In this issue of Eish! we introduce the new chairperson of our NWU Council, Dr Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, to you while bidding a fond goodbye to our outgoing chair, Adv Johan Kruger.

 

We also prepare to greet Prof Martin Oosthuizen, the deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, whose term is ending soon. He is leaving us at the end of May to join his family in Somerset West while continuing his career at, hopefully, a somewhat slower pace.

 

Martin has been a pillar of intellectual and moral strength in his years at the North-West University. As an alumnus of Stellenbosch University, who taught at Fort Hare University and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Martin brought a fresh perspective to his work at the NWU. He again proved that it should always be our objective to replenish our capacity with fine “imports”, meaning new blood that adds value to our university.

 

While we will continue to grow our own quality timber (such as our new Council chair), all universities who strive for excellence should have a mix of “local” and “imported” talent, be it academic, managerial or professional. In so doing we are presented with various perspectives in order to produce a superior “blended” team.

 

In the months ahead, a few new faces will become part of the NWU’s senior management team, but in most cases we will see the placement of present leaders in new positions, in accordance with the Article 189A process. This will provide some colleagues with the opportunity to accept new challenges and help lead the NWU to new heights in a new, unitary structure.

 

All considered, this is an exciting time of continual achievement and renewal for the NWU. This is reflected in various articles in this issue. I hope you find encouragement in it.