A former deputy vice-chancellor of the former University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo), Dr Tom Gouws, was buried this week after he was murdered by robbers in his home in Pretoria.

Dr Gouws had a long relationship with the North-West University (NWU) and its predecessors, receiving all his degrees, including a PhD, from the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE).

He later lectured at the Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses of the PU for CHE and was appointed head of the department of Afrikaans at Unibo at the age of 29. Subsequently he served in the management of Unibo. He later also lectured at the University of Pretoria.

Dr Gouws was a well-known poet and also wrote dramas and radio dramas which reflected his strong Christian faith. At the time of his death he was involved in a Christian ministry.

In a message to his widow, Retha, Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor of the NWU, wrote: “We honour the late Tom Gouws as an exceptional person and valued colleague who served our university and the country with distinction.”