NWU
honours its
cream of the crop
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The NWU honoured its top alumni at an awards ceremony on 7 October in Sandton. This year’s awards also included the prestigious NWU Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as recognition for NWU alumni who have excelled in the international sports arena in 2016.
For many years now, NWU alumni have made their mark – not only in South Africa but also internationally.
2016 marks the fourth year that NWU alumni have been recognised through the prestigious alumni awards.
Alumni achieve greatness
Dr Theuns Eloff, former vice-chancellor of the NWU and current executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is only the second time that the NWU has presented this prestigious award in recognition of exceptional achievements. The first recipient was former state president, FW de Klerk.
The NWU’s chancellor, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, leader of the Royal Bafokeng nation, said in his address at the awards ceremony that while there are many intelligent ideas being dreamed about every day, only a handful of people achieve greatness.
“Energy spent on some pursuit might be impressive but if and where we find real human challenges, addressing these with our time, talents and passion puts us in the lead to be great.”
Alumni have great impact
Prof Linda du Plessis, acting campus rector of the Vaal Triangle Campus, congratulated the winners on behalf of Prof Dan Kgwadi, the vice-chancellor. “It’s a real privilege for us to have such a group of distinguished alumni at an event – and to be able to see first-hand the long-term effects of an NWU education. By NWU I include the former University of Bophuthatswana, the University of North West and the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.”
She said through the NWU Alumni Awards the university is saluting the impact that alumni are making. “Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us and becoming all that we can be.”
Alumni play pivotal role
She said the NWU acknowledges that the university needs its alumni in the next chapter of its history. “May our continual striving towards excellence and our passion for education and research forever run through your veins. May you cherish your NWU yesterdays, make the most of your NWU present and share our dream for the NWU of tomorrow.”
Sport stars are recognised
The 2016 Alumni Awards marked the first time that NWU Ambassador Awards and Ambassador Certificates were presented to alumni who have received international acclaim.
Caster Semenya and Sunette Viljoen, who made the podium at the Olympic Games, received NWU Ambassador Awards.
Willem Coertzen, Elroy Gelant, Terseus Liebenberg and Jean Verster received Ambassador Certificates for excelling in their sport disciplines and as coaches.
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