A university’s relationship with a student is certainly not over on graduation day. As an alumnus of a university, every student still has a role to play – years after writing that last exam.

This was the message of Ms Zanele Ngobese, alumni relations officer on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijpark, to students at a recent alumni information event. 

The current students of the campus were invited to partake in this event, aimed at informing students what the purpose and benefits of the alumni office is.

Events such as the annual Leadership Summit, Alumni Gala dinner, Young Alumni and Homecoming was discussed with the students, and Zanele also explained how the Convocation works as a body managed by members of the university alumni. 

Zanele encouraged students to sign up as alumni after graduation and to remain an active part of the campus community even though their careers may take them elsewhere geographically. She also urged them to raise any possible questions they might have at the alumni office, which is situated in building 23 on the campus. 

Ms Zanele Ngobesi urges students to become active alumni.

Two members of the NWU alumni, Siyanda Duma and Samuel Monyake, then took to the stage to give students an idea of what to expect from life after studying. Siyanda is a senior consultant in the financial services advisory division at Deloitte. Samuel is a portfolio manager at AIG Insurance and is the founding member and current MD of Christocentric Generation, a promotion and record company within the South African gospel industry.