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PORTIA REDMOND STARTED HER JOURNEY GROWING HER MIND AT DUT AND NOW SAYS IT’S TIME TO GROW HER SOUL

PORTIA REDMOND STARTED HER JOURNEY GROWING HER MIND AT DUT AND NOW SAYS IT’S TIME TO GROW HER SOUL

The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Senior Director of the Division of Corporate Affairs, Mr Alan Khan hosted a Virtual Retirement Farewell in honour of retiree Portia Helen Redmond, Manager at DUT’s Design Studio, on Tuesday, 23 November 2021 on Microsoft Teams.

In 1981, Ms Redmond joined Technikon Natal Education’s department as a technician, creating and developing teaching aids. Her journey here travelled, from City Campus to the newly built Steve Biko Campus, where she moved office to the basement of Tromso Building. This opportunity led to a close working relationship with Pop Matherson (Manager of Print Services) and she was tasked with the responsibility to manage one of their staff on the Steve Biko Campus as their main offices remained at City Campus.

She indicated that this was the start of the Design Studio, previously named (Design Unit) and that the Design Studio has been ensuring the DUT corporate ID is maintained, installing brand compliant designs into the numerous innovative creations. She conveyed that she has had the pleasure to cross paths with so many memorable people at DUT, some who became invaluable to me, even walking her down the aisle on her wedding day, friendships, she added that she will always treasure.

The retiree was given a beautiful tribute and honoured in a special virtual function for her first-rate work excellence, contributions and achievements over the more than 40 years that she has served at the university.

The Programme Director at the event was Michael Zulu, DUT Student Recruitment Officer. In his opening remarks, Zulu explained the programme and expressed that it was a wonderful time to reflect, and for many of her colleagues to say thank you to Ms Redmond who had dedicated so many years of service to the entire university community.

Paying tribute to the dynamic Ms Redmond was Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director: Division of Corporate Affairs.  In his opening remarks, he expressed his honour in being given the opportunity to share a few words about such a wonderful colleague who has contributed so much, and who has unselfishly invested her time and energy.

“To a fantastic professional who has been a friend and a mentor to so many over the years, the amazing Portia Helen Redmond. My association with her goes back a number of years even before I had joined DUT in July 2011,” he said.

Khan conveyed that in 2005 when he was hosting the breakfast show at East Coast Radio, at the time, the DUT Alumni Association had presented him with the Silver Tusk Award in recognition of his achievements in broadcasting.

“So how does that relate to Portia? Well, a few years later, I was reliably informed that Portia who had nominated me for the Silver Task Award all of those years ago. I may not have said it before, but thank you. I’m extremely grateful for that nomination and the Silver Test trophy still stands proudly in my home,” he declared elatedly.

Khan also spoke on Ms Redmond being one of the most organised people that he had ever met in his life.

“Whether it’s her neat office, her specific notes, her well-crafted emails, or her attention to detail, she certainly has things covered. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her, and we have had many long and interesting conversations over the years. Most of it work related, but some well, we focused on travel and also health. She provided me with unbelievable support after my wife, Mariam, was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and to this day she will often ask about Mariam’s progress and offer me advice and encouragement,” added Khan.

He relayed that Ms Redmond had shown him that a colleague can make a difference in a person’s life by the day-to-day things that one does for them.

“You have made a meaningful contribution and a substantial investment in helping DUT achieve its goals and objectives. Thank you for working with me and our team and for giving me your consistent support, dedication and commitment over the years, I will miss working with you and I will miss our conversations,” he stressed.

Sharing her memories of Ms Redmond was DUT’s Deputy Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences, Dr Melanie Elizabeth Lourens who said that this is going to be the longest coffee break that she is entitled to take and she hopes she has many more coffee dates with family, loved ones and friends.

“You have been someone that I could have looked up to even ask for advice and guidance, and you have always been prepared to go the extra mile. Please remember us and we will definitely remember you and I hope when everything calms down I can have a cup of coffee with you,” she relayed.

One of her colleagues who has worked closely with her at the Design Studio was Anjie Ramjathan. She imparted that it was an honour and a privilege to have worked with Ms Redmond.

“For the past 22 cherished years, you have not only been in the manager of the department, but a trusted colleague, a confidant, a mentor and an inspiration, and I must add a workaholic. We have seen our fair share of trials and tribulations together, strikes, protests, moves, flooded offices, deadlines, a pandemic and much more. You have always been there when we needed you, a leader, a defender, a friend. Always pushing us to do and give our best but also ready with wise words of advice and encouragement, a kind smile, great sense of humour, a hug when needed. As much as I am sad to say goodbye, I will miss you immensely and wish you only the best in your next great adventure,” she expressed.

Adding her sentiments was Vasantha Govender, Marketing Manager at DUT.

She said: “What will we do in 2022, because Portia won’t be around to chase after the faculty officers or to chase after us for the Graduation project. Thank you for always making it a reality and making the graduation successful because you know irrespective of how much design we have and how beautiful it looks and how well-organised we are, if there’s no graduation programme for this session it just makes everything looks so bleak.

I want to wish you well and I pray that your health will come back to you. Please stay in touch and we do hope that when COVID is managed we will have a chance to have coffee with you. Best wishes to you.”

Sharing her encounter of experiencing Ms Redmond’s immense efficiency was Communications Manager at DUT, Noxolo Memela. She expressed that Ms Redmond is one of the most efficient people she knows from DUT and her efficiency in most cases some people might find that she’s strict, but then it also has to do with the demand of the service that she provides to the institution, and she voiced how very grateful she is to have met her.

“I recall when we went for the Marketing, Advancement and Communication Education, (MACE) and how concerned you were about whether I had eaten, if I was comfortable in the plane and you just kept checking up on me. I even came back and told my former line manager Sinegugu Ndlovu, that you are a super caring person. Portia was like a mother to me throughout the whole conference and I truly appreciated that and her constantly checking on me, even on WhatsApp when you just sent a message to say happy birthday or wish me well or find out what’s happening with me. I’m very grateful and I hope that even when you have left DUT we will keep in touch. This is not the end of the journey between you and I and our friendship and thank you once again for everything, for the guidance, for the assistance, even for the chats, you are a very wise person. That’s one thing that I know and I love how strict you are, regardless of whether it’s work or on the personal front, just keep at it and I love you very much,” she remarked.

When reviewing Portia’s biography, she indicated that the university has given her countless opportunities to broaden her skill set with ongoing training and access to further her education leaving her proficient in a range of application software packages which included Design, Illustration, Interior design, photographic arena, DTP and publishing as well as blogging and web design.

“DUT ensured an impeccable work ethic, moulding, and preparing me for this leadership role. For this I am so fortunate and grateful to have spent 40 years, and three weeks, being involved in this educational institution through evolution from Technikon Natal, then DIT and since 2013, DUT. The past 40 years have lead me here, and the future is now up to me as I embark on my new chapter, Retirement. My future journey also takes me to working with charity organisations close to my heart. I started this journey growing my mind and now it’s time to grow my soul. Thank you all for making the journey memorable. I wish you all well,” said Ms Redmond.

Toasting to Portia, was DUT’s Dr Emem Anwana who said it was not a farewell from DUT because she had not known Ms Redmond for very long in DUT.

“For me it’s a new chapter of friendship for the two of us, so I look forward to that. I want to say to you, happy retirement. I think it’s such a blessing that you have been able to make that speech that you made because there’s so many people who have had to leave work without being able to make that speech that you made. I wish you good luck in your future endeavours, and I wish you that you travel and you see all the places that you have dreamt of seeing,” she added.

Asanda Gibisela, Public Relations Practitioner at Corporate Affairs said that she hopes Ms Redmond’s retirement brings her added joy and fulfilment.

“Thank you for everything that you’ve done for me in the past five years now, all the best for the future,” she said.

Giving the vote of thanks, Govender wished Ms Redmond lots of travels and lots of quality time with her husband, Mark and thanked all the DUT colleagues for availing themselves for the event.

Pictured: Retiree, Portia Helen Redmond.

Waheeda Peters

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