Alumni participate in various events and functions 

Several regional functions and other events provided an opportunity to alumni from various towns, cities and walks of life to interact with their Alma Mater. Regional functions took place as far afield as Windhoek in Namibia.  Prof Christof Heyns, Dean of the Faculty of Law, presented a talk at a function in London and business people could attend a breakfast with Mervyn King as guest speaker.  

Regional functions 

Regional functions were held in Pretoria, Namibia and Cape Town. The Pretoria function, which was held on 29 May, attracted almost 400 people, who made use of this opportunity to bid farewell to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Calie Pistorius, who was the guest speaker. Prof Pistorius is stepping down on 31 August to take up a new position as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull in the United Kingdom on 1 September. 

At the function Prof Pistorius recalled some of the highlights in the history of the University, and joined alumni in looking forward to the next centenary in the life cycle of this illustrious institution. The evening was concluded with a performance by the Afro Tenors, which was enjoyed by all. 

On 9 July, about 60 alumni and their partners arrived at the Namibia Hotel and Tourism School at the Polytechnic University of Namibia to listen to the Senior Vice-Principal, Prof Chris de Beer. Prof De Beer used the highlights and disappointments of popstar Michael Jackson’s life as an example to convey his message. He once again confirmed the important role the UP alumni have to play, and requested their input in all matters concerning the University.  

Approximately 90 alumni and friends in Cape Town gathered at the Table Bay Hotel on Friday, 24 July. They were addressed by Mike Joubert, former managing director of Levi Strauss South Africa and vice-president of Levi Strauss Europe. 

The function was also attended by well-known people and celebrities, such as Judge Deon van Zyl and former Miss Universe and businesswoman, Michelle McLean. 

 Pretoria regional function 

   
The Afro Tenors performed at the Pretoria function                 Hilton and Sylvia Fisher, Odette Hartlief and Rassiani 
                                                                                                Cythrangomitis

     
Mzamo Mbuli, Mamoya Matseo, Jabulani Nkosi,                    Cas Vos, Rikus and Erika Immink, Phasoane and
Reneilwe Matsane, Sthobile Lubisi and Godisang                  Ingrid Mokgobu
Mpye

Windhoek regional function

    
Adda Angula, Hinasha Mbudje and                                  Isabella Skeffers and Vincent Nowaseb 
Buitomelo Maloboka

    
Local respresentatives: Chandré Balie (left)                    Griselda Hanstein and Lorenzo Kloppers
and Retha Steinmann (right) with the
Senior Vice-Principal, Prof Chris de Beer

Cape Town regional function


 Elmarie Liebenberg, Mike Joubert and Michelle McLean

   
Raymond Fenner, Vaishali and Llewellyn Padayachy             Gundula Wurster and Ilana Kahn

Kya Rosa house concert 

UP alumni were transported back to the 30s on the evening of 26 June. Alumni gathered at Kya Rosa for a concert by the celebrated quartet the Roaring 30s, who entertained guests with classics and other favourite songs from the 1930s. The Roaring 30s consists of Deidré Blignaut (soprano), Linette van der Merwe (mezzo), Chris Mostert (tenor) and Ferdi Geyer (pianist). They performed the most popular sounds of the 1930s, from swing to Broadway musical theatre hits written by the likes of Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Jerome Kern. Guests enjoyed songs like I got rhythm, Begin the Beguine, Night and day, and Someone to watch over me. 


Kya Rosa House Concert: Martie Punt, Willem Punt, Karen Vlok and Louwrens Punt

Prof Christof Heyns talks at the British South African Law Association 

Prof Christof Heyns, Dean of the Faculty of Law, was the speaker at a function organised by the British South African Law Association (BSALA) in London on 22 July 2009. Alumni who live and work in London also attended the event. Prof Heyns explained the processes leading to the establishment of the new African Court of Justice and Human Rights as the judicial arm of the African Union. This court will, inter alia, complement the work of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which was the only supervisory body of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights for many years. The presentation focused on the role of the court in the African Union structure and the impact it is likely to have. 


Lance Terry, Christof Heyns and Johan du Toit

Alumni business breakfast with Mervyn King 

Alumni in business attended a breakfast at the High Performance Centre with Judge Mervyn King on 8 July, where he shared his knowledge on corporate governance. TuksAlumni in corporation with CE at UP presented the breakfast.  

Judge King is probably best known as chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance in South Africa and for the reports of this committee: King I, II and III. He also serves as president of the Advertising Standards Authority, and is first vice-president of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa. He is a member of the Securities Regulation Panel, which oversees all mergers and acquisitions in the country, as well as chairman of the Appeal Committee of the United Cricket Board and of the Automobile Association, Strate, the settlement arm of trades in equities and other instruments in South Africa, and of Brait Societé Anonyme. 

 

Prof Mervyn King