Ms Isabel Ncube joined the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town in October 2003 as Senior Secretary to the Head of Department (HOD) and Under Graduate Administrator. During her 18 years with the Department, she held various roles, including Senior Secretary, Administrative Assistant and Under Graduate Administrative officer. “I had the honour to work with four HODs; Prof George Ekama, Prof Alphose Zingoni, Prof Neil Armitage and Prof Pilate Moyo,” she says, reflecting on the years she spent with the Department.

“Stay true to who you are; storms come and go but remain unchanged by the seasons.”

“I will forever cherish the memories of seeing students happy after handing in their Research Projects and looking forward to graduation,” she says thoughtfully. Ms Ncube also enjoyed counselling and motivating students on various matters and found this to be very fulfilling during her career in the Department of Civil Engineering. The lesson she has taught the students she encountered was to “stay true to who you are; storms come and go but remain unchanged by the seasons.”

She is looking forward to her years in retirement and plans to travel, practice farming and do short courses to keep her mind young.