In remembrance: Nazlie Farista

Dear colleagues and students

It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ms Nazlie Farista (51), who died peacefully in the early hours of 20 June 2019 following a long illness.

Ms Farista was an inspirational friend and colleague to many in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. She worked at the school for more than a decade in almost every aspect of academic administration, including undergraduate, postgraduate and research portfolios. As a result she knew the details of UCT administration incredibly well.

Head of Department Professor Landon Myer shared that with Ms Farista’s tireless work ethic, positive outlook and attention to detail, she was known throughout the Faculty of Health Sciences for excellence. Most recently she led the administration of the UCT Master of Public Health (MPH) programme, guiding systems and procedures through a period of growth and diversification since 2014.

A teacher by training, Ms Farista was particularly well known for her caring nature with students. She has been described by many MPH students as a second mother, providing advice, warm encouragement and an ear to listen. She kept in touch with many former students, and in a recent alumni survey she was cited by graduates as a bedrock of the programme. She will be missed dearly.

Ms Farista is survived by her parents, siblings and daughter.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, 18 July, at 16:30 in the Wolfson Pavilion Lecture Theatre on the UCT Health Sciences campus.

The university has reached out to offer support to the Farista family, and our sincere condolences go out to them and all who knew Ms Farista.

Sincerely

The UCT Executive

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