The South African Actuarial Development Programme (SAADP) organised a Golden Night Student Awards Ceremony on 26 September 2025. The function was held at the elegant Wanooka Place, Old Mutual Insure, in Parktown, Johannesburg.
Guests walked in to the steady rhythm of live drumming, which immediately gave the evening a warm, almost electric energy. Instead of the usual red carpet, a sleek black carpet welcomed them – completed with interviews and a 360° photo booth where students, alumni, and partners couldn’t resist striking poses and sharing laughs before the formal programme began.
The evening struck a nice balance between formality and fun. Yes, there were the usual certificates and trophies, for the top achievers. But the part that really seemed to draw the loudest laughs, was the round of playful awards. They didn’t celebrate top marks or perfect scores but the small quirks, the running jokes, as well as the everyday contributions that make campus life feel alive. In their own way, these light-hearted recognitions hinted at something we often forget – success can’t be summed up by transscripts alone.
Leadership and Encouragement
The formalities kicked off with remarks from Mr Ricardo Govender, Old Mutual’s Chief Actuary and Tshego Sebapu, Senior Specialist: Talent Acquisition at Old Mutual. Ricardo’s presence may have quietly suggested what many students were probably thinking: this is what the journey can look like a few years down the line.
Then came a stirring word of encouragement from the Keynote Speaker, Senamile Maveve, Standard Bank’s Equity Research Analyst and a SAADP Alumnus, who managed to strike that rare balance – serious wisdom delivered in a way that felt accessible. Adding to the atmosphere, Lehlonoholo SA SAX performed between segments, the kind of soulful saxophone sound that seems to slow the room down and let people breathe it all in.
Recognition, Networking, and Entertainment
What stood out was how alumni and senior students weren’t just in attendance; they were up front, handing out awards. That simple gesture reinforced what SAADP often talks about but can sometimes be hard to see – that mentorship and community aren’t side notes, they’re central.
Once the ceremony wrapped, the tone shifted. Dinner, laughter, conversations that spilled across tables, and then back to the dance floor. The DJ kept the energy high, while the photo booth – by then almost addictive – remained busy until late.
Honouring Transformation
The SAADP Golden Night Awards wasn’t just another prize-giving; it was SAADP publicly recommitting itself to transformation in the actuarial field. The evening made clear that not only academic excellence matters, but resilience also matters. If anything, the night was a gentle but firm reminder to students, alumni, and partners alike: the profession is stronger, fairer, also more sustainable when it’s inclusive.
