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KNOTT-CRAIG ‘Not rushing into new job'(published November 2012)

Former chief executive of social media company MXit, resigned from the company recently following differences with shareholders but the Information and communications technology (ICT) entrepreneur is confident new, exciting opportunities await him.

Knott-Craig was recently awarded the Alumni Rising Star Award from his alma mater NMMU and delivered a talk to accounting students titled “My life to date) including lessons learnt.

Knott-Craig holds a BCom degree from NMMU and although only 35 has held many senior positions including being managing director of Johannnesburg-based broadband company iBurst and founder of investment company World of Avatar.


Graduate climbs tree of success (published November 2012)

NMMU graduate and well-known businesswoman Nomkhita Mona has been appointed as the first woman chief executive of the South African Forestry Company (SAFCOL), a division of the Department of Public Enterprises.

Mona, who recently resigned from her position as chief executive of the Uitenhage Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI), will now head the company that conducts timber harvesting, processing and related activities both locally and internationally.

Mona was previously ap-pointed as the first black woman in a senior managing position on the board of Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Holdings in South Africa. She holds a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology and an honours degree in Industrial Relations from NMMU, as well as an MBA and master’s degree in Labour Relations and Human Resources from Rhodes University.


Bridgette leads the way (published November 2012)

BUILDING sciences doctoral graduate Bridgette Gasa, the founder of respected building consultancy and construction firm, the Elilox Group, is firmly making her mark in what has traditionally been considered a man’s domain.

This year, Gasa reaped success upon success.

Internationally, she was con-firmed as the Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom.

Closer to home, she was ap-pointed by South African president Jacob Zuma as the chair-person of the Dube Tradeport, a national flagship project, in March 2012.

In another appointment by the president, she became the youngest female member of the National Planning Committee (NPC), which is chaired by Minister Trevor Manuel.

As a result of her achievements this year, Gasa received a NMMU Alumni Rising Star Award, which recognises the younger generation of alumni who continue to make NMMU proud


Music travels overseas (Published November 2012)

NMMU BMus and MMus graduate Devandre Boonzaaier was awarded an over-seas travel bursary for organ study.

Boonzaaier, a part-time lecturer in NMMU’s Music Department and chairperson of the Feather Market Organ Society, was a semi-finalist in the ATKV Musiq competition in Stellenbosch and a finalist in the Southern Africa Church Organists’ Society (SAKOV) bursary competition in Mpumalanga.

In July, he performed as a soloist with the University of South Africa (UNISA) Philharmonic Orchestra in Pretoria during the final concert of the UNISA Organ Symposium.


Alumnus receives award (Published November 2012)

BSC Honours Quantity Surveying graduate Junita Petzer received the prestigious Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) Gold Medal Award at the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) 8th World Conference, held in Durban in June.

She is the fourth student from the department to receive this award, which is made available by ASAQS on an annual basis. Criteria for the award are based on overall academic performance, leadership skills and community involvement.


Kiteboarder's journey abroad (published November 2012)

SAASVELD conservation graduate Susan Kay’s passion for kites has led to her becoming a professional kiteboarder for Cabrinha Kites in Asia.

In 1993, Kay was the first women to receive the Sports Person of the Year which, incidentally, her father had received while studying forestry at the George Campus. Kay was the top female kitesurfer in New Zealand from 2005 to 2007 and ranked 15th in the world in 2006. She then retired from competitive events due to injuries.

During the six months it took for Kay to sell their board building and kitesports retail business in New Zealand, Kay decided to compete in the New Zealand National Champion-ships and bid her farewells to the industry where she placed top female competitor again. Kay then participated at the Kiteboard Tour Asia (KTA) and surprised  herself once again by placing second at the event in the Phillippines.


Engineering alumnus nabs top US Tyres position (published November 2012)

NMMU Industrial Engineering graduate Craig Baartman has been named plant manager of Continental Tire the Americas’ (CTA’s) new manufacturing facility, being constructed in Sumter, South Carolina.

Baartman, who was director of manufacturing at CTA before his new appointment, will be responsible for the overall leadership of the facility, which will open its doors in 2013.

South African born and bred Baartman, who has more than 18 years’ experience in global automotive, manufacturing and supplier industries, has been with Continental for 12 years. His past positions include being industrial engineer, area manager and production manager at the company's plant in Port Elizabeth.

He has also held engineering and leadership positions with automotive suppliers in South Africa and the United Kingdom.