Student Leadership Summit 2023

Prof Bismark Tyobeka, one of the leading nuclear power experts in the world, started his term as principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU on 1 June 2022.

He has had a long and fruitful association with his alma mater since starting his studies at the former University of North-West in the 1990s.

Prof Tyobeka was elected the fifth chairperson of the NWU Council in 2017 and reappointed for a second term in November 2020. He had been a member of the NWU Council since November 2014.

As chairperson of the NWU Council, he oversaw the successful restructuring of the NWU to a unitary model to accelerate institutional transformation.

He was also honoured with an NWU Alumni Award of Excellence in 2013 for his personal and career achievements, in particular his significant contribution to nuclear science across the world.

Dr Sibusiso Chalufu has worked in the higher education sector for 28 years, 16 of which have been in senior and executive management positions in student affairs and services (SAS). Apart from lecturing at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, he has also successfully supervised Masters’ students, and serves as external examiner for Masters’ and Doctoral studies at 3 South African universities.

He obtained qualifications from universities in South Africa (undergraduate and Honours degrees – University of Kwa-Zulu Natal); 2 Masters’ degrees from universities overseas (University of Bristol, United Kingdom (UK) and the State University of New York at Buffalo, United State of America (USA)); and a Ph.D. from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Sibusiso Chalufu received further training from the Hiroshima University and the United Nations University, respectively, in Japan; the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration in India; and the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel.

Following several stints as a student leader in South Africa, the UK and the USA, Sibusiso started his career as a Tutor and later went on to become a Research Assistant, Lecturer, acting Head of an Academic Department, Head of Residence, Head of Support Services Division, Head of Department (Student Affairs), Dean of Students and Executive Director.

Dr Chalufu is a member of the NWU Optentia Research Unit’s Inclusion, Optimal Functioning and Decolonising Praxis Programme. Previously, he has been part of several research projects including a project led by Professor Tony Bush from the then University of Warwick, UK and a project led by Professor Jonathan Jansen, the then Dean at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, which resulted in the first book on mergers in higher education in Africa (Mergers in Higher Education: Lessons Learned in Transitional Contexts), where Dr Chalufu contributed a chapter.

He has also participated in several initiatives and projects in the HE space, recent of which is Universities South Africa (USAf)’s “Reshaping universities to create Student-Centered Higher Education Systems in SA”, where Dr Chalufu was invited to be a Member of the Advisory Board; and the USAf Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM)’s Student Affairs and Student Success (SASS) Programme, where he was invited to be part of the SASS Programme’s Reference Group.

In 2018 Sibusiso contributed a chapter in the book: The Struggle for #FeesMustFall: We Are No Longer at Ease and in 2020 an article on student governance and engagement for student success, in the Kagisano No. 12 Journal. In 2022, he co-authored an article with his colleague, Dr Corrie Rheeder, which was published in the Journal of Student Affairs in Africa. Recently Dr Chalufu, in collaboration with colleagues in the SAS sub-sector, contributed a chapter in the upcoming book by the International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS) entitled New Directions for Student Services: Towards Professionalization of Student Affairs Across the Globe (2023).

Dr Chalufu is the President of the South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP) and serves as the Institutional Networking Coordinator of Bayoom Hub, an international non-profit social enterprise.

He is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Central Application Office (CAO) Board and serves on the Universities South Africa (USAf)’s Transformation Strategy Group.

With over two decades of expertise in psychological services, counselling, and leadership development, Dr. Corrie Rheeder has carved a niche for herself in both student life and public service. Serving as a Psychologist and the Director of Student Life at the North-West University's Potchefstroom Campus, she holds a pivotal role in cultivating a plethora of skills, abilities and experience that complements the holistic developmental journey of students and staff.

Dr. Rheeder's early years were marked by her dedication to psychological services within the South African Police Service (SAPS). For nearly 19 years, she wore many hats — from a Hostage and Suicide Negotiator to a Provincial Head of Psychological Services. Her contributions were recognized in 2005 when she was bestowed with the title of 'Hostage and Suicide Negotiator of the Year' in Limpopo Province.

Her thirst for addressing psycho-social challenges culminated in a PhD in Education Psychology. Her studies related to first year student’s depictions of alcohol consumption which led her to develop a comprehensive alcohol expectancy challenge programme for students.  In her most recent publication, in collaboration with the Executive Director: Student Life, Dr. Sibusiso Chalufu, she offers insights into student behaviour and the critical role of psycho-social support interventions.

Renowned for her skills in governance and leadership development, risk management and compliance, change management, community and stakeholder engagement, and crisis intervention, Dr. Rheeder continues to make strides in bridging the gap between various multi-disciplinary stakeholders and ensuring collaboration and effective implementation of interventions and strategies that uplift the NWU student populace and the community.

Dr. Alistair Mokoena is the Country Director for Google South Africa. His academic qualifications include Bcomm, LLB, Management Development Programme (MDP), Executive Development Programme (EDP), MBA and PhD in Business Administration. He is a qualified Chartered Marketer with 25 years corporate experience. He spent the first half of his career in the following roles: Brand Manager at Unilever, Senior Brand Manager at Tiger Brands, Marketing Manager SABMiller, Marketing Director at Mondelez and Absa bank respectively.

Dr Mokoena has dedicated the second half of his career to executive roles in the advertising, media and technology industries, as well as academia. He was previously Managing Director of FCB Advertising Agency and Group Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy South Africa where he spearheaded their digital transformation journey and presided over Ogilvy’s record-setting award wins. He has received many industry awards over the years including the Global Brands’ Best Advertising and Marketing Leader in South Africa in 2019.
He joined Google in April 2020 as Country Director for South Africa. His role involves managing Google’s commercial operations in Southern Africa and collaborating with customers and social partners in accelerating Africa’s digital transformation. Bridging the digital divide is an ideal that inspires Dr Mokoena to ensure that Africa benefits from Google’s technology.

Dr Mokoena previously served on a number of Marketing and Advertising industry bodies in the following capacities: Deputy Chairman of the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), Chairman of the Integrated Advertising Bureau (IAB), member of the Advertising Regulatory Board’s (ARB) Final Appeal Committee, founding member of the Johannesburg Business School’s International Advisory Board, and member of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Intelligent Systems’ Advisory Board. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the North West University Business School, and is a board member for the
American Society of South Africa.

Dr Mokoena is an Extraordinary Professor of Practice at the North-West University Business School, an external examiner for Botho University in Botswana, a postgraduate supervisor at Vega School and a Council member at the University of Johannesburg. He has published articles in academic journals, contributed book chapters, reviewed several books and delivered papers at international academic conferences. He recently finished writing his first book, which will be published in November 2023.

He coaches young professionals, mentors Small Micro and Medium Enterprises and is a regular guest speaker at international business schools and at industry events. He is passionate about the role that responsible Artificial Intelligence can play in making the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals a reality in our lifetime.

Dr Phumzile is a passionate and inspirational speaker, facilitator and moderator who delivers insights that address the complex reality and everyday challenges of today’s leaders.

One thing she loves is a good story. Dr Phumzile uses the power of storytelling to integrate insight from her experience-based wisdom and subject matter expertise. Bringing these together, she imparts practical, solutions-focused insight with integrity and empathy.

Dr Phumzile is convinced that helping leaders to tell their stories is one of the most powerful ways to connect, reassure and inform others. It enables leaders to acknowledge their vulnerabilities and share insights on critical moments when they became the best and most authentic leaders they could be.

Her authentic style resonates with audiences and she has the gift of touching their emotions, making a meaningful contribution to any keynote address, panel, conference, event, breakout session or discussion.

As a facilitator or moderator, she encourages conversations that challenge the status quo and inspire change through a growth mindset, overcoming the fear of failure and finding solutions to critical challenges.

When partnering with organisations on special projects, Dr Phumzile approaches painful issues with sensitivity and clear-sightedness so that teams can heal and become more inclusive, productive and collaborative.

She presents on leadership, diversity and inclusion, strategic communication and branding, engaging the workforce, and more. More on Dr Mmope

Siphesihle Simelane, better known as Leo is from the small town of Heidelberg and knew from her high school days that she wanted to be part of the NWU, there was just something about the campus life that she was drawn to, or it might have just been the fact that she finally gets to be miles away from home either way she knew that the NWU was where she was going.  

Upon arrival at the Potchefstroom Campus, she served on many SCC structures and sub-structures, which included the arts, sports, SJGD, and choir, just to name a few. The highlight of being in a leadership role for her was learning to work with different people, that come from different backgrounds and have different personalities as well as project management skills. It was with these different structures that she discovered new knowledge and skills and found a way to challenge herself.  

She was a proud Huis Republiek resident for 7 years and, because of that, has a good understanding of residence life. She has worked for the Arts Department, the Ceremonies Department, and the Student Life Department and is currently a senior curriculum specialist with the Qualifications and Academic Program Planning Department. She completed her Masters in Education last year and is currently pursuing her PhD.  

Her motto in life is “If you can dream it, you can have it, and remember to Stay True To Self because there is Only One You”. 

Professor Leenta Grobler is the MBA Programme Manager at the NWU Business School. With over 15 years of experience, Prof. Grobler focuses on developing student-centric academic programmes, empowered by digital technology, to cultivate an environment conducive to individual growth and success. As an empathetic listener, her relationship-driven and analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making has underpinned her career. Her credentials include a PhD in Engineering Development & Management and a Master’s degree in Computer & Electronic Engineering.

Prof. Grobler is renowned for her expertise in Digitalisation & Digital Economies and her passion for innovation, particularly in addressing youth unemployment in Africa, is manifested in the annual innovateHER youth innovation competition hosted by the NWU Business School. Beyond her professional commitments, she volunteers as Regional Liaison for Africa with WAITRO, under the auspices of the UN.  

Prof. Grobler's research interests lie within digital transformation and the incorporation of the Internet of Things into the healthcare and local government sectors, particularly in developing countries. She is the founder and CEO of Med-E-Hive, a MedTech start-up commercialising her research group's. Prof. Grobler actively shares her knowledge of product development and digital transformation through mentorship and thought leadership within the Business School community. 

I am currently completing the 4th and final year of at NWU Potchefstroom Campus, while serving on the SCC with the Portfolio of Arts and Culture Officer. Caring for people and their interests is important to me and I am a value driven person that lives and leads with example. Playing a leading role in helping people develop is very fulfilling. Respect is the basis of my value system and I capture this in the way I live. Problem-solving and creative ideas is something I am very proud of possessing. Leading with the best intentions, inclusivity and transparency is the building blocks of how I portray myself as a leader. Preparing for life requires of you to be in positions where you need to be an example and I regard emotional intelligence as vital to success and good relationships. I want to expand my horizons and live life to my fullest abilities.

Matriculated from Langberg High School in 2018 as head boy, which joined the NWU in 2019, and was a member of the first year's prestige camp hosted by the SCC: Sports and Recreation office. At the End of 2019, I served on the SCC: Sports and Recreation as an executive committee member for the term 2019/2020 with the portfolio of Rugby. In 2020, I was selected to be part of the senior prestige camp hosted by the Campus Director. Student Life. Later that year, I got elected to serve on the House Committee of Over De Voor Men's Residence with the portfolio Big Sports for the term 2020/2021. I was also selected to be on the dean's list for academic performance in 2021.

At the end of 2021, I was elected as the SCC: Sport Officer for the term 2021/2022, at the Potchefstroom Campus. In 2022, I graduated with a degree in Management Sciences with Marketing Management with distinction. At the end of 2022, I was elected as the SRC: President and the SCC: Chairperson of the Potchefstroom Campus and served on various university committees, including the NWU Council, NWU Senate, Student Life Oversight Committee of Council, and the Transformation Oversight Committee of Council.