Fare thee well, retirees

Long server: VC Dr Max Price (right) congratulates retiree Alan Rynhoud, who has served UCT for 45 years.

At what vice-chancellor Dr Max Price described as both a "sad and sweet occasion", UCT bid farewell to 56 staff members who are retiring at the end of the year.

The retirees have contributed a combined total of over 1 500 years, with one lecturer having spent 45 years at UCT.

"I prefer at this time to pay homage to the efforts each of you has put into making UCT the leading university on the African continent," Price said at the annual Retiree's Dinner on 11 November. "Your individual achievements have helped build up the community at UCT - and it is that sense of community that makes students and staff feel they belong here."

Price added that one of the building blocks for a community like UCT is the institutional knowledge and memory each individual contributes.

"Thank you for that priceless gift. I trust that you will leave with a sense that you also received from us, in the form of friendship, experience and the wisdom you have built up over the years."

Price reminded the retirees that they remain part of the university, and that they are expected to join Summer School courses, attend vice-chancellor's lecturers, cheer for sports teams, and attend performances at the Baxter Theatre.

On behalf of the retirees, Jean Graham of Information and Communication Technology Service thanked UCT for giving them the opportunity to work here, and wished the university continued success.

Graham said although the retirees are looking forward to some free time to explore other interests, they will miss their colleagues, the friendships they have made, and the amount of experience UCT has afforded them.