By Siya Hlebani

 

Rhodes University hosted a heartfelt awards ceremony to honour and celebrate staff members' unwavering commitment and years of service. The 190 honourees have collectively dedicated a remarkable 3,005 years to the institution, an achievement the University recognised with deep appreciation and pride.

Welcoming the awardees, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, congratulated all the recipients and highlighted the vital role they each have played in shaping Rhodes University into a globally recognised institution. Addressing the long-serving academics and support staff, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the people are the heartbeat of the university, those whose integrity, commitment, and resilience have made the institution what it is today.

“We take a moment to pause, reflect, and recognise, honour and celebrate our colleagues for their loyal and dedicated service to Rhodes University. At the heart of this university is its people,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor described the awards as a recognition of time served, a legacy of excellence, a culture of curiosity, and a deep dedication to knowledge. “Your loyalty and contribution have helped build a university that sparks imagination, fosters creativity, and nurtures ideas,” he said.

This year’s recipients were honoured for service milestones of 20, 25, 30, and 35 years, with a special acknowledgement for the 10 and 15 years of service staff, marking careers that span generations of students, institutional transitions, and South Africa’s transformation. The staff members who reached 10 and 15-year-long service awards, will be recognised within their departments.

Prof Mabizela thanked the awardees for their tireless efforts, describing their work as deeply woven into the fabric of Rhodes University and in the minds and hearts of thousands of graduates.

The Vice-Chancellor also took a moment to acknowledge the awardees' families, thanking them for their continuous support. “Without their encouragement and sacrifice,” he noted, “the journey of service would not have been possible.”

Among those celebrated was Suzette Flanagan, a 25-year service awardee who began her journey at Rhodes University in 2000 as an administrator in the Law Faculty. She later moved to the Registrar’s Division, where she now serves as the Manager of Academic Administration.

“Rhodes University has always felt like a big family,” Flanagan said. “I’ve appreciated most how I was known by name, not just a staff number. That personal touch made all the difference.”

Reflecting on her professional growth, she is particularly proud of her progression from administrative support to middle management. “Rhodes University offers opportunities to grow and study further, and I’ve benefited greatly.

Professor Helena van Coller, who received a 20-year service award, joined Rhodes University in 2005 as a young lecturer – her first job after completing studies at the University of the Free State and overseas.

Initially unsure how long she would stay, she quickly found herself at home in the University community. “I thought I’d be here for just a few years,” she shared. “But two years turned into five, then ten, and now it’s been two decades. This is my home.”

Her journey from feeling like an “outsider” in the Law Faculty as she was the only person at the time who did not study at Rhodes University, to becoming a Full Professor, speaks volumes about the welcoming and transformative environment she found at the University. One of her proudest moments was delivering her professorial inaugural lecture – an achievement she never imagined when she started. “What makes Rhodes University special,” she said, “is that you grow with the university, and the university grows with you.”

Looking back, she expressed how being part of Rhodes University for 20 years allowed her to witness and contribute to fundamental transformation. “When you’ve been here this long, you don’t just see problems; you ask how you can help fix them. That’s the mindset of home.”

The ceremony was a formal recognition of long-standing service and a reminder of the people who hold the institution together. Through many changes, the enduring spirit of the staff carries forward the mission of Rhodes University.

As the Vice-Chancellor reminded all in attendance, these milestones are more than numbers. They are reflections of a collective journey built on perseverance, vision, and purpose. “You represent the very best of Rhodes University,” he concluded. “Your service is deeply valued, and your legacy will be felt for generations.”