Leading the way: SRC president Chris Ryall (right) is the winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Award, presented by Dr Max Price.

Students' Representative Council president, debating champion, and branch leader of the Democratic Alliance Students' Organisation Chris Ryall took the top honour, the Vice-Chancellor's Award, at the Student Leadership Awards function on 6 October.

Ryall is also on the Dean's Merit list, a member of the University Council, the University Senate, the University Student Affairs Committee and the University Finance Committee.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Affairs Student Leader Award went to SRC secretary-general Portia Gama, whose track record also includes positions on the Tugwell House Committee, the Engineering and theBuilt Environment Student Faculty Council and the Students for Life Society.

The Executive Director: Department of Student Affairs Student Leader Award was shared by Thandi Gondwana de Wit and Sara Reith. De Wit is president of SHAWCO Health for 2009 and, as vice-president in 2008, led SHAWCO Health's response to the xenophobic crises, implemented the first health and rehabilitation, and sign language interpretation services, for SHAWCO clinics and partnerships for HIV testing.

Reith, a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and the UCT Emerging Student Leaders Programme, initiated a five-cent coin collection drive in support of community outreach, launched a Leave Your Legacy Campaign and played a key role in the student housing and residence life admissions policy review process.

The following awards were also presented on the night:

• Most Outstanding Student Leader in an Undergraduate Student Faculty Council Award: Lusanda Gwayi
• Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Postgraduate Student Faculty Council Award: Michael Stead
• Most Outstanding Student Leader in Sport: Angus Morrison
• The Most Outstanding Student Leader in Community Service Award: Joanne Beckwith and Sheree Lang
• Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Residence Award: Khanya-Khanyiso Gwaza
• Most Outstanding Student Leader in Media Award: Seamus Duggan
• Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Society or Student Organisation Award: Wandile Mamba and David Favara
• Kerry Capstick- Dale Memorial Scholarship: Christopher Ryall and Sara Reith
• UCT Pick 'n Pay Team of the Year: The UCT Green Campus Initiative

(View the photo album of the recipients.)