Tutu Kgobane, President of NWU Convocation at North-West University

 
            Fellow members of the NWU Convocation
 
It is with great pride and humility that I write this letter as the newly elected President of the North-West University (NWU) Convocation. I would like to take this time to thank the outgoing Convocation Exco for their outstanding dedication and commitment to the Convocation and the wider NWU community under the leadership of Mr Nkosinathi Tom and Mr Bert Sorgdrager and I look forward to building on the excellent foundation they have established.

Triennial Convocation Meeting highlights:

We held a successful Triennial Convocation Meeting on 15 March 2025, where an important presentation on the highlights of the past three years was made by the previous Exco, and a message from the Vice-Chancellor on developments at the NWU and the higher education sector was well received by the alumni present. Below are some of the key highlights that all Convocation members should note:
 
a.    Convocation membership fee:
The TGM decided to increase the membership fee from R50 to R100. The new Exco will implement the decision in due course and communicate it to the wider NWU community. 
 
b.    Constitution of the NWU Convocation:
The Constitution with proposed revisions (as circulated on 14 February 2025 in accordance with paragraph 11.2 of the Constitution of the NWU Convocation) for consideration was discussed extensively at the TGM and certain key changes were agreed upon and will be forwarded to the NWU Council for final approval. Once approved by the Council, they will be circulated to the full Convocation and published on our university website.
 
c.    Election of the new Executive Committee of the NWU Convocation:
In accordance with paragraph 3.1 of the current NWU Convocation, the TGM elected the following members to serve on the Exco until the next TGM in 2028:
  • Mr Tutu Kgobane was unanimously elected President of the NWU Convocation. 
  • Mr Frik van Deventer was unanimously appointed as Vice-President of the NWU Convocation 
  • The following five additional members were duly elected:
    • Prof Leenta Grobler
    • Mr Gerhard Laufs
    • Ms Suzanne Paxton (Kok)
    • Mr Hans-Jurie Moolman
    • Mr Arrie Rautenbach 
There was a vacancy on the Executive Committee for the position of Bursar, which had to be filled in accordance with para 34(3) of the NWU Statute. The newly elected Executive Committee held its first extraordinary meeting immediately after the Triennial General Meeting and co-opted Mr Mpho Mosia as the new Bursar of the Convocation Exco until the next Triennial General Meeting in 2028. 
 
The new Convocation Exco will be embarking on a strategy workshop this year to prepare a three-year performance plan based on the objective and functions, including the mandate given at the Triennial General Meeting of the Convocation, which will be shared with you in due course.
 
I take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Convocation who attended the Triennial General Meeting (in person or virtually). I would also like to thank all the nominees who responded to the call to put their names forward for possible election.
 
Let us remember that it is the responsibility of all of us (not just the new Exco) to continue to recruit and be active members of Convocation. The University needs us to be united, not divided, and to work together to leave a legacy that will help make NWU even greater.
 
Have a blessed Easter!
 
Mr Tutu Kgobane,
President of NWU Convocation at North-West University