Reach for the top
GUEST SPEAKER: Gavin Mageni is a top CPUT alumnus
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
One of CPUT’s finest returned to the institution this week to encourage young graduates to reach for the top.
In his back-to-basics speech Gavin Mageni reminded the hall of the importance of small courtesies like greeting and looking neat at work.
Mageni, who is part of Executive Management at the Absa Group, graduated with his Human Resources BTech and Masters Cum Laude from CPUT and is currently completing his Doctorate through the institution as well.
The former teacher told graduates they needed to fall in love with their jobs regardless of how much it paid.
“As you venture into the job market find the sweet spot and make sure you never work a day in your life,” he says.
“Passion must overtake you. Be proud of your job. Earn it.”
Mageni also concentrated on the realities of entering an overpopulated job market.
“That piece of paper (diploma) will contribute 10% to your career,” he says.
Mageni told graduates that they needed to concentrate the other 90% of their efforts on things like appearance, interviewing skills and broadening their horizons by keeping up to date with current affairs.
“People make up their minds in the first 40 seconds about you so look decent and have an idea of what’s going on around you,” he says.
CPUT Vice Chancellor Prof L V Mazwi-Tanga encouraged the graduates to uphold the proud name of CPUT.
“Be our ambassadors and put in a good word for this university,” she says.
The third Business Faculty graduation ceremony continues in Cape Town on Tuesday morning and moves to Bellville that evening.
By LAUREN KANSLEY
Picture by CLIVE GALANT
Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za
News categories
- Advancement 13
- Alumni 77
- Awards 42
- Campus Life 20
- Community Engagement 158
- Disability Unit 12
- Applied Sciences 93
- Business & Management Sciences 90
- Education 96
- Engineering & the Built Environment 131
- Health & Wellness Sciences 89
- Informatics & Design 69
- Fundani CHED 25
- Funding 19
- GBV 16
- Graduation 80
- HIV/Aids Unit 39
- Know Your CPUT 65
- Libraries 18
- News 3720
- RTIP 286
- Residences (Accommodation) 14
- Staff 629
- SIIP 38
- Students 1288
- Student Health 43
- Sport, Arts & Culture 115
- SRC 4
- Student Affairs 11
- University Leadership 17
- Varsity Shield 17
- Vice-Chancellor 24
- Work-Integrated Learning 21
- THENSA 10
Latest NEWS
Cheerleaders raise the bar with provincial and national recognition
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Read more
