Dear Canadian Alumni and Friends,

Welcome to our end-of-spring edition of the UCT Canada Alumni Newsletter! The year has been nothing short of eventful, with high fives, cheers, and tears along the way. 

As we say goodbye to Spring and usher in the best season (in my opinion) of the year, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the first half of the year, and to see what UCT Canada has in store for you, our alumni for the latter half of the year.
 

Canadian Alumni Events

UCT Canada Alumni Virtual Networking: Bridging Distances and Building Connections.

 
As Cherish (fellow UCT alum, volunteer, and networking facilitator) and I reflected on our 2023 efforts to engage UCT Canadian alumni in Toronto, we recognized that some were excluded due to distance, health, or family commitments. Drawing from our own experiences as newcomers to Canada, we saw the importance of inclusive community building for a solid network. Thus, we launched a virtual networking platform for UCT alumni across Canada and the US East Coast, eliminating geographical and other perceived barriers, within our control. To date we've successfully held four virtual meetings, connecting with alumni from Alberta, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, thus eliminating the barriers associated with traditional in person events.

If you haven't heard about these events, it is likely that you are not subscribed to our UCT Canada mailing list. To do so email info@uctcanada.ca with a request to be subscribed to the networking platform.

Celebrating Canada-Africa Chamber of Business's 30th Anniversary!

UCT Canadian Alumni had the great opportunity to attend and celebrate the Chamber's 30-year journey and to honor those who've played pivotal roles in its success. It is worth noting that some of the Chamber's corporate members actively recruit graduates from UCT and generously fund scholarship programs for students facing financial challenges.

Garreth Bloor, a UCT alumnus and President of the Chamber, has consistently shown his appreciation for his alma mater by providing a platform for UCT's Canadian alumni to connect and participate in the Chamber's top-tier networking opportunities. To him, we extend our gratitude!

 UCT Alumni, Chenai., Michael, Garreth, McKenzie, Nischal, Sam, Vicki and Baveena.
 

Sam, Garreth, and Chenai.

Canadian Alumni News

Henry G Blumberg, UCT volunteer, supporter, storyteller, humanitarian.   By Di Stafford.

Both Samantha and I are saddened to report the passing of Henry G Blumberg a longstanding supporter of UCT Alumni & Development in Canada.  Henry was centrally involved with the establishment and running of the UCT Foundation in Canada from 1993 to 2012.  After the closure of the Foundation, and the creation of the UCT Canada office, Henry was always on hand for encouragement and advice. 

 My children and I will always be indebted to Henry for unexpectedly meeting us at Toronto Pearson Airport after our exhausting journey from Cape Town to set up home in Toronto.  He was instrumental in helping me set up the office of UCT Canada in a city so foreign to me.  

Upon my retirement, he willingly took Samantha under his wing with wisdom, and encouragement not to mention passing on his many stories, and sense of humor.

Both alumni, Henry and Marcia met while studying on campus, with Henry graduating B. Laws in 1966. 
Henry began his law career in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, before the family immigrated to Canada in 1980.  

Henry undertook his grueling requalification by attending Osgood Hall Law School in Toronto and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1984.

The Blumberg's have always been keen supporters of UCT, hosting many UCT visiting dignitaries, and raising funds from theatre evenings when Baxter Theatre and South African productions came to town.

Henry was a man who gave of his time to many causes, both in Canada and in South Africa, and received the Humanitarian Award from the South African government in 2009.  The Henry & Marcia Blumberg Law Prize has been awarded since 2007 to a law student who has made an impact both academically and shown service to the wider student community.

Henry and Marcia both received the Vice-Chancellor's Medal from Vice-Chancellor Max Price in 2011 in recognition of their volunteer contributions over the years to UCT.  

 Marcia and Henry Blumberg, UCT VC Awards Ceremony, 2011.

Henry's interests were wide, and as a wonderful storyteller after retirement Henry turned his hand to authorship, and wrote two memoirs, Sean Left Quietly, and newly published Pocketknife.

We send our sincere condolences to the Blumberg Family, Marcia, children, and grandchildren.  
 

 Alumni Giving Back To UCT

Canadian Alumni stand out as one of the University of Cape Town's most significant groups of individual donors. Their unassuming yet deeply impactful generosity, regardless of the sum, has played a vital role in supporting financially disadvantaged UCT students, enabling them to enroll and participate in classes, thereby acquiring the skills needed to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Let's shine a light on two of these programs funded by Canadian alumni.

Canadian Alumni MBChB Bursary 

Over the years Faculty of Health Sciences alumni have consistently supported the Canadian Alumni MBChB Bursary fund. Last year the fund was able to top up the fees shortfall of 18 students who had received the National Student Financial Aid support. We thank our Health Sciences alumni for their continued support, and in relieving the fee expenses of these students, 11 of whom are in their final year.

Young Professionals Program

The Young Professionals Bursary was established by a group of four dynamic South African professionals residing in Canada and South Africa. The bursary aims to uplift and empower previously disadvantaged students in South Africa by providing financial support, mentorship, and potential networking opportunities for their studies at the University of Cape Town. The vision is to cultivate a robust network of individuals who can support these graduates as they transition into the workforce, with the goal of having bursary recipients give back, either financially or as mentors, to future generations. Through this generosity of our Canadian alumni, 2 students registered, attended, and successfully completed their 2023 academic year.

Upcoming Canadian Events

 Folks, there are a few more opportunities and excuses to meet and network before the snow comes! Remember to subscribe to our mailing list or connect with the University of Cape Town Canada Development and Alumni Office (UCT Canada) on LinkedIn to stay abreast of upcoming events and announcements. More information on each event will be shared closer to the dates so stay tuned!

Save The Dates

• August 31, 2024: Toronto Rugby watch party: Springboks vs New Zealand. Venue TBC.
• September 21, 2024: Toronto Braai Day/UCT and Friends of UCT End-Of-Summer Picnic. Venue TBC.
• November 4-6, 2024: Gatineau, Quebec & Ottawa, Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Africa Accelerating 2024 Conference.
• November 2024: Vancouver UCT Canadian Alumni Networking Event. Date and venue TBC.
• November 2024: Vancouver, South African Film Festival Canada (saffcanada.ca) Date and venue TBC.

For those of you in Canada and the United States, take care, stay in touch, enjoy the sunshine, stay cool and stay hydrated. For those of you elsewhere in the world, stay in touch and may you take care as well!

All the very best,

Sam