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What a happy reunion: Prof Dan Kgwadi’s high school teachers, Maria Sefotlhelo (left) and Martha Virgina (right) are very proud of the accomplishments of their former pupil.

 

At the breakfast event, Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor,  spoke about the achievements and challenges facing the NWU, which is the second largest university in South Africa. He told them that the university has zero tolerance for students who lambaste the institution on social media but celebrate when they receive their degrees from the NWU.

 

Other subjects that Prof Dan discussed were the alignment of curricula over all the campuses, and the expansion of infrastructure on the campuses in Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark where there is a wealth of open space for further developments.

 

VC reunites with his former teachers

Way back in the mid-1980s, school teachers Maria Sefotlhelo and Martha Virgina had no idea that the tall boy in their classrooms would one day be the vice-chancellor of one of the biggest universities in South Africa and would address them in this capacity.

Well, this is exactly what happened on Saturday, 21 October in Mahikeng. These two teachers were among the alumni attending a breakfast event held in honour of educators, where their former pupil, now Prof Dan Kgwadi, was the main speaker.

 

Maria was his Afrikaans teacher when he was in Grade 11 and 12 at the Kebalepile High School in Mahikeng, while Martha taught him the intricacies of physical science and mathematics at the same school.

 

One united university

 

At the breakfast event, 50 alumni listened attentively as Prof Dan told them about the transformation process at the university. He emphasised that the NWU was no longer three separate campuses, but one university with different entities. He also explained that the NWU now has eight faculties headed by eight executive deans, instead of the former 15 faculties.

 

Alumni relations practitioner Susan van Rooyen stressed the importance of alumni acting as role models for current students by visiting the campus and talking to them. Hearing that they faced and overcame the same challenges that students are facing today, would be especially motivating.

 

Warren Makgowe, NWU director for stakeholder relations, also addressed the alumni, stressing the importance of the NWU Convocation and explaining how the alumni can become members.

The NWU & U

 

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On the front page photograph, Stephen Bogatsu (as Tyrone Jackson) dances with Lyrinda Venter (in the role of ballet dancer Iris Kelly).

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