It was a familiar kind of “new” that Keabetswe Gopane experienced recently when she started her job as an alumni relations practitioner at the Mahikeng Campus.

The job description differs from that of senior liaison officer, the position she had held for three years at the Faculty of Engineering on the Potchefstroom Campus, but the surroundings and people are all still part of the bigger NWU family.

 

Born and bred in Mahikeng and herself an alumnus of the Mahikeng Campus, the change felt more like swopping one pair of comfortable shoes for another.

 

Ready to run

 

Finding herself on Mahikeng’s familiar playing field, Keabetswe is ready to hit the ground running.

 

“I would like to build even stronger ties between the Alumni Office and the alumni, and encourage them to join the NWU Convocation. I am also looking forward to organising alumni events such as reunions, and keeping the alumni updated about major university developments,” she says.

 

Earlier years

 

Boasting a BA Communication degree from the Mahikeng Campus, Keabetswe also obtained an honours degree in community and health psychology from UNISA.

 

Her previous jobs include working in Mahikeng at the North West Department of Finance as an intern and then as a contract communications officer.

 

Willing to learn

 

Keabetswe says she learned a lot while working on the Potchefstroom Campus.

 

“I learned how to handle people with different characters and personalities to get the job done. I also realised how important it is to be open-minded and willing to learn new things so you can improve your performance. I believe a teachable spirit will take you far in life.”

 

Asked which personality traits will help her in her new position as alumni relations practitioner, Keabetswe says she is a friendly person who loves working with people – and she is a good listener too.