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31/10/2017

Nelson Mandela University has again acknowledged sterling examples of excellent student leadership. At the annual Achievers Awards on 25 October 2017, 26 awards were made to students or student societies that had excelled in excellence across all spheres of student life at the George campus.

Awards were made in the categories of Student Governance and Development, Arts and Culture, Residences, Sport and overall student leadership - a highlight being the Campus Principal Leadership Excellence Award.

Campus Principal Leadership Excellence Award

The recipients in the female and male category of the prestigious Campus Principal Leadership Excellence Award, were Nwabisa Kalashe, a BTech student in Forestry and Sinethemba Godla, final year BEd (FET) student. This award acknowledges the students for their proven leadership in various spheres and significant contributions to student life. Five nominees were shortlisted for this prestigious accolade.

Residence Awards

  • Residence Student Leader: Ms Nwabisa Kalashe
  • House Committee Member of the Year: Ms Sinesipho Mketo
  • Residence Living & Learning (male): Mr Sizwe Biyela 
  • Residence Living & Learning (female): Ms Evidence Siwela
  • Residence All-rounder of the Year: Ms Nwabisa Kalashe
  • Residence of the Year: Outeniqua Ladies’ Residence

Arts & Culture Awards

  • Arts & Culture Choir Member of the Year: Mr SinethembaGodla 
  • Arts & Culture Member of the Year: Ms Athenkosi Mbangatha
  • Arts & Culture Society of the Year: George Campus Choir (Ms Sebenzile Madonsela)

Awards in the Student Governance & Development category were made to four societies, with the newly established BCom society walking away with two awards.  The Chairpersons of the societies received the awards on behalf of the society:

  • Recreational Society of the Year: DJ Society (Mr Kororo Makhubalo)
  • Academic Society of the Year: BCom Society (Ms Jo-Anne King)
  • Developmental Society of the Year: BCom Society (Ms Jo-Anne King)
  • Religious Society of the Year: One Life Christian Center (Ms Khanyisile Hlungwane)
  • Society of the Year: George Campus Choir (Ms Sebenzile Madonsela)

The award for George Campus All-rounder of the Year was scooped by Ms Nwabisa Kalashe.  

Sport Excellence Awards

Several sporting codes vied for attention at this year’s Achievers Awards.

The Sport Club of the Year Award went to Madibaz George Hockey Club, with both the men’s and ladies’ teams rising to the occasion. The accolade for Sport Team of the Year went to the Madibaz George First Team Men’s Tennis.

The Sport Administrator of the Year Award went to Angelique du Plessis, with the coveted Sportsman of the Year Award scooped by cricket ace, Jean du Plessis.

Sport Merit Awards

All in all five individual Sport Merit Awards for excellence in sport codes recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) were made. They have all achieved at least senior provincial colours in the respective codes. 

The recipients were:

  • SWD Senior Cricket: Grant Esau, Jean du Plessis and Todd Walker.
  • Southern Cape Hockey: Cameron de Oliveira and Todd Walker.

Celebrating leadership in residences at Nelson Mandela University: Sizwe Biyela, Nwabisa Kalashe, Evidence Siwela, Mr Mxolisi Ncapayi (Student Affairs Management, from Port Elizabeth), Sinesipho Mketo and Khululwa Mvango (Residence Manager).

Society winners: Jo-Anne King,  Nwabisa Kalashe, Mr Mxolisi Ncapay (Student Affairs Management, from Port Elizabeth)i , Sebenzile Madonsela, Ms Siphokazi Ndude (Student Affairs office), Kororo Makhubalo, Sinethemba Godla & Khanyisile Hlungwane.

Student Affairs Snr Manager, Sefoko Ramoshaba (left) and Sport Manager, Hugo Loubser (right) with sport awardees Tristan Fourie, Angelique du Plessis, Emke Neethling and Jean du Plessis.

Mr David Alexander, Act Campus Principal, George, with the recipients of the Campus Principal Leadership Excellence Award – Mr Sinethemba Godla and Ms Nwabisa Kalashe.

Homegrown… Thami Douse, Marketing Alumnus of the George Campus and 3rd year BCom student, Sinomtha Qinisile excelled at their role as co-MCs for the Achievers Awards.

Bright and beautiful… Mr & Miss Nelson Mandela University George Campus – Nicole van den Bergh (1st year Nature Conservation student) and Oscar Maseko (senior Wood Technology student) contributed to a glamorous welcome for all guests. They were captured here with fellow student and one of the MCs for the evening, Sinomtha Qinisile.

Members of the George Campus Choir, together with praise poet, Sintle Mbono, setting the tone for a most uplifting and inspiring event.

Food for thought… Lecturer and Forestry Alumnus, Muedanyi Ramantswana, inspired guests with his highly motivational address as guest speaker for the evening.

Lezaan Fourie, a George Campus BEd graduate who teaches at Hillcrest Secondary School in Mossel Bay and former recipient of the coveted Campus Principal Leadership Excellence Award, shared her perspectives on leadership with the 2017 awardees and guests.

Grand entrance… Sebenzile Madonsela (Choir chairperson), Nicole van den Berg and Samukelisiwe Msweli (who delivered a solo song item during the awards) did justice to the glamorous occasion.

As is customary “Town and Gown” joined in celebrating the achievements of the Nelson Mandela University (George Campus) students. Featured with Mr David Alexander, Acting Campus Principal (2nd from the right), are (f.l.t.r.) Rev Johann and Mrs Sonja Louw, Rev Kholly and Mrs Thandeka Zono, Cllr Melvin Naik, Executive Mayor of George and (far right) Rev Bonganjalo Mbenenge. Executives from the various sporting codes, school principals, representatives of the George Business Chamber and the media also attended the event.

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za