The coveted top student leadership accolade, The Vice-Chancellor's Award, was awarded to the education president of SHAWCO, Jonathan Hodgson, at a function on 13 October.

Jonathan Hodgson with VC Dr Max Price

A highlight of the student calendar, 11 other outstanding candidates received Student Leadership Awards. The annual prizegiving honours students' extra-curricular activities in a range of areas, including their work in societies, student councils and residences.

Hodgson was the 2005 recipient of the Goldman Sachs Global Leader Award, and a Brightest Young Mind awardee. Directing his energies to matters at the heart of local communities, Hodgson chaired the Southern District Committee, established to co-ordinate the Southern District's response to the recent xenophobic attacks.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs' Student Leader Award went to 2008 SRC secretary-general, Thando Vilakazi, for his strong track record in leadership, serving the student body on the University Student Affairs Committee and Senate.

Thando Vilakazi with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Thandabantu Nhlapo.

Thamsanqa Ledwaba and Tende Makofane shared the Executive Director: DSA's Student Leader Award. Ledwaba, recipient of the 2008 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary, was lauded for his outstanding student leadership in the arena of international student rights, as was Makofane, under whose leadership the Student Assembly grew significantly in 2008.

2008 President of the Law Students' Council Shingira Masanzu won the Most Outstanding Student Leader in an Undergraduate Student Faculty Council Award. Masanzu was active in the Student Assembly, chaired the Student Faculty Council, and served on the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee.

Robin Bentele received the Most Outstanding Student Leader in Community Service Award, having served RAG with distinction over the past year, raising over R1 million for SHAWCO.

Robin Bentele with Dean of Commerce, Prof Melvin Ayogu

The award for Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Residence went to Sabelo Mncinziba, who served on the Student Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Residences Committee and co-founder of the UCT United Nations Association of South Africa.

Nabeelah Martin and Murray Hunter shared the Most Outstanding Student Leader in Media Award. Martin is a member of Habitat for Humanity, a member of Stand Up and Volunteer at the SHAWCO Masizame Project, and 2008 editor of Varsity newspaper.

Hunter is the editor-in-chief of the Cape Town Globalist Magazine and of the 2008 edition of the Sax Appeal, and a recipient of this award in 2007. He also initiated student journalism workshops.

The Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Society or Student Organisation Award went to Tara Weinberg. Weinberg won the award for her work in the History and Current Affairs Society. She was also captain of the UCT Women's Soccer Team last year which was the Team of the Tournament at the 2007 University Student Sports Association's National Championships.

The Dwane Martin Memorial Scholarship was presented to Thulani Madinginye.

Garreth Bloor won the Sir Richard Luyt Memorial Scholarship.

The Ackerman Family Foundation Award went to Robin Bentele, and was her second on the night.