By Thapelo Molefe
The University of Cape Town has paid tribute to its esteemed Registrar, Royston Pillay, who will be taking early retirement at the end of December.
With a remarkable 27 years of dedication and service to the institution, Pillay leaves behind a legacy of commitment and excellence.
“Pillay’s tenure at UCT has been nothing short of transformative… His presence will be greatly missed, but his impact will endure in the fabric of our university,” said UCT Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela.
During his time at UCT, Pillay has held various important positions, including head of the student affairs secretariat, faculty manager for the Faculty of Humanities and director of student admissions.
As Registrar, he played an integral part in the governance and academic framework of the university, ensuring the smooth functioning of critical governance bodies.
He successfully established a seamless online registration process through Project Harambee, greatly improving the efficiency of the registration process for students. Additionally, he oversaw a staggering 145 graduation ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of over 60,000 graduates.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Pillay ensured the safe continuation of graduation ceremonies by implementing a hybrid approach, which included virtual celebrations and outdoor walks of celebration.
Furthermore, he provided dedicated support across three council terms, demonstrating his commitment to the university’s governance and leadership.
Moshabela praised Pillay’s leadership, saying: “He has been the backbone of our administration, ensuring that everything… has been executed with efficiency and diligence. His quiet but steady leadership has made a huge difference to the student experience.”
The VC also expressed his gratitude to Pillay, for his “sterling” leadership throughout his tenure at UCT.
“His calm stewardship and dedication to the university’s interests at all times… have been very important in preserving the values and mission of the university.”
As Pillay departs, the university community remembers these words of wisdom.
“In the words of Desmond Tutu, ‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world’. Mr Pillay’s many ‘little bits of good’ have indeed overwhelmed UCT in the most profound way,” Moshabela noted.
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