By Lance Myburgh

On the evening of 16 July 2024, Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网 celebrated the dedication of 64 staff members at a Long-Service Awards ceremony, recognising their collective 1,495 years of service. Among the honourees was Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, who proudly marked his 20th year at the 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网. This milestone coincided with Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网’s 120th anniversary (RU120), adding special significance to the evening.

In his opening remarks to long-serving staff, Professor Mabizela emphasised the importance of recognising the collective journey that has driven the 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网's evolution over the past 120 years, ensuring its vision, mission, and purpose are achieved. He highlighted the crucial role the awardees have played in shaping the 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网 and expressed deep gratitude for their contributions. "These awards recognise hard work, dedication, and loyalty to Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网," the Vice-Chancellor stated.

After congratulating the staff for their significant long service to the 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网, the evening took a significant turn when the Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网 Chancellor, Justice Lex Mpati, handed the Vice-Chancellor his 20-year service award – a serendipitous occurrence for the RU120 calendar.

“Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网 has grown on me,” Professor Mabizela admitted, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his colleagues, ground and garden staff, cleaning staff, academics, and Deputy Vice-Chancellors for their unwavering support throughout his tenure.

The award holds deep personal significance for Professor Mabizela, acknowledging his sacrifices for Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网. He had initially planned to stay for only 3-4 years after arriving with his family in 2004. However, he extended his commitment, dedicating himself to making a meaningful contribution to the 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网 and the city of Makhanda.

Recalling his journey at Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网, Professor Mabizela mentioned that his initial role was as the Head of the Department of Mathematics. Four years later, he was promoted to Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. “It was quite a shift – going from an academic, administrative role in a small department to Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and I faced many steep learning curves," he explained.

Adaptable and resilient, Professor Mabizela’s willingness to learn and sound decision-making led to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor in 2018, a position he has held ever since.

No story about Professor Mabizela can be accurately told without highlighting his indelible commitment to local education development – a promise he made upon his inauguration. Through his efforts, local schools have gained greater accessibility to Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网. Reflecting on this achievement, he said simply: "We should never give up on young people."

He attributes his success as a leader to the support of an excellent leadership team at every level.

“This award gives me an opportunity to reflect on the 20 years that I have been here and how inordinately privileged I am to have been entrusted with the responsibility of being the Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes 欧洲杯足球网_外围买球app推荐-投注|官网,” Professor Mabizela said.