The University of the Western Cape (UWC) won eight accolades on 28 November 2024 at the prestigious national competition for specialists and practitioners in marketing, advancement, and communication in the higher education sector.

This is only the second year UWC has entered the Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) competition. Last year, the Media, Marketing and Communications unit won a gold and a bronze award. This year, the UWC media office, which pales in comparison to other higher education institutions in terms of staff complement, with just 12 staff members managed by Gasant Abarder and Nashira Davids, won five awards. The office – a unit in the Institutional Advancement Department (IA) in the Rectorate – is mandated with Goal Area 6 of UWC’s Institutional Operating Plan, which focuses solely on UWC in the public domain. 

IA’s Donor and Alumni Relations office won gold in the fundraising campaigns category for its annual Staff Campaign. This campaign stands out as one of the few university initiatives where staff contribute monthly to the Access to Success campaign, which raises funds for student micro-bursaries, enabling debt-free graduation. Now in its 9th year, the campaign is supported by a dedicated team of fundraisers who visit staff members at their desks to encourage participation. “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition. The success of the Staff Campaign reflects the unwavering commitment and generosity of our staff, who have made it possible for so many students to graduate debt-free,” said Vera Adams, Manager: Donor and Alumni Relations.

Marketing and communication at a university play a pivotal strategic function because they shape and manage the institution's public image, ensuring consistent communication with stakeholders such as students, staff, alumni and the broader community. Critically, they play a key role in crisis communication, media relations and reinforcing the University’s values and strategic vision, helping to attract potential students, staff and donors, while maintaining transparency and trust.

“In 2023, we only entered two categories, but our wins enthused staff in more units to pursue projects that could win at MACE. Their hard work and determination have culminated in these awards. I appreciate and admire this dynamic young team,” said Prof Anesh Singh, Director of IA.

The UWC Gets Wiser With WYSA campaign, managed by the Student Development and Support Department (SDS), won a silver award in the Brand-building Campaign category.

Prof Matete Madiba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: SDS said, “We are so pleased about this award. At UWC, we continue to work to make sure both students and staff are supported to build their mental health resilience through this AI- powered chatbot. We are thankful to the IA team who have worked tirelessly to make sure WYSA is introduced and is well known.” 

UWC’s Student Enrollment Management Unit (SEMU) won a silver award in the Events: Sing and Multi-Day category for its Top Achievers Awards 2024. 

"Winning a MACE Award is an incredibly rewarding experience, given the organisation's prestige and the calibre of institutions involved. It’s an honour to be recognised by our peers - there’s no higher validation than receiving acknowledgement from those who truly understand the dedication behind the work. At SEMU, we’re absolutely thrilled about this first award, and it fuels our hope for many more to come," said Laurence Corner, Director of SEMU.

View some of the award-winning UWC entries here:

Gold - First-Year Education Excursion

Gold - UWC Staff Campaign

Silver - Udubs Lifestyle Brand

Silver - Top Achievers Awards 2024

Silver - UWC Gets Wiser With WYSA

Bronze - Audio, visual and audio-visual: UWC On Air Season 2

Bronze - Writing for news channels: UWC celebrates excellence during its Summer Graduation

Bronze - Brand-building campaigns: UWC Caracals 

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