UKZN’s series of alumni lunch “get-togethers”, which are proving incredibly successful and popular, will continue in the eThekwini area and spread to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands as well as to other regions in South Africa in the coming months.

The hosting of up to 12 alumni at informal lunches held at pleasant venues began in 2022 and has continued this year. The format consists of a lunch, the opportunity to network with both fellow alumni/friends and members of the UKZN Alumni Relations team, and to forge relationships between attendees and their alma mater. In addition, these interactions enable UKZN to secure a better understanding of the many diverse and important careers of graduates and to discuss possible future collaborations with such graduates over lunch.

Collaborations include the possibility of these graduates running workshops, becoming ambassadors for UKZN and their College, attending Student Chapter meetings and encouraging students to pursue their chosen careers and offer advice, speaking at events, as well as providing access to UKZN to certain workplaces for fund-raising/mentorship opportunities.

The most recent lunch took place at Lupa Restaurant, Westville, in mid-October and was attended by graduates who represented all four Colleges with great pride. The attendees had an impressive array of careers – ranging from national government and local municipal positions, to medical, supply chain, education and science.

The feedback from participants has been hugely encouraging and provides support for the plan to
co-ordinate more smaller events with a limited number of guests. Attendees were provided with a gift bag.

UKZN’s Alumni Relations Office encourages all graduates wishing to participate in the gatherings to email: alumni@ukzn.ac.za.