Greetings to all UKZN Graduates,

Alumni Relations has so far had a very interactive, happy and busy 2026. We have interacted with thousands of graduates from all over the world via email, our social sites and through direct contact. The year began with a video message from our UKZN Convocation President – Dr Qiniso Mlita – which provided warm wishes to all graduates and a re-affirming message from their alma mater.

Since February the Durban Alumni Association has coordinated a number of very interesting and well-attended tours and talks in and around Durban. These include talks by Dr Elsa Pooley and Samkelo Mhlophe as well as tours of the National Sea Rescue Institute: Durban and of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve. The entertaining and informative talks aim to provide a platform for distinguished alumni to share their journeys, experiences, and insights with fellow alumni, students, and the broader University community.

Alumni Relations in collaboration with the UKZN Foundation has met with many graduates at a number of lunches arranged in Durban and in Pietermaritzburg. These lunches allow graduates to interact with UKZN staff, receive updates on the latest developments taking place at the University and reminisce with each other about their university experiences. Graduates who are interested in attending such lunches are encouraged to make contact with our office via email: alumni@ukzn.ac.za

Alumni have also been interacted with at the successful Cape Town High Tea and Dinner in March, at a very well attended Wine-Tasting event on the Westville campus in May and at the Gauteng Lunch in July.

The CV and Cover Letter Writing Workshop in June was hugely popular and was done via Teams. More such workshops are planned for the remainder of the year.

The annual UKZN Alumni Weekend Getaway for November 2026 was fully subscribed within hours of sending out the email notification. The November 2027 Getaway is currently in the planning stages and notification of this exciting and much anticipated event will be emailed to everyone in February 2027.

All graduates are encouraged to participate in the activities planned by Alumni Relations, and we look forward to meeting you at a forthcoming event. Information of the events is placed on our social sites and also emailed out to those within the relevant geographical region.

In addition to the above – a number of new and exciting initiatives include:

The “Graduation Experience” Project

• Aim is to provide graduation assistance to students who battle to attend graduation due to financial reasons.
• Alumni to be requested to donate graduation gowns and hats/mortarboards.
• Aim is to assist ten students from each of the four Colleges.

The Monthly profiling of an Inspirational Graduate

Each month, we showcase a different alumnus/alumna across our social platforms — highlighting the diverse, powerful stories within our UKZN alumni community, spanning South Africa and over 120 countries worldwide.

We strive to continue to build and maintain relationships with our alumni and encourage everyone to please update contact details (mobile telephone numbers and email addresses), make contact with our office and to attend our events – we look forward to meeting you.

UPDATE DETAILS ETC HERE FOR OFFICE ETC

With very best wishes,

The Alumni Relations Team