Members of the diplomatic corps, business and donor community and friends of the university, Unisa Council members and Unisa's extended management joined the Unisa Chancellor, Dr Thabo Mbeki, and the Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, as they presented the 2022 Chancellor's Calabash Awards.

The event took place at the Houghton Hotel, Johannesburg, where persons and/or organisations were acknowledged for contributing significantly to shaping futures in the service of humanity. The awards are an opportunity to recognise outstanding South Africans, including Unisa Alumni, for their contribution to society's overall development.

Dr Thabo Mbeki, Unisa Chancellor

Mbeki said that the event is one of the flagship projects of the university, where Unisa gets to acknowledge the roles of the awardees who are making a positive impact in building societies. "This is synonymous with Unisa's vision of being the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity," he said.

Mbeki added that for over 149 years, Unisa had made positive contributions to educating the world. He said, "Unisa, over time, gave birth to twenty-six South African universities and was the first to offer open distance education." He continued: "Many other universities have based their distance learning models on the one Unisa refined. In essence, it has shaped the country's higher education landscape and that of the world."

Over the past years, the Chancellor's Bursary Fund has benefited master's and doctoral degree students to enrol across the different colleges and disciplines to build the next generation of academics, particularly Africans and women. In addition, the Chancellor took the opportunity to encourage individuals and corporates to make monthly or annual pledges towards the bursary and scholarship programmes on offer at Unisa. 

This year, the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), an academic and research entity seeking to strengthen Africa's capacity and response to its epidemics and pandemics, was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award. The award acknowledges the contribution of any outstanding educator who has excelled in or has advanced teaching-learning, skills development and research in their area of expertise. 

The Unisa Robben Island Alumnus Award was presented to Dr Gaby Thono Mogomola, who was incarcerated at Robben Island for participating in anti-apartheid activities. The award recognises the role of political prisoners/activists (men and women) who sacrificed immensely towards the liberation of South Africa.   

Zanele Joyce Matlala was a recipient of the Outstanding Alumna Award, which acknowledges an outstanding alumna who has excelled in their area of expertise and has made a significant contribution to society. 

The Public Service Award was received by the Gift of the Givers for social justice and the Banyana Banyana National Women's Soccer Team for social cohesion. The award recognises South Africans who have made significant contributions to the service of humanity.

Dr Gaby Thono Mahomola, recipient of the Robben Island Alumnus award, with Dr Thabo Mbeki, Unisa Chancellor and Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor	Dr Yeshnee Naidoo, recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award on behalf of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation	Kgomotso Mabalane accepted the Outstanding Alumna Award on behalf of Zanele Joyce Matlala
Coach Desiree Ellis accepts the award on behalf of the Banyana Banyana team for their Outstanding Public Service for Social Cohesion	Dr Yakub Essack recipient of the Outstanding Public Service Award on behalf of Gift of the Givers for social justice

LenkaBula said that Unisa is driving change in South Africa and the continent. "Unisa is attentive to change in our world, and we don't just teach and learn but also recognise those who contribute to the changes in our world." 

She alluded to Unisa turning 150 years old in 2023. She said: "It will be a celebration and a renewal of the mission ahead for the next 150 years. Unisa has a notable role in acknowledging contributions made by members of society. As a result, we produce leaders worldwide."

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Guest speaker Dr Martin Dougiamas, Founder and CEO of Moodle

Dr Martin Dougiamas, founder and CEO of the Open-Source Moodle software project, was the keynote speaker. In his address, he shared how he established Moodle in 1999 - a platform that allows educators in all sectors to create private educational spaces online, filled with tools for collaborative learning. LenkaBula earlier held a meeting with Dougiamas to seek ways of strengthening relations. To read more about their engagement, click here. 

The awards were sponsored by the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), DSV – Global and Transport and Logistics, DevMan, LucMo Wines, Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA), Unisa Enterprise and Tsogo Sun.

* By Busisiwe Mahlangu, Communication Coordinator & Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations