At the 2019 NWU Alumni Awards gala event are from left Frederik Louw, Caster Semenya, Pieter Twine, Elmarie Myburgh, Prof Alta Schutte, Maggy-Emelia Maliti-Ntshwe, Mmahati Mmutlana (receiving an award on behalf of her sister, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng); Nomsa Mazibuko, and Anri van der Linde (receiving an award on behalf of her father, Johan van Rensburg).
The NWU’s alumni are trailblazers and role models who excel in their fields. The university honoured some of its most remarkable alumni at an awards ceremony on 11 October in Sandton.
The prestigious Alumni Awards of Excellence recognised nine prominent alumni who have made exemplary contributions to society, nationally and internationally.
This year’s award recipients are well-known South Africans who have excelled in an array of vocations and ventures.
They comprise a music promoter; a dynamic entrepreneur; a champion for quality education; a trailblazer in turning social responsibility into action; an influential leader in education; an experienced psychological profiler; a celebrated researcher; a sports icon; and a dynamic and versatile social-media influencer.
There were eight awards categories, one of which (community involvement) had two winners.
The coveted NWU Alumni Awards were presented to deserving alumni for the sixth time.
Previous recipients include respected South Africans such as FW de Klerk, Prof Anis Karodia, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, Prof Pieter Stoker, Katlego Maboe, Judge Frans Kgomo and Prof TT Cloete, among others.
THE WINNERS ARE:
ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
Johan van Rensburg, music promoter and television producer. (READ MORE)
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Maggy-Emilia Maliti-Ntshwe, a dynamic entrepreneur. (READ MORE)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
Frederik Louw, a respected educator who promotes quality education. (READ MORE)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
Pieter Twine, a dynamic fundraiser who turns social responsibility into action. (READ MORE)
EDUCATION AWARD
Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, influential leader in education and university vice-chancellor in South Africa. (READ MORE)
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Elmarie Myburgh, experienced psychological profiler for the South African Police Service. (READ MORE)
RESEARCH AWARD
Prof Alta Schutte, NWU researcher in the fight against hypertension. (READ MORE)
SPORT AWARD
Caster Semenya, international sports icon and world-record breaker. (READ MORE)
YOUNG ALUMNUS AWARD
Nomsa Mazibuko, dynamic and versatile social-media influencer. (READ MORE)
Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, executive director for student life, presents Caster Semenya with the Sport Award.
Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and for campus operations in Vanderbijlpark, shares a joyful moment with Nomsa Mazibuko.
Prof Alta Schutte receives her trophy from Clement Manoko, executive director for corporate relations and marketing.
Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and for campus operations in Mahikeng, hands over the Education Award to Mmahati Mmutlana, who received it on behalf on her sister, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng.
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After contributing to making the Alumni Awards ceremony a great success, these staff members of Corporate Relations and Marketing enjoy a cheerful moment. They are at the back from left Willie du Plessis, Annette Willemse, director Warren Makgowe, executive director Clement Manoko, director Louis Jacobs, Sam Mbatha, Suré Honiball, Mpo Malefane and Nicolize van der Walt. In front are Gregory Sekobotsane, Tshegofatso Lekabye, Christi Cloete and René Vermeulen.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, vice-chancellor Prof Dan Kgwadi said that, through its tireless commitment to excellence and innovation, the NWU boasts a healthy heartbeat.
“Our commitment to our students has never been stronger. Our university – your university – is thriving. We recently broke new ranking ground when the Times Higher Education World Rankings announced that the NWU had made it to position five in South Africa.”
Globally, the NWU is ranked between number 501 and 600 out of the 1 396 participating universities. This ranking was based on five performance indicators: teaching-learning, research, citations, internationalisation and industry impact. He said the NWU’s new strategy and organisational structure, which were adopted over the past two years, have paved the way for a stronger and more united university.
