The end of 2025 brings a few exciting changes. First and foremost, I am excited to hand over the SAACDHE newsletter to Naythan Kayser. I have also learnt that several regions will be voting in new regional representatives over the next few months. As I bid you all farewell, I remain excited to learn about the regional activities in 2026.
Regards,
Ané
As we transition into a new chapter, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ané Craven for her dedication, creativity, and leadership in ensuring a smooth handover. Her footprints will leave a lasting impact on the work she has done in advancing the Public Relations, Communication, and Marketing portfolio, and I am deeply honoured to build upon the strong foundation she has established.
I step into this role with great excitement and optimism. Leadership transitions offer opportunities for renewal and innovation, and I look forward to further strengthening the SAACDHE brand and identity while upholding the integrity and historical richness that define our association. I am eager to collaboratively co-create with our members and regional teams as we continue to represent and celebrate the excellence of SAACDHE across Southern Africa.
Warm regards,
Naythan Kayser
Public Relations, Communication and Marketing Coordinator
SAACDHE National Executive Committee
Regional highlights
Free State
Regional Meeting
On 22 October, the Free State Region had an interactive regional meeting with attendance by the University of the Free State as well as the Central University of Technology. Our colleagues from Sol Plaatje University could unfortunately not attend. This served as an excellent platform to not only share SAACDHE matters, but also best practices.
DoDay Online Mental Health Campaign
The online DoDay Mental Health Awareness Campaign was implemented from 30 September to 31 October by Student Counselling and Development, University of the Free State. The campaign focuses on advocating for doing something small daily to improve your mental health. This year, Tobias van den Bergh, the DoDay creator, added an interactive online component to encourage engagement amongst our Gen Zs, using a platform called Genially.com.
UFS SCD has a new Doctor in the House!
Mrs Neo Ravhuhali, social worker on the UFS South Campus, recently obtained her PhD in Social Work at the University of South Africa. Congratulations, Dr Ravhuhali!
Vaal North-West
In October the Vaal-North West Region hosted another successful CPD presentation entitled “Parental Involvement in Higher Education” which stimulated much discussion amongst attendees. We are looking forward to what the new year will hold in terms of CPD presentations and invite all SAACDHE members to look out for the advertisements and to attend!
Vaal University of Technology’s Student Counselling Services ran a very successful Mental Health and Wellbeing campaign on 10 October 2025 to celebrate mental health day and raise awareness on various issues that relate to one’s mental health and wellbeing as a student. The campaign was entitled, “Smash the Stigma”.
Mr Mario Chauque from NWU Potchefstroom campus has been elected as SAACDHE President-Elect. We trust he will represent the region well and wish him all the best in this new endeavour.
We had quite a few regional members presenting at conferences this year, both national and international. Dr. Trishana D. Soni presented on “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Skills intervention for mental health and well-being” at the SAACDHE conference in Polokwane.
Supporting neurodivergent students
On the 28th of May, at the NWU Teaching and Learning Conference, Miss Bridgette Ntuli had a sit-down discussion with an Occupational Therapist, Marne Venter, on how lecturers can support neurodivergent students.
Marne Venter and Miss Bridgette Ntuli
The NWU DRU Potchefstroom Campus hosted its second annual Disability Support Day in August 2025. The aim of the event is to connect students and staff with services that support people with disabilities. Organizations such as BlindSA, Potchefstroom Hospital (Occupational Therapy Services), National Council For and With Persons with Disabilities), etc.
Miss Bridgette Ntuli presented the “Neurodivergent Students: What I wish my lecturers knew” project at the HEDSA Conference (South Africa) and University of Auckland (New Zealand).
Best region award
The region is very excited to have won the title of “Best Region” at this year’s conference. We are very proud of our members stepping up and living out our regional vision, and we trust that we will continue to grow from strength to strength.
As the year draws to a close, the Vaal-North West Region wishes all our members, as well as our colleagues in other regions, a blessed festive season and a prosperous new year!
Western Cape
Highlights of 2025 Engagements and Professional Development
Throughout the 2025 academic year, SAACDHE Western Cape Region facilitated four regional meetings focused on strengthening professional practice, enhancing collaboration, and advancing student development support within the higher education sector. These sessions brought together practitioners across institutions to engage with emerging trends, complex psychosocial issues and practitioner wellness.
Our final meeting was hosted by the University of Cape Town on 29 October 2025 and focused on practitioner wellness (Care for the Giver). Our guest speakers were:
- Mark de la Rey (Clinical Psychologist & Unit Manager, Akeso Clinic – Kenilworth)
- Imrah Isaacs (Occupational Therapist)
The final regional gathering shifted focus inward—to the well-being of practitioners themselves. Speakers addressed burnout, compassion fatigue and sustainable self-care practices essential for those working in high-emotion, high-impact environments.
The session was followed by interactive wellness activities such as:
- Painting
- Beading
- Colouring
- Sketching
- Card games
- A drumming session
These activities provided a supportive space for connection, creativity and restoration as the year concluded.
Watch the video about how the day at UCT unfolded with fun and excitement. You may be prompted to log in. You don’t have to request permission.
Personal development
Dr Charl Davids
SAACDHE proudly celebrates the academic achievement of its President, Mr Charl Davids, who has completed his PhD at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He will officially graduate in December.
His doctoral thesis is titled “A community’s participation in the development of a community-based substance abuse intervention programme in a West Coast rural community: A participatory action research approach,”
This makes a meaningful contribution to community development, participatory methodologies and substance abuse intervention research. The SAACDHE Western Cape Region extends warm congratulations on this remarkable achievement.
CPUT representation
SAACDHE is pleased to announce that Samantha Hanslo (Western Cape Regional Chairperson) and Louisa Pienaar (Administrative Coordinator) from CPUT will serve in their respective leadership roles for the next two years.
National Election Update
Warm congratulations to Naythan Kayser on being elected as the SAACDHE PRCMC representative. His appointment reflects his ongoing contributions to the sector and his passion for advancing student counselling and development across South African universities.
