Mandela Uni Dean to serve on SA Judicial Education Institute
Mandela University’s Executive Dean of Law, Professor Avinash Govindjee, has been appointed as one of two legal academics designated by the South African Law Deans' Association (SALDA) to serve on the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI).
The SAJEI was created to promote the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts through continuing judicial education. Its Council is chaired by the Chief Justice of the country.
Prof Govindjee was elected by his fellow Law Deans nationally to serve on the Council.
Mandela lecturer appointed to Association of SA Quantity Surveyors board
Lecturer in the Department of Quantity Surveying at Mandela University, Sharon Dent, has been appointed as a Board Member of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) which represents the QS profession in various forums, upholding and elevating the status of quantity surveyors within the construction industry.
Duties of the Board are to maintain the dignity of the quantity surveying profession, promote and protect the interest of its members, afford opportunity for the interchange and recording of the body of knowledge, and promote the high standards of professional competence and integrity.
After graduating with a BSc (QS) degree at the then University of Port Elizabeth, Sharon worked for almost ten years in the United Kingdom in positions ranging from Independent Dispute Resolution Consultant, Quantity Surveyor for Interserve and Property Surveyor for Argiva. After being exposed to international construction projects, Sharon returned to South Africa and joined the University in 2010 as lecturer in the department.
She has lectured in a range of quantity surveying modules since her appointed. With a student-centred approach, she teaches from first year level up to honours, thereby ensuring a strong relationship is built with the students. Sharon has excelled as a lecturer and has received various awards such as the Faculty’s Emerging Teacher of the Year in 2014, best research papers presented at various conferences, etc.
She is also responsible for overseeing the department’s and students’ society long-term community engagement project supporting the Charles Duna Primary School in New Brighton. She obtained her Masters degree in Construction Economics in 2017 and is currently reading towards her PhD in Construction Economics.
Sharon is also a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the South African Property Owners Association.
Alumnus and Council Member Mr Cumngce Gawe passed away
It is with great sadness that we inform our University & Alumni community of the passing of Mr Cumngce Gawe. Mr Gawe has served the University and its predecessor, the PE Technikon, in various capacities since 1986, including being part of the University interim council during the merger.
He was Vice-Chair of Council and served on the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Trust as well as the Alumni Association Executive Committee.
Mr Gawe was the first black graduate of the former PE Technikon and graduated with a National Diploma in Industrial Administration (now Industrial Engineering) in 1980.
He worked at Goodyear South Africa for 23 years, his service broken by a brief stint as a Member of the Provincial Legislature. His political career also included being mayor of Uitenhage and regional treasurer for the ANC.
He held several top business positions, including chairing the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, co-founding Newport Projects (now Newport Construction) and serving as provincial manager at Maxima Global.
The University recognised Mr Gawe for his contribution to the University and the community with both a Council and Alumni award in 2016.
He remained a great ambassador for the University after his “retirement” from public office and continued to support some of the Alumni Association events, says Paul Geswindt, Director Alumni Relations and Fundraising.
“Cumngce Gawe was an example of dedication, commitment and a visionary having worked at Komani Hospital and studying part time to achieve his qualification at PE Technikon.
As a personal friend, retired Dean of Engineering, past university Council Member and Alumni Executive Committee Member, may I record my sadness at the passing of a giant who leaves a legacy behind that few will be able to follow.” Emeritus Professor Hugh Jeffery.
Nelson Mandela University Alumni Association conveys its condolences to the Gawe family.