UCT celebrates and honours retirees

The University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted a luncheon for its retirees on 6 November at the vice-chancellor’s residence.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Glenara’s lawn on lower campus, the event offered a fitting farewell to staff members who have dedicated years - even decades - to the institution. UCT’s vice-chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela; and UCT chair of Council, Norman Arendse SC, co-hosted the gathering, recognising retirees for their exceptional commitment to the university.

A total of 119 staff will retire this year, 80% of whom have served UCT for more than two decades. Eight of the staff members have been part of the university for 40 years or more.

“This luncheon allows us to pause and to celebrate not only what our staff have done but who they are as individuals, and their contributions that shape the fabric of UCT,” Professor Moshabela said. Advocate Arendse echoed the sentiment, emphasising that the gathering was “a tribute to UCT’s legacy and the unique dedication of its people”.

The event kicked off with a programme led by Barbara Mapara, the acting executive director of Human Resources at UCT. Arendse delivered the opening remarks. Throughout the afternoon, Moshabela personally presented gifts to each retiree as their names were called. The retirees were grouped by years of service, culminating in a special acknowledgement of those who had served from 40 to 47 years.

After the formal recognition, two retirees - Blanche Claasen-Hoskins and Professor Mzikantu Dizu Plaatjies - delivered reflective remarks on behalf of the professional, administrative support and service (PASS) staff and the academic staff respectively, sharing memories of their time at UCT and the lasting friendships they had forged.

From service to new beginnings

Professor Rajkumar Ramesar, who has served for 40 years, believes UCT is a place that encourages creativity and intellectual exploration. “The highlights were being given the licence to create, taking full advantage of what was going on in my head.”

Professor Ramesar’s career is marked by innovation and the blending of disciplines, as he often brought his artistic inclinations into his medical science research. He is looking forward to spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, after a lifetime of dedication.

Nazeem Damon, who dedicated 47 years to the Department of Physiology, shared memories that span nearly five decades. Starting with Properties & Services before transitioning to physiology, Damon later oversaw IT infrastructure, including networks and audio-visual equipment.

“I’ve been here since the eighties,” he said. “As the years went on, I became involved in so many activities within the department.”

Damon’s work with students has been particularly memorable. “I think what I'm going to miss most is the students,” he said. “They keep you young and keep you on your toes.” As he enters retirement, Damon anticipates spending more time with his family. “My wife has been the house executive for years,” he chuckled, sharing that she has already planned out his retirement days, down to frequent trips to the shops and picking up grandchildren.

Shaheema Luckan, who spent her remarkable 47-year tenure in the WH Bell Music Library, described her experience as “an absolute honour”. Her long career at UCT enabled her to support countless students and colleagues in their academic pursuits. After years of dedicated work, she is ready to embrace a slower pace.

Her plans include cultivating her garden, a passion she has had to put on hold until now. “I look forward to seeing things flourish, much like the students I have been helping and nurturing over the years,” she said. “Gardening is very much the same as the work that I did - helping students grow.”

Guardians of UCT

The luncheon concluded with Moshabela proposing a toast to the retirees, celebrating their contributions to UCT’s legacy and acknowledging the lasting impact of their work.

“Those who have given their heart and soul to UCT remain [the] guardians of this institution.”

He extended an invitation to the retirees to stay connected, reminding them that they would always be welcome at UCT.

“I want them to know that should they ever have insights to offer, they have an open door,” he said. “We will count on them, as the steadfast stewards of UCT’s mission and values.”