In remembrance
In remembrance: Gadija Arend
13 July 2020Dear colleagues and students
It is with deep sadness that we write to inform you about the death of Ms Gadija Arend (55). Ms Arend died of natural causes on Tuesday evening, 7 July 2020.
Ms Arend was a Writing Centre administrator at the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) and a member of the CHED Transformation Committee. She joined UCT in 2000*. Ms Arend had an interest in community development through adult education programmes and wished to pursue this in future, with a specific focus on empowering women economically.
She has been described as the heart and soul of the Writing Centre, and a mother figure to many of the centre’s consultants. In a calm and dignified way, she unified the team and motivated them to give their best. She was often surrounded by colleagues who sought her advice, and she always made time for them. Through her kindness, wisdom and wit, she made the work environment bright, warm, pleasant and full of laughter. She was a quiet force that never believed in being in the limelight.
Ms Arend is survived by four sons and a daughter.
She was buried in Mowbray on Wednesday, 8 July 2020.
The university has reached out to offer support to the Arend family. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and all who knew her and are keeping them all in our thoughts.
Sincerely
The UCT Executive
* Ms Arend joined UCT in 2000 and not in 2009 as previosly indicated. We apologise for the error.
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