This is a good story – a typical story – one of 100’s, 1000’s, of similar stories…… BUT not one that is part of our SA narrative. Olwethu “I was born on 10 August 1991, in the village of Nontshinga, Centane District of the Eastern Cape, an area previously known as the Republic of the Transkei, South Africa. I live to this day, in the same rural village, where we still have no access to running water, and very little in the way of community services.

Besieged by frequent lawlessness, xenophobia, fading democratic values and almost daily stories of corruption, bribery, looting, abuse and wastage of state resources, Brand South Africa is slowly fading. Actually, the Rainbow Nation’s image has never been in as serious trouble as it is now. As country, we have a serious image problem.

A lecturer in the School of Chemistry and Physics, Dr Nolwazi Nombona, will attend the 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany in June. Nombona, selected for the trip by the African Academy of Science (AAS), joins fellow UKZN representative Dr Mark Williams-Wynn, who is being sent by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).

Dr Robin Drennan, Director of Research Development at Wits, has been awarded by his southern African peers for his contribution to research management. The Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) gave Drennan the Distinguished Contribution to Research Management Profession Award at the SARIMA 2017 Annual Conference held in Windhoek, Namibia from 22-25 May 2017.

Simphiwe Tshabalala is joint Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group and Chief Executive of Standard Bank South Africa. Tshabalala was born in Hlabisa, a poor area in rural KwaZulu Natal. He grew up in Soweto and obtained his matric from the Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg.

Regional Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, EC, National Prosecuting Authority, Old Rhodian, Chris Ndzenga, received his LLD from NMMU. The Thesis Title is: “A Comparative Analysis of Aspect of Criminal and Civil Forfeitures: Suggestions for SA Asset Forfeiture Law Reform.”

Alumni House and the Post Graduate Hall held a special celebration to further congratulate the PhD and Masters 2017 graduates. The event was held at Oakdene House and was well attended by Post Graduates and guests which included the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizella.

A SENIOR member of the Society of Advocates of Namibia, Harold (Harry) Geier, has been appointed as a judge of the High Court. President Hifikepunye Pohamba appointed Geier to the High Court bench on a recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission with effect from April 1,