Award recipients who attended the award ceremony in person are from left Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg (Education Award), Mercy Malieloa (Young Alumni Award), Prof Andries Coetzee (Research Award) and Adv Lekgoa (Andy) Mothibi (Public Service Award).

During this hybrid event, which some guests and award recipients attended in person, while the others from all over the world watched the live stream, prominent alumni received awards in nine categories.

These alumni have all excelled professionally in their respective fields of expertise and made exemplary contributions to society – nationally and internationally.

The honour roll for this year’s recipients includes an advocate for the development of and research into the origins of Afrikaans, a leading light in the international training and development community, a born teacher who shares the secrets of code, and a star athlete involved in developing the next generation of champions.

Also on the honour roll are a legend in university management, an academic ahead of his time, an advocate at the forefront of fighting corruption, an acclaimed opera singer and a world-class tenor.