UKZN Alumni Relations staff members and alumni at the North and South Coast lunches.South and North Coast Alumni Lunch “Get-Togethers”
Click here for isiZulu version
UKZN’s series of alumni lunch “get-togethers”, which have been incredibly successful and popular, began in the eThekwini area and culminated in two successful events in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal districts of Pennington and Ballito during the month of October.
The hosting of 12 to 14 alumni at informal lunches in pleasant venues began in May with 14 events having taken place this year. Similar lunches will take place in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands as well as other regions in South Africa next year.
The format consists of a lunch, the opportunity to network with both fellow alumni/friends and members of the UKZN Alumni Relations team, and updates on the latest developments at the University.
The two latest lunches took place at venues in Pennington on the KZN South Coast and in Ballito on the North Coast, attracting alumni from across disciplines and ages. The Pennington event targeted graduates and friends of UKZN who reside in the area. Great comradery amongst the group led to animated discussion and plans for future interaction. The Ballito event was as vibrant; guests were delighted that fellow graduate and nonagenarian, Dr Albertina Luthuli was able to impart her experiences as a student and provide insight into her career.
It was of great interest for the Alumni Relations team to interact with these graduates and hear their views on their alma mater, as well as hear what career paths they had followed and their successes. From all these lunches, it is apparent that alumni wish to “give-back” and contribute towards the University, with many expressing an interest in mentoring UKZN students and recent graduates.
The feedback from participants has been hugely encouraging and provides support for the plan to
co-ordinate more smaller events with a limited number of guests.
UKZN’s Alumni Relations Office encourages all graduates wishing to participate in the gatherings to email: alumni@ukzn.ac.za.
Words: Finn Christensen
Photographs: Ms Nomcebo Msweli and Beira Alta (Ballito) staffer