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De Doncker Recognized as South Africa’s Top Secondary School Educator

Alumna, Rose De Doncker, the first female principal of Paterson High School in the Northern Areas of Gqeberha has been awarded the “Excellence in Secondary Leadership Award” at the 24th National Teacher's Awards in South Africa.  Boasting 30 years of teaching experience, she has remained actively involved in teaching, especially in Grade 11 and 12 Mathematics, while steering the school toward academic success.

De Doncker holds a BA from Nelson Mandela University, among other qualifications.

Her dedication to education has been recognized through numerous accolades and her leadership at Paterson High School is widely celebrated for its emphasis on academic excellence and holistic student development.

Under her guidance, the school has seen improvements in performance and a strengthened sense of community. She attributes her success to teamwork and the shared efforts of her colleagues.

Read latest article here: https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2024-10-07-paterson-highs-de-doncker-named-sas-top-secondary-school-educator/

 


Alumnus to receive prestigious Honorary doctorate

Congratulations to alumnus and former Mandela University Deputy Director: Arts, Culture and Heritage Michael Barry, who will be receiving an honorary doctorate from Rhodes University during October. This prestigious honour celebrates his outstanding achievements and contributions across various fields.

He was previously honoured for his contribution to the Arts by the Port Elizabeth Opera House and he was a recipient of the 2018 Eastern Cape Department of Sport Recreation, Arts and Culture Provincial Cultural Award.  He remains an active arts activist and community development agent and serves on a number of community structures such as the Northern Areas People Development Initiative (Napdi) as a trustee and the champion of art education projects of the organisation.

His work in education has had a lasting impact, helping to create opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams. Barry’s inspiring vision for empowering future generations and his commitment to creating a better, more inclusive society reflect the values of Nelson Mandela University.

Read latest article here: https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/artactivistmichaelbarrytoreceiverhodesuniversityshighesthonouramidcr.html

 


Themba Gwejela Appointed Group Executive: Corporate Affairs & Marketing for SABC

Themba Gwejela, a distinguished leader in the field of marketing and communications, has recently been appointed as the Group Executive: Corporate Affairs & Marketing for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). This new role marks another milestone in his remarkable career, as he steps into a position that will allow him to shape the public image and corporate communications of South Africa’s national broadcaster.

Prior to this appointment, Themba served as the Head of Communications for the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund (EPPF), where he was instrumental in overseeing effective communications strategies and enhancing the organization's brand visibility. His vast experience in strategic communication, coupled with his innovative approach to digital marketing, has earned him a strong reputation in the industry.

As Themba takes on this leadership role at SABC, his focus will likely be on further strengthening the corporation’s corporate image, fostering deeper engagement with audiences, and driving new marketing initiatives in an evolving media landscape. His passion for inclusivity and diversity, as seen in his previous roles, will no doubt play a critical role in shaping the future direction of SABC’s corporate affairs and marketing strategies.

 


Past students pay it forward for GBV survivors

A person standing in front of a buildingDescription automatically generatedPast students are paying it forward to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) at tertiary institutions in South Africa through the Alumni-in-Action (AiA) initiative.

Transformation Office gender-based violence counsellor Ulleta Marais is the student point of contact at Nelson Mandela University

AiA, which started at the University of Cape Town in 2021 and expanded to Nelson Mandela University in 2023, is bearing fruit with beneficiaries speaking about its positive influence on their lives.

Avusiwe Tyamzashe was one of the students who spoke out about the impact of the programme, offered through the Transformation Office at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.

Read more: Nelson Mandela University News