AWARDS & PRIZES

VONA DU TOIT MEMORIAL LECTURE

Vona du ToitThe Vona du Toit award is a very prestigious award for Occupational Therapist who excels in the profession. The object of this memorial lecture is to honour the late Vona du Toit, who was a pioneer in the development of OT, encouraged research and promoted training for the practice of OT. The first lecture was presented in 1976 – see table below for more information.

A bit of background on Vona du Toit: Her studies and OT career

She studied OT at WITS and obtained her diploma in 1946.
She worked at a variety of places and established a few OT services as well.
In 1995 she was co-responsible for establishing the three year OT course at Pretoria OT School.
In 1962 she obtained her Teaching Diploma in OT at UP (with Honours)
In 1963 she became the principal of the Pretoria College of OT and the head of OT at HF Verwoerd Hospital, Pretoria. In this capacity she had far reaching influence on the practice of OT in SA. She lectured on creative ability, child handling, interpersonal relationships and philosophy.
In 1973 she became the first chairman of the SA Medical and Dental Council: OT Professional Board. Her work on the identification and restoration of volition and action will provide text book material for many years to come.
The Pretoria Multi-motivational Therapeutic Apparatus was developed through her formulation of the policy ans philosophy end extensive marketing through publications and demonstrations.
She inspired the introduction of work orientation programmes as part of OT.

Prizes and Awards

In 1986 she was awarded “Professional Woman of the year” from SA Business and Professional Woman’s Federation

SAAOT/OTASA

She served in many capacities including SAAOT President and Chairman of the Education Committee. She was also rewarded as Honorary Life President.
She was the WFOT delegate, elected as WFOT 2 nd Vice President in 1970, WFOT 1st Vice President in 1972 and WFOT Honorary Fellow in 1974.
She also presented various papers and presentations at national and international congresses.

Vona passed away on 12 September 1974.

Year Recipient Position Lecture title
2009 Dr Kitty Uys OT Wisdom from within: Finding modern truths in traditional proverbs.
2007 Vivyan Alers OT Proposing the social atom of Occupational Therapy: Dealing with trauma as part of an integrated inclusive intervention
2004 Corrianne van Velze OT Making new endings
2002 Prof. Pat de Wit    
1999 Madeleine Duncan OT Lecturer: UCT “Our bit in the calabash”: thoughts on Occupational Therapy transformation in SA
1997 Robin Joubert   Where from? What now? Where to?
1995 Estelle Shipham Head OT MEDUNSA Bolts and nuts: the competitive edge
1993 Dr. Rosemary Crouch OT Courage, conviction and confidence: fundamental elements for the survival of Occupational Therapy in the new SA
1991 Elna Jooste    
1989 Pamela McClaren/Haynes   How can Occupational Therapy in SA contribute to the attainment of rehabilitation for all?
1987 Dain van der Reyden OT Creative participation – 20 years later
1985 Dr. Hannah-Reeve Saunders Chief Medical Superintendent, Groote Schuur Hospital Occupational Therapy, occupational Therapists - and now?
1984 William Rowlands Director, National Council for the Blind Assertiveness
1983 Prof Marjorie Concha Head OT Wits Perception: Occupational Therapy in perspective
1982 P.V.Tobias Head Anatomy and Dean: Faculty of Medicine WITS The past and future of Occupational Therapy in SA
1981 Prof. F. P. Retief Rector Medunsa Occupational Therapy: its relevance for SA
1980 Valerie Claxton OT Title
1979 Prof Ruth Watson OT Lecturer, US The second mile
1978 Christa Meyer OT Let us do things in style
1977 Prof. G.T. du Toit OTASA Honorary President A suggestion and a challenge
1976 Alicia Mendez WFOT President Whither Occupational Therapy