Campus Newsletter to Alumni: No 2 June 2016

NWU AlumniNewsletter / Nuusbrief

Table of Contents Message from the Campus Rector (acting): Prof Linda du Plessis

NWU: our new journey

Campus celebrates golden anniversary - 5 decades of impact

Unique student production portrays 50 years of growth

Our timeline (highlights)

Alumni 2016 – events overview

NWU Alumni Excellence Awards 2016

Members doing us proud!

Autumn Graduation Ceremony – revelling in academic excellence

Quack! Vuvu rewrites the history books

Mr and Miss NWU Vaal – meet our new brand ambassadors

First NWU Vaal Colour Fun(d) Run in aid of graduating students

Introducing NWUtv - an innovative digital channel to showcase the NWU brand

The team

We want to hear from YOU!

MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPUS RECTOR (ACTING): PROF LINDA DU PLESSIS

Time sure flies! Can you believe that we are already at the end of the first academic semester of 2016?

The cool breeze nipping at our noses serves as a reminder that winter is here, but all the wonderful things currently happening on our campus, certainly warms our hearts for the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU Vaal). The season has turned and the same can be said for the higher education sector in South Africa. You are all aware of the current turmoil in the sector which has, amongst other things given way to millons of Rands worth of damages at several institutions of higher learning.

Having said this, I would like to give credit to each family represented at the Vaal Triangle Campus. The foundation of respect, humility and integrity you laid have paid dividends. During the recent challenges within the sector – which saw many university campuses shut down, our Campus was able to continue with the task at hand, namely to prepare our students for the world of work. When other campuses experienced wave after wave of violent disruptions, our

students actively engaged in constructive discussions and came together to ensure not only stability but also vest a culture in which challenges are faced head-on and in unison.

Every day I get to see and experience first-hand what our staff, students and alumni are doing in the community, and it leaves me with a sense of great admiration and pride. In this newsletter you will get to read more about some of our achievements over the past six months – achievements which bear testament to the impact made by the members of our extended Campus community.

I salute every positive effort that constitutes change and that makes a difference in our community. This is the legacy that I wish upon our campus and its people: a culture of caring and giving that will continue long after the time comes for us to leave this Campus.

Very best regards,

Dear Alumni, Prof Linda du Plessis

Linda du Plessis

NWU Alumni

NWU: our new journey“Our purpose is to excel in innovative learning and teaching and cutting-edge research, thereby benefiting society through knowledge.”

The NWU finds itself on the threshold of a new journey where excellence, social justice and institutional unity will be some of the major guiding stars.

This flows from the important decisions the NWU Council took at the meeting on 20 November 2015. Council accepted a new strategy and a new management model for the university, thereby finishing the process started by the university’s strategy team in July 2014. After 15 months of hard work and consultation with various stakeholder groups of the NWU and finally with Council’s blessing, we are now ready to cross the threshold and start our new journey.

Our strategyTo transform and position the NWU as a unitary institution of superior academic excellence, with a commitment to social justice.

Our dreamTo be an internationally recognised university in Africa, distinguished for engaged scholarship, social responsiveness and an ethic of care.

Our purposeTo excel in innovative learning and teaching and cutting-edge research, thereby benefiting society through knowledge.

Our valuesWe will foster engaged and caring staff and students and embed the following foundational values, based on the constitutional values of human dignity, equality and freedom:• ethics in all our endeavours• academic integrity• academic freedom and freedom of • scientific inquiry• responsibility, accountability, fairness and transparency• embracing diversity.

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Campus celebrates golden anniversary - 5 decades of impactThe year 1966 has gone down in history as one

of the most eventful ever in the chapters of the South African story. It also marks the birth of the Vaal Triangle Campus as a higher education giant within the Gauteng province.

The year saw South Africa enjoy a home victory on the cricket field against Australia, the establishment of Radio RSA and a visit from the United States Senator, Robert Kennedy. Artists like Miriam Makeba, The Troggs, Simon and Garfunkel and Stevie Wonder featured on the international Top 100.

The year also saw the establishment of the Vaal River branch of the then Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE). On 10 February 1966 the first lecture – for BCom students, took place. A total of 79 students registered for the BCom degree in that year. Since then the Vaal Triangle Campus has grown beyond measure and today the Campus is home to more than 7 000 students and it has had a tremendous impact on the development of the region and the Vaal Triangle community.

The Alumni Office successfully tracked-down several members of that first BCom group, and during the year these alumni are invited – as special guests, to high-level campus events such as the Official Academic Opening and all alumni related activities.

Click to see more photos

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Unique student production portrays 50 years of growth“A toast to a family (NWU) we can be proud of and a wish that all your

dreams come true. To all the students who are working towards a better life for themselves and their families! To all staff on Campus for keeping the institution running - no matter what happens! To all our alumni for leading the charge and laying the foundation for generations of students. We would not have been where we are today without this Campus being our home away from home, and shaping us to be better people! To 50 years that have gone and 50 years more!”

Did you know that in 1966 a student could fill-up his Volkswagen Beetle for a mere R2.31? Even more beyond belief is the fact that class fees amounted to R150 for five subjects!

In celebrating this historic milestone the Campus staged a unique student production on Friday, 12 February, depicting the growth and success of what is today known as the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University. The play was titled: The Vaal River Branch Experience – A look at the past to the present and was written by Kinga Siejek – an alumna of the Campus.

The cast – which was solely made-up of current students, depict the life and times of three generations of graduates within a family context. You have a set of grandparents reminiscing about their student days, a mother comparing her student experience with that of her parents and her children, and lastly a current student in awe of the transformation of the Campus. The storyline mirrors that of a New Year’s Eve party.

Apart from the play, a number of models also paraded around the Campus grounds telling staff and students about the specific year each of them represent. A photo exhibition took the audience on a visual journey of fashion and popular culture while River FM’s playlist included music from across the 50 year spectrum.

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Click on the year to see the highlight

Our timeline (highlights)

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:• The vesting of several research focus areas.• Two dynamic faculties: Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Economic Sciences and Information Technology.• An expanding Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) which include Law, Social Work, Sport and Recreation Management, various extended degree programmes

and and postgraduate offerings that include a Master’s degree in Applied Risk Management, Positive Psychology and Engineering in Development and Management.

• An active and well-organised student life.• Modern and state-of-the art facilities, including the most recent additions – the Learning and Research Commons and the Building for African Languages

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Alumni 2016 – events overview

Mark these dates in your diary now and if you are not on the alumni mailing list – and would like to be (or if you are on the mailing list and have recently changed your email address), please contact Alwine on 082 802 9299 or send an email to Alwine.Naude@nwu.ac.za. Alternatively you can also update your details online at www.nwu.ac.za

Click to see more

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NWU Alumni Excellence Awards 2016

On 7 October 2016, during the North-West University’s annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, the spotlight will once again fall

on those NWU alumni who boast outstanding personal and career accomplishments and have made exemplary contributions to society.

This year marks the fourth rendition of the Alumni Awards and will see alumni competing in several categories:

1. NWU Lifetime Achievement Award (NWU Lifetime Achievement Award – for longstanding and exceptional contribution in a particular field of interest that benefits society and that enjoys national/international recognition)

2. NWU Alumni Award of Excellence

• Arts and Culture• Business Leadership• Community Involvement• Education• Research• Sport• Public Service

3. Young NWU Alumnus Award (in recognition of professional excellence displayed by a young alumnus in any of the 6 categories of excellence, as mentioned above).

“Good luck to all the nominees!”

Previous winners representing the NWU Vaal

In 2013 the Vaal Triangle Campus proudly boasted with three alumni amongst the Top 10 alumni of the University:

• Mr Eric Ntumba, Corporate Manager of the Commercial Bank Congo

• Prof Johann Coetzee, Industrial and Consulting Psychologist

• Mr Maans Pretorius, President of Seadrift Coke

In 2014 the spoils went to Mr Ettienne le Roux, Chief Economist at Rand Merchant Bank, whilst the esteemed Prof Anis Karodia – a professor in Botany, took to the stage in 2015.

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Members doing us proud!

Several members of our alumni fraternity have carried the NWU Vaal flag high during the first six months of the year.

NKOSI JAMES MOREMOHOLO

This 23-year old alumnus of the Vaal Triangle Campus is the author of the book “Mind Power (#iprayineverdiebroke)” – a motivational publication on the power of financial independence. The book can be bought in bookshops around the country

SARAH BOTES

Sarah Botes is not your typical 22-year old. This Industrial Psychology graduate became a household name in 2016 by being one of the top 4 participants in the prestigious Miss South Africa pageant.

ZENZILE RENS

Zenzile Rens has a message to share with the world: “I was saved to inspire.” For this alumnus these words ring true and it has motivated him to achieve many accomplishments – the latest being chosen as the National Spokesperson of the National Burn Association of South Africa (NBASA).

MELANIE LAW

Melanie was recently accepted into the North-West University/Macquarie University Cotutelle PhD programme. On top of this she has also been awarded the International Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship, which will cover the cost of her tuition, travel and stipend to study at Macquarie University for at least a year. The PhD programme represents an international collaboration between the North-West University and Macquarie University in Australia. Melanie’s field of expertise is editing, and particularly the way in which editors work with the language of texts.

VERONA GOSLETT

For many people, appearing in a well-known TV-series, reaching the finals of a TV reality show, presenting your own series on TV and hosting a popular radio breakfast show might sound like a modern-day fairytale. Yet this is real life for Verona Goslett. She is currently a co-host of the Simply Breakfast show on 90.6FM and the presenter of WildlifeRanching.tv – a Youtube channel focusing on wildlife and ranching.

LLEWELLYN VAN ZYL

Professor Llewellyn van Zyl made history earlier in the year by being elected as the youngest ever Chairperson of the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa. He is a registered Industrial Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and has completed a doctorate degree in the field of Industrial Psychology, specializing in Positive Psychological Interventions.

Click on members name to read more

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Autumn Graduation Ceremony – revelling in academic excellenceThe successful conclusion of the recent autumn graduation ceremonies once

again confirms the on-going growth on the Vaal Triangle campus. A total of 53 Masters Degrees were conferred in comparison with 35 in 2015; a total of 33 PhDs were conferred in comparison with 15 in 2015.

Over the course of the four days a total of 1 643 degrees were conferred. These numbers are an incredible testimony to the quality of teaching and learning taking place on the Campus.

HIGHLIGHTS

The first cohort of technical education students received their degrees at the graduation and we are proud to say that all students in this class have already

been employed at various technical schools since January. Another first and a proud moment at the graduation was the conferring of Masters Degrees to the first group of seven students in Applied Risk Management. The cherry on top of the proverbial cake was that four of these students obtained their degree with distinction.

The success of our students did not end there!

A number of our students enrolled in our extended programmes, achieved their qualifications with distinction.

Congratulations to each of our students – now proud members of our extended alumni family.

Click to see more photos

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Quack! Vuvu rewrites the history booksVuvuzela De Vaal™ makes a lasting impression wherever he goes. At just more

than 2 meters tall, this beloved goose has become synonymous with student activities on the Vaal Triangle Campus. Vuvu – as he is affectionately known, is the Campus’s official mascot and he has been part of the family since 2010.

In his early days he was a member of the editorial team of Student24/7 – the student online publication. As a columnist he hid away behind his computer and shared his views and opinions in the column: Vuvu’s soapbox. A goose of Vuvu’s social standing is however a free spirit and it wasn’t long before he ventured outside the editorial office to join in the activities on Campus. The rest is, as they say, history.

Known for his smooth dance moves and friendly demeanour, Vuvu enjoys a

great following. It doesn’t matter where he finds himself; be it at the annual Open Day, the CANSA Relay for Life, the Rector’s birthday party or next to the sport field, he has a way of exciting audiences and bringing them to their feet.

During the recent Autumn Graduation Ceremony he caused somewhat of a stir when he revealed the identity of the student in the Vuvu suit. You see, Charles Baloyi – who for the past three years have been playing the role of Vuvu, received his BCom degree in Financial Accounting. And how was the infamous Vuvu identified? By his gigantic yellow feet, of course! Charles proudly donned the feet one last time as he waddled across the stage to receive his degree.

In the meanwhile his successor is already hard at work as the new Vuvu and you will see him out and about on the Campus.

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Mr and Miss NWU Vaal – meet our new brand ambassadorsIf you thought that beauty pageants were just about high fashion and appeal, you

have another thing coming. At the Vaal Triangle Campus the annual Miss and Mr NWU Vaal pageant represents a celebration of confidence, charisma and above-all, talent.

This year’s rendition of the pageant took place on 14 May 2016.

The coveted titles of Mr and Miss NWU Vaal went to Lawrence Marlow (Oryx) and Zinhle Maseko (Thuthuka). The top three male winners were: Lawrence, Neo Makobe (1st Prince) and Stefan Coetzer (2nd Prince). The top three female winners were: Zinhle, Marilyn Angel McOliphant (1st Princess) and Boitemogelo Mmakou (2nd Princess).

The pageant – which took place for the fifth time, is a collaboration between the Directorate Student Affairs and Leadership (SEAL) and the Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC). Contestants showcased their public speaking skills, achievements, community service and talents to a high-profile judging panel and an audience of their peers, family and invited guests. The judging panel consisted of Portia Phele (Managing Director, Diepo Solutions Pty. Ltd), Orepheletse Phela Plaatjie (Founder and MD of Glam Clan on Request), Olivier Tshimbidi (Entrepreneur), Sarah Botes (Miss SA 2016 Top 5), Palesa More (Miss Commonwealth 2016) and Velaze Vinolia Mabele (Television actress).

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First NWU Vaal Colour Fun(d) Run in aid of graduating studentsThe very first NWU Vaal Colour Fun(d) Run took place on Saturday, 16 April

2016. The event – which left everyone who finished looking like they’ve gone head-to-head with a rainbow, was an initiative from the Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC) and was not only great fun but also raised much-needed funds to assist graduates with outstanding fees. The funds were donated to the Campus’s Feather Fund.

The event saw participants completing a 5km fun run and race marshals – at the various paint stations, did their best to cover participants in as much colourful powder paint as possible. It was a case of anything goes during the fun run; you could run, skip, walk or dance; you could dress all in white, break out the fancy dress or even don a tutu! Our alumni and community supported the event in numbers.

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More about the Feather FundPublic institutions such as universities are experiencing increased funding pressures, and the North-West University is no exception. Having said this, and taking note of the increasing number of exceptional academic achievers enrolled at the University – of which many are unable to afford tertiary education, the financial stress experienced by a growing percentage of students affects their ability to focus on their studies adversely. According to Mr. Silvanus Welcome, Senior Fundraiser at the NWU Vaal, this challenge requires an inventive and empathetic response to guarantee sustainable financial support for South Africa’s next generation of professionals.

The NWU Vaal Feather Fund represents an example of one such a response. The fund was established in 2012 as a strategic intervention to aid students whose financial situation may prevent them from graduating (because of outstanding fees). Through initiatives such as the Colour Fun(d) Run and the Young Alumni Homecoming emphasis are placed on the importance of an intervention such as the Feather Fund as well as on philanthropic partnerships, corporate giving and the vesting of a culture of giving amongst staff, alumni, business and industry as well as other role players within the private and public sectors.

For more information on the NWU Vaal Feather Fund, please liaise with Silvanus by sending him an email.

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Introducing NWUtv - an innovative digital channel to showcase the NWU brandThe NWU recently launched its official YouTube channel: NWUtv.

In a country where internet is widely accessible, YouTube, the video-sharing website, is not only popular but also a very handy tool for institutions and companies to communicate with their people. Having said this, the NWU as an innovative and cutting-edge university, will use this platform to communicate with all relevant stakeholders.

Heading the charge is Musa Zanempi, Brand Specialist at the university’s Institutional Office. According to Musa, NWUtv will serve as an important tool to communicate the new strategic direction of the NWU: “We believe it will be an effective instrument for Prof Dan Kgwadi – our Vice-Chancellor, to communicate important information relating to the implementation and workings of the new operating model for the university.” The channel will furthermore also be used to communicate achievements, community engagement, research and innovation projects and good-news stories to external audiences such as alumni, business, donors, government and prospective students.

“Apart from the channel serving as a handy tool to showcase the institution’s achievements, projects and developments, the channel will also bring all the stakeholders of the university closer together,” explains Musa and adds that the channel will contribute towards enhancing unity, especially between the three campuses.

Community engagement featured first

A series of exciting and informative videos about the different community engagement projects of the NWU were used to launch the channel. These videos give a very good overview of some of the university’s most impactful community projects.

In the future, this platform will also be used to launch digital campaigns.

“The NWU has a good story to tell and NWUtv is a good medium to tell it with. I encourage everyone to subscribe to the channel and look out for new content that will be published regularly,” says Musa.

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Summit to focus on leadership complexities

It is all systems go for the annual NWU Vaal Leadership Summit that is set to take place on Wednesday, 11 August 2016 in Sandown, Sandton.

The summit – which will see captains of industry and business, members of the national media fraternity, entrepreneurs and representatives of both civil society and government come together, is hosted in collaboration with the Ukuvula Foundation and will feature some of South Africa’s most brilliant business and public sector minds sharing their leadership insights.

The aim of the summit is to create a platform from which intellectual capital can be shared and, by doing so, contribute towards sustainable and innovative leadership in all spheres of the community. In addition, the summit aims to support the sustainable future, growth, and development of South Africa and the continent by exploring best-practices, ideas and lessons from visionary and forward-thinking leaders. Proceeds from the summit will be channelled to support needy and deserving students in the form of bursaries.

The Summit will be hosted at the Sandown Castle Estate from 09:00 – 15:00.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERSThe summit boasts with an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, including the likes of: Brand Pretorius (the retired chief executive of McCarthy Limited, the leading motor retail group in South Africa), Alan Knott-Craig Jnr (a highly successful businessman, best-selling author and social entrepreneur), Francois

van Niekerk (founder of the Mertech Group and co-founded Atterbury Property, South Africa’s foremost property development company) and Mondli Makhanya (editor at City Press newspaper) to name but a few.

The theme for the 2016 rendition of the Summit is: “Thriving during uncertainty and complexity – a leadership challenge.”

PARTNERSHIPS TO AID IN TRANSFORMATION AND EDUCATIONProceeds from the Summit will go to the Ukuvula Foundation, a charitable not-for-profit organisation that was established to coordinate and fund social development initiatives. The Foundation’s vision of “making a difference through shared learning, development and empowering people” is underscored by the fact that most of the assistance granted is in the form of bursaries for tertiary education. Students of the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University will also directly benefit from this initiative.

The Summit furthermore boasts with support from the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC).

REGISTRATION DETAILSDelegates interested in attending the Summit can register online or by contacting Charmaine Smith on 071 200 6852. Alternatively you can forward Charmaine an email. The costs involved are R2 000 per person and R1 500 for North-West University alumni.

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Director Marketing and Communication Warren.makgowe@nwu.ac.za

Campus Alumni Relations Officer Alwine.Naude@nwu.ac.za +27(16)910 3520

Editor Annette.willemse@nwu.ac.za +27(16)910 3180

Social Media Coordinator Magdel.vanrensburg@nwu.ac.za +27(16)910 3189

Lay-out and Design Graphikos Design Studio

The team

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We want to hear from YOU!Please send us your comments, suggestions and any other contributions you would like to make, for instance photographs or news snippets.

We value your opinions and input.

Please write and tell us where you are in the world and how your careers are progressing, or just write about anything that is close to your heart.

Email your letters to: Annette.willemse@nwu.ac.za or mail them to Annette Willemse, Vaal Triangle Campus, Marketing and Communication, PO Box 1174, Vanderbijlpark, 1900

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Annette.Willemse@nwu.ac.za

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