At IIE-Vega Pretoria’s recent graduation ceremony, a total of 187 students - including 26 from IIE-Vega’s Online Centre - graduated through The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). The highly anticipated celebration culminated in the signature ribbon throwing ritual - a symbolic gesture that marked the graduates’ readiness to unleash their creativity, strategic thinking and commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world.
A highlight of the event was the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Awards, which recognised top performing students who graduated with distinction (75% and above) across every programme and or specialisation. Eleven IIE-Vega Pretoria Class of 2024 students were each honoured with a Pencil Award. IIE-Vega is an educational brand of the Independent Institute of Education (The IIE).
Among the recipients was Jacob Thacker, who received the Pencil Award for the IIE Higher Certificate in Video and Photography qualification. “Receiving the Pencil Award filled me with immense relief and pure joy! My whole life, everyone has expected me to produce academic excellence and when I’ve inevitably fallen short, I’ve felt discouraged. Every bit of work I’d put into my studies felt worth it with this award,” said Thacker.
He also felt that the Pencil Award was an accolade that proved his skill and passion for his chosen field and proudly added the Award to his CV to help set him apart. Thacker has been drawn to video and photography for as long as he can remember. “I’ve found myself behind the lens, attempting to capture life’s most beautiful moments, whether it’s capturing the African landscapes or showcasing the stories that connect us as people. I’ve always felt at home behind the camera. My love for wildlife photography stemmed from regular visits with my late grandfather to the national parks and my love for football photography began when my grandfather introduced me to football”.
Thacker thoroughly enjoyed his time at IIE-Vega Pretoria: “Living in a world where everyone has become lost in social media, the connection that daily life on campus provided became a crucial element to my success. Whether it was a discussion about work with lecturers or fun with friends, the connection campus life provided enabled me to reach my goals”.
Would he recommend his qualification to prospective students? “Absolutely! At the beginning of the year, my classmates and I were all at very different levels with our photography skills. The lecturers pace the work in such a way that, regardless of your equipment or skill, by the end of the year, we were all equipped with what we’d need to begin our journeys into the industry. I feel strongly that this qualification is the best one year qualification. Not only do I feel equipped to tackle my future, but I also feel confident that I’ll achieve my goals,” concluded Thacker.
He plans on taking his football photography career further. Thacker is accredited again this year to photograph the Varsity Football campaign.
Danielle Kleynhans received the Pencil Award for IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interior Design and The Ken Preston Research Excellence Award.
Ken Preston, long time editor of Brands & Branding and supporter of IIE-Vega since its inception, passed away in October 2024. This year, in his memory, IIE-Vega introduced the Ken Preston Research Excellence Award, honouring the top Honours Research report per campus and celebrating his love for storytelling and brand research.

Graduate Jacob Thacker (pictured) received the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award for the IIE Higher Certificate in Video and Photography.

Graduate Danielle Kleynhans (pictured) received the IIE-Vega Pencil Achievement Award for the IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interior Design. She was also this year’s recipient of the Ken Preston Research Excellence Award.
Reacting to both awards, Kleynhans said she was half expecting the Pencil Award but was in complete shock about the Ken Preston Research Excellence Award. “I couldn’t have done this without the support of my community, my Supervisor Pieter Swart and my Lecturer Courtney de Villiers (Research Senior Lecturer at IIE-Vega Pretoria). My research project was about the universal design of trains and train stations and how they don’t accommodate for wheelchair users. I wanted to create awareness about this. Trains are the most cost effective mode of transport but aren’t geared for people with disabilities. The designs could be more considerate. The inspiration behind my project was that the more I researched, the more frustrated I became because so many people with disabilities are affected. It’s an open factor that needs to be addressed but isn’t”.
Kleynhans has always loved architecture and how buildings are constructed. Through her studies, she’s learnt that there’s more to interior design than just architecture. “Interior design can make a room speak volumes without saying anything. There’s so much more detail in interior spacing”.
Her advice to future students? “You must be willing to work hard as it can be demanding. You must also be willing to work with people. This is an amazing degree, especially if you want to make an impact,” said Kleynhans.
She has been working as a Junior Interior Designer for a remote company, focussing on technical drawing and restaurants and retail work, since the end of 2024 and hopes to own her own business in five or six years.
Keynote speaker Tshepang Mafokane (Head of Brand Partnerships, Southern and East Africa Region) addressed the graduates saying they were there to celebrate the launch of something even more powerful than their qualification. “We’re here to celebrate the launch of Brand You. As marketers, designers, creators, storytellers – you already know what a brand can do. A brand moves markets. It creates culture. It challenges the way things are and reimagines the way they should be. But the most important brand you’ll ever build isn’t for a client. It isn’t for a campaign. The most important brand you’ll build is yourself”.
He walked through seven bold principles of the graduates’ personal brand strategy: Be different; Be strong; Be consistent; Be focused; Be creative; Be human; and Be communicative.
“As you walk into your next chapter, I have just one final request: Understand the difference between good and great. Good people are exceptionally competent in their function. Great people are the standard and the exception. They redefine their world. That’s greatness. So, don’t just be good at your job. Be unforgettable. Be the brand that we never saw coming. But now can’t imagine the future without”.
IIE-Vega Pretoria Pencil Award Recipients:
- Athlene Geddes - IIE Higher Certificate in Creative Development
- Jacob Thacker - IIE Higher Certificate in Video and Photography
- Kiana Els - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Brand Communication
- Maricia Strydom - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- Marisha Roberts - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design
- Raphaela De Ascencao - IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
- Rodé Marais - IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Brand Management
- Sybrandt van Niekerk- IIE Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Game Design and Development
- Talita Grewan - IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Digital Marketing
- Gia Sargenti - IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Strategic Brand Communication
- Danielle Kleynhans – IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interior Design