Right Reverend Duncan Buchanan (Distinguished Old Rhodian Award)

Duncan wished to be presented with his Award at our annual Luncheon in Johannesburg so that all his friends and family could be present. Unfortunately he passed away shortly before the event and the Award was made posthumously to his wife and family. Right Reverend Duncan Buchanan began his studies towards a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and English in 1954. He then attended the General Theological Seminary of New York and obtained his Masters in Divinity. His deep interest in the welfare of all South Africans and his compassion for humankind was evident from the very outset of his career.

Mr Trevor Evans (Distinguished Old Rhodain Award)

Trevor first enrolled at Rhodes University in 1963 to study for a Bachelor of Science. He latter added to this with a marketing qualification from the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town and also participated in the Stanford University Executive Programme in 1989. However, throughout his exceptionally busy corporate career as one of South Africa’s top executives, he remained an enthusiastic Old Rhodian and a generous supporter of his alma mater, serving on the Board of Governors for thirteen years until his retirement early year.

Mr Steuart Pennington (Distinguished Old Rhodian Award)

Steuart Pennington has worked tirelessly over the past 10 years to bring positive change to South Africa. As the Chairman of Executive Office of South Africa – The Good News (Pty) Ltd and Africa – the Good News his contribution to global and local perspectives has been significantly positive. His work has in many ways changed the South African narrative worldwide. His personal mantra: “We don’t describe the future we see, we see the future we describe” speaks volumes about his approach.

Professor Paul Skelton (Distinguished Old Rhodian Award)

Professor Paul Skelton has been largely responsible for the establishment of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) as a national facility and internationally renowned marine research platform in South Africa, and the leading collection-based centre for ichthyology in Africa. He is a world authority on aquatic biology and is regarded as one of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Freshwater Fish Specialist Group’s (FFSG) most active participants. His work has reviewed the status of freshwater fisheries in Africa and brought the plight of the numerous endangered species to the forefront of conservation biology and policy changes.

Ms Ayanda Mbanga (Emerging Old Rhodian Award)

Ayanda Mbanga was appointed Deputy CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi South Africa in 2011 and is responsible for driving new business development, talent management and group client relations. Mbanga is the founder of recruitment advertising company Ayanda Mbanga Communications, a company that is currently rated second out of some 35 recruitment advertising companies in South Africa and now forms part of the Saatchi and Saatchi group.

Mr Eusebius McKaiser (Emerging Old Rhodian Award)

Eusebius McKaiser was born in Grahamstown to a family of little means. He first enrolled at Rhodes University in 1997 to study towards a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Philosophy. An Honours and then a Masters in Philosophy, both with Distinction, followed prior to him being selected on a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. McKaiser is a political activist who is currently an associate political and social analyst at the Wits Centre for Ethics where he most recently participated in research that examined the relationship between civil society and the state in the policy arena, particularly in the light of the changing post-Polokwane political landscape.