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Another year of celebrating excellencehttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10327Another year of celebrating excellencePetro Mostert<p></p><p>Every year I stand in awe looking back on what we as the Responsibility Centre of Operations and Finance has achieved. This year was no exception, as I once again presented our annual report to Stellenbosch University's Council with great pride. The 140-page long report tells the story of you, the people in our RC who once again went out of their way to make our Institution even better. For this, I want to say thank you.</p><p>At our sixth annual awards function, we celebrated ten outstanding colleagues who touched our hearts and minds with their own stories of endurance, perseverance, loyalty, and love in the work they do. These colleagues earned our respect for their unwavering service to their customers and the broader SU community. Thank you for setting the example for all of us to follow and for making us want to excel in the work we do on our five campuses.</p><p> </p><p><strong>The highlights</strong></p><p>This year, we commemorated significant accomplishments like launching our first cloud-based financial accounting system, SUNFin and cutting the ribbon on the magnificent BMRI building on our Tygerberg campus. Our campuses are able to continue with research and education even in the face of heavy load shedding because of around sixty generators that are maintained around the clock, seven days a week, by a dedicated crew. Thanks to a well-thought-out environmentally sustainable plan that is currently in place with projects that keep us on this path, we are on our way to reaching net zero. We honoured the leaders of these businesses, who support our fifth-stream revenue and help no-fee schools reduce their electricity costs, as well as the new spinout enterprises that have joined our university family.</p><p>We appreciate all of the employees who went above and above to keep our institution running smoothly. We are grateful to the staff members who volunteered to mop up water from flooded offices during their December family vacation, to those who worked long nights and weekends to load data and test our new financial system, to those who walked the campus day and night to ensure the safety of our students and staff, and to those who support our student-athletes as they strive for greater success. My list of gratitude never ends.</p><p>Being a member of this amazing team makes me really proud and appreciative, and I am forward to seeing what our colleagues will accomplish in 2024.</p><p>I wish you all a blessed holiday season and some quality time spent with your families. </p><p> </p><p>Stay safe and see you all in 2024</p><p>Stan du Plessis<br></p><p>​<br></p>
Jakes help keeping the lights onhttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10328Jakes help keeping the lights onPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Jakes van Deventer is our electrical services foreman at Facilities Management. Think loadshedding, then think Jakes. He is receiving this award today in recognition of his outstanding work to ensure that our campus community can function thanks to generators that they've installed as well as external lightning in crucial areas.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Jakes joined Stellenbosch University in 2009, primarily to manage generators and external lights. Over the past few years, thanks to Eskom, he had his work cut out for him with hours of loadshedding being part of our daily lives on and off campus. Thanks to Jakes and his team, we could keep the lights on during crucial times to ensure the campus functions properly, exams could be written and events, such as our graduation ceremonies, can continue without interruption.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In 2014 Jakes and his team upgraded the switchgear and replaced the generators at the SU library and the Neelsie Student Centre – as these were old and past their lifetime. He was also instrumental in ensuring student safety by installing crucial external lights onto the generators' grids so that students could safely walk on campus during loadshedding.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Over the past few years, we've seen major parts failing on some of our critical generators, but in each case, Jake's and his team's response was swift and exemplary. Jakes installed hired generators in most of these cases within hours to ensure a seamless transition from one to another without us putting our core business to risk.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">During crucial loadshedding times, Jakes almost lived on campus, so to speak, and we are immensely grateful to him, given the impact this disruption had on his family. Thank you, Jakes, for your continued dedication to your important work on our campus.​</p><p>​<br></p>
Regan is a constant studenthttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10329Regan is a constant studentPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Regan Janari, a senior systems administrator at Information Technology</strong>, counts as one of IT's most professional, knowledgeable, and helpful team members. He is always willing and available to go the extra mile to assist his colleagues, even after hours. And for that, we give recognition to him here today.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Regan is usually one of the first people who is available in the mornings and will be present until late in the evenings ensuring he fulfils his tasks and responsibilities before heading home. He does not shy away from any task and his professional and gentle demeanour makes him easy to approach by his fellow team members and colleagues.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">As a senior Microsoft system administrator, he has done amazing work. He recently grabbed the opportunity to enhance his professional pedigree by volunteering to gain experience as a Cloud architect.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">On a personal note, Regan is a loving husband and father, while in between finding time to complete his national diploma in information technology through Unisa.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">His colleagues tell me that Regan is already looking for his new challenge and will be enrolling for his advanced diploma soon. Thank you, Regan, for your tremendous dedication to Stellenbosch University.​</p><p><br></p>
Anche taking Maties hockeyclub to new heightshttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10330Anche taking Maties hockeyclub to new heightsPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Anche Nortje, Maties Sport's new hockeyclub manager, is leading one the biggest clubs of Maties Sport. In her unique way, Anche led her team through an extremely busy time and kept it all together so that we could tell her successful tale today.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Anche and her team have had an exceptionally successful year across all the key areas of University Sport – this includes campus league hockey, provincial league hockey, USSA hockey, and exceptional operational excellence.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Anche also took on the position as lead of our new Campus Sport concept that Maties Sport launched this year and delivered three bumper events that were huge successes and very popular with our student-athletes, the broader community, and alumni who attended. Through Anchen's pro-active leadership, several of our Sport Managers collaborated on the Campus Sport product that included seven sports, and entertainment on all bumper events.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Anche is truly a remarkable asset to Maties Sport, and we highly value her contributions in the past, present, and what will follow in the future. Thank you Anche, for your immense contribution to the success of Maties Hockey, Campus Sport, and the continued excellence of our Maroon Machine.​</p><p>​<br></p>
Jemaine keeping a thousand IT balls in the airhttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10333Jemaine keeping a thousand IT balls in the airPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Jemaine Wales is a project coordinator at Information Technology. For the past nine months, while Albrecht Bester, manager: network infrastructure, went on early retirement, Jemaine took care of all the business-as-usual tasks that concerned network infrastructure of Facilities Management's projects. She had regular meetings with FM's project managers, external consultants, and contractors.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">To put all of this in perspective: there are currently 78 FM projects in their planning stages of which 66 are in active construction phases. These 66 active projects must continuously run on schedule, which requires constant attention to ensure that every work stage is completed properly for handover to the next team in the process. During this time, Jemaine – as project coordinator – ensured that all these projects remained on target, holding weekly meetings with project managers, consultants, and contractors to ensure that they met the agreed milestones.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">But that is not all. During this time, Jermaine also ensured that the necessary project installation documentation was fully and correctly completed and up to date for each stage of the project, to avoid costly time penalties. She also implemented Adobe Sign to streamline the signature and approval of all documents in the network infrastructure processes, including documents required for the deviation from specification requests. These documents require several signatures in specific order to be approved and if not properly managed, can waste valuable time.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Jemaine is without doubt a person who will not drop the ball in a crucial stage of a project, and we are grateful to have her on board to look after our IT infrastructure projects. Thank you, Jemaine for always keeping the ropes together.​</p><p>​<br></p>
Geraldine ensuring the highest standards for our residenceshttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10331Geraldine ensuring the highest standards for our residencesPetro Mostert<p>​</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Geraldine Minnaar is the manager of residence services at SUNCOM and Innovus. She started working in 2012 as a residence service coordinator at Stellenbosch University and was appointed in the demanding position of manager of residence services during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Not only had she gotten to grips with this new responsibility, but she had to do it in a completely new – as you can remember almost surreal – world.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">But knowing Geraldine, she grabbed this opportunity with both arms and soon had her staff rendering support to their clients on a whole new level of excellence. She implemented various management controls and looking back over the past three years, we still see continuous progress and development.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This year, Geraldine took on a new challenge: the enormous task of developing new cleaning protocols and specifications for the cleaning of the residences, balancing the needs of the institution and the students, and simultaneously ensuring the protection of the University's valuable assets.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Geraldine's passion for her work and her staff is evident in the recent feedback from her staff in a self-evaluation survey where her staff commended her unique and remarkable leadership style.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Thank you, Geraldine, for ensuring our residences comply with the highest standards.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p>​<br></p>
When you want things done, call on Pierrehttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10332When you want things done, call on PierrePetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Pierre Gerber is an assistant accountant in our Finance division. Pierre has been in the division for many years and can always be relied on to get the job done. “In fact I worked with Pierre when I as still in the Faculty of EMS, where colleagues speak with unqualified admiration and gratitude for his work," says Prof Stan du Plessis, our RC's Chief Operating Officer. He is very much the go-to person to get something done.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Pierre is always more than willing to assist with extra tasks and has most recently assisted a great deal with the transition of Tera Term to Oracle Cloud Financials. We needed help to journalise advances, facilities, and petty cash from Teraterm to OCF as all balance sheet accounts are central on OCF. This involved literally hundreds of journals that had to be posted. Pierre made sure that all the journals were processed in a matter of days, while still completing his normal daily tasks.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Pierre is a dependable, hard-working, and loyal member of the Financial Services team. Thank you, Pierre, for being such a fantastic asset to the Finance team, and especially for your enormous role in the SUNFin project's success.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p><br></p>
Uncle James: a stalwart Maties Rugby can’t do withouthttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10334Uncle James: a stalwart Maties Rugby can’t do withoutPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">James Marney, or Uncle James, or as the Maties rugby players call him “Jamo" is the stalwart of the Maties Rugby Club. As you will hear from his story, James joined Stellenbosch University already in 1987 at Minerva women's residence in the storeroom. Over the next decade, he divided his time among Minverva, the squash courts, and Coetzenburg athletics fields, whereafter his journey with Maties Sport started.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In 1998, James started working in Maties Rugby's kit room, overseeing the general washing and maintenance of the club's kit and team equipment, while also taking care of the office and the Coetzenburg club. Over the years Uncle James has seen many great Maties Rugby teams on the field, and many players who went on to become Springboks. And whenever an old boy comes to visit, you will hear: “Is Uncle James nog hier?"</p><p style="text-align:justify;">It is in the kit room where James built many years of relationships with the players, coaches, and the large extended family of Maties Rugby internally and externally. His remarkable, calm, and pleasant personality is augmented by kindness, helpfulness, and a great sense of humour.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">His years of faithful service spread over more than three decades and the Danie Craven Stadium became his haven where he could live out his love for rugby, for our students, and for Coetzenburg.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">James's many years of service also speaks to his love of the game and Maties Rugby. When asked recently if he ever got tired of doing the same work, he responded with “nee, ek geniet dit nog baie".</p><p style="text-align:justify;">James is not only part of the club's furniture and a very loved colleague – he is also a father figure for many young up-and-coming players. His 34 years of service is worth celebrating. It is, for this reason, we would like to recognise Uncle James with this award. Thank you for your invaluable service to our Institution.​</p><p>​<br></p>
Pieter transforming transport services into an industry leaderhttp://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10335Pieter transforming transport services into an industry leaderPetro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Pieter Wever, our director of transport services, now part of Innovus and SUNCOM, needs little introduction. He joined Stellenbosch University in 1984, first in our Finance division and later in transport services. So he's been here even longer than Uncle James!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In his uniquely calm way, Pieter's innovation and leadership transformed Transport Services into an industry leader where other institutions now attempt to base their model on our – or rather Pieter's – model.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">It might sound easier said than done, as transforming the University's transport services into an innovative service hub, did not come without challenges; however, Pieter persisted in his beliefs and took every new challenge as an opportunity for growth.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Pieter remains the leader in his field and his staff look up to him for his leadership and never-ending support. Pieter consistently achieves top performance marks and will never drop the ball. Thank you, Pieter, for keeping the wheels rolling.​</p><p><br><br></p>
Lerato is more than just an artist with data http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10336Lerato is more than just an artist with data Petro Mostert<p></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Lerato Mkhabela is our deputy director of undergraduate bursaries in the centre of Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans (CUBL). In this challenging role, Lerato has demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in her new position and you only need to talk to some of her colleagues to understand how much she is appreciated in this division.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Lerato has significantly improved our student support services by implementing a ticketing system which effectively reduced student inquiry escalations. Lerato's meticulous attention to data management has resulted in the accurate and timely payment of allowances, enhancing our financial operations and bolstering reporting for the audit committee.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Her commitment to excellence and her continuous efforts to streamline processes make her a deserving candidate for recognition at the Responsibility Centre Staff Day. Lerato, thank you for your unbelievable leadership, lots of patience, and for being always available for your team and your colleagues. We honour you.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><br></p><p>​<br></p>