During a recent award ceremony of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Humanities on the campus in Vanderbijlpark, Prof Van Eeden praised students within the History subject group for their passion for and dedication to the subject.
According to Prof Van Eeden, who is the acting deputy director of the School of Social Sciences, history connects things through time, and encourages its students to take a long view of these connections.
“Understanding the linkages between the past and the present allow for a greater consideration of the condition of being human. The subject is therefore not just useful but essential,” explains Prof Van Eeden.
The award ceremony saw students from first-year to postgraduate level receive recognition for their academic performance. This included several special awards: Best Academic Essay, Top Performers (in each module), Top Achiever (2016-2017), Consistent Achiever (2016-2018) and, Best Research Project. This year also saw the introduction of the inaugural History Dux Award.
In announcing the recipients of the special awards, Prof Van Eeden said that each discipline – including history – has a unique and distinctive language of understanding. This understanding is vested in knowledge, skills, wisdom and developments and must be embraced in research, writing and styles of articulation to add value.
“History as an academic subject poses a challenge for some students, but there are those who manage to excel because they understand the impact and value of the discipline. They ‘speak’ the language and it is evident in their tasks, tests and talks,” said Prof Van Eeden.
Special Awards recipients
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Best Academic Essay Zinhle Silinda Banele Mthembu Lebohang Nkosi Palesa Khumalo Molebohang Mabaso |
Top Performers Corli Jannasch Nonhlanhla Mazibuko Lerato Nkomo Masabata Mbele |
Top Achiever Nonhlanhla Mazibuko (2016-2017)
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Consistent Achiever Palesa Khumalo (2016-2018) |
Best Research Project Annadine Smit |
History Dux Award Nonhlanhla Mazibuko |
History lecturers with the first-ever History Dux Award winner. From left are Tumi Leta, Prof Elize van Eeden, Nonhlanhla Mazibuko (awardee), Dr Claudia Gouws and Charmaine Hlongwane.
