UNIVEN ALUMNI
WELCOME
WELCOME AT UNIVEN ALUMNI !
The Office of Alumni and Convocation takes over the
responsibility of communicating, initiating activities and
executing public relations programmes with graduates of
Univen.
The Office is part of the Department of Public Relations and
Institutional Advancement.
We are very much aware that many alumni take special
interest in events taking place at their University.
You are encouraged to stay connected and involved in
Univen activities and therefore, also contribute to your
University’s development and good reputation.
You have for many years given us public perception about
Univen off campus. We wish to also inform you on
developments on campus.
You are the custodians of your alma-mater as other staff
members and lecturers come and go, but you remain
unshaken.
WHAT IS ALUMNI ?
An alumnus is a former registered student of the University
of Venda. This category includes certificate, diploma
and degree holders.
CONVOCATION ?
As per legislation governing the University, all persons who
Degrees from the University of Venda, the Vice-Chancellor,
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, Chief Librarian
of the University and permanent academic employees are
members of Convocation.
LEADERSHIP AND
ADMINISTRATION
Alumni Affairs are the responsibility of the Department of
Public Relations and Institutional Advancement.
Kindly contact Mr. T.G. Neluheni for more information :
E-mail : tshifhiwa.neluheni@univen.ac.za
Tel. (015) 962 8632
Convocation elects :
 The President and Vice President of Convocation
 Convocation representatives to the Council of the
University.
 Five members of Convocation into the Convocation
Executive.
The current Acting President is Mr. S.M. Ravhuanzwo. Mr.
K.C. Nemadzivhanani, the University Registrar, is the
Secretary of Convocation.
UNIVEN ALUMNI
MISSION
It is the mission of Univen Alumni Association.
 To act as ambassadors for the University;
 To co-operate in supporting strategic goals of the
University;
 To unite alumni, friends of the University, parents
and students, in an effort to establish and maintain
friendship at grassroots level;
 To help attract and assist prospective students to
attend at Univen;
 To advise the institution in its dealings with various
publics;
 To maintain close ties with their alma-mater, and
foster a feeling of loyalty;
 To assist and support the University in increasing its
academic standards;
 To participate in the governance of the University.
 To contribute towards institutional advancement
through donations / gifts in cash or in kind. Donations
are tax deductible.
MEMBERSHIP
Members of Univen Alumni Association
All members of the Convocation and everyone who once
registered to study at Univen are members of Univen
Alumni Association.
The University of Venda has changed your lives, and as a
Univen graduate, you know that.
The time you spent on campus, the classes you took, the
friendships you made have all played a role in your
professional and personal success and provided you with
valuable opportunities.
Alumni involvement enhances the value of a Univen degree
Being a member of the Alumni Association allows you to
stay connected.
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE CONVOCATION
The Executive Committee of Univen Convocation
( 2005 – 2009 )
 Mr. S.M. Ravhuanzwo - Acting President / Council
member.
0824123462
 Mr. M.S. Mukhavhuli
- Council member.
0836416546
 Prof. T.S. Phendla
0824538146
 Mrs. T.Y. Mudau
0722438737
 Chief Nthumeni J. Masia
0832568515
 Mr. Francis Mvundlela
0835734419
 Mr. Lufuno Mudzanani
0823318027
> Chief T. Makumbane
- Council representative
Mayor – Thulamela Municipality
0832293605
> Prof. L.B. Khoza
- Senate representative
( 015 ) 962 8393 w
 Prof. P. Mbati
- ex-officio
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
( 015 ) 962 8316 w
 Mr. K.C. Nemadzivhanani - University Registrar /
Secretary of Convocation
( 015 ) 962 8500 w
PRESIDENT OF
CONVOCATION
> No employee of the University may be elected as
president or vice president.
 No employee of the University may be elected as
Convocation representative on Council.
 The president of convocation holds office for a
period of four years.
 If the president for any reasons vacates his or her
office prior to the expiry of his or her term of office,
the vice president must act as president until the
convocation has elected a new president for the
unexpired part of such term of office.
 The president is the chairman of all meetings and in
his absence, vice president must act as chairperson.
 In the absence of both the president and the vice president, the members present must, under the guidance
of the secretary to convocation, elect a chairperson for
that meeting from amongst themselves.
 A meeting of convocation may be convened by the
president if he or she deem it necessary, and must be
convened by the secretary when a written request
signed by at least twenty members is lodged with him
or her, provided that the matters for consideration at
such meeting are stated in the form of specific
motions and no matter other than those stated in such
request may be discussed at such meeting.
DUTIES OF THE
CONVOCATION EXECUTIVE
 To administer the affairs of Convocation
 Discuss and on behalf of the convocation state its
opinion upon matters relating to the University or to
the convocation, including matters that may be
referred to it by council.
 Assist the University in Resource Mobilization.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The power behind Alumni Relations is the loyalty and
dedication of former students who join their regional
groups. These are called regional chapters. The alumni
may establish local chapters in a town or city.
ALUMNI REGIONS
The University of Venda has two Regional Chapters. We
have the Univen Gauteng Alumni Chapter and the
Univen Polokwane Alumni Chapter.
We have established interim committees in Mpumalanga
Province and the Western Cape.
UNIVEN GAUTENG
CHAPTER
The Alumni Office launched the Univen Gauteng Chapter
on Saturday, 16 September 2006, at the Burghers Park
Hotel – Pretoria.
The Univen Gauteng Chapter Committee consists of
elected members.
 Mr. Silence Mabadzhabadzha ( Acting Chairperson )
mabadzms@telkom.co.za
 Ms. Poso Mogale
PosoM@CCMA.org.za
( Secretary )
 Ms. Karina Mpho Malapane
mmalapane@npa.gov.za
 Ms. Mpho Nefuri
ofhiden@webmail.co.za
 Ms. Jane Mabotja
janem@chubb.co.za
 Mr. Lufuno Mulaudzi
Lufuno.mulaudzi@dac.gov.za
 Mr. Lawrence Netshifhefhe
Killabantwana2006@yahoo.com
 Mr. John Moloto
jmoloto@scorpion.biz
 Adv. R.M. Netshiavha
Bossmike2002@yahoo.com
UNIVEN POLOKWANE
CHAPTER
The Univen Convocation and alumni Office launched the
Polokwane Chapter on Saturday, 13 October 2007, in the
Ngoako Ramalhodi Indoor Sports Centre, Seshego in
Polokwane, the provincial capital of Limpopo Province.
The committee consists of elected members :
 Mr. Makonde Mutshinya ( Chairperson ) 0723136534
 Ms. Silly Moabelo ( Deputy Chairperson )
0725433414
 Mr. Collins Thagalu Munyai ( Secretary )
0762272040
 Mr. Tsar Magidi ( Treasurer )
0732760732
 Victor Mufamadi ( Spokesperson )
0731326223
Additional members
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UNIVEN MPUMALANGA
CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEE
Mr. Zeph Nekhavhambe
Mr. Maboku Mangena
Mr. Tebogo Chuene
Mr. David Mabilu
Tebogo Makobe
Phuthi Seloba
Cebile Khanyi
Violet Maleka
The Univen Convocation and Alumni Office established
the Univen Mpumalanga Co-ordinating committee on
Saturday, 07 July 2007, in Nelspruit; the provincial
capital of Mpumalanga Province.
Nominated members of the committee are :
 Mr. Ngodiseni Madzhiga
( Convenor )
Norman@afroshine.co.za
 Mr. Jasper Ngobeni
Jasper.ngobeni@mbombela.gov.za
 Mr. Stevens Shabangu
stevens@social.mpu.gov.za
 Mr. Collen Rabothata
Rabothata@arc.agric.za
 Mr. Makhetha A.M
Amakhetha@mpg.gov.za
 Mokoena Khulani
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
kbmokoena@webmail.co.za
Mtileni Hlupheka Noel
HNMtileni@dla.gov.za
Gadisi Rudzani
rgadisi@mpg.gov.za
Mudau Justice
justicemu@sassa.gov.za
Mamatsharaga Avhatakali
mamatsharaga@sanbi.org
UNIVEN CAPE TOWN CHAPTER
The Convocation and Alumni
Office has plans to
Establish a local Alumni Chapter.
Univen alumni in the Western Cape may contact a local
contact person to increase our database of our alumni in
the area, in preparation for the launch of the Chapter.
Contact person : Mrs. Dorah Mulidzi.
E-mail : Dorah.Mulidzi@capetown.gov.za
SCHOOL OF AGRICUTURE The Office of Convocation and Alumni also encourages
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
former students of different schools, to establish school
based Alumni Associations.
The School of Agriculture, Rural Development and
Forestry is the pioneer in this regard. The Association
was established on 13 August 2006, at the University.
The committee consists of :
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF
SCHOOL-BASED ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
Dr. Stanley Liphadzi
( Chaiperson )
stanley@wrc.org.za
/ 0832907243
Mr. T.R. Nepfumbada
( Secretary )
nepfumbadar@arc.agric.za / 0826002841
Mr. K.E. Tshipala
Khathutshelo@dbsa.org
/ 0828057410
Mr. O. Mathebula
oupa@vodamail.co.za
Mrs. R. Mathobo
mathobor@agricho.norprov.gov.za
Mr. T. Raphulu
traphulu@univen.ac.za
- To enhance the general development and
promotion of the University; especially, the
school concerned.
-To encourage and stimulate participation by
members with common interest through the
organization of meetings, lectures and social
functions.
-Linking the University with the community at
large.
-Donations for the promotion of development in
the school concerned.
Benefits of being part of the Association :
Members of the Association will be able to
participate in a wide range of School related
activities like :
-
School Reunions
Assistance in Fundraising
Invitations to talks and events
-
Networking
Research partnerships
Assistance in
mentorship
Ambassadors of the School.
UPDATE YOUR DETAILS :
Thank you
Title
Surname
First names
Maiden name
Preferred name
ID number
Postal address
Physical address
Work phone
Home phone
Fax
Cell number
Qualifications obtained
Year obtained
Student number
Occupation/ position & job title
Industry
I would like to stay in contact with you; and in order
to rekindle and maintain the relationship with
alumni, I hereby request that you send me your
current contact details. E-mail addresses are very
important. Kindly pass this message to a relative or
friends, who are former students of the University.
ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT The University of Venda has embarked on a project
called The Recovery Plan. The alumni of Univen
know that their alma-mater faces serious challenges
of :
 Space - lecture theatres / hostel
Accommodation,
 Equipments and
 Human Resource.
It is in this regard that the alumni are called to
assist in raising resources for the development of
their alma-mater. The money raised will go
towards one billion rand capital campaign. The
University has so far raised close to half billion
rands in the last two years. Alumni are asked to
take part in this campaign as demonstrated by the
Univen Gauteng Alumni Chapter in 2007.
The alumni are also encouraged to support a
Fund for needy but deserving students. More
Information is available at (012) 321 4345 and
(015) 962 8632.
EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
The Univen Polokwane Alumni Chapter has
Established and launched a Chapter in the
Ngoako Ramalhodi Indoor Sports Centre-Seshego,
Polokwane, on the 13 October 2007.
The Univen Gauteng Alumni Chapter hosted a
Fundraising dinner in Pretoria on 17 November
2007. The proceeds went to the Univen Foundation
to assist with the University’s Recovery Plan.
The Univen’s autumn graduation ceremonies took
place in the university auditorium on Thursday, 08
May and Friday, 09 May 2008.
Meeting of the Executive of Convocation on
Sunday, 20th April 2008; in Thohoyandou at 07h30.
Matters transacted included the following:
- Development on campus including the
appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.
- Progress report on the Recovery Plan.
Meeting of the Univen Gauteng Chapter Committee
on Saturday, 21 June 2008 in Pretoria with the
University management; transacting about campus
updates and Gauteng Alumni Chapter developments
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Univen Agric Alumni Association will host an
Agricultural Symposium on Thursday, 07 August
2008 in the University’s Senate Chamber.
The function will start at 09h00. The MEC
for Agriculture in Limpopo Province, Mrs. Magadzi
will deliver the main address.
For more information contact : Dr. S. Liphadzi at
(012) 330 9021 / Stanley@wrc.org.za ,
KhathutsheloT@dbsa.org or Nepfumbadar@arc.
Agric.za.
The Univen Gauteng Alumni Chapter General.
The date is yet to be announced but the function
will take place before the end of November 2008.
For more information contact the secretary of the
Gauteng Alumni Chapter. PosoM@CCMA.org.za
ALUMNI NEWS
The University of Venda is proud of all its alumni,
and some of them heed our call for assistance in
resource mobilization. For an example, we are
proud to single out two important alumni donors
viz. Prof. Dr. M. Tshifularo, an ear, nose and
throat specialist who donated R 25 000 -00 to a
bursary fund and graduation awards, from 20022007.
Mr. Moses Singo is another distinguished donor
since 2000 to 2008. He owns a company, SINGOFLORA which supplies most EU countries and
domestic market with fresh produce but
specializing in producing flowers for industries.