​"If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life," the popular saying goes. And that, says Mrs Sonja van Staden, is exactly how she feels about her job.

Van Staden is the personal assistant to Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University (SU). Her role entails not only running a busy office, but also liaising with other FMHS departments and providing them with effective support and loyalty, she explains.

Her positive attitude towards her work was rewarded when the Department of Psychiatry nominated her for the Award for Excellent Service Provided to the Department by an Individual within the University at the end of last year. A statement released by the Department of Psychiatry on the matter described Van Staden as "always pleasant and quick to assist. It is always a pleasant experience liaising with her."

This speaks directly to the motto that Van Staden lives by: "I believe you should always treat other people with respect, even if it's not always easy. What goes around, comes around," she says.

The award is the first of its kind and was an initiative by Prof Soraya Seedat, Executive Head of the Department of Psychiatry, to recognise staff for their outstanding achievements. Staff in the department were invited to nominate individuals for specific awards. In Van Staden's category, the aim of the award was to recognise individuals or departments within the university who have shown commitment to providing the Department of Psychiatry with excellent and consistent service. There were six nominations in this category. Prof Martin Kidd, Director for the Centre of Statistical Consultation, was the winner. Other categories included the Community Engagement Service Award, the Administrative Excellence Award and the Award for Research Excellence.

Van Staden was thrilled to be nominated. "It gave my confidence a big boost. I feel invigorated to help even more people now." She says organising and communicating are the aspects of her job she loves the most. "But to get all the planned tasks done within the specified timelines, can be less pleasant. I'm still trying to make peace with the fact that things sometimes take longer than I would want it to." She doesn't allow this to get her down though. She says each day brings new challenges and the opportunity to learn a new life lesson. "I get enriched by my work and the people I work with."

Van Staden thanked the Department of Psychiatry for the recognition, and also all the people who have come across her path and provided her with guidance and support.