Dedicated staff celebrated at Long Service Awards ceremony
CELEBRATION: The Awards celebrated the dedication and commitment of 175 staff members.
Thursday, 13 August 2026
CPUT recently celebrated the unwavering commitment and dedication of 175 staff members during its annual Long Service Awards ceremony, recognising employees whose years of service have helped shape the institution's growth and success.
Among the recipients were Donovan Lategan and Desiree Jansen, who were each recognised for an exceptional 40 years of service.
Addressing the awardees, Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo praised their loyalty, commitment and the invaluable contribution they have made to the university over many years.
“As we celebrate this remarkable journey of service, let us recommit ourselves to the values of excellence, integrity and collaboration that define us as CPUT,” he said.
“Today we celebrate those who do not see CPUT as merely a workplace, but as a home.”
Nhlapo said the purpose of the annual ceremony has always been to provide university management with an opportunity to recognise and reward loyalty, dedication and hard work.
“It is a platform to pay respect, honour and acknowledge your contribution. Most importantly, it is a platform to say thank you.”
He encouraged long-serving staff members to preserve the knowledge and experience they have accumulated over the years for the benefit of future generations.
"The fact that you are Long Service Award recipients means many of you have seen and experienced it all during your time at CPUT. You possess a wealth of institutional knowledge. Let us write it down for future generations because institutional memory is critical to the efficient functioning of any organisation."
Nhlapo noted that long-term service has become increasingly uncommon.
“We live in a culture where spending just a few years in a job is often considered long service. Over the years, many of you may have received attractive offers elsewhere, yet you chose to remain at CPUT. For that loyalty, we are deeply grateful."
Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Operations, echoed these sentiments, describing each award as a celebration of far more than years of employment.
“Each award presented here today represents far more than the passage of time," she said. “It reflects years of dedication, perseverance, resilience and commitment. It represents challenges overcome, opportunities embraced, knowledge shared, friendships formed and countless contributions that have helped shape this university and its future."
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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