I am writing to express my support for Dr Teboho Seobi nomination for election to the University of Cape Town (UCT) Convocation Executive Committee. I have known Dr Seobi for just under 4 years in my capacity as a paediatric surgeon at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital where she was a colleague and a friend. I can attest to her exceptional character, professional accomplishment and dedication to the universities values. She not only cares about her patients but of the well-being of fellow colleagues and everyone she interacts with. In her time at Red Cross she was able to forge a good relationship with the nursing and anaesthetic teams, as well other theatre users outside of her department.

The UCT Convocation plays a vital role as an advisory body, with the function to discuss and state its opinion on any matter relating to the University and to build an engaged alumni community. Dr Seobi deeply understands this mandate and is motivated by a desire to ensure the Convocation is a strong, representative, and constructive voice that contributes to a fair and just society.

The Convocation Executive Committee requires members with integrity, a sound understanding of governance, and the capacity to advocate effectively for the interests of the university's diverse community. Dr Seobi's career has consistently demonstrated these qualities, particularly within the complex healthcare and academic governance structures.

Specifically, I wish to highlight the following key achievements that make them an outstanding candidate:

• Extensive Governance and Committee Experience: Dr Seobi has demonstrated a sustained commitment to institutional oversight and process improvement. Her roles included being a re-elected Council Member of the College of Ophthalmologists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (2020-2023, 2023-2026), and serving on the UCT Department of Surgery Transformation Committee (2022-2025). This extensive experience underscores her ability to navigate complex administrative landscapes and contribute meaningfully to governance.
• Leadership in Education and Assessment: Dr Seobi has made significant contributions to medical education. She served as the Undergraduate GEMP 3 Programme Co-ordinator at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (2020-2021) and was instrumental in the initiation and subsequent committee work

for Registrar Assessments at the UCT Ophthalmology Division (2022-2024). These initiatives highlight her dedication to maintaining high academic standards and improving educational outcomes.

• Professional leadership and Peer engagement: As the president of the South African society of Paediatric Ophthalmology Society (2023-2025) and the organizer of the national masterclasses for registrars (2022, 2023- 2024), Dr Seobi demonstrates strong leadership within her field and an ability to mobilize professional communities towards a common goal.

Dr Seobi’s vision for the Convocation includes ensuring voices of the Alumni are heard without fear of judgement or intimidation, fostering stronger links between the university, the alumni and communities from which they come from. She want to make sure that the university is not just a part of the Alumni’s past but their future as well.

I strongly recommend Dr Teboho Seobi for election to the Convocation Executive Committee and believe she will be an invaluable asset to the University's governance structures.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Akhona Mbonisweni (Nominator)

Dr Tebogo Seobi CV: