UNIZULU Thanks Long-serving Staff for its Loyalty

“Appreciate everything your associates do for the business. Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.”

These words by the late Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and Sam’s Club, encapsulate the essence of the 2022 Long Service Awards which took place at the King Bhekuzulu Hall today (Friday, 9 December).

“Long Service Awards are held every year and they are intended to acknowledge the loyalty and longevity of service of staff members; this is a way of thanking employees and recognising their contribution over a period of years. In line with the Long Service Awards Policy, the awardees vary from 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 35 years and 40 years,” explained Connie Ngxito, Director: Remuneration and Benefits in the Human Resources Division.

This year, a total of 88 foot soldiers were acknowledged for their devotion to the UNIZULU brand. Three were honoured in the 35 Years category, eight in the 30 Years and 25 Years categories each, three in the 20 Years category, nine in the 15 Years category and 57 in the 10 Years category.

Raynolds Ngcobo, Executive Director: Human Resources expressed his sincere gratitude to the awardees, acknowledging their diligence throughout their years of service. While he admitted that their journeys may have been characterised by hard and good times, he added that he hoped the good times outweighed the hard.

Reflecting on her 35-year milestone, Karen Adlam summed up her experience in the institution as a true blessing. Hers has been a journey of gradual professional growth and building strong relationships. She joined the institution as Secretary to the Director of Public Relations and the Foundation, then was Secretary to the Dean of the then Faculty of Commerce and Administration, thereafter assuming the position of Executive Secretary to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor for 15 years. She was subsequently promoted to her current position of Manager: Student Administration at the Richards Bay Campus.

“I had the privilege of working with amazing people who contributed to the work ethic and knowledge I have today. In recent years, being part of the growth of the Richards Bay Campus and the continued development and progress of the Registrar’s Section under Registrar’s and Mr Gumede has been particularly fulfilling,” she said.

In her 15 years as an employee of the University, Professor Sumeshni Govender, has received immense support and invaluable mentorship from her colleagues and superiors. She started off as a lecturer, working her way up to senior lecturer and is now Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education.

“UNIZULU is my alma mater and my experience as a student was so good that I always knew I would return as an academic. I have stood on the shoulders of giants to get to where I am. Professors Edwards, Nzima and Hlongwane in the Departments of Educational Psychology and Psychology stand out the most for me as being incredible mentors and extremely supportive throughout my journey. The most enjoyable thing about working for UNIZULU must be the spirit of ubuntu that I experience in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education,” Prof Govender shared.

For Bongani Mthethwa, who has served the University’s Procurement Department for 10 years, working for UNIZULU has not only benefitted him but his immediate family too. “Through the staff study benefit offered by the University, my wife was able to study to become a teacher and she is now working in one of the schools in KwaDlangezwa,” Mthethwa boasted.

After handing over the awards, Professor Vuyokazi Nomlomo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, also shared words of wisdom. She said that the awards ceremony reflected UNIZULU’s ability to retain its staff amid many companies’ struggles to keep their workforce.

“Companies around the globe compete not only for attracting excellent talent in their work force, but also to retain the workforce. This is a clear indication that staff retention is one of the key factors that impact on branding, performance, productivity and efficiency of any organisation. Its aim is to keep staff turn over as low as possible and to enhance work quality. Many organisations struggle to keep their staff due to many reasons. Today’s event is a reflection of UNIZULU’s retention strategy as we appreciate and celebrate the long service rendered by our colleagues,” Prof Nomlomo highlighted.

– Naledi Hlefane

Caption

From left, Bongani Mthethwa, Sumeshni Govender and Karen Adlam.

Picture: James Thwala