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11 December 2018 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Sonia Small
David Abbey
David Abbey is also serving on the UFS Council’s Finance, Audit, Risk and IT Governance Committee.

David Abbey, a senior banker and transactor in the Acquisition and Leveraged Finance Division at Rand Merchant Bank in Johannesburg, was appointed to the UFS Council.

An undergraduate student of Rhodes University, David is also a proud product of the UFS, having completed his Accounting honours degree at this university. For the past few years, he has also guest lectured on investment banking and financial instruments to Accounting honours students as part of the PwC Financial Instruments Programme.

Large-scale impact

Therefore, his appointment to the Council is particularly special to him.

“Being a member of the Council gives me the platform to have a more large-scale impact on the institution, academic community, the economy, and society. I’m thrilled to be serving alongside an astute body of incredible individuals from whom I will undoubtedly learn,” he says.

Realising his full potential

David is serving on the Council’s Finance, Audit, Risk and IT Governance Committee and his experience in, and knowledge of finance, technology, and audit skills will stand him in good stead. When he’s not developing and structuring innovative, multidisciplinary, and integrated financial solutions for his corporate clients, he loves to be active. He is a regular gym-goer and plays and watches all kinds of sport. Travel, the arts, and motoring are some of his other passions. 

On a personal level, there is still much he wants to achieve. “I want to continue to work hard, using my God-given talents to realise my full potential and to make a humble mark in society and in people’s lives.”

News Archive

UFS architects receive SAIA award
2003-11-07

Two staff members of the University of the Free State’s Department of Architecture received a merit award from the South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) for the unique way in which they designed their home.

Prof Jan and Mrs Petria Smit’s home in Waverley, Bloemfontein is built against a hill and designed in such a way that the natural surroundings are retained. The house is built on various levels and open spaces and a lot of light is used. The children’s rooms are for example not built up to the ceiling in order to break walls out if more space is needed.

For the two architects the natural surroundings in the cityscape depict an African mask because the strong face-like public image is sheltering the inhabitants behind it.

A total of 12 architectural projects country wide received merit awards from the SAIA. Some of the projects include the South African Apartheids Museum, Unilever’s Head Office in Durban, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in Nelspruit and the Westcliff Estate in Johannesburg. The Smit residence is one of only two residences that received merit awards.

From these projects the PG Group SAIA Award for Excellence will be awarded in August 2004. This is the highest accolade that the SAIA and the architectural profession can accord to a building.

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