Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner 26 August 2017

www.ufs.ac.za

Inspiring excellence. Transforming lives. Inspireer uitnemendheid. Verander lewens. Dr Khotso Mokhele UFS Chancellor PG

Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Recipient 2

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year is the highest honour VIAN CHINNER accorded to an alumnus in recognition of the recipient’s distinguished achievements. This award celebrates an excellent alumnus who serves to inspire fellow alumni, current students and the community at large.

Young Alumnus of the Year Recipient 3

This award acknowledges the achievements of alumni who have graduated LEAH MOLATSELI within the past decade and have contributed immensely to their fields.

Cum Laude Award Recipients 4-6

This award is bestowed upon an alumnus to recognise excellence in any DAVID ABBEY field, whether vocational or voluntary. JOHAN EKSTEEN ZOLA VALASHIYA Executive Management Award Recipient 7

This service award is presented to an individual who has delivered SARINA CRONJÉ exceptional service to the University of the Free State.

Kovsie Ambassador Award 8-9

The Kovsie Ambassador Award is bestowed upon an individual whose CRYSTAL-DONNA achievements have brought distinction to him/her, benefited his/her community and brought credit to the University of the Free State. ROBERTS FRANCO SMITH 2 Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

VIAN CHINNER Described by Gene Anderson, CEO of home-printed business cards he of Advanced Online Technology and made the necessary contacts on his The Billionaire Foundation ambas- first trip to the US, and from there sador, as one of the “most brilliant” on, he continued attending confer- people she had ever worked with, ences and events when the oppor- Vian Chinner epitomises ambition. tunity arrived. He started his career as a comput- At present Chinner is at the helm of er scientist when he applied math- Xineoh, a performance marketing ematical modelling to commodity company he founded in 2014. The trading while he was working at a company, based in , boutique trading firm in 2004. The and with offices in Cape Town, Or- following year he founded a trad- egon and Vancouver, specialises in ing company where he developed applying mathematical modelling proprietary trading algorithms that and machine learning to optimise consistently outperformed com- conversion in industries including modities funds in the US and Europe. real estate, mortgage banking and Chief Executive Officer: e-commerce in which Xineoh has Xineoh After analysing various global mar- kets and their respective opportu- generated more than $30 million in nities, Chinner determined that a revenue for its clients. business in online marketing could QUALIFICATIONS Chinner’s innovation and drive saw open doors to multiple industry sec- Xineo reach $1million in revenue BCom Financial Management tors and so in 2011 his first online during its first year, a figure which (UFS) 2010 marketing company was launched. doubled in its second year of op- Two years later he started Ylopo eration. Today Stanford Universi- Inc, a venture backed by Move Inc, a ty, Harvard University and a Fellow top-three real estate portal in the US at Intel Corporation are among the and focused on applying marketing investors in Chinner’s vision. This automation and machine learning to vision secured him $2 million of enhance the rental and real estate funding from US and Canadian in- search experience. vestors in 2017 which will be used In 2012 Chinner embarked on a to grow Video Llama, a one-stop self-funded trip to San Franciso personal shopping assistant for where he attended his first mar- video streaming; which will initially keting conference. With just a set be rolled out in the US market. Young Alumnus of the Year 3

LEAH MOLATSELI Having launched South Africa’s first her company was selected as one of legal e-commerce website with in- South Africa’s Top 10 tech start-up stant legal document download ca- companies for Seedstars. She was pability, Leah Molatseli is the perfect also nominated as one of 50 inspir- example of what happens when in- ing women in technology in South novation meets passion Africa. The attorney-turned-businesswom- With an interest in youth and wom- an began her legal journey in private en development Molatseli sits on practice in 2012 at the age of 24 the boards of Entrepreneurs Net- where she quickly worked her way working South Africa, an organi- up the ranks to become an associ- sation for South African entrepre- ate. After completing the Entrepre- neurs, and Phenomenal Women, a neurship Development Programme non-profit organisation with a focus offered by the University of the Free on empowering women in business State and with the MTN Foundation, through training, networking and workshops. the entrepreneur bug bit and Leno- Founder and ma Legal was born. Since Lenoma This driven mother of three is a Managing Director: Legal’s launch in 2016, Molatseli former president of the Free State Lenoma Legal has been listed in the Top 5 of the and Northern Cape branch of the 2016 QuickBooks and Saturday Sun South African Society of Labour Mompreneur Competition landing Law and lends her writing skills to QUALIFICATIONS her a feature in Entrepreneur mag- publications including SME Toolkit, azine which boasts a South African SA Labour Guide, Farmers Week- LLB readership of more than 200 000. ly, News24 Voices and She Leads (UFS) 2010 She also participated in the Bloem- Africa, while serving as the chapter fontein leg of the Engen Pitch and lead for The Hook Up Dinner Bloem- Polish business pitching competition fontein, a monthly networking in which she was placed third and community for entrepreneurs. 4 Cum Laude

DAVID ABBEY David Abbey is widely respected Passionate about education and for his integrity, sound business early childhood development acumen and commercial savvy. Abbey is involved in mentoring young A recipient of numerous accolades professionals and ran the Banking and honours, David has attracted and Capital Markets Financial In- offers from local and international struments Programme, where he blue-chip companies because of his guest lectured on investment bank- high intellectual and execution ca- ing, financial instruments, indus- pability. try and technical developments at University of the Free State, Rhodes While employed at Pricewa- University, Nelson Mandela Metro- terhouseCoopers, David Abbey politan University and the University achieved the highest ratings at the of Cape Town. PwC Advisory and Banking Practices serving as Vice-Chairperson of the Abbey is a Chartered Accountant, PwC Investment Banking special- who qualified concurrently as a ist group before being headhunted Certified Information Systems Audi- Acquisition and Leveraged by Rand Merchant Bank. There he tor (a global qualification recognised Finance Deal Maker: helped establish the Finance Target as the highest qualification for infor- Rand Merchant Bank Operating Model and after just seven mation technology and information months became the youngest strat- systems professionals). He joined egist and executive assistant to the the Association of Black Account- QUALIFICATIONS Chief Financial Officer receiving the ants in Southern Africa’s education BCom Hons Accounting coveted Rand Merchant Bank Special committee in 2009 and is a member (UFS) 2008 Service Distinction Award in 2015. of the Johannesburg branch board Furthermore, Abbey was selected as of the organisation as well as chair BCom Accounting one of 30 out of 40 000 employees of the database and communica- (RU) 2007 to take part in FirstRand’s Executive tions committee. He is the public Leadership programme in which he relations officer of an online motor- not only graduated with top honours ing publication, DriveRSA and is also but was recognised as most likely to a motoring journalist become CEO of the FirstRand Group to which the Rand Merchant Bank belongs. Cum Laude 5

JOHAN EKSTEEN At just 11 years old Johan Eksteen market on the African continent. had ambitions of being a stud breed- Agricon also exports to Germany, er. Six cows and one bull later, Johan Sweden, Australia and Asia. Johan was the youngest stud farmer to be has successfully tapped into new registered in the South African Stud markets by adapting equipment to Book – a business he grew sub- pelletise a range of products includ- stantially before selling in order to ing tobacco dust, vermin compost, cover his tuition fees. Today, Johan rooibos tea and organic fertilisers. Eksteen is the founder of Agricon, The MBA graduate received the UFS a Bloemfontein-based company Business School’s Entrepreneurship that designs and manufactures cost Award in 2013. This was followed effective, innovative and eco- by his first prize win of the ILO Free friendly pellets for the agricultural State Enterprise Job Creation Chal- and industrial industries. lenge as well as an Entrepreneur of After having established Agricon in the Year Award in the small busi- 1993 with his brother, André, Ek- ness category of the Sanlam and Owner: steen would in 2006 become the Business Partners’ Annual Entre- Agricon Pelleting sole owner and grow the business preneurship competition in 2014. into a global specialisation. His In 2016, Eksteen walked away as strong business acumen has led to Entrepreneur of the Year in the same QUALIFICATIONS Agricon developing its largest export competitions. MBA (UFS) 2005 MSc Sustainable Agriculture (UFS) 1998 6 Cum Laude

ZOLA VALASHIYA Zola Valashiya is a legal mind, an Valashiya co-found Debate Afrika, avid writer, a human rights advo- a voluntary association utilising de- cate and pioneer in debating excel- bate as a tool for both critical think- lence. An esteemed thought leader, ing and education in underprivileged he has served as Vice-Chairperson schools. of the South African National Univer- Additionally, he is the Schools Pro- sities Debate Championships (2013), jects and Campaigns manager for World Universities Debate Champi- Corruption Watch where he engages onships secretary-general (2014), with the youth on integrity, lead- and president of the Central Europe- ership ethics, accountability and an University Student Union (2016) transparency. in Hungary where he obtained his Master’s in Public Administration. This Zulu speaker is multilingual, having mastered nine languages Valashiya has lent his writing skills to including Afrikaans, SeSotho, Man- Al Jazeera, The Journalist and AMAZE darin, French and German. He is a Co-Founder and Director: (Online) Network and together with Brightest Young Minds alumnus Debate Afrika UFS alumnus Sibusiso Tshabalala (2013), Mandela Rhodes Scholar co-piloted the Africa Kusoma Liter- (2015) and a Young African Leader- Schools Projects acy Initiative which won them the ship Initiative Mandela Washington and Campaigns Manager: Google Zeitgeist Young Minds Award Fellow (2017) and presently features Corruption Watch in 2012. It was this passion for litera- on the Mail and Guardian list of top cy and youth development that saw 200 young South Africans.

QUALIFICATIONS LLB (UFS) 2014 Masters of Public Administration (Central European University) 2016 Executive Management Award 7

SARINA CRONJÉ Before there was Zola Budd there country and road-running athletes. was Sarina Cronjé, a woman who She is also the driving force behind today is regarded as a legend in the Kovsie long distance champion athletics world, both as an athlete Kesa Molotsane as well as Mthem- and trainer. bi Chauque, Marne Mentz, Bennie A former Springbok athlete, Cron- Prinsloo, Lizandré Mulder and Hein- jé’s interest in the sport began as a rich Brühns. Grade 7 pupil when she won her first It is the compassion, drive and in- cross-country event. Cronjé won depth knowledge displayed in her the South African under-16 title in coaching methods that has earned the 400m and it was then that she her the reputation of being one of knew her destiny. She went on to the most reliable athletics sport forge a lucrative career setting South managers in the country. African records in the 800m, 100m, 1500m, mile and 3000m in addition She is married to Danie Cronjé, to running the fastest 10km on the a great athlete himself who in road in 1980. Many of the records 1981 ran the then second fastest Head of Athletics: set by Cronjé remained unbeaten for time ever by a South African in the Kovsie Sport between eight and 10 years with her 3000m steeplechase. Furthermore, best times ranking in the top five of she is the mother of Olympic athlete all time in South Africa. and South African record holder Jo- QUALIFICATIONS Joining the Kovsie Sport family in the han Cronjé whom she also trained. Bachelor of Science 1990s, Cronjé is a seasoned trainer Her other sons are actor Hendrik (UFS) 1977 for national middle- and long-dis- Cronjé and Danie Cronjé jnr, an Postgraduate Diploma in tance athletes as well as cross- attorney and businessman. Higher Education (UFS) 1983 8 Kovsie Ambassador Award

CRYSTAL-DONNA ROBERTS The public first took note of Crys- her portrayal of her character. It was tal-Donna Roberts as a presenter on the first South African film nominat- SABC 2 entertainment and lifestyle ed to compete for The Golden Lion show Pasella. Since then the bub- Award at the Venice Film Festival. bly personality has chosen to wow Moreover, Roberts became the first her audience with her acting, rather South African to be nominated in the than her presenting, abilities. best actress category at the same festival. After she graduated Roberts worked as a bar tender before relocating Presently she is playing the lead to Cape Town where she became a role in the internationally acclaimed high school drama teacher for six film, Krotoa. It has won numerous months. Not content with teaching awards including Best Film at the and yearning to occupy the stage, Harlem International Film Festival in Roberts jumped into the world of New York. It also won: the Award of freelance acting, getting her first Excellence at the International Film Festival for Women: Social Issues Actress fruitful gig after five months without an income. and Zero Discrimination; Best of Show at the Depth of Field Interna- QUALIFICATIONS An active television, theatre and tional Film Festival; Platinum Award BA Drama and Theatre Arts film actress, Roberts has appeared at the International Movie Awards; (UFS) 2005 in a multitude of theatre produc- Diamond Award at the Filmmakers tions in addition to starring in Afri- World Festival; Best of Show at the kaans soap opera 7de Laan, Getroud IndieFEST Film Awards; Award of Ex- Met Rugby, Montana and Vallei van cellence Special Mention: Women Sluiers in which she won public Filmmakers at the Accolade Global favour. However, it was her role Film Competition; and World Plat- in the 2015 film, The Endless inumAward at the World Woman River, which earned her praise for Awards. Kovsie Ambassador Award 9

FRANCO SMITH Born in Lichtenburg, Smith got his backline coach a year later. It was first taste of professional rugby after not long before he returned to Italy being selected in 1999 for the Free as head coach of his former side Tre- State Under-18 team. viso, guiding them to two National He became a regular on the Free Championship of Excellence titles State Under-20 and the UFS Shimlas from 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 in teams prior to his Free State Chee- addition to an Italian Supercup and tahs debut in 1992. Coppa Italia in 2009 and 2010. Smith was reappointed backline coach of Smith would later have a stint play- the and head coach of the ing for the Kimberley based Shimlas in 2015. He led them to their (1996) and (1998) during which first Varsity Cup title that year. time he became South Africa’s lead- ing points scorer. Between then and In 2015 Smith was appointed head 2005 Franco played for the , coach of the Welsh team Newport, as well as Ital- before switching roles with former ian club Treviso, with whom he won head of Free State Rugby and pres- the National Championship of Excel- ent head coach Rory Duncan ear- Director: lence in 2002–2003 and in 2003– lier this year to take on the task of Free State Rugby 2004 and also won the Coppa Italia heading Free State Rugby. Assistant Coach: in 2005. Smith has also played nine test Springboks Smith’s foray into coaching began in matches for South Africa and with a 2005 after he retired from playing playing and coaching career as illus- professionally. He was appointed as trious as his, the name Franco Smith QUALIFICATIONS technical adviser for the Free State should not be foreign to true rugby BA Human Cheetahs before becoming their connoisseurs. Movement Sciences (UFS) 1996 Welcome back home

BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS SOUTH CAMPUS

QWAQWA CAMPUS

NAVAL HILL PLANETARIUM www.ufs.ac.zaT: +27 51 401 9343 | [email protected] | www.ufs.ac.za