Exception rather than the norm

For more than two decades I worked on university campuses in South Africa, from the University of Durban-Westville (UDW, KwaZuluNatal) to the University of Pretoria (UP, Gauteng) to the University of the Free State (UFS, Bloemfontein).

I started as a professor and head of department (UDW), continued as a dean (UP) and then took on the position of rector (UFS).

In all of those positions I thrived on the sheer joy of being able to teach, lead and live among undergraduate students.

I had an open-door policy for students and as rector would regularly have these bright young people come through our home.

PICTURE: CARA VIERECKL The students in Professor Jonathan Jansen’s book, Making Love in a War Zone did not live through apartheid and entered relationships with eyes wide open.