Join us in celebrating and honouring the extraordinary women at the heart of our university.
At the NWU, we celebrate the remarkable women in leadership roles and the impact they make beyond, including staff, students, and alumni.
These women embody greatness, break barriers, and lead with unwavering confidence. They are mentors, leaders, and warriors who fearlessly pursue their dreams and create positive change. Their contributions extend far beyond their roles, leaving an invaluable impact on society.
Watch: Meet our Women in Leadership
A message from the VC on Women’s Day: leading with confidence
"We are proud of the extraordinary role that women play within the NWU and in society..." read more
The NWU’s women in senior management give their views on the significance of Women’s Month, and share some sage advice to our younger generation that aspires for greatness.
Prof Linda du Plessis
Female leadership means leading confidently, embracing the best version of yourself, and staying true to your values.
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It's about diversity, inclusion, equality, and fairness, not about men versus women or whether women leaders are better than male leaders.
During Women’s Month, we celebrate all the women who excel in their respective fields, setting a high standard for others to follow.
This month serves to remind women that they should seize opportunities for growth and development. It also highlights the significant impact their voices and contributions can make in shaping a more equitable world.
Prof Linda du Plessis, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning and Vice-Principal
Dr Neo Morei
Women’s Month is a time to reflect on the strength and resilience that women bring to every role they occupy.
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For me, this month is a celebration of our journey as women—often starting from humble beginnings and rising to positions of influence. My journey at North-West University (NWU), from a student assistant to the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, exemplifies this. Each role I’ve held, from junior lecturer to head of department, has shaped me and amplified my visibility. NWU has been pivotal in unlocking my potential, and it’s a testament to what is possible when dedication meets opportunity.
I advise young women to embrace their roots and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Coming from Phokeng village, I understand the challenges of not starting in a metropolitan city, yet this background has fueled my drive. Perseverance, humility, and a positive mindset are the keys to unlocking your potential and achieving greatness.
Dr Neo Morei: Executive Dean, Faculty of Law
Elmarie de Beer
Women’s Month is a time to celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of women in all spheres of life.
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As Executive Director Finance and Facilities and walking the path of change and greatness with NWU for the past 20 years, I would like to give honor to the extraordinary women at NWU who embody greatness, break barriers, and inspire change.
Advice for Young Women:
- Believe in yourself: Trust your abilities and pursue your dreams with confidence.
- Seek mentorship: Find mentors who can guide and support you on your journey.
- Embrace challenges: View obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Stay resilient: Persevere through difficulties and remain focused on your goals.
- Support each other: Lift up other women and create a strong, supportive community
Elmarie de Beer, Executive Director: Finance and Facilities
Prof Mala Singh
For me, Women's Month is a powerful reminder of the incredible achievements of women in our organisation and beyond.
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It’s a time to celebrate our collective successes and acknowledge that we build on the legacy of extraordinary women who have come before us.
In our People & Culture team, we believe that this month is not just about honouring past achievements but also about lifting each other up and supporting the growth of women who are the future leaders and innovators. My advice to women in the workplace is to confidently assert their voices, seek out mentorship, and support one another. By lifting each other up, we not only advance our own careers but also create a more inclusive and dynamic environment for everyone.
Let’s use this month to reflect, celebrate, and commit to rising together, knowing that our strength lies in our unity and our shared success.
As Michelle Obama said “Here is to strong women – may we know them, may we be them and may we raise them”
Prof Mala Singh, Executive Director: People and Culture
Prof Sonia Swanepoel
I would like us to focus on every day, ordinary women who keep their families together and teach their children values.
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During women’s month we should not only concentrate on high achievers, global and national ladies who achieved success in government and corporate businesses and who appear on magazine covers and on television.
I would like us to focus on every day, ordinary women who keep their families together and teach their children values. They work hard to take care of their families, sometimes under difficult circumstances and care for their communities. These ladies are the backbone of our economy. They display resilience and nurturing qualities needed in our families, workplace and communities.
We have many such women at the NWU and I salute all of you! Let us appreciate and value every ordinary woman in our team who is indeed extra-ordinary!
Prof Sonia Swanepoel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Community Engagement and Campus Operations: Mahikeng Campus
Prof Liezl van Dyk
Women's Month is a time to reflect on the progress we've made and to envision a future where celebrating women in science and leadership is no longer necessary because it’s the norm.
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As the Executive Dean of an Engineering Faculty, my advice to women entering STEM and leadership roles is this: You are not a woman entering a man’s world; you are a person stepping into a world in dire need of a woman’s touch. You are the right person for the job, not despite being a woman, but because you are one. Your unique strengths are exactly what the world needs.
Prof Liezl van Dyk, Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering
Women in Leadership programme
In 2023, the NWU’s People and Culture division launched a groundbreaking leadership programme specifically for women. The Women in Leadership initiative at the NWU is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of our female workforce. It focuses on promoting professional development and providing extensive training opportunities for women within our institution. Under the leadership of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Linda Du Plessis, ambassadors from different faculties and divisions have been carefully selected to identify specific training needs and implement tailored programmes to address them.
