‘UCT will always be your home’

“There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experiences waiting to happen. Some call it ‘retirement’. I call it bliss.” – Betty Sullivan

With these words top of mind, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) 2025 cohort of retirees will bow out at the end of the year and embrace a new season of their lives – one that no longer involves early mornings, a five-day work week and long to-do lists.

In their honour, UCT rolled out the blue carpet during a special luncheon and said farewell in fine style. The event was held on the lawns of Glenara on Wednesday, 5 November, and was co-hosted by vice-chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela; and the chair of UCT’s Council, Norman Arendse SC. The get-together brought together retirees from across the university for an afternoon of laughs and hearty conversations as they shared fond memories of the years gone by. During the afternoon’s celebrations Professor Moshabela also handed over a special gift to each guest as a token of his appreciation for their service.

More than 100 staff members will retire this year, the bulk of whom have spent more than two decades at the institution. A handful clocked in a whopping four decades and more on the service clock and the longest-serving retiree has been employed at UCT for 46 years.

“Thank you for your service to UCT.”

“Thank you for your service to UCT. Words are not enough to express or even to capture the level of dedication and commitment it takes to provide service [and] dedicate oneself to an institution for such a long time. Giving UCT that many years of your life is something [we] as the university won’t be able to thank you enough for,” Moshabela said.

Stellar contribution

The vice-chancellor told retirees that they have been instrumental in growing UCT and making it the university it is today.

“You are leaving behind a legacy; a legacy that will carry on for many years to come. I hope that you know that you’re leaving the university in good hands as you hand over the baton to the new generation,” he said.

As they prepare for this new phase of their lives, which, Moshabela added, will likely include pottering around in the garden and long walks on the beach without any disturbances, he asked that they don’t venture too far away so that the university can leverage their wealth of institutional knowledge when needed.

“It’s important that if we come knocking at your door inviting you to provide some support, some guidance, that you are able to get up and assist us,” he said.  “As you do whatever it is that you’re planning to do [during retirement], I hope that you’ll know that you are still UCT and you will remain UCT. UCT will always be your home.”

‘A big deal’

As part of the programme, two retirees were elected to speak on behalf of academic staff, as well as professional, administrative, support and service staff (PASS), and took to the stage to share a few words with their colleagues ahead of this new beginning.

Dr Lyn Horn of the Office of Research Integrity, who has been retired since the end of July and spoke on behalf of PASS staff, said she finally has time to meet her exercise goals and spend quality time in nature.

“Retirement is a big deal. For some it will come as a welcome new chapter, others will be less sure that this is something they really want. What can I say about retirement? First, there are no more Mondays. Mondays can be Saturdays if you like and that’s a very good feeling,” Dr Horn said as the audience chuckled.

Professor Michael Kyobe of the Faculty of Science, who addressed the audience on behalf of academic staff, said scholars who will retire this year have made an indelible contribution to the university’s research, and teaching and learning projects.

“It [their work] shows you how much effort people put in – developing potential, developing research. If we count how many [research] units are being developed, not only in commerce, in health sciences, law and others … we have all contributed in many different ways to see the success of this university,” Professor Kyobe said.

To new beginnings

As the programme concluded, Arendse thanked the retirees for their dedication and loyal service. He said UCT’s local and international standing is as a result of their hard work and commitment.

“You are the heart and soul and the DNA of this university.”

“You are the heart and soul and the DNA of this university. Today we lose some of it [but] hopefully all of you won’t be totally lost [to the institution] and will continue your relationship with the university,” he said.

“You’ll always remain special to us. May I propose a toast to all of you. We hope to see some, if not all, of you in the vicinity of UCT in the years to come.”