To Being Future Fit” Benadie shared from her own experience in journalism, publishing, training and fundraising on how to use life’s challenges to unlock personal power. She illustrated how limiting beliefs could hinder progress in careers, finances and relationships. The young alumni who braved the rainy Johannesburg evening, heard about the need to be self-aware to “reinvent” oneself to meet the changing work requirements of a modern workplace.
-
Webinar: Tsakani Maluleke
We must act ethically in everything we do
Tsakani Maluleke urges professionals to stem tide of corruption.
South Africa’s auditor general Tsakani Maluleke (PDM 2017 shared two things “very close to her heart: accountability and ethical leadership” during the March alumni webinar series on 24 March 2022.
Maluleke, who has been in her role since December 2020, is the first woman to hold this position in the audit institution’s 109-year history. Her background as a chartered accountant spans more than 20 years, with experience in both the private and public sectors, and in areas as diverse as auditing, consulting, corporate advisory, development finance, investment management and skills development agencies.
She was in discussion with 91心頭利’ Head of School of Accountancy Professor Nirupa Padia (BCom 1986, BAcc 1996, MCom 2006) in a talk titled “The Professional’s Responsibility in Promoting Accountability and Ethical Leadership in a Democracy”.
She reminded the audience of about 240 listeners about the sacrifices that previous generations had made so that this generation could enjoy the fruits of democracy. “With freedom comes responsibility. Our democracy can only flourish and fulfil the noble aspirations and dreams of those it is meant to serve - citizens - when it is backed by ethical, accountable leaders,” she said.
She said the release of the Zondo Report was “sobering” and “should jolt us into action” and that corruption imposes steep costs on society because it holds back economic and human development.
“Any funds that are diverted into the pocket of an unintended recipient have a very real effect on the intended recipient who then goes without a school lunch, goes without access to a bed in a public hospital bed and goes without a much-needed social grant payment. With a shrinking public purse, increased dissatisfaction with state of governance in the country, with rising unemployment and poverty and greater demands on the state to meet the needs of citizens, the time has come for us to take greater responsibility for the mandate we have been given to serve.”
She said her office has been working on ways to professionalise the public service, which will be headed by “individuals who are ethical, competent and accountable”.
“There are three ways to deal with the challenges we face: Entrenching capable leadership, building capable institutions and placing a culture of consequence. I’d like to believe that we are capable of fixing things. We are capable of renewal and we’re capable of greatness. That we are capable of recognising our duty to act responsibly and ethically in everything we do. That we can leave behind us the era of self-enrichment and corruption and begin again to serve for the greater good. We can no longer be bystanders, the very future of our country is in our hands. This is the democracy that we inherited that so many sacrificed for us to benefit from,” she said.
The full talk can be viewed
-
Webinar: Joanne Joseph
Joanne Joseph highlights small acts of courage during alumni webinar
Many South Africans are familiar with radio and television broadcaster Joanne Joseph (BA 2000, BA Hons 2001, MA 2008), who has covered day-to-day and iconic events in the countrys history as a popular news media personality.
On 24 February, the proud 91心頭利ie was in conversation with Professor Dilip Menon, professor in the Department of International Relations at 91心頭利, to kickstart the 91心頭利 Alumni Relations webinar series of the Universitys centenary year.
Professor Menon praised Josephs sharp, keen, historical and literary intellect, using her book Children of Sugarcane (Jonathan Ball, 2021), as a prism to shed light on some contemporary South African challenges. We turn to history to understand what happened, we turn to fiction to figure out what might happen, he said.
Although Children of Sugarcane is set against the backdrop of 19th century India and the British-owned sugar plantations of Natal, Professor Menon said Josephs novel resonated today because many of the nightmares of history had been unaddressed.
He used a sentence from the afterward in the novel to begin the discussion: If we begin to think of indenture as part of our shared history and to explore how deeply stained we all are by our collective colonial past perhaps we can begin to imagine a shared future.
Joseph responded: We talk about colonisation; we dont understand how deeply its tentacles are buried in all of us as products of colonisation. In one way or the other we are tainted by it.
She said she grappled with this in choosing the title of the novel. You want a title that would resonate widely, rather than only with those who come from the indentured. I resolved to call it Children of Sugarcane because every player who was engaged in that exercise was in a process of becoming children of sugarcane. We are all children of that legacy We are still longing to figure out who we are.
Her debut book Drug Muled: Sixteen Years in a Thai Prison (Jacana, 2013) sold over 10 000 copies, but this novel is her first work of fiction. She said the novel format allowed her to think more deeply about contemporary life, something shes found difficult in her daily work as a journalist.
Its difficult to do because youre on a kind of treadmill up against the clock. You are delivering what you hope is a product of quality in a very short space of time and its quite transitory. It serves a particular moment therein lies the trap of news; its domain becomes smaller and smallerThere is little time for analysis, depth, the origins of the events. I found it a bit constricted.
The books explore different aspects of myself and my interests, but they are both an answer to the question of what came before? What do we need to know that matters in order to understand the present day?
The overwhelming sentiment around apartheid is one of oppression, Joseph says, relaying how she was introduced to a PhD seminar at 91心頭利 to a paper called by Nthabiseng Motsemme, which demonstrated that: Even in times of oppression and difficultyPeople maintain their joy. In their private intimate places, they work against this. Its a private subversion of the larger macro-political system.
Joseph said she was particularly interested in the small ways ordinary people have agency. The central character in Children of Sugarcane, is a woman with a mind of her own, who feels that her life cannot be contained by what she is born into and she has to forge something else much like contemporary South African society in which many are attempting to breaking free from the inheritance of their past.
The webinar also covered the changing role of religion, the justice system, gender-based violence and whether the term rainbow nation still has relevance. The full discussion can be accessed .
-
Webinar: Professor Francois Engelbrecht
The code red for humanity
Pre-eminent climatologist says science can help prepare for whats coming
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) report, released in August 2021, has been called a code red for humanity by the United Nations Secretary General Ant坦nio Guterres.
Professor Francois Engelbrecht, who is distinguished professor of climatology at the Global Change Institute at 91心頭利, was the invited lead author of Assessment Report Six of the IPCC. He shared his insights with alumni during a webinar on 28 October 2021, ahead of the historic UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, in Glasgow. The landmark study warned of human activity increasingly changing the climate in unprecedented ways.
The Earth is warming faster than previously thought and the window is closing to avoid catastrophic outcomes, said Professor Engelbrecht. This is evidenced by extreme weather events this year alone: in August the mega fires in the Mediterranean and California; in June unprecedented heatwave in the Pacific north west, in July the catastrophic flooding in Germany and the worst drought (worst in four decades) in Madagascar.
Professor Engelbrecht said the IPCC reports offer a sober assessment of the planets future. The reports are collaborative efforts, comprising of data from 4 000 scientific publications, prepared by around 234 global scientists from 66 countries over a three-year long period.
Global warming has now reached 1.1 尊C. The authors believe that 1.5 尊C will be reached by 2040 in all scenarios. If emissions aren't slashed in the next few years, this will happen even earlier. Its all about the possible tragectories to reduce carbon emissions, said Professor Engelbrecht. There are starkly different pathways into the future. Scientists were more hopeful about the planet if global emissions can be cut in half by 2030 and reach net zero by the middle of this century, we can halt and possibly reverse the rise in temperatures.
The report assesses that under strong and immediate climate action, with deep cuts in CO2 emissions in the 2020s, followed by continued mitigation to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, it is likely that the 2属C threshold will not be exceeded. However, even with these best-effort mitigation efforts, it is more likely than not that the 1.5属C threshold will be exceeded by a small margin.
He outlined the steps required to make this a possibility:
- Investment in new fossil fuels must stop immediately;
- Net-zero emissions must be achieved by 2050;
- All new gas and oil projects must be stopped;
- Annual energy investment will surge to $5 trillion by 2030 from $2.3 trillion, adding 0.4% to the global GDP growth;
- Electric vehicles should make up more than 60% of car sales by 2030;
- Sales of internal combustion engine cars should be stopped by 2035; and
- 70% of electricity should be generated from solar and wind by 2050.
If a decrease in the temperature of the planet is not achieved, the world will be completely transformed... Our generation will be committing future generations to a completely differently world. We are literally making the world smaller for future generations to live in, he said.
Professor Engelbrecht indicated that the southern hemisphere would be particularly vulnerable. For South Africa, this means more frequent, multi-year droughts, prolonged and more severe heat waves, the collapse of livestock and staple food agriculture, and even the possibility of hurricanes making landfall in the country, among other risks.
He discussed the five tipping points in southern Africa and said that every bit of warming matters. We need immediate action for both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He ended the talk on a hopeful note: "Were preparing the region through the research that were undertaking at the Global Change Institute. We know to a large extent whats comingIt means we can already prepare. How can we make our communities less vulnerable? We can turn science into action.
Professor Engelbrechts full talk can be accessed :
-
Webinar: John Sanei
Move into the strangeness
Popular international speaker John Sanei shares how to adapt to transformation
In the September webinar series, popular futurist strategist John Sanei shared insights into the rapid pace of change confronting many during a talk titled Trans-For-Motion: Transforming at constant pace into the unknown future. Although he admitted that no one can fully identify what the future would look like, he shared patterns of change, the psychology around change and how attendees could develop teams to face big challenges ahead.
Sanei has received global recognition for his keynote talks and masterclasses as Africas first Singularity University faculty member, a lecturer at Duke Corporate Education and an associate partner at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. He is the co-founder of the School of Modern Wisdom and The Expansive Podcast.
The world has developed a system that needs to have absolute outcomes and when this not possible it leads to anxiety. Our brains like certainty and predictability. He said a megatrend was the poverty of reimagination. There is no going back but moving into the strangeness is actually better for all of us, he said.
He suggested that businesses need to move from complicated to complex systems, which requires new skill sets.
His full talk can be viewed here:
-
Webinar: Rashid Seedat
More people packed together in a smaller space
Seasoned urban planner shares visual representation of SAs economic hub
New executive director of the (GCRO), Rashid Seedat (BA 1985, PGDipArch 1987, MM 2001, MSc 2007) has a more than 40-year link with 91心頭利 足 and his career has seen him occupy senior positions in the economic hub of Johannesburg.
As a guest speaker at the recent 91心頭利 alumni webinar series on 26 August 2021, Seedat shared insights with guests 足 among whom included former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Professor Mark Orkin in a talk titled Social, spatial and governance contours of the Gauteng City-Region.
The idea of a wider metropolitan region began to take shape during the 1980s, by the late 1990s this conurbation was named the Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vaal Region and in 1994 it became Gauteng the Place of Gold, he said.
Seedat explained that the Gauteng City-Region (GCR) is a construct, political device and mode of governmentality through a series of well-structured outputs that grapples with the social, political, economic and environmental complexities of the city-region. It echoes other global cities in countries such as India, China and the US, as an interconnected way to investigate policy decisions, governance concerns and the city-regions future.
The GCRO is a partnership between 91心頭利, the University of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Provincial Government. He provided an overview the GCROs work, the spatial features of the city-region, issues of social mobility as well as the quality of life surveys conducted by the GCRO to enable an understanding of key governance issues.
The visual representations, maps and analysis of sprawling urban growth which Seedat presented were mesmerising and highlighted the huge policy challenges faced by a region in constant flux. This was evident in the volume of people, the changing use of land and housing trends.
The population of Gauteng is estimated at 15 544 894 (from 2020 mid-year StatsSA estimates) and it is projected to grow about 1 800 000 every five years.
In the GRC an unusual trend shows people are more tightly packed together over time and the density is unevenly spread. Fifty percent of Gautengs residents live on just 2.4% of the provinces land, he said.
Some of the key housing dynamics show significant growth in backyard dwellings, informal settlements alongside a growing number of housing estates.
The biggest and most important trend is different residential types being developed in different parts of GCR, pulling an already divided city-region further apart, he said.
The lively chat function saw Seedat fielding questions related to spatial development, smart cities, sustainability, the impact of the GCRO research on policy as well as its limited use by municipalities to improve access to services and mitigate development gaps.
Seedats full talk can be accessed .
The GCRO is in the process of completing its Quality of Life survey for 2020-2021, which contains 248 questions relating to dwelling type, health, income, employment, transport, opinions on government, social fabric and well-being etc. With a total of 13 616 respondents and at least 20 people in every Gauteng ward interviewed, it provides a rich dataset. The results will be released on 9 September 2021 and more information can be found .
-
Webinar: Greg Solomon
Get used to the rapid pace of change
Respected chief executive Greg Solomon shares why good leadership is critical
CEO of McDonalds South Africa and 91心頭利 alumnus Greg Solomon (BSc 1992, BA Hons 1993, BSc Hons 1995) shared insights into leadership with fellow alumni on 25 June 2021.
Solomon who started his career as a civil engineer and joined McDonalds SA in 1996 as a project manager, was instrumental in building many of its first restaurants and outlined the companys significant milestones since its inception in 1995.
He shared the companys steady evolution to adapt to the particularities of South Africa as well as incorporating global trends over the years: the introduction of drive thru; 24-hour service, the transition to biodegradable packaging, launching a charity (Ronald McDonald House of Charity); designing light-steel frame buildings; reducing demand and consumption of products, moving to digital deliveries, offering leadership skills transfers and growing an average of 25 restaurants year-on-year to its current 16 000 employees.
For Solomon, good leadership is the ability to influence others, build trust and respect and align a team to a common purpose.
At a time when many businesses are at a crossroads with the impact of the pandemic, he said: In the past two years, brave leadership has been needed more. The world has changed and we need to adapt how we communicate. Brave leadership is important and people want to see leaders leading from the front, making certain decisions, being responsible, being accountable and most importantly being authentic, in that way they build trust and respect. Brave leadership is at the centre of how we should lead our businesses at a point of crisis.
Solomons leadership credentials have stood the test of time and under him the companys sales have grown, guest counts increased, customer service improved and operating income has risen. He was a finalist in the 2011 Boss of the Year and named the Institute of People Management CEO of the Year 2011.
What we predict will happen in the future is now going to materialise much faster. Its the pace of change is what we need to get used to. From a business as well as personal perspective Solomon said adaptation was key to staying relevant. Are you ready for the pace of change? Are you ready to change? Are you modern and contemporary? Do you have the relevant skills to operate in the year 2030 tomorrow? he asked.
He told the audience of around 400 that strategic planning prepares individuals and organisations to respond to the future in a nimble way, but focus was important. What is the one thing in your organisation that everyone can get right? What is most important? What can you unite around?
Equally, happiness is key, he said. He gave an example of in 2016, when he told restaurant owners they would not get bonuses. We did make a deal with them that if they met their KPIs [key performance indicators], they would win a six-day trip on a ship to Mauritius. Out of 170 restaurant owners, 120 met their KPIs and went on the cruise to Mauritius.
He said that often its the small things that make the biggest difference, much like the tiny instrument, the trim tab, used to turn the direction of a giant ship. Its the hello; welcome; how are you feeling?; happy birthday; Merry Christmas and messages on Ramadan. These are the small things that give hope.
Many guests responded positively: Thank you so much for your inspirational sharing, very fruitful session on leadership and self growth...as entrepreneurs or business owners, just loved it, great advice and awesome presentation, thanks Greg, one of the best webinars I have attended. The delivery was so clean!
The full talk can be accessed .
-
Webinar: Advocate Kate Hofmeyr
State capture labyrinth demands tireless collaboration
Alumna gives credit to support and investigative team
Respected Advocate Kate Hofmeyr (BA Hons 2001, LLB 2003) has been an evidence leader at the State Capture Commission since 2018, where she is responsible for the evidence of over 40 witnesses, including former ministers, directors-general, CEOs, CFOs, SOE board members and auditors.
On 24 March 2021 she led more than 360 alumni through three aspects of the commission: its unusual origins, its machinery and mechanics as well as insights into the different role commission advocates assume.
She outlined her Herculean task and despite many probing questions from attendees, she deftly permitted herself only one personal comment: I had the considerable privilege of working with a team of four investigators from mid-2018 to mid-2020. They were without a doubt the most remarkable people I have worked with in my career.
They came from a variety of backgrounds, from different parts of the country and between them they had forensic, criminal investigation and financial accounting skills. We met weekly and then daily. We had colour-coded excel spread sheets tracking every element of our investigations so that nothing would fall through the cracks.
We were doggedly committed to doing our work to the best of our abilities. We laughed often, we cried on occasion (well it was only I who got teary-eyed), but we learnt an extraordinary amount from each other. Its no exaggeration to say that by the end of our two-and-a-half years together, the investigators on my team were pointing us, the lawyers, to the areas of law that needed to be considered. I am sure that many of my colleagues on the legal team had similar experiences.
Whats important to appreciate is that each time any of us appeared at the hearings to present evidence, we were presenting the product of thousands of hours of tireless investigative work.
The full talk is available here:
-
Webinar: Pavlo Phitidis
Building businesses into assets of value
Pavlo Phitidis sets a challenge for small business owners and offers practical advice
91心頭利 Business School alumnus Pavlo Phitidis (MBA 2001) and co-founder of shared a personal tale of his business journey in a talk titled Reset Rebuild Reignite with about 240 alumni on 27 May 2021.
As an entrepreneur and innovator Phitidis was earnest about harnessing the skills and expertise within the alumni community to affect global change: We are finally getting an alumni community together. Those friendships have yielded me not only with tremendous meaning and joy, warmth and love, but also tremendous value. I think that were becoming Argonauts as South Africans. Its really important to figure out a way to connect with each other because the success of South Africa, or any other part of the world is a success to all of us because we are part of a community, he said.
Phitidis, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs used Carl Gustav Jungs sentiment that we are all somehow trapped by the images of our past and carry them into the future to frame his talk.
I was born into a family of entrepreneurs and I saw directly what business life was all about for individuals who had to get into businesses to generate income to raise their families, feed their families, educate, house and create a legacy of some form. Employed people see it as a pension, entrepreneurs see that classically as an exit of sale of a business. Two of my uncles worked into their late 80s, not because they wanted to, but because they had to. They built businesses that generated income, but built businesses that were simply not able to be sold.
From his 25 years of direct experience in conceptualizing and building businesses across four continents, as well as expertise in mergers and acquisitions he said there was an enormous gap between what people think their business is worth and the actual calculations even that of his fathers business.
I got hauled into the family business with my father, only to realise that a man I truly loved and admired, was in dire straits. His lifes work was coming to an end and there was no value in the business. Hed done everything right, done it by the book. He had done everything we are taught to do, and yet it was just not possible for him to get that exit.
Over the years Phitidis learned the mathematics of valuation, which helped to close the enormous gap between the way that people build businesses to generate income and how businesses need to be built in order to be sold. Based on the data-rich economy of the United States, he was able to analyse that 94.6% of businesses started in the US failed to sell. This statistic was similar to a study in Australia, which showed that 97.2% of businesses started failed to sell.
Phitidiss business specialises in the genesis of starting, investing and building businesses into assets of value. Over nine years, we sold 12 businesses, across six sectors: two listed on the JSE, two failed, three sold to management buyouts and five were bought by corporate entities looking for growth and innovation.
He offered a guide on the lessons learned from these experiences. We defined 207 very clear activities and put them into a very well-structured sequence which we now offer to over 2 871 businesses. And the results are impressive: The average compound growth rates that we have seen across that portfolio sits at 28.9% that is a business that doubles in its revenue every 33-34 months! The average exiting growth rates sit at 32.4%, he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a particular crisis. I got the fright of my life; it felt like the blood left my entire system because weve got about 600-odd clients and you can imagine 75% of our revenue attached to their growth performance. This was not looking good.
From this experience, he produced this latest book , which argues "the action you need to take when a crisis hits must do more than help your business survive. It must see you thrive, he said.
Phitidis challenged alumni to connect: Please help. We are growing a highly sophisticated service and product built in South Africa into foreign markets and we want to work with South Africans. There is a resilience and an attitude that we have baked and built into us that we are unaware of that distinguishes us and sets us apart. Were looking for colleagues and contacts across the US, across Europe, across Ireland, across Australia, across New Zealand and across the UK. So please reach out and lets have a conversation.
A full version of the talk is available .
For a summary of responses to the questions posed during the webinar contact Heather.Bangwayo@wits.ac.za
-
Webinar: Alex Granger
Built to Adapt: Better Every Day
Life coach and speaker gives motivational talk
In the first of the webinar series for 2021, on 24 February, Dr Alex Granger asked the more than 340 alumni attendees to consider the Choluteca Bridge in Honduras. It is situated in an extreme weather zone built to withstand the worst of mother natures onslaughts. In 1988 it withstood Hurricane Mitch the second-deadliest Altantic hurricane on record while other infrastructure was devastated and over 11 000 fatalities were recorded. Dr Granger considered one of the top leadership coaches and speakers asked what the point of an unbreakable bridge was, that lead nowhere. Although a great landmark, the bridge offered a metaphor for what happens when one fails to adapt to lifes changing currents. He said the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the need to adjust to change with flexibility in all areas.
Dr Grangers talk peppered with corporate ancedotes, motivational quotes, practical applications to improve ones creative imagination and even a quiz for participants to access their levels of grit offered helpful pointers. Alumni responded with comments such as I was so close to shutting down my two-year business and I am rethinking that; I wish my team knew some of these lesson youve spoken about and this is what I needed. Dr Granger even obliged alumni who asked and broke out in song at the end of the webinar. Access full webinar here:
References from Dr Grangers talk include:
- Mark Manson
- Jamie Smart Clarity: Clear Mind, Better Performance, Bigger Results
- James Clear Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones
- Angela Duckworth Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
-
Webinar: Dixit Joshi
Future winners will embrace trends quickly
Global financial leader sees a silver lining after a year of upheaval
In a year characterised by disruption, the 2020 91心頭利 alumni webinar series fittingly closed with a talk by global financial leader Dixit Joshi (BSc 1992) titled The Future of the Global Financial Industry. Joshi is the current Group Treasurer of Deutsche Bank, based in London and has extensive executive experience at major global financial institutions. The statistics and actuarial science graduate said that, surprisingly, the events of this year had illuminated what lay ahead for the financial industry. The full talk is available
Joshi offered a summary of 2020: an economic shock of unparalleled depth and speed whose consequences will take years to play out; an equally large response through government support packages, which has necessarily pushed public debt to record levels; restrictions on individual freedoms which are unprecedented during peace time; the promise of safe vaccines, which gives some scope to look ahead positively to a post COVID-19 environment.
Moreover, there remained global trends that COVID-19 would not change: geo-political tensions between the US and China for instance; the European Unions need to redefine its place post Brexit; increased social imbalances as well as increased generational imbalances in which the debt burden coupled with the prospect of widespread unemployment will fall largely on younger generations; exacerbated social inequality, evidenced by many white collar jobs being done from home in contrast to manual labour; and the fight against climate change. Joshi stressed that if these challenges were not addressed adequately people would seek solutions at the ballot box.
He said the pandemic had amplified trends already underway prior to 2020. The winners in the financial industry of the future, will be those players who embrace and adapt to those trends quickly.
Joshi outlined these trends to be:- Interest rates would remain low for longer, which came with several consequences. The search for yield by investors will continue, particularly as populations age, as investors want yield from high-risk assets, we do need to be prepared for some bouts of volatility in future.
- The decline of cash would accelerate. For most of this year, cash was not only unusable, but was actually a health risk. The flu virus can survive 17 days on a bank note. This trend will have a number of implications: digital alternatives to cash will spread faster, not only as a means of exchange but as a way to store value. Weve seen the rise of cryptocurrencies and the risks. Weve seen spectacular frauds like OneCoin and more completely unregulated shadow banking systems with all the risks. Joshi said this means policymakers and regulators will face pressure to act faster in integrating digital alternatives into the existing financial system. Were likely to see more work done on central bank digital technologies.
- As our lives become more digital, more transactions will be online. Financial service providers will have to deliver more online solutions for customers, he said. These digital technologies will also provide opportunities for more structural cost saving for the banking industry, which is vital if we are to live with low interest rates for much longer. From machine learning and artificial intelligence we will see more support for tasks and decisions. Well see further migration to the Cloud as financial services firms around the world will face increasing pressure to automate infrastructure processes.
- It is in this digital era that scale will be more important. Scale becomes critical not only because of the scale of transformational investment needed, but due to the competitive advantage of monetising returns on investment over larger customer bases. This is particularly important in Europe, where banking and capital markets have remained fragmented and cross-border consolidation has been slow. Of the worlds top 20 banks, by market value, only two are from the Eurozone and nine of the top 10 are US or Chinese. As Europe defines its place in the increasingly muscular geopolitics of the 21st century, banking and capital market union are more important than ever.
- The financial industry can be a vital enabler in tackling the global climate emergency. Most governments in leading economies have made commitments to renewable energy as part of the fight against climate change. These commitments are of such a large scale that they cant be financed from the public purse alone and are dependent on public-private investment. At a time of regulatory constraints on balance sheets, the capital markets become more critical in helping turn savings globally into capital for investment. Sustainable financing is already a growth area and this will accelerate as governments approach key targets to decrease dependence on fossil fuels such as phasing out of petrol and diesel engines in the next 10 to 20 years. Sustainable financing through the green bond market and ESG [environmental, social and governance] investing are likely to become part of the mainstream. Banks will come under increased pressure to scale back or discontinue the financing of fossil fuel energy and other business activity that contributes to global warming.
- Financial inclusion is an historic opportunity. Around 1,5 billion people, 20% of the human race, remain outside the banking system and that is a fundamental barrier to reducing some the most extreme examples of social inequality, Joshi said. One of the priorities for the financial industry in the digital era is to seize opportunities to increase financial inclusion. For example, iris or other recognition and other digital ID services solves the problem of literacy. Online or telephone banking transforms the economics of low-value transactions. Businesses are increasingly thinking globally, but acting locally (glocalisation). So for that reason, financial inclusion becomes not just a priority, but a social and a moral duty for the financial industry of the future.
In the banking industry, business models that relied on certain levels of net interest income need to be re-examined. Dynamic balance sheet management becomes even more important. As treasurer to one of the industrys largest balance sheets Ive witnessed this first-hand.
A committed and proud alumnus, Joshi has retained a key 91心頭利 value, to use ones professional role to deepen social engagement. He reminded participants: Combining academic excellence with social engagement is what makes 91心頭利 a truly unique institution. This sentiment was echoed in his summary: We will become more digital (not only in the way we reach customers but also in the way we manage our core processes front to back); we will become more scalable (as digital solutions increase and industry consolidation gains momentum); we will be more sustainable (and play our part in tackling one of the great challenges facing our world in the 21st century); we will be more inclusive (making our contribution to transforming the lives of some of the most disadvantaged of our fellow human beings).
-
Webinar: Anne Bernstein
Stop fiddling and lets get moving
Respected public intellectual finds gaping holes in presidents recovery plan
Founder and executive director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), Ann Bernstein (BA 1976, BA Hons 1977) offered a group of more than 250 alumni a sobering view of the state of South Africas economy on 28 October, a few hours before the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, delivered his medium-term budget.
From one of South Africas leading development think tanks, Bernstein has years of experience focusing on inclusive economic growth, jobs, education, skills, land reform, cities and the role of business. Her talk titled Recovery Strategies SA and economic recovery: Quo Vadis? provided a candid and compelling assessment: We have an escalating economic, fiscal, jobs and social crises. All of which have been exacerbated by poor decision making and implementation.
We have a cabinet where different ministries approach South Africas challenges in different ways: The minister of finance wants to cut expenditure, the minster of public enterprises wants to fund SAA, the minister of social development wants a basic income grant for every single adult.
We have State capacity that is demonstrably weak and riddled with corruption. Theres been no significant progress on the reform agenda. In fact, this government, nearly three years old, has a growing credibility gap.
There is insufficient sense of urgency to get moving and get South Africa out of the terrible situation that were in. I see a country adrift, desperate for bold leadership, direction and action.
She shared CDEs key insights over the past six months. She suggested, in order for South Africa to move forward, there needs to be an acknowledgment of what brought the country to this point. Real honesty is required about what has gone wrong and why. She suggested that this acknowledgement could be used as an essential foundation to start building a bridge out of the disaster.
Its not just COVID-19 and the lockdown, but its 12 years probably more of misrule by the government. Its not just the Guptas and State Capture, but its bad policy decisions on almost every front. We have an approach to markets, to investment that has led to economic decline and a junk-status rating.
She offered a brief summary of the President Cyril Ramaphosas recovery plan, released on 15 October, outlining its contradictions and shortcomings. The plan says we want to cut red tape, but if you read the document there are subordinate goals for every programme, especially set aside procurement processes, which will increase red tape enormously. She said: The core proposals rather happily envisage an increase in the costs of doing business in South Africa.
A key component of the plan was an infrastructure drive, but Bernstein questioned if it made sense. Is it a growth strategy? She suggested the plan is not a silver bullet, but everything is going to depend on building the right infrastructure that supports growth (and pays for itself); at the right price (so the ability to pay for itself is increased); that we have the resources to maintain it. This is not clear in the plan at all.
She stressed the need for greater urgency. Lets move much, much faster. Think of the cost of delay. In February 2019, a special task team gave him [Ramaphosa] a report on what to do about Eskom. At that stage Eskoms debt was R450 billion. Today, October 2020, that debt is heading for R500 billion. We need to have a better energy plan, but this plan doesnt announce anything new.
Another key component is reforms for growth. According to Bernstein this is a list of similar proposals, which havent materialised over the past four years. One example is e-visas. Many countries much poorer than South Africa have an excellent e-visa system. In February 2019 we were told this was the highest priority of the president for the year to establish a world-class e-visa regime. Here we are October 2020 and the plan says efforts will be focused now on putting in place an efficient e-visa programme.
Bernstein suggested Ramaphosas wish list leaves many unanswered big questions: How credible is this? How fast will it happen? Have the battles been joined to make it happen? If the State is broken, how do we fix it?
I think South Africa has all the great potential to be a great African lion of an economy, but we keep disappointing. Were now in a deep cycle of decline. We cannot make progress if we continue along the same lines.
We have to rethink the attitudes, the policies that have brought the country to this sorry state. Tweaking, fiddling on the edges, avoiding the big issues will not do the job as the past three years have shown us.
It is true that our State is weak, corrupt and ineffective but we do have capacity in South Africa. We have a private sector that is strong, not perfect, that could be even more impressive if it were not restrained and held back by policy makers unjustified belief in the merits of a commandist, disciplining developmental State.
She said the State can and must be fixed. The private sector, in the meantime, needs to be supported and freed, instead of being smothered by regulation. This can be seen in the areas of energy supply and land reform.
There will be no recovery if governments ambiguous, anti-business policies persist. The government- business relationship has to change fundamentally. We need a State that seeks to enable business growth, not one that sees itself as responsible for disciplining capital or continually expanding the role of the State in the economy when it has no capacity.
The country needs leadership, not endless processes that never seem to get beyond fiddling or tweaking. I am opposed to the prevailing view that compacting will solve everything. We can use compacting to bring people together, to find a common road, but without leadership and a new vision for South Africa, were not going to get anywhere.
The president has to put the national interest above party unity and electioneering. He has to build the political coalitions necessary for South Africa to start doing things differently. Thats whats missing.
We need much greater seriousness and honesty about where we are today, how bad things are today and a much-more strategic and speedier approach on how we can move forward.
Find the complete talk in which Bernstein discusses what she wished the president had said when he released his economic recovery plan.
-
Webinar: Professor Shabir Madhi
Update on COVID-19 and insights into the vaccine trials
Leader in first in two vaccine studies undertaken in Africa briefs alumni
A familiar name to many South Africans over the past few months 91心頭利 alumnus Professor Shabir Madhi (MBBCh 1990, MMed 1999, PhD 2004) provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa on 29 September 2020. Prof Madhi has been appointed as Dean of the Health Sciences Faculty in 2021 and leads the charge in two COVID-19 clinical vaccine trials in South Africa. He serves both as Director of the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytical Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council and Research Chair in Vaccine Preventable Diseases of the Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation. He holds the Chair of the National Advisory Group on Immunization in South Africa and is a member of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts.
Prof Madhi outlined infection rate statistics, the deaths and excessive mortality, the implications of a second wave as well as insights into the access to COVID-19 vaccines for low-middle-income countries.
He said when reflecting on the numbers around the pandemic and how it unfolds, that one of the important metrics (to see if youre getting a true reflection of the cases) is the positivity rate. A high positivity rate, reflects the bias that a select group is being tested more. The threshold which WHO recommends, as an indicator that an adequate amount of testing is being done, is where the positivity rate is less than 10%. Once this is under 5%, it suggests a limited spread of transmission in a population and an adequate testing rate.
In South Africa when we were recording between 10 000 to12 000 new cases per day (around middle of July), the positivity rate was 27%. This indicates at the peak of the outbreak, although we were reporting about 14 000 case per day, that was probably a complete underestimate of the number of individuals being infected.
More recently our positivity rate is in the region of 5-10%, suggesting that there is dampening of transmission of the virus, but were not out of the woods.
One of COVID-19s striking features, is that less than 5% have been documented in Africa. Theres a disconnect between the size of the population relative to the number of COVID-19 cases documented. The data indicates the limitations we have on the continent to quantify the pandemic. This is more than an academic exercise. When it comes to vaccines, countries may be prioritised based on what is shown as being the burden of COVID-19. This is an important narrative, so that African countries arent at the short end of the stick for making a case for access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Prof Madhi said: We dont have ability to contain the spread of the virus. Infections will continue to occur. What we do have control over, is our ability to protect individuals who are vulnerable from severe disease. There should be a much greater focus on how to protect them.
The full talk is available here:
-
Webinar: Professor Martin Veller
COVID-19 - All your questions answered
Dean shares insights from coalface of the pandemic
On 24 August Professor Martin Veller (MBBCh 1979, MMed 1990), Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and professor in the Universitys Department of Surgery, shared his insights from the coalface of the pandemic. He reflected on 91心頭利 response to the pandemic, how the health sciences faculty was navigating medical training and shared personal observations. Professor Veller said the Faculty ranked 77th out of 25 000 for clinical and preclinical disciplines in the Times Higher Education Ranking of Universities in the World.I have been in the position to interact with a remarkable faculty also within the University with amazing people. One feels pride, as a member of the University, to see the impact it is making even during a difficult time. See full talk here:
-
Virtual Global Reunion: to meet the VC designate
Passing the baton
Virtual global reunion connects 91心頭利ies across the globe
The first global alumni reunion which saw Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib introduce Vice-Chancellor designate, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi to the global alumni community was a huge success.
Although it was held as a virtual event as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it nevertheless gave more than 800 alumni from over 20 countries an opportunity to connect and engage over two sessions to accommodate time zone differences. Many alumni had the chance to share their well wishes and posed challenging questions to the professors.
Recordings of the sessions are available on the 91心頭利 Alumni YouTube channel and
Left to right: Professor Adam Habib, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Dr Stanley Bergman and Professor Colin Bundy
Both Professor Colin Bundy, trustee of the 91心頭利 Foundation UK, and Dr Stanley Bergman, Chairman of the 91心頭利 Fund, paid tribute to the sterling leadership shown by Professor Habib over the past few years. They highlighted his success at not only enhancing 91心頭利 academic output but also raising its stature and providing innovative clarity on the Universitys role during a time of transformation. They noted how Professor Vilakazi was best suited to take over the role as VC in 2021: Zeblon possesses a powerful vision, an in-depth experience and the ability to cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders which will enable him to lead the university through a difficult period both from an economic and institutional point of view, said Dr Bergman.
Congratulations Prof Vilakazi. Wishing you all the best for the future. You have our support to make 91心頭利 a success.
Rendani Neluvhalani, London, UKVice-Chancellor Habib spoke about 91心頭利 efforts to address the challenges inequality posed to continuing access to teaching during the pandemic. He also highlighted the Universitys successful transition online; the contributions made by academics to advise and critique government on health and economic policy; the groundbreaking drug therapies and vaccine developments on the medical front; as well as 91心頭利 scientists assisting to model and map the pandemic. 91心頭利 has been responding comprehensively and ensuring that South Africa addresses the pandemic in an appropriate way.
He urged support for the plans to celebrate the Universitys centenary in 2022, and the associated campaign which hopes to draw resources into a student endowment fund to subsidise capable students who do not have the means to study at 91心頭利.
Thank you for all you have done for 91心頭利, Prof Habib. You have a worthy successor in Prof Vilakazi.
Rob Fryer, Connecticut, USAProfessor Vilakazi said he looked forward to the next period of growth at the University, which will be driven by innovations in technology. 91心頭利 must be central to that. Our graduates must be leaders in spawning new technologies that speak to the realities of being located on the African continent, yet being globally connected to the world community.
Professor Habib closed by urging alumni to back the VC designate: Ive had an incredible seven years. There have been some difficult years. I would not have managed that without the incredible support of alumni, from many parts of the world. I want to thank each one of you for that, but I want to urge you to provide that same support to Zeblon Vilakazi because he will be leading this institution of ours under very difficult conditions. He can only succeed through the support he gets from every one of us.
These were some of the comments made during the reunion chat:
- Thanks so very much for organising this incredible event greatly appreciated. Dr Les Glassman, Jerusalem Israel (91心頭利 Alumni Representative)
- Huge thanks and appreciation to the 91心頭利 leadership under Prof Habib for the great vision and strength. Warm greetings from Glasgow. Rhian Touyz
- Hi all. Proud to be a 91心頭利 alumnus. Gareth Zimmerman, Stroud, Gloustershire, UK
- Congratulations, Prof Vilakazi! I live and work in Chicago and also grew up in Katlehong. Lusanda Mayikana
- I'm delighted to be with you all. Dr David Nathanson in Detroit, Michigan USA. Lovely to hear how strong the 91心頭利 folks are - good luck!
- Proud to be a 91心頭利 and 91心頭利 Business School Alumni. Anna Zanghi from Brussels
- Well done Prof Habib. Glad to have attained my Doctorate degree five years ago during your tenure. Your leadership was remarkable. I wish you all the best. Welcome Prof Vilakazi. I wish you nothing but the best. Thank you 91心頭利. Proud WITS alumnus. Alex Kasembeli, Nairobi, Kenya
- Congratulations Prof Vilakazi! Wishing you all of the very best in your tenure and we as alumni are here to support you fully as you lead our treasured alma mater. Sonqoba Vuba, Johannesburg, SA
-
Webinar: Professor Glenda Gray
Bad news wrapped in protein
Professor Glenda Gray gives insights into the pandemic in South Africa, its impact and its trajectory
On 19 July, in a much-anticipated webinar, Professor Glenda Gray took alumni on a journey covering the seven-month-old COVID-19 pandemic, which was part historical, part biological and part medical.
Within the first 10 minutes, the webinar reached its 500-person capacity and additional participants were able to view the event live on the alumni YouTube page.
Professor Gray, a highly respected academic and leader, is the first female President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). She is the Chair of the Research Committee on COVID-19, bringing together scientific evidence and experience to the Minister of Health and the National Coronavirus Command Council.
Key early warning system
She outlined the history of the then unknown pneumonia, which could be traced back to 17 November 2019, which morphed into the World Health Organisations declaration of a public emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020 which affected 19 countries and had a tally of approximately 7 000 cases.
On 8 January 2020, in the Journal of Travel Medicine, academics who studied travel data and infectious disease vulnerability indices, saw the potential for the international spread of an unknown disease. It listed 20 cities considered to be at risk. Professor Gray emphasised the importance of an early warning system, which must be implemented in future to detect emerging pandemics.
She provided an outline of the four known human coronaviruses, which recur seasonally in two to four year cycles. A major concern is that infection appears to provide immunity from reinfection for only a short period of time. The transmission of COVID-19 is also a concern as it has spread even under lockdown conditions, social distancing and the wearing of masks.
Movement across the globe
Over time the pandemic has moved into low and middle-income settings and continents where testing will be crucial. The more you test, the more you get a feel of the epidemic, the less you test, the harder it is to understand the burden in your country. South Africa is currently the only African country which is doing a substantial amount of testing.
The runaway train
South Africa currently has among the highest infection rates in the world. The reason why our numbers continue to climb is because we havent managed to get our infection reproductive rate under zero. The only time you can contain an epidemic is if your reproductive rate is under one. This means one person who has an infection, has not infected one or more people. Weve always hovered between 1,1 and 1,5. It has had a similar trajectory throughout the lockdown period. By the time we had testing up and running, community transmission had already occurred and we were overwhelmed with testing, with long turnaround times, and were soon unable to identify cases fast enough to isolate their contacts and quarantine them. What happened is the runaway train with community transmission - thats well established.
When will South Africa peak?
We havent yet peaked although we are far above the average compared to when European countries peaked...Our trajectory is completely different, (and) similar to what you see in Mexico, Peru and Brazil.
South Africa seems to be following the trajectory of other low-middle income settings. We havent yet peaked although we are far above the average compared to when European countries peaked. For example, Gauteng has 33,4 daily new infections per 100,00 population, whereas Italy peaked at 9,3 daily new infections per 100 000 population. South Africa has 19,9 daily new infections per 100,000. Our trajectory is completely different, (and) similar to what you see in Mexico, Peru and Brazil.
Bad news wrapped in protein
Professor Gray described the COVID-19 virus as bad news wrapped in protein. She said what makes it more severe than other COVID infections is that it invades the deep tissues of the human body, the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. It is 1000 times better at infecting humans than its closest relative because it evolved from several coronaviruses that merged together. It is also 1 000 times better at binding to ACE2, which is the called the bodys entry key.
The good news
Encouragingly, Professor Gray said there has been a reduction in mortality and ICU admissions in South Africa due to early use of oxygen, high flow nasal oxygen, and the use of dexamethasone and anti-coagulants.
The cumulative cases by age distribution in South Africa as well as hospital admissions mimics global trends. Most people admitted are 50 years and older. Slightly more men than women are admitted, with very few children admitted or dying. Mortality is associated with comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, obesity. TB and HIV are also risk factors.
Children manage the COVID-19 much better. This may be a culmination of them having less ACE2 receptors, a different immune response as well as more recent exposure to other coronaviruses that may provide some cross protection to them. We are trying to see why children are largely spared. But that is good news for all children at a global level.
Road to a vaccine
Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands remain our main line of defense to prevent its propagation until the coronavirus circulates out in two or three seasons time. Normal vaccine development pathways take between 10-15 years. There is a hope that we can get one in 12 to 18 months. But you can see how challenging this is given that it took us 60 years to find a vaccine for polio, 15 for Ebola, and still nothing for MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) six years later. Its a very ambitious project and a race against time.
See more about 91心頭利 participation in the vaccine search here. /covid19vaccine/
-
Webinar: Fatima Vawda
Investment overview by Fatima Vawda
91心頭利 alumna provides an insightful look at the South African financial landscape in recent webinar
About 250 91心頭利 alumni and guests tuned in to listen to 91心頭利 alumna Fatima Vawda (BSc 1993, BSc Hon 1994, MSc 1995, HdipCompSc 1997) on 9 July 2020. In one of the first alumni networking events since the start of lockdown, Vawda walked participants through The Evolution of the South African Savings and Investments Industry. Watch the video
Vawda is the founder and Managing Director of 27four Investment Managers. A 91心頭利ie with a Masters in Applied Mathematics, she has over 20 years of experience in the local and global capital markets and has received a number of accolades such as the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Southern Africa Emerging Category award in 2016.
She spoke of the key role of a healthy financial sector to facilitate economic growth, which needs to be trusted, efficient and facilitate stability. She provided a breakdown of the size of the South African investment sector providing useful context to the laws that shaped the present financial system in six different periods over 400 years.
By the end of 1890 there were around 300 companies listed on the JSE. What I find most ironic about it is, present day we have just over 300 shares listed on the JSE, she quipped.
Other highlights were the stark reminders of the global financial crisis which exposed a range of vulnerabilities in the financial sector such as inadequate regulatory oversight and high-profile malpractices. Although South Africa weathered the storm, there was an overhaul via the Twin Peaks Model bringing a tighter regulatory mechanism.
Our very troubled and weak economy, resulting from poor decisions made over the past 10 years, has plunged into economic despair.
Since 2018 South Africas fiscal position had deteriorated sharply. The arrival of COVID-19 has further pushed the country into financial gloom. Our very troubled and weak economy, resulting from poor decisions made over the past 10 years, has plunged into economic despair. Government saw this as an opportunity to consider reforms on how it can institute a reform package to crowd in investment from the private sector and retirement funds.
She demonstrated how the removal of exchange controls attracted foreign investment to the country post-apartheid. This saw an increase in liquidity, activity, increase in foreign ownership a golden age of investment. The past 10 years has seen an exit of international investors from our debt and equity markets and seen a decline in the rand.
The public sector wage bill is the single largest component of government expenditure currently at R639-billion for 2020/21.
The public sector wage bill is the single largest component of government expenditure currently at R639-billion for 2020/21. A public sector workers salary is higher than that in the private sector. This is causing strain on the fiscus and is the reason for our sovereign downgrading for failing to reach a compromise on our debt.
We have played an active role to introduce and incubate black-owned asset management firms. You can see the growth since 2009 from 50 firms and a size of R91-billion all the way to the R579 billion mark, which is very little when compared to rest of R7.9 trillion saving stock in South Africa.
What we are concerned about is the saturation in the market, the decline in the economy, the level of retrenchments, the disinvestments from the market, the increase in competition. We are expecting to see further consolidation and attrition in this market given the environment.
Increasingly companies are turning to alternative sources of capital to grow and expand their businesses. Although independent asset management firms have emerged, the historically dominant players remain entrenched. An emerging trend globally is the rise of private equity and the private market. It can play a phenomenal role in an emerging and developing economy as South Africa. It can be used to successfully provide economic growth and good developmental outcomes. Vawda said there is research to back this up with a good example being a partnership between 27four and National Treasury Jobs Fund, which focuses on investment in private equity to create jobs.
She said the way forward will see more public and private partnerships as seen through the introduction of the Presidencys Infrastructure Office to co-ordinate investment through partnerships. The thinking behind this is to have a well co-ordinated and institutional infrastructure delivery mechanism that involves public private partnerships. It provides mechanisms for blended finance institutions and multilateral development banks. The government is currently evaluating 276 projects, with a total of R2,3 trillion investment value and a funding gap of R502 billion, and it expects 1,8 million direct and indirect jobs will be created from it.
Another key area of importance are standards that potential investors use to screen potential investment. The key areas are environmental criteria (what are the climate change effects); social impacts (how companies manage relations with employees and clients); governance issues (leadership, executive pay, audit issues, shareholder rights etc).
-
Young Alumni Event: Jonathan Walker
Insurance for young professionals
Jonathan Walker was a guest speaker at a young alumni event on 10 October 2019
He spoke to students and young alumni about surviving year one of an insurtech start-up. His new and rapidly developing company, focuses on the change in insurance needs for young professionals.
Home and car insurance, whilst still a necessity may no longer be a priority for a fast growing entrepreneurial and tech savvy younger generation, whose always on the move. He spoke at length about changes within society and how young middle class individuals are looking for a way to insure tech valuables such as their laptops and smart phones without the hassle of normal insurance processes.
Granadilla, works with Machine Learning and AI to give its users an experience of fast insurance cover at their fingertips whilst also promising a claims process that can take anything from two minutes to 24 hours. A feat that Granadillas competitors cannot keep up with.
-
2019 Alumni Reunion: Cape Town
Alumni Reunion in Cape Town
The 91心頭利 alumni spirit was strong at a reunion at Southern Sun The Cullinan on 10 September 2019. This was the first 91心頭利 alumni event to have the Chancellor (Dr Judy Dlamini), Vice-Chancellor (Prof Adam Habib) and President of Convocation (Stacey-Lee Bolon) all in attendance. These University leaders spoke about 91心頭利 today and into the future, giving alumni an opportunity to reconnect and find out how they can make a difference to their alma mater.
Audio of Prof Habib's and Dr Dlamini's addresses:
-
Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts opening
Alumni get a special introduction to book art
Select 91心頭利 alumni were invited to meet Jack Ginsberg at the opening of his collection of book art at the 91心頭利 Art Museum
A special alumni event was held on 27 March 2019 to showcase the new Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts at WAM, presented by Jack Ginsberg himself, who gave personal insights into the collection and spoke about the highlights of his collecting journey.
The event was conceived as an exclusive and intimate opportunity to acknowledge alumni who have contributed to 91心頭利 in some way. (See photos .)
A triangular book; a movable book; a round book; a glass book; a metre wide pop-up book; a 10 metre long folding book. These are a few of Ginsbergs favourites in the collection. Artists books are artworks in the form of books, rather than books about art.
Art collector and philanthropist Jack Ginsberg (BAcc 1979) began collecting in this field in the early 1970s, almost from the inception of this contemporary art form. He has recently donated his world-renowned collection to 91心頭利 Art Museum, to make it accessible to future generations of students and researchers.
The collection is unrivalled in Africa and in the Southern Hemisphere and includes more than 3 000 artworks, plus a unique archive of an additional 3 000 items on the history and development of the book art genre. A dedicated centre has been established at WAM to accommodate the collection.
This is a major centenary donation.
Read more at .
Photo: Peter Maher
Photo: Anthea Pokroy
-
Careers Event: Phillipa Geard
When a problem is your answer
Entrepreneur Phillipa Geard was the guest speaker at a careers event for 91心頭利 students and alumni on 16 July 2019
91心頭利 students and young alumni heard some valuable, hard-won career advice from Phillipa Geard at a talk hosted by Alumni Relations and the Counselling and Careers Development Unit on 16 July 2019.
Geard is the founder of two innovative recruitment platforms, and . She is a passionate marketer whose career experience includes working in a big company as well as consulting to businesses and setting up her own enterprise.
RecruitMyMom meets the need of skilled workers for flexible, part-time employment and the needs of employers. This idea and Geards execution of it have won several awards for entrepreneurship. Founded in 2012, the service already has more than 60 000 workers on its platform.
In March 2019, Geard launched RecruitAGraduate, matching graduates and interns with opportunities.
Geard told the audience the story of how she became an accidental entrepreneur and shared some of her thoughts about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Be as human as you can thats how we beat the machines!)
First find a problem
Her definition of an entrepreneur is basically someone who identifies a problem that a defined group of people are experiencing, and then fixes it.
She warned that running your own business is ridiculously hard, but said the reward is seeing the difference you can make in peoples lives.
Straight after university, Geard was recruited by a large, international company, Procter & Gamble, and she had a successful career as a marketer for its brands. She aimed to become a director and did not think about having her own business. When she decided at the age of 32 to take a career break to have children, she intended to return to corporate life. But as a mother, she found that her feelings about her career had changed completely. She began to consult to companies and realised that small businesses often need to hire good skills on a flexible basis. She also realised that many women want to work and the economy needs their skills but they drop out of the workplace and out of the executive pipeline because they need flexibility as mothers.
Match it with a solution
Geard had found her problem and her solution. She researched ways of matching peoples needs online and models for earning revenue. With long hours and hard work, RecruitMyMom came into being. On a small budget, Geard played almost all the business roles herself at first and used all the free marketing opportunities she could find, including business competitions. Measuring impact in terms of visitors to her website gave her the confidence to take more risks and she became an employer and an advertiser.
A speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018 inspired her to make a difference in the lives of young people, and she created a new recruitment platform to match graduates with smaller companies the ones that dont visit graduate recruitment fairs on campus.
Phillipa Geards lessons for entrepreneurs:
- Successful entrepreneurs are successful problem-solvers.
- Dont follow the crowd: look where the crowd isnt looking.
- Know how to communicate your solution to the people who will use it.
- Change is constant. Get comfortable with change.
- Be humble. Learn from others who have been where you need to go.
- Ask staff and colleagues for help.
- Hire people who are smarter than you. That includes young people.
- Ethical leadership is the only way to lead. It creates an environment of trust.
- Name and share the values that your company stands for. Staff who know how to behave will be empowered to make good decisions.
- You work with real people with real feelings. Everyone wants to be heard.
- Your staff are your greatest asset.
- Businesses are not about transactions; they are about people.
- Learn resilience.
- If something doesnt work, it doesnt mean the idea is bad, but perhaps the execution isnt right.
- Look after yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Spend time with your family, read inspiring things, get some balance.
- Adapt and learn things outside your field of study. Dont see things in silos. Broaden your horizons.
- Use all the free material available online and read books. This can make you stand out from the crowd.
- Dont just be employable look to employ.
- Lead by example and dont be afraid of hard work.
- Dont despise the smallest job or a bad boss. Learn from everything.
- As Forbes magazine put it: the difference between an entrepreneur and someone who just runs a business is about being a leader versus a manager. Leaders work ON the system; managers work IN the system.
-
2019 Alumni Reunion: Durban
Durban reunion April 2019
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib, and the Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini, met 91心頭利 alumni at an event on 3 April 2019 in Durban
Click for photos of the reunion.
Click for the audio recording of Dr Dlamini's address.
Click for Professor Habib's address.
Click for the Q&A.
-
Guest Speaker: Abdullah Verachia
Trends shaping 2019 and beyond
Strategist Abdullah Verachia was the guest speaker at an alumni networking event on 25 June 2019
Almost 100 91心頭利ies braved a cold evening to hear global strategist and 91心頭利 Master of Management graduate , the guest speaker at a 91心頭利 alumni networking event on 25 June 2019 at the 91心頭利 Club. His topic was disruption, especially what it means for Africas future.
All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership. economist JK Galbraith
Starting with this quotation, Verachia spoke about how the public discourse in South Africa was dominated by the media. The daily headlines can be an overwhelming source of anxiety, but we should think about society beyond the headlines: the way global events and trends ripple out and affect people and places that are not in the media. Whats happening to Chinas economy, for example, has consequences for every South African.
And global context is relevant for every country. South Africa has its challenges but is actually punching above its weight in many important ways, including freedom of the press.
Its a hypercompetitive, data-driven world and peoples expectations are changing, he said. Consumers demand simple, user-friendly experiences which are made possible by complex information. But what this supposedly technological revolution also needs, Verachia said, is people who understand the human element. The things that cannot be digitised become more valuable in this world. He urged us to put technology aside sometimes, talk to people who are different from us, be optimistic, travel, try new things, be curious, and think about our impact.
91心頭利 alumni, he said, received a great education and have a responsibility to look beyond the headlines and work hard to make the society they want to live in.
For photos of the event, please click .
-
Alumni Networking Event: Elections and the Economy
Making sense of election noise
Professor Ivor Sarakinsky supplied a welcome note of humour at an elections-themed on 11 April 2019 when he quoted Groucho Marxs definition of politics: the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
The 91心頭利 School of Governance professor was in conversation with Lumkile Mondi of the 91心頭利 School of Economic and Business Sciences at the 91心頭利 Club. Professor Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, also of the 91心頭利 School of Governance, was the facilitator. All three are regular public commentators on the South African political and economic landscape.
The discussion provided some well-informed views of the upcoming national election and what kinds of challenges would remain or emerge afterwards.
Alumni and guests used question time to raise issues such as the prospect of coalitions, representation of the youth, and the difference between rural and urban voters.
Theres lots of noise [from political parties] and little attempt to persuade voters through evidence, said Sarakinsky. This is not a bad thing. He said election noise was a useful way of ventilating peoples emotions and showing those in office what people were thinking and feeling. A calm pre-election mood would be a problem, he said. South Africa should be proud of the Independent Electoral Commission, he added; the countrys election processes are robust enough to deal with issues after the results are out, unlike countries where faulty processes are often blamed and violence follows. In South Africa, the result is incontestable.
Sarakinsky estimated what support the main parties might achieve in the 8 May election and suggested some of the reasons for and possible consequences of this showing.
Mondi retraced developments in the political scene from about 2007, when South Africas economy was growing at over 5% a year, benefiting from global cycles and local policies. It then entered a phase during which the state and state-owned enterprises were hollowed out, he said. This radical economic transformation was really a form of accumulation, Mondi said, and the money accumulated left the country instead of circulating in the South African economy. Corruption is now institutionalised, a normal part of doing business or getting a service, he said. When institutions are ruined, how can redress be achieved? Only organised business appeared to be fighting back. Were all on a wing and a prayer, hoping it comes right, Mondi said, adding that he was disappointed with the silence on corruption from those who speak out about other issues such as decolonisation.
-
Reunion: Civil Engineering Class of 1978
Forty years on, the bridge is solid
Civil Engineering Class of 1978 40 Year Reunion Dinner
The final year 91心頭利 Civil Engineering class of 1978 was one of the largest to graduate. Following on from a 30 year class reunion in 2008 at the Sunnyside Hotel, a regular watering hole back in the day, an organising committee coalesced miraculously in mid-2018 and set about putting together the 40 year version.
Group photo caption:
Front: Dave Spooner, Leon Furstenburg, Danny Martinho, Paul Carlisle, Colin Little, Chris Zweigenthal
Rear: Peter Legg, Patrick Jardine, Kevin Spence, Ian Weir, Gary Theodosiou, Ian Robertson, Mike Brett, Anthony Poorter, Dr Irvin Luker, Keith Small, George Jamieson, Prof Akpofure Taigbenu, Tony Purchase, Wally Mayne, Paul Hillen, John Drennan, Sandow Emmerich
The committee decided on a more formal reunion in the form of a dinner to which the Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Professor Akpofure Taigbenu, would be invited. Close scrutiny of the class photo and faculty members revealed that Dr. Irvin Luker, who had the misfortune to have to deal with the rowdy class of 1978, was still on the faculty and was duly invited. Both eagerly accepted.
The dinner was held at the Johannesburg Country Club on 17 November 2018, with 22 of the 67 graduates attending.
Classmates coming from as far afield as Hawaii and UK made it all the more special.
The formal proceedings began with Tony Purchase welcoming the class and guests of honour to the dinner. Mention was made of the great turmoil the country, and indeed 91心頭利 University, was experiencing in the mid-70s.
In reply, Prof. Taigbenu spoke with great enthusiasm of the faculty of 2018. He mentioned the increased class sizes after some lean years with over 1000 under- and post-grads, of which a third are female. He also noted the wider scope of civil engineering. In 1978 structures dominated the curriculum whereas today the scope has broadened to include more environmental and hydrology aspects. Dr. Luker remembered our era with great fondness and gave insight into the dynamics of todays classroom.
Wally Mayne, head of Contractual Affairs at CESA, gave a realistic and hard-hitting overview of the profession and those who had stayed in the profession agreed that civil engineers need to stand up and be counted, and get paid what they are worth.
Kevin Spence, the Class Rep, then reminded the class how successful they had been in their many diverse careers and called back the past with memories of our graduation dinner at the Old Edwardians Club. In particular, the bail-out we got from the Dean in 1978, Prof. Geoff Blight, who had a small reserve fund to cater for damages.
In closing Paul Hillen paid tribute to class mates who had passed away and a toast was drunk to their memory; Zen Dama, Seth Nkosi and Ronnie Philpott were all well remembered. We also toasted those absent, and vowed to keep in touch.
A small profit was made on the event and it was unanimously agreed to donate the surplus to the Endowment Fund of the School.
Colin Little
-
Founders' Tea 2018
91心頭利 has a job for its elders
91心頭利 elders played an important role during the difficult period of student fee protests. Their advice and support was appreciated and has helped the University to complete two calm and successful years since that time.
This acknowledgement of the vital contribution of senior 91心頭利 alumni came from a grateful Professor Adam Habib, 91心頭利 Vice-Chancellor and Principal, in his address at Founders Tea on 29 November 2018.
Founders are alumni who graduated 40 or more years ago. More than 600 of these stalwarts arrived for the function on the Library Lawns, keen to meet old friends, revisit campus and hear the guest speaker, Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan. (See video .)
To loud applause, Professor Habib thanked Minister Gordhan for the way he had carried out his responsibility to the nation. The Minister was invited to speak at the function out of respect for his exemplary behaviour in difficult times, Prof Habib said.
Minister Gordhan received a standing ovation from the Founders. (I hope that wasnt just your morning exercise, he joked.)
He dangerous trends, disruption and uncertainty around the world, and how to create stability. He said South Africa still needs to bind people into a common nationhood, and asked the Founders to use their wisdom and resources to ensure that a negative narrative doesnt persist. Its people who make the Constitution a living document and give content to democratic values.
Minister Gordhan warned that people who had benefited from corruption and state capture would not give up without a fight. [It is a battle between] those who want to rebuild South Africa, and move it in the right direction, and those who want to hold on to the last seven or 10 years, and continue with the processes of extraction.
He urged South Africans to make the economy more inclusive; to share skills and experience so as to create opportunities; to build a more competitive economy; to encourage more partnerships between government, business and civil society; to close the gaps between haves and have-nots; and to drive an ethical business culture. There is a lot of work to do.
Listen to his speech .
Professor Habib told the Founders about his six-month spell at Harvard in 2018, writing a book about the fee protests. While out of South Africa, he said, he had been struck by the similarities between social and political trends in different parts of the world. Our problems are global problems.
91心頭利 had a good year in 2018, he said, enrolling 37000 students and graduating a record 8400. Research output has risen 80% in five years and transformation in the student body and staff has continued. 91心頭利 has shown that an institution can achieve excellence at the same time as transformation, Prof Habib said.
See photos of Founders' Tea 2018 here:
-
Alumni Networking Event: Niq Mhlongo and Nthikeng Mohlele
Writers revisit formative times
Alumni networking event with authors Niq Mhlongo and Nthikeng Mohlele
A lively and entertaining discussion took place at an alumni networking event with authors Niq Mhlongo (BA 1997) and Nthikeng Mohlele (BADA 2000) at the 91心頭利 Club Barns on 2 August. The event was held in partnership with the Department of African Languages.
Tlou Legodi (BA 1998, BA Hons 2004) acted as event compere.
Mhlongo had just returned from witnessing the elections in Zimbabwe, which he intends to write about. He said he was reminded of South Africa in 1994, when he was at 91心頭利. This was the setting for his novel Dog Eat Dog.
Mohlele said that on re-reading Dog Eat Dog he noticed in it the seeds of the Fees Must Fall movement. Mhlongo said that when writing the book, what he had in mind was his own experience of adjusting to the unfamiliar world of being a 91心頭利 student. He recalled writing an aptitude test in Hall 29, struggling to get a bursary, adapting to a culture of learning and teaching that was so different from his school days, and bearing the expectations of a large family.
Mohlele spoke of the University of Humanity as a good place to start learning.
The writers discussed their choices of language Mohlele is currently writing a novel in Sepedi and Mhlongo said that because of his multilingual Soweto background there was no single, dominant language for him. In terms of language Im always an outsider.
Responding to comments and questions from the audience, Mohlele spoke of the importance to him of consciousness and the total human experience, rather than binary thinking. To say that JM Coetzee is a great artist is not to diminish Wole Soyinka.
Prof Isabel Hofmeyr concluded the evenings discussion by saying that African literature had become more visible in the book market than one could imagine 30 or 40 years ago. She paid tribute to the 91心頭利 academics who had contributed to this development, and said both of the guest speakers were game-changers whose books were used in teaching literature at university level.
- Books by Niq Mhlongo: Dog Eat Dog; After Tears; Way Back Home; Affluenza; Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree
- Books by Nthikeng Mohlele: The Scent of Bliss; Small Things; Rusty Bell; Pleasure; Michael K
-
Alumni Networking Event: The Future of the Connected Human
An evening with the future
The more we think about revolutionary advancements in technology, the more we think about what it means to be human. Its exciting to think about what technology can do, but it also raises concerns around ethics, trust, privacy and even spirituality.
Technology touches almost every aspect of our lives and we need to consider the implications for humanity. Should machines cut us out of certain operations and think for themselves? Should we connect our minds and bodies to the internet? The questions pile up as the implications for business, medicine, government and daily life emerge.
Almost 200 91心頭利 alumni across the generations arrived at the 91心頭利 Business Schools Donald Gordon Auditorium on 10 May to hear a distinguished panel of 91心頭利ies discuss The Future of the Connected Human.
(To see photos of the event, click . To see an edited video, click . The event also featured on the SABC's programme.)
Guests were welcomed by master of ceremonies Vukosi Marivate (BSc Eng 2007, MSc Eng 2009), who is a senior data scientist at the CSIR and a 91心頭利 Convocation Exco member.
Arthur Goldstuck (BA 1984), head of World Wide Worx, a technology market research company, skilfully facilitated the discussion. Setting the scene, he pointed to the explosive proliferation of technology start-up companies and mentioned some of the concepts, products and trends he had seen at recent international exhibitions. Built-in voice commands; smart clothing; brain-to-vehicle signals; text by thinking; flying cars; the end of passwords Its all here or coming soon. He also shared insights from research into the technology that South African companies are already using or planning to use.
The panellists
Panellist Dr Benjamin Rosman (BSc 2007, BSc Hons 2008, BSc Hons 2009) senior lecturer in the 91心頭利 School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and Principal Researcher at the CSIR, spoke about his work in robotics and machine learning. This includes working out how to transfer knowledge from humans to robots, among robots themselves, and even from robots back to humans (think of being able to learn skills that have been lost). The goal is for robots to learn, from their experience, how to make decisions. This in turn can teach humans more about decision-making.
Adam Pantanowitz (BSc Eng 2007, BSc Eng 2008), lecturer in the 91心頭利 School of Electrical and Information Engineering, is working a groundbreaking project: connecting human brain activity directly to the internet.
Vimbai Muzofa (MCom 2015), Head: Interbank & RTGS (Africa Regions) at Standard Bank Group, is interested in human behaviour in the sphere of financial activity. In her work she looks at issues of trust when it comes to money; speed and efficiency in financial services; and mining data to understand what clients want.
(MM 2006), Director, Government Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP Africa and President of the Information Technology Association of South Africa, talked about the revenue potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will touch peoples lives in many ways. He urged the audience to watch , a movie that explores the promises and perils of our new era.
The discussion
Are robots just a toy, a gimmick? Though the fun aspect of robots is good for getting children excited about science, technology, engineering and maths, Rosman said, what people want in many contexts is to be able to make better predictions and decisions. The promise of robotics is that systems could make better decisions than humans can.
When you connect your mind to the internet and share your biological signals, are you opening the way for dangerous invasions of privacy? Its uncharted territory, said Pantanowitz. Humans seem to have a natural urge towards networking, but there are ethical concerns to consider. In response to a question from the audience about interfering with consciousness, he added that the aim of science is discovery and understanding.
What about big business: will companies treat information ethically when they have access to powerful technological tools? Muzofa said that in order to survive, financial services companies have to take on technology and use it to mine data but they are highly regulated. In response to a question, she said banks have to be inclusive and collaborate with the people they are there to serve.
We have to make sure that the digital economy creates jobs instead of just replacing humans, said Geness.
Rosman said that there is a lot of potential for AI to be used in education. Answering a question about embedding morality in robots, he agreed it was important to make AI safe and to avoid giving robots bad instructions.
- The first Deep Learning Indaba took place at 91心頭利 in 2017, attracting several eminent international experts who are also 91心頭利 alumni. The outcomes were reported . The next takes place in Stellenbosch in September this year. Its mission is to strengthen African machine learning.
-
Alumni Networking Event: Mike Muller
Bang on time
A water wake-up call
Never mind the complicated stochastic hydrology graph projected on the screen it was the loud clap of Highveld thunder that drove Professor Mike Mullers point home. Speaking on Managing Climate-Related Risks at an alumni networking event at the 91心頭利 Club on 19 April, he was talking about the right time to panic about water supply.
A welcome shower fell on the day, but many of the 80 alumni and guests in the audience were there because they were worried about Johannesburg or anywhere else facing a water crisis like Cape Towns.
Representing a range of professional disciplines, from philosophy to chemical engineering, they heard the 91心頭利 School of Governance water expert say that water is not a physical or technical problem as much as one of governance. Its about people listening to each other, being informed, speaking up, looking at the big picture, planning and acting in time. Its about understanding vested interests too.
The challenge is how to make things happen in the real world, said Prof Muller.
People have all kinds of reasons for the decisions they make (or avoid making) when confronted with a problem like water management. And the water issue, in particular, touches the lives of all kinds of people in multiple unavoidable ways. This is why 91心頭利 new Centre in Water Research and Development seeks to bring together many different perspectives and disciplines in dialogue and collaboration.
This is our generations problem, said Professor Craig Sheridan, the Centres head, to the audience. Water crises are made by people, and the Centre aims to create leaders and visionaries who will work on solutions together.
For more about water-related research at 91心頭利, see the Watershed issue of magazine named with a nod to the Universitys position on the "White Water Ridge", which directs Joburgs rainfall to different oceans.
For photos of the alumni networking event, click .
Enquiries about alumni networking events: Yumna.Patel@wits.ac.za or Purvi.Purohit@wits.ac.za
-
Alumni Networking Event: Lauren Segal
Every day is precious
Alumni were privileged to share a discussion about breast cancer with Lauren Segal and Professor Vinay Sharma at the 91心頭利 Club on 15 March 2018
How does anyone cope with four cancer diagnoses and how does it change your life? The greatest lesson that Lauren Segal took away from her journey through the kingdom of the sick, as she calls it, was how to ask for help in a difficult time.
Care and kindness is part of wellness. I had an instinct that I needed help. She sought various complementary forms of care along with surgery and chemotherapy, an approach which she said is becoming more widely accepted as beneficial. Science is catching up with this.
91心頭利 alumna Lauren (BEd 1988; BA Hons 1990) is the author of five books, including (MF Books 2017), her account of this journey. She trained as an historian and film maker at 91心頭利 and is the managing partner of , a team of research, exhibition and design professionals. She has written about South Africas Constitution and about the history of Soweto, and helped design Johannesburgs Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
Great events and great lives have been the focus of her career. But it is the value of an ordinary day and her own family and friends that have become so important to Lauren after her experience with cancer.
This experience has given me something, rather than taken something away, she said to 91心頭利 alumni who joined her at the networking event. There is so much to learn from difficulty.
Do something you want to do every day, she urged. Value your time.
Professor Sharma, Head of Radiation Oncology at 91心頭利, spoke about the importance of patients having confidence in their doctors. This can be a challenge in hospital settings where the medical staff have so little time to discuss each patients concerns and choices or to see each person as a whole. Often, too, patients are left on their own in hospital because families and friends cant be with them all the time, and this is not ideal.
He asked Lauren how she had felt and reacted when she received her cancer diagnoses, and how she helped her children to deal with what was happening.
She received her first diagnosis of melanoma at the age of 23 and a breast cancer diagnosis at 45. The third diagnosis was the most shocking, she said, because she thought she had finished dealing with cancer. It was difficult to have to make a lot of medical decisions and to enter a world in which you dont know the rules.
Writing was a way to gain some degree of control of her life and to protect her family from the difficult feelings she was experiencing. Reading was also a help: other peoples cancer stories, and in particular Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankls ideas about choosing your response to your circumstances.
Since sharing her story, she has been surprised by the levels of fear, shame and silence that still surround the subject of cancer. She said that for her, leaning in to the thing you fear the most, and having the support of a community, provides strength.
Care, love, exercise these dont cost anything. Education is the challenge. Knowledge is power.
Prof Sharma shared some research findings about the links between melanoma and breast cancer, the factors that increase the risk of cancer, the tests available and how patients can take care of themselves and maintain a positive outlook.
Dr Maurice Goodman, acting President of 91心頭利 Convocation, and Peter Bezuidenhoudt, 91心頭利 Development and Fundraising director, thanked the speakers and the alumni who attended for generously sharing their time, knowledge and insight.
- To see photos of the event, click .
- To receive invitations to 91心頭利 alumni networking events, please ensure we have your contact details: alumni@wits.ac.za or +27 11 717 1090
-
Dr Peter King: 50 years of service
Dr Peter King: A half-century of service in the School of Pathology
Professor Martin Hale
Head of Department of Anatomical Pathology at 91心頭利 and the National Health Laboratory Service
On Friday 6 August 2010 a tea party was held in the Adler Museum at Medical School to commemorate 91心頭利 benefactor Dr Peter King's (MBBCh 1958) 50 years of service in the Division of Anatomical Pathology in the School of Pathology.
(Image L-R: Profs. Martin Hale, Helen Laburn, Dr King, Charles Isaacson and Ahmed Wadee)Invited guests included then Dean of the Faculty, Professor Helen Laburn (BSc, BSc Hons 1973, PhD (Science) 1977), Head of the School of Pathology, Professor Ahmed Wadee (BSc Hons 1975, MSc (Medicine) 1979, PhD (Medicine) 1982) and the Academic Registrar, Mrs Sandra Benn.
Dr Peter King has served the Division of Anatomical Pathology with distinction since 1 August 1960 when he joined the Department of Anatomical Pathology of the then South African Institute for Medical Research.
Professor Charles Isaacson (MBBCh 1951, PhD (Medicine) 1979), Emeritus Professor and previous head of the Department of Anatomical Pathology, recalls that when he first got to know Dr King in August 1960 he recognised that he had all the qualities for becoming a top-flight pathologist. He was intensely conscientious and had an obsessional attention to detail, a quality that has continued as a golden thread throughout his professional career.
Dr King is a renowned undergraduate and postgraduate teacher and provided the foundation and stabilising influence for all the teaching activities in the Division of Anatomical Pathology during his tenure.
Over the years he has embraced and introduced new technology into his teaching methods ranging from the creation of posters depicting pathological processes (that still line the walls of the pathology practical demonstration laboratory), to computerised technology. The most recent example of the latter being the purchase of a virtual microscope, resulting in the reintroduction of a microscopy slide box, be it a digitized version, into the undergraduate medical programme.
Left: Dr Peter Kings 50th anniversary cake.
At a postgraduate level, Dr King has been a doyen of autopsy pathology for registrars in the division and his autopsy technique and methodology have been extended to all the medical schools in South Africa.91心頭利 recognised Dr Kings remarkable teaching abilities by awarding him the Philip V Tobias award for distinguished preclinical undergraduate teaching (1985) and the Francois Daubenton prize (1990), awarded to a lecturer/staff member who has made the greatest contribution to the student body both in curricular and extracurricular activities.
Most Anatomical Pathologists have a special area of interest that they develop over the years and Dr King is no exception, having a particular interest in cardiovascular pathology.
Teaching and medical education have become hobbies to Dr King over the years, but those few spare hours that are available to him, he devotes to culinary pursuits and the department recalls with affection many special occasions where Peter has tantalised the taste buds of staff, including at Christmas lunches and for invited overseas guests.
We would like to congratulate Peter for achieving this milestone and thank him for his selfless dedication to the department.
Story and images source: HS Review, August 2010