University of South Africa hosts award ceremony for eminent South Africans
The event took place at the Houghton Hotel, Johannesburg, where persons and/or organisations were acknowledged for contributing significantly to shaping futures in the service of humanity. The awards are an opportunity to recognise outstanding South Africans, including Unisa Alumni, for their contribution to society’s overall development.
Mbeki said that the event is one of the flagship projects of the university, where Unisa gets to acknowledge the roles of the awardees who are making a positive impact in building societies. “This is synonymous with Unisa’s vision of being the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity,” he said.
Mbeki added that for over 149 years, Unisa had made positive contributions to educating the world. He said, “Unisa, over time, gave birth to twenty-six South African universities and was the first to offer open distance education.” He continued: “Many other universities have based their distance learning models on the one Unisa refined. In essence, it has shaped the country’s higher education landscape and that of the world.”
Over the past years, the Chancellor’s Bursary Fund has benefited master’s and doctoral degree students to enrol across the different colleges and disciplines to build the next generation of academics, particularly Africans and women. In addition, the Chancellor took the opportunity to encourage individuals and corporates to make monthly or annual pledges towards the bursary and scholarship programmes on offer at Unisa.
This year, the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), an academic and research entity seeking to strengthen Africa’s capacity and response to its epidemics and pandemics, was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award. The award acknowledges the contribution of any outstanding educator who has excelled in or has advanced teaching-learning, skills development and research in their area of expertise.
The Unisa Robben Island Alumnus Award was presented to Dr Gaby Thono Mogomola, who was incarcerated at Robben Island for participating in anti-apartheid activities. The award recognises the role of political prisoners/activists (men and women) who sacrificed immensely towards the liberation of South Africa.
Zanele Joyce Matlala was a recipient of the Outstanding Alumna Award, which acknowledges an outstanding alumna who has excelled in their area of expertise and has made a significant contribution to society.
The Public Service Award was received by the Gift of the Givers for social justice and the Banyana Banyana National Women’s Soccer Team for social cohesion. The award recognises South Africans who have made significant contributions to the service of humanity.