Dear alumni

One of the big differences between a horse race, a relay race and a rat race is that the first two end. The rat race does not.

In this edition of the NWU & U, we compare the preparation for a horse race to grooming our students for the world of work. We also compare Prof Daryl Balia’s succession of Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg as deputy vice-chancellor on the campus in Potchefstroom to taking over the baton in a relay race.

And then there’s the rat race. This conjures up different images. Some of us see an image of rats racing each other for a tempting reward such as a piece of cheese. Others see a rat running on a treadmill, going nowhere fast.

Fortunately the rat race does slow down or change rhythm sometimes, for instance when you go on holiday, as you are probably doing now. But does it stop? Not really.

The year’s career rat race changes into the holiday rat race – getting everything ready for the beach holiday or the festive season’s celebrations. However, there is some truth in the saying that a change is as good as a holiday – even if it is the rat race’s change of pace or face.

Enjoy the excitement of the holiday rush, but do try to slow down. Seek out some silence. Put your feet in the water or stick your toes in the sand. Breathe. Just BE for a while.

Happy reading!

Nelia and the

NWU & U team