Adding to the Trophy Cabinet: Eleven MACE Awards for UKZN!

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is on a roll, having been recognised with an impressive 11 prestigious awards at this year’s annual Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards – a true testament of cutting-edge creativity and innovative storytelling at its finest!

Held in Johannesburg on Thursday, 13 November 2025, the University’s Corporate Relations Division scooped awards in recognition of outstanding work in various categories, including campaigns, media, and skills, showcasing innovative strategies and best practices in Higher Education marketing and communication.

The University had submitted 10 entries into the competition.

A highly anticipated event in the Higher Education calendar, the event is attended by representatives from various Higher Education Institutions across South Africa, who celebrate the achievements of their peers. The event also features keynote speakers and workshops, providing opportunities for networking and professional development.

The awards received included:

1. A Gold award for the ‘UKZN Philanthropy Digital Magazine’ in the Division 2: Channels category: Digital: Internal Magazines and Newsletters. The publication features inspiring stories of philanthropy from across the University community.
2. A Special Award for ‘Outstanding Research’ – a remarkable first for UKZN in honour of the April 2025 edition of the UKZN Philanthropy Digital Magazine that scored the highest in measurement and evaluation from all 309 entries submitted.
3. A Silver award for ‘Scouring Big with Durban City FC’ in Division 1: Campaigns, category: Stakeholder Engagement Campaigns, showcasing UKZN’s partnership with Durban City FC, focusing on football development, community outreach, and marketing opportunities in KZN.
4. A Silver award for ‘Elevating Sport at UKZN’ under Division 1: Campaigns, category: Brand-Building Campaigns, which fosters sporting excellence and participation for both elite and recreational athletes through improved facilities, new sports kits, and strategic partnerships.
5. A Bronze Award for the ‘Corporate Video’ in the Division 1: Campaigns category: Brand-Building Campaigns on the UKZN Foundation’s corporate video as a strategic communications tool to showcase its work and pivotal role in the advancement of UKZN.
6. A Bronze Award for ‘UKZN Golf Day’ in Division 2: Channels, category: Events: Single and Multi-Day, a key fundraising event which aims to raise funds that go directly towards supporting academically deserving students in need.
7. A Bronze award for the ‘Graduation Campaign’ in the Division 1: Campaigns category: Brand-Building Campaigns, born out of the need to enhance alumni engagement, increase donor participation, and create a new, emotionally resonant entry point for giving within the UKZN community. This was the first time the Foundation launched a campaign tied directly to UKZN’s Graduation season, recognising an untapped strategic opportunity to connect philanthropy with one of the most meaningful milestones in the university journey.
8. A Bronze award for ‘United Against GBV’ under Division 1: Campaigns, category: Issue Management Campaigns, which seeks to promote a zero-tolerance culture for gender-based violence through prevention, awareness, and support initiatives.
9. A Bronze Award for ‘Nurse to Doctor’ in Division 3: Skills, category: Writing for News Channels, an article on Dr Onazo Daniso, a young doctor and UKZN alumna (graduated in May this year) who began her career as a nurse. The article reflected her journey, which included raising tuition funds through crowdfunding, working night nursing shifts while studying, and ultimately graduating cum laude. It offered a rare and honest portrayal of what it takes to pursue a career in Medicine under challenging circumstances.
10. A Bronze award for the ‘Envisioning Future Self’ in Division 3: Skills, category: Design for Digital Channels – a motivational or programmatic theme which refers to the undergraduate recruitment campaign in which programme information was presented through simple, visually engaging posters rather than a dense, text-heavy document.
11. A Bronze Award for ‘See Me’ in Division 3: Skills, category: Photography: News, Feature Articles and Documentaries, a photograph taken during the 2025 UKZN Graduation Ceremonies, capturing a striking moment when a deaf graduate held up a note stating, “A deaf person can do anything a hearing person can do except hear”. The image – which included the interpreter standing beside the graduate, offering a reminder of the support available to students with disabilities at UKZN – was captured instinctively by one of our photographers.

Congratulating her team, Ms Normah Zondo, Executive Director: Corporate Relations, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive these prestigious MACE Awards, a testament to the tireless efforts and innovative approach of our Corporate Relations Division team. This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering impactful stories, fostering meaningful connections, and showcasing the exceptional work being done at UKZN. A huge thank you to our team for their dedication to excellence – let’s keep pushing the boundaries and telling the UKZN story with passion and creativity!” she said.

UKZN Foundation Executive Director, Mr Steve Camp, said, “The UKZN Foundation has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, and these awards are a well-deserved recognition of our outstanding contributions. They are a testament to unwavering dedication, creativity and exceptional teamwork. In a field as competitive and dynamic as ours, achieving such success is no small feat. The team’s innovative approaches and tireless efforts have not only set a high standard within the industry but have also undoubtedly contributed to the positive reputation and impact of the UKZN Foundation.”

Words: Sinegugu Ndlovu and Melissa Mungroo

Photographs: Supplied