For the past 22 years, the Durban University of Technology has been hosting the Sharon Wilson Award for top English students sponsored by Clive Wilson, husband of the late Sharon Wilson.
There are over 5000 students with over 46 diplomas taking English as a subject at DUT. There is no selection process for the English award. The winner is awarded the prize by acquiring more marks then the other students.
This year the price was set at R2 200, in commemoration of the awards turning twenty two years old. Wilson started this prize giving at R500. He started an Old Mutual trust fund some years ago, investing R2000 to carry out the awards after his retirement.
Patience Mutsvairigwa, 26, who was named the Top English Student for 2011 is a second year DUT Human Resources Management student. She is on the Zimbabwean Presidential scholarship, sponsored by the Zimbabwean government. Mutsvairigwa obtained 96 percent mark on the language, and gives all the credit to her lecturer; Nereshnee Govender “who made the language interesting”.
“I am so happy to receive this award. God is great; it is all by his grace. I am also honoured to be representing my country and DUT,” said Mutsvairigwa.
DUT English and Communications Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator Terry Herd said she remembers Sharon’s devotion to the students. Herd was Wilson’s friend and colleague and she speaks highly of her dedication to her work and to the University.
Clive Wilson gave a short speech before handing over the prize to Mutsvairigwa, encouraging the staff to continue doing a great job. “English is a global language, dominant in most parts of the world. I am proud of the English lecturers for teaching a world recognised language,” said Wilson.
The money in the trust fund has gone up to R60000 and it will continue growing sponsoring the awards forever.
–Nomvula Sikakane
Caption: Marion Wilson, Clive Wilson (award sponsor), Patience Mutsvairigwa (top English student 2011), Terry Herd English and Communications Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator at DUT and Nereshnee Govender part-time level 1 English lecturer at DUT.
