The highly anticipated  Marketing, Advancement, Communication in Education (MACE) Conference and Awards took place at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) from 27 November 2024 to 28 November 2024.

The conference ended on a celebratory note with the 2024 MACE Excellence Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Eureka Estate in Durbanville. The MACE Excellence Awards takes place annually to recognise and celebrate excellence and the achievements of specialists and practitioners in marketing, advancement and communication in the higher-education sector.

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) won three awards on the night:

• A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION 1: CAMPAIGNS-Brand-building Campaign – (Nelson Mandela Day CV Enhancement Campaign).
• A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION 2: MEDIA – DUT Social Media Campaign.
• A Bronze award of Excellence was given in DIVISION 1: CAMPAIGNS – Fundraising Campaign – (450 Fundraising Campaign).

Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT said that he was very proud of the entire team. He added, “Creativity and Innovation are key ingredients in the DUT Philosophy of Education, which shapes adaptive graduates who transform society. It’s good to see that same creativity and innovation is also deeply embedded in DUT staff, who consistently live the values and principles of our ENVISION2030 strategy. I am delighted that DUT has continued a trend of consistently being recognised at the annual MACE Excellence Awards since 2011 and I am confident that DUT will continue to shine in the years to come.”

DUT’s Advancement and Alumni Relations Director, Zwakele Ngubane, expressed his excitement on their two winning achievements. “The Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit is ecstatic about being awarded two Excellence Awards at the 2024 MACE Awards ceremony. We received an award for our 450 Fundraising Campaign which was targeted at raising funds and collecting food parcels to support the Phakimpilo Food programme. The second award was for our Nelson Mandela Day CV Enhancement Campaign where we assisted students and alumni to sharpen their CV’s and improve their chances of securing interviews and ultimately landing that all-important job. An important initiative considering the high unemployment rate, even amongst graduates in this country,” he said.

Mr Ngubane further reiterated that these awards mean a lot to his team since they are adjudicated by peers from all the Public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa. “This is a testament to the hard work being done by the DUT AARU team and this recognition further affirms that we are on the right track and are on par with our counterparts in the South African Higher Education environment,” he shared.

Sharing her jubilation upon the teams win at MACE was DUT’s Design Studio Manager, Noluthando Mchunu. She expressed that winning the Bronze Award at MACE in Division 2: Media for the DUT Social Media Campaign was an incredible achievement for her and the creative team at the DUT Design Studio. “This award represents more than just recognition; it encapsulates the spirit of unlocked excellence, which is a core principle of ENVISION2030, our strategic framework. This campaign is a testament to the power of collaboration across our university. It brought together skills and insights from various departments, showcasing the strength of teamwork in enhancing the DUT brand. We are immensely proud of how these efforts inspire both our students and staff, demonstrating the impact of innovative and adaptive approaches in promoting our values,” she added.

Mchunu indicated that the success of the campaign is also evident in the significant growth they had seen on DUT’s social media platforms during this time. “The increased engagement and numbers reflect the expanding reach and influence of the DUT brand. A strong social media presence not only fosters a sense of community but also strengthens DUT’s position as a leader in higher education, connecting with diverse audiences both locally and globally. This achievement motivates us to continue striving for excellence, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that DUT’s story is shared in ways that inspire and engage all who encounter it,” she said.

The two-day conference which attracted more than 300 attendees from higher education institutions across South Africa; featured an impressive array of speakers which included keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive workshops that covered the theme of Maximising Impact: Innovative Strategies for Transformative Higher Education Marketing, Communication and Advancement.

The Vice-Chancellor of CPUT, Professor Chris Nhlapo, officially opened the conference with his riveting talk to attendees via a video message. He explained that as Marketing, Communication and Advancement professionals, each person has a critical role to ensure that Higher Education remains relevant.  He also challenged synergies to ensure that the large majority of students are serviced appropriately, while also ensuring the quality of the offerings remains on par with international standards.

One of the charismatic keynote speakers on the first day of the MACE conference was Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of Gift of the Givers and Honorary DUT Doctoral Degree recipient.

He spoke on the topic of making education relevant in building South Africa together. Dr Sooliman explained that the country had fallen backwards in terms of ethics, compassion, professionalism, kindness and care.

He further explained more about faith and spirituality, a source of positivity and hope which he intertwines with his work. Dr Sooliman relayed that the aim was to have universities teach subjects that were relevant, that have a meaningful impact, so that students studying at university have a greater opportunity of obtaining better jobs.

Pictured: MACE award winners with their recent awards.

Waheeda Peters