Published in May to commemorate Workers' Day, our annual #dayinthelife series spotlights our staff at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU). This year, we highlight professional administrative support staff who make a tangible difference in students' lives.
Naweed Mullajie helps shape student life beyond the classroom on Tygerberg campus, where he offers comprehensive support to our medical students. Whether guiding leadership, planning community events or simply listening, he creates a vibrant campus experience that nurtures wellbeing, connection and personal development.
What does your role at SU entail?
As TygerMaties cluster education coordinator and a student development practitioner on Tygerberg campus, I ensure that we take a holistic approach to student support. I focus on the out-of-classroom co-curricular education experience, which also has an impact on the formal education process. The so-called 'clusters' are groups of student communities (both residence and commuter students) who form a larger community where they can interact and collaborate on initiatives.
I support students' development and create spaces for them to learn, develop and form new relationships. I also serve as residence head at Hippokrates.
Since all students in the TygerMaties cluster study in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), interaction with the Faculty and other administrative divisions is a key part of my role.
What does a typical day at work look like?
Each day is different. There might be set things in your calendar, such as meetings or activities, but most days aren't that straightforward.
I work with both staff and students, so during the day, I usually have meetings with staff. This entails check-ins with the placement, selections and marketing offices, as well as regular meetings with my colleagues in the Student Affairs Division and the Centre for Student Life and Learning. There are also regular engagements with FMHS management, whether meetings of the Dean's Management Team, the Tygerberg Students' Representative Council, or the Advisory Committee for Tygerberg Student Affairs.
The most interesting part of my day is when I meet with student leaders to plan activities, and check in with students to see who may need assistance. This usually happens in their breaks or at the end of their academic day. We try to create a home away from home for our students, so support can range from helping them through a difficult time, to celebrating small victories such as passing a test that they dreaded.
And then there are the student activities – from debates on leadership topics, to engagement sessions on current affairs or other issues. We host game nights, karaoke evenings, book clubs, and walks. There are also dances and fitness activities, whether a sokkie dance, a hip-hop fitness class or a dance-off, whatever the students come up with (or whatever's trending on TikTok!).
How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job??
I have a background in finance, which allowed me to work in various departments where I was able to engage with students. When I joined the 肆客足球, I was based at the then Matie Community Services, which focused on supporting student social impact initiatives in the communities around our campuses.
I then moved to an academic department at Tygerberg campus, where I gained valuable experience on how the FMHS and campus operate.
Thereafter, I was appointed as the assistant accountant for Student Finances, working with all student structures and their finances, from residences and commuter student communities to the Students' Representative Council and faculty committees. This role was invaluable, as it allowed me to help mentor and advise student leaders. During this time, I also collaborated with Student Affairs to develop the co-curricular Financial Managers Development Programme, which is recognised on students' academic transcripts.
While working at Student Finances, I received a secondary appointment as an assistant resident head at Academia, and four years later, I was appointed as residence head at Hippokrates on Tygerberg campus.
My various positions have helped me develop the skills needed to support our students' development.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?
The feedback from students is by far the best part of my job. I have a box with messages that leaders and students have sent me over the years. Sometimes, we don't know what impact we have until we receive a moving note.
The moments of laughter and the engagement with students are also very touching. It's special to see students having fun, but also smiling in the face of adversity. No matter how difficult the test was or how challenging their day was at the hospital, they can come back to their residence and just talk, unwind and laugh a bit.
Tell us something exciting about yourself that few people would expect.
I am a foodie. I love experimenting with food and learning about the cultures behind it.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
