{"id":42741,"date":"2026-09-09T10:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T10:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=42741"},"modified":"2026-09-11T08:13:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T08:13:55","slug":"vuts-kimberly-kempkes-crowned-south-africas-pa-of-the-year-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/st\/vuts-kimberly-kempkes-crowned-south-africas-pa-of-the-year-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"VUT’s Kimberly Kempkes crowned South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

“VUT Executive Administrator Kimberly Kempkes has been named South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026 in recognition of her excellence, leadership, service and outstanding contribution to the Vaal University of Technology and the administrative profession.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

09 September 2026 | Story by:<\/strong> Nontobeko Moimane | Picture:<\/strong> Sifiso Nomzaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \n
\nVUT Executive Administrator Ms Kimberly Kempkes poses with the trophy after being named South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026.\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more than a decade, Kimberly Kempkes has been a familiar and reassuring presence behind the scenes at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), supporting senior leaders, assisting students and staff, and helping to keep the University’s operations running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, her dedication and commitment to excellence have earned her national recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kempkes, Executive Administrator in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, has been named South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026, one of the highest honours for administrative professionals in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award was presented at the PAFSA PA Summit 2026, held at the NH Hotel in Sandton on 2 September 2026. For Kempkes, the recognition is not only a personal milestone but also an acknowledgement of the important role administrative professionals play in enabling organisational success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is truly an incredible honour and one that I accept with immense gratitude and humility,” she said. “This award is not simply a title. It represents a journey of perseverance, growth and believing in what I do. It reminds me that hard work, dedication, passion and heart can take you further than you sometimes believe possible.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her journey at VUT began 11 years ago as a temporary assistant in the office of the then Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Research. She later served in a number of strategic support roles, including Acting Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director: Strategic Alliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These opportunities broadened her understanding of the University and strengthened her ability to provide executive-level support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Kempkes plays a key role within the Teaching and Learning portfolio. She provides executive support to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, coordinates and consolidates reports, assists faculties where required and helps ensure that information and processes are effectively managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I believe good executive support is often about what happens behind the scenes,” she explained. “It’s about anticipating needs, coordinating activities, solving problems and ensuring that the office continues to function smoothly and professionally.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond her organisational abilities, Kempkes attributes much of her success to her passion for people. Known for her approachable nature and willingness to assist, she has built a reputation as someone who listens carefully and offers practical support to both colleagues and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her guiding philosophy is simple: knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This belief has inspired her to mentor fellow administrators, support colleagues across departments and contribute to initiatives that strengthen administrative excellence at VUT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I often ask myself: What can I do to make a difference, and where can I contribute?” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of her proudest personal achievements was completing her degree in 2022, a milestone that reinforced her commitment to lifelong learning. Yet she says some of the most rewarding moments in her career have come from helping others overcome challenges, find solutions and achieve their goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of her work has not gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Grace Kanakana-Katumba, described Kempkes as an exceptional professional whose contribution extends well beyond traditional administrative responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“She has a strong understanding of university processes and always has answers for students and staff seeking information and guidance,” said Dr Kanakana-Katumba. “This allows her to add significant value by improving the efficiency of the work being done by staff while helping students navigate University processes with confidence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also praised Kempkes’s ability to connect with people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“She is a very caring and approachable person who genuinely listens to everyone and has a strong desire to help people. I have seen many students and staff arrive at our offices with concerns and leave feeling reassured and supported after interacting with her.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Kempkes, the award is also an opportunity to elevate perceptions of the administrative profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She believes administrative professionals are much more than custodians of diaries, correspondence and meeting schedules. They are strategic partners, coordinators, problem-solvers and custodians of institutional knowledge whose contributions are essential to organisational effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Kanakana-Katumba agrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“PAs are often the face of our faculties, departments and directorates. Their professionalism, efficiency and commitment to excellence have a direct impact on the student and staff experience,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kempkes credits continuous learning and professional development as key drivers of her success and encourages other administrative professionals to remain adaptable in a changing workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Never stop learning. Be curious, adaptable and willing to grow. The profession is constantly evolving, and every challenge presents an opportunity to learn something new.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, she hopes to use her national platform to create opportunities for others. One of her aspirations is to establish a mentorship and training programme for administrative professionals, beginning at VUT and eventually expanding to other institutions across South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Being named South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026 has given me a platform,” she said. “I want to use that platform not simply to advance myself, but to uplift, inspire and create opportunities for others.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is also quick to acknowledge the support she has received from colleagues and fellow administrators throughout her journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For VUT, Kempkes’s achievement is more than an individual success story. It reflects the University’s commitment to professional development, excellence and continuous growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Kanakana-Katumba believes the recognition sends a powerful message to the VUT community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This award demonstrates that we are capable of achieving excellence and that, as an institution, we have the ability to grow, innovate and become even stronger.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From her beginnings as a temporary assistant to becoming a nationally recognised leader in her profession, Kempkes’s journey reflects the values of perseverance, service and lifelong learning. Her achievement is a reminder that excellence is often built behind the scenes by individuals whose dedication and professionalism enable others to succeed every day.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“VUT Executive Administrator Kimberly Kempkes has been named South Africa’s PA of the Year 2026 in recognition of her excellence, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":42755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t