After almost 25 years IT very reluctantly has to say goodbye to Basil Pietersen.

Basil is the one person who will never walk past your office in the morning without saying good morning. And if he forgets (which rarely happens), he’ll make sure he does so later.

Over the years I’ve known him as someone who will always make time to talk, crack a joke and go out of his way to do something for someone else. And its exactly this need to keep people happy which led to the fork in his road.

In future his focus will be ministry – something he had to keep on the back burner since he was ordained as pastor in 2013. Now that his time will be a bit more flexible, a holiday might be a possibility for the first time in a while. And his wife Magdalene (Maggie), three sons, Bradley, Shane and Elvizo will be especially happy to see more of their husband, father and grandfather.

“Ministry is my passion. It’s who I am.”

He wants to improve the lives of others and is closely involved with upliftment in the community. Whether it’s through input on the municipal housing committee or social work, counselling and community interaction in Idas Valley. He also serves on the Idas Valley ministers’ forum and one of his main aims is to enable local ministers to work together and build relationships within the community.

But he won’t limit himself only to his own community – “I go where I’m needed”. Work in Transkei and even in the Netherlands lies in the future.

His colleagues agree. “[Basil] is a good counsellor who guides you in life. I see him as Information Technology’s pastor”, says one of his longstanding colleagues, Anthony Bailey. He’s always willing to help anyone, any time of day.

“IT led me to where I am now. I’ll never diminish what it meant to me.”

The challenges that user support can sometimes bring was never a frustration. He saw it as part of the growth process. Apart from acquiring work and technical experience, it made him develop as a person. And this brought him to where he is now – ready for the next phase of his life.

Data transfers were his specialty as it’s a time consuming process and he’s “as patient as Job”.

Do you still remember Windows 3.1 and XT DOS CW16? That was the software Basil used when he started working at SED (Central Electronic Services) in March 1991 as a supervisor in the cabling team. This was before the IT department as we know it even existed. Albrecht Bester, currently head of network infrastructure, was also his manager at the time. The team was responsible for starting the phasing out process of coaxial and Ethernet cables. A large task which would lay the groundwork for the network in its current state.

By completing his A+ qualification, a new path opened up for him and he started to train as a technician. During this time he was frequently thrown in the deep end and he had to swim to survive.

Being on stand-by afterhours was challenging at times. You are on your own and when there’s a crisis you need to make the right decision and this brings huge responsibility.

“Basil is a people person. And you can never take that away from him.”

By being on campus on a daily basis and interacting with users, taught him a lot about people. In time he could quickly determine how to approach someone, when to listen and when to rather keep quiet. But in the end, his main aim was to protect ITs name and portray a positive image.

Of course being born and bred in Stellenbosch and knowing many people also helps. This is where he belongs and where he’s at his happiest.

Going away was a difficult decision and made for many a sleepless night. But he knows he’s making the right decision and that a new phase is about to start. For the first time in a long while he feels both content and excited about what lies ahead.

“ITs people meant a lot to me and they’ve been there through the good and bad times. But above all, I have to thank by Saviour. Without him none of this would’ve been possible.”

After 28 years Helmi Dreijer, Information Technology’s Senior Director will be retiring at the end of 2014. “Retiring” might not be the correct term when referring to Helmi though. Spending time lounging on a stoep will only be on his list in ten years’ time, he says. Marida, his wife, also devised a few things to keep him busy with.

Everyone who know Helmi knows he has an unlimited amount of energy and that he’s always busy running around. He believes life’s too short and there’s too much still to do.

However, he is looking forward having more time for his passions – friends, family and golf (in no particular order). Especially golf of course. He professes he doesn’t have a golf handicap, the game itself is in fact the handicap. But he remains optimistic about his golf skills and believes they will vastly improve in a few years’ time. He also wants to convince a few colleagues to take up the game.

“Technology tends to consume and suck you in and then you don’t see the beautiful mountains surrounding us. Now I have the opportunity to enjoy the mountains more.” They’re looking forward to this new phase in their lives, but it will still include many of his old colleagues.

One of the most important lessons he’s learnt over the years, is to balance your passion for work with your passion outside work.

Technology has always been one of his greatest passions and in spite of his time at Information Technology coming to an end, he has various ideas and plans lined up already.

“I still want to contribute and make a difference where technology is involved.”

Higher education institutions will be depending on and using technology more and more in the future. Especially video-stream technology can create many opportunities for teaching and learning.

He was involved in the first eCampus project where the value of technology was highlighted. The second eCampus project is playing an even bigger role in enriching the classroom experience and also to broaden the university’s footprint, locally, as well as internationally.

He’s not too concerned about his legacy at IT. “The IT environment changes so quickly and 2015’s IT management already have exciting developments lined up.”

His biggest motivation over the years to go to work with a positive attitude has been the people. In time colleagues became friends and this is what he’ll miss the most.

“To get to work on a Monday and listen to everyone’s weekend adventures – who went hiking in the mountain, fell off a bike, went windsurfing and of course, did something great with technology.

Intellectual talks, the challenge to help solve a sticky problem and the opportunity to make a difference, provided more than enough daily motivation. He says it’s easy to be positive when most of his colleagues at the university have a positive attitude themselves.

“Success leads to success and positive thinking. Together with other university colleagues IT managed to accomplish quite a bit.”

He still remembers the first e-mail he and Herman Heunes sent from the Vax and PC and the excitement of the event.

His interest in computers was sparked in 1974 when the first Apple computer was imported to South Africa. He immediately started to disassemble it and tried copying it electronically so he and his friends could afford their own versions. It took a while, but on the West Coast, where he lived at the time, time stands still.

“My son was almost called Apple!”

At school mathematics, science and canoeing, rugby and athletics kept him busy. “All those things that get a boy’s adrenalin pumping.” He still believes one has something which scares you every day. Do something bold, but don’t be reckless.

At Stellenbosch he studied Engineering, first Electronic, but also Industrial Engineering. Later in his career he completed an MBA and at this point, became more interested in Information Technology.

During the interview for his position at IT, the Vice Rector of Operations asked him why he wanted to return to Stellenbosch. He replied by saying, initially one comes to Stellenbosch to become a full-grown person and that he wanted to recreate and continue this feeling of growing and experiencing things in Stellenbosch.

“Phew, Marida and me won’t give up Stellenbosch for anything in the world.”

There is nothing he won’t miss, he says. Even struggling with problems and battling to find a solution, in spite of technical glitches with 3G and Wi-Fi, wasn’t as bad.

Unfortunately some users initially though Information Technology was a general information service and could, among other things, tell you how to prepare frogs’ legs! Incidents like these made for light entertainment.

“The entire time I spent at Information Technology was a highlight. To be part of something bigger and make a difference is an amazing experience and privilege.”

She’s flown in a two person plane over the sea, went down a Breë River rapid eyes closed and occasionally she catches a tuna. One of these days a hot air balloon ride, jumping out of a plane and riding on an elephant’s back, will be added to that list. To imply Nita de Lange loves a challenge and likes to keep busy would be somewhat of an understatement.

When her feet are planted firmly on the ground, she’s responsible for project coordination, administration and financing of KKW requests and NIMs (repairing and fixing network points, etc.) During these processes she works closely with Facilities Management, external contractors and the network infrastructure team at IT.

“Project management is already part of my personal life, that’s why I try and do so many things. It’s also my passion to help other people, tackle projects and be able to make a success of it.” She also completed USB’s Project management course in October.

Thirteen years of experience in banking comes in handy when managing two properties in Gordon’s Bay. This, and the financial experience she gained during the two years she worked for a Home owners Association, led to her position as chairman of their Body Corporate. Even renting and managing property has its challenges, but for Nita this means exposure to a whole different area and she sees it as a positive experience.

“Do something for someone who can’t do anything for you.”

Last year Nita became involved with Die Ark in Faure, a charity organisation looking after approximately 1000 needy people, the homeless, the jobless, drug addicts and prostitutes. Even though it’s existed for 20 years, it’s always in need of help.

Initially she helped collecting Christmas presents for the 200 children living here. However, she soon realised she’d like to become involved on a more long term basis. she also realised it would be more than she can handle on her own and got 6 other people, Cheryl Cornelissen, Gareth Cornelissen, Terence Pietersen, At van Hout, Marijhan Hendriks,  Elma Titus, Michelle Pietersen and Petro Uys involved. Together they would like to try and improve Ark residents’ conditions and future and make a difference in the community. The project is a registered Matie Community Service Project and Nita’s also currently doing a course in Community Interaction  – something which inspires her even more.

During a 4 year stay in New Zealand she learnt to stay humble. Whether you sweep streets or have your own business, over there, everyone’s the same and your treat each other with respect. “Never think you’re better than anyone else.”

During this time in Auckland, also known as the City of Sails, she gained valuable experience in banking, but also learnt a lot about herself and how to be independent. But she also developed a love for the ocean. It was here, in a city with beautiful beaches and a culture of sailing and fishing, where she got hooked.

“You don’t mess with the ocean.”

The ocean teaches you a lot and you have to respect it. She’s been in many dangerous situations, among others, one where they struggled to find their way back to land due to a GPS that hasn’t been programmed yet. But she’s also been at sea for 13 hours straight. It’s a good thing she doesn’t get seasick.

Tuna and galjoen are quite common, but nowadays fish is becoming scarcer and a Fish Finder is necessary so you don’t aimlessly float around on the ocean. Turtles, sharks and even dolphins sometime accompany the boats – an experience far from her upbringing in Alberton. .

“I love living close to nature.”

And since South Africa has so many beautiful places, camping is the ideal hobby. “By traveling and seeing other places and cultures, one can learn so much about people and their habits.” The Breë River white-water rafting was a different and scarier learning experience – probably because she can’t swim.

At the safer end of the hobby spectrum, you’ll find dancing, tropical fish, bonsais and herbs. Bruno, a strong and clever border-collie and husky cross is a full time training project. One can safely say, she has more than enough to keep her busy.

If you’d like to know more about DIE ARK project, contact Nita at nita@sun.ac.za. More information will also be available soon on IT’s Community Interaction website.

In July, at the beginning of the new semester, we started featuring profiles on our IT staff. The reason for this was to introduce you to the people behind the e-mails and at the end of the phone line and that we’re really actually quite approachable, even if we’re considered IT geeks!

Over the past few months I’ve realised that we have some pretty interesting and cool people working at IT. (Even though most of them completely deny this of course) I’ve learned about which type of fish you can catch from a boat and what a “beeswagtertjie” is. I’ve been given traveling tips, found hidden talents and I’ve only covered about a tenth of IT’s staff.

But let’s face it, we’re like Telkom… or any service orientated company really, we’re always in trouble and people at the other end of the phone are hardly ever happy to talk to us. (Yes, we do feel a little sorry for ourselves, but that’s our problem.) In spite of this obstacle we still want to help and fix problems when we get the chance can. We hope, as you get to know us, you’ll pick up the phone or send an e-mail – even when you don’t have a problem!

You can still read all our previous profiles by clicking on the links below:

Wendy Robyn
Marinka Naudé
Jacky November, Anthea Davids and Jenny Watson
Pietie Traut
Quinton Luiters
Mandy Wanza
Petro Uys