In February ITs manager of business analysis, Benette Brink, celebrated 25 years at Stellenbosch University and her dedication was rewarded with a long service award.
This achievement was preceded by a stint at Tukkies where she started out as a computer operator and later a systems programmer. But initially Maties wasn’t part of her long-term career plan. After Tukkies, she became involved with the implementation of software configuration processes at the old Krygkor.
Eventually she ended up at SU’s Information Technology department – a department she would later run.
Over the past few years her focus has shifted to business analysis. Within the IT context it is Benette’s responsibility to promote the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to resolve the university’s business issues.
Together with her team of business analysts she translates the business needs for technologists, as well as technology for administrative, management and academic entities and also analyses processes in the development environment.
Being exposed to the different business aspects of the university, is what makes her work so stimulating. Where others shy away from change, change is her motivation and a changing environment marked by progress, is the one she feels at home in.
“My job isn’t set in stone and there’s always something new on the horizon”
But there’s more to life than work. In spite of a career mostly shaped and defined by technology, being close to nature still speaks to her upbringing on a farm. These roots show in small things like her love for orchids and the challenge to grow them.
When it comes to holidays or short breaks, she prefers somewhere quiet and close to nature. They seldom stay over at the same place and prefer exploring different towns and areas.
“Sometimes I have to escape to somewhere quiet to stay sane.”
When she can’t get away from the daily hustle and bustle, she escapes by studying property prices. Not for buying, but rather to keep up to date with current trends. To add some excitement she also escapes by reading – most recently the Hunger Games series – and watching movies: anything from art house movies like As it is in heaven to crazy action ones like Mad Max.
She admits being a home-bird. After 4:30 in the afternoon is her favourite time, at home, with her husband. And possibly a book … and a movie.
After almost 25 years IT very reluctantly has to say goodbye to Basil Pietersen.
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.
“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.
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!