UCT communications team shines on the continental stage

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Communication and Marketing Department (CMD) has once again affirmed its position as one of Africa’s leading strategic communications units, winning two top honours at the 2025 IABC Africa Silver Quill Awards – widely regarded as the continent’s “Oscars of communication”.

CMD walked away with the prestigious Award of Excellence and the coveted Best of the Best Division Award, both recognising the team’s standout entry for the historic installation of UCT’s 11th vice-chancellor (VC), Professor Mosa Moshabela, last year. The double win follows shortly after the team secured a bronze medal at the 2025 MACE Excellence Awards for the same event. Overall, CMD won nine wards at the MACE awards.

For CMD, these accolades are not simply trophies – they represent months of creativity, collaboration, and the sheer collective will to produce an unforgettable institutional milestone. The project was led by UCT’s Brand and Stakeholder Relations unit, under the leadership of Aloy Gowne, who accepted the recognition with deep emotion and gratitude.

“You know, it makes me emotional because it was exactly a year ago that we executed this event,” Gowne reflected at a recent staff awards ceremony. “That entry outperformed many across the continent. But we could never have achieved this on our own. Colleagues across CMD, and those celebrating long-service awards today, all made this possible. And our executive director, Libo Msengana-Bam, gave us the space and trust to be creative. This award belongs to all of us.”
 

“This award represents how far we can go when we work as one.”

For event lead and seasoned coordinator, Rosina Van de Rheede, the awards are a testament not only to the project’s scale and historical significance, but also to the character-building journey behind it.

“It’s an extremely humbling achievement,” she said. “Hard work, passion, diligence, perseverance – all of that led to this positive outcome. Being appointed lead coordinator for an event of this magnitude is something I do not take for granted. It is a memorable accomplishment that many in my field dream of.”

Importance of working together

Van de Rheede described the Installation as a project where “many moving parts came together” to create a deeply meaningful experience for the new VC, his family, and the wider university community. The recognition, she said, is a proud moment for UCT and a celebration of the collaborative spirit within CMD.

“I am reminded of the African proverb often used by our VC: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. This award represents how far we can go when we work as one.”

She reflected on what made the award-winning entry stand out, emphasising the values that guided the project:

“The university’s commitment to its core values – transformation, inclusivity, excellence and shared governance – was central. The installation of our 11th VC signified a new beginning: a more inclusive, consultative and resilient future for UCT.”

Crafting a ceremony rooted in authenticity

For Nina Taaibosch, the head of Stakeholder Events, who helped shape the installation ceremony, the award feels particularly special – a validation of thoughtful storytelling and intentional design.

“This was the second VC installation I’ve worked on at UCT,” Taaibosch said. “Each one ends up reflecting the personality and values of the incoming VC. What made this ceremony stand out was its authenticity – we shaped something that felt true to this leader and this moment in UCT’s story.”

From shweshwe-inspired visual elements and symbolic blues and purples to emotionally resonant musical performances, every detail was selected with purpose. Survey responses after the event highlighted the choir and cultural performances as some of the most memorable aspects.

“I think the judges could feel the intention behind every choice,” Taaibosch added. “And they could see how many teams across campus came together. It wasn’t just CMD shining; it was UCT coming together to create a world-class moment.”

Passion and unforgettable moments

Executing the installation was not without its challenges. The team had to deliver two major institutional events just two days apart – the UCT Staff Awards, followed immediately by the VC’s installation.

“Managing two high-stakes events at that scale required intense resilience,” Taaibosch said. “And I was completing my postgraduate diploma at the same time, so the emotional pressure was real. But the moment the choir began singing in Sarah Baartman Hall – that was grounding. The whole hall seemed to exhale together.”

There were also moments of chaos: sprinting across campus, last-minute programme adjustments, complex logistical decisions and technical troubleshooting. But despite the pressure, the atmosphere on the day was exactly what the team had envisioned – warm, dignified, symbolic, and deeply human.

“When I saw the VC’s smile during the ceremony, I knew every ounce of stress had been worth it,” she said.

Planning with precision

Van de Rheede shared deeper insights into the behind-the-scenes coordination – an aspect that impressed both judges and colleagues.

“The pre-event planning began six months before the event, even without the official date, time or year confirmed,” she explained. “As the lead event coordinator, planning proactively was essential. So, when the executive-level planning committee was eventually established, we already had a draft programme and a clear execution roadmap, including post-event engagements, budget considerations and lead times.”
 

“Our team had a shared goal, a shared vision, strong communication, and clearly defined roles and accountability.”

Reflecting on her unit’s contribution, she emphasised the team synergy that defined the project:

“Our team had a shared goal, a shared vision, strong communication, and clearly defined roles and accountability. That collective commitment shaped the success of the 11th VC’s installation and ultimately contributed to CMD winning the IABC Award.”

She added: “These awards celebrate not just a single event, but the collective ability of UCT to deliver exceptional, meaningful moments that reflect who we are.”

Msengana-Bam congratulated the CMD team on the accomplishments.

“Receiving two Silver Quill Awards for the VC’s installation is a remarkable honour, not just for our events team, but for CMD and the university in general. This recognition highlights their meticulous planning, creativity and unwavering commitment to delivering moments of significance for the university community.

“The installation was a historic occasion for UCT, and the team’s professionalism and passion ensured it was executed with excellence. While accolades can never fully reflect the depth of expertise within CMD, these awards affirm the high standards our events colleagues set and consistently surpass. I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”