Phenyo Mokgothu and Keaoleboga Motshabi

“I built this department from the ground up – and now I return to see the seeds have grown into a forest.” These were the heartfelt words of Prof Jamshid Moori as the North-West University (NWU) celebrated his legacy and his 80th birthday during a special mathematics conference held in his honour at the Mahikeng Campus.

The event on 24 May brought together mathematicians, students and former colleagues to reflect on the remarkable contributions of Prof Moori, an international expert in finite group theory and the founding head of the Mathematics Department at the then University of Bophuthatswana – now the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.

With more than 150 published academic papers and decades of mentorship under his belt, Prof Moori has shaped the field of algebra in South Africa. He has supervised 25 postgraduate students and nine postdoctoral researchers, and played a crucial role in developing the department that continues to thrive today.

According to Prof Thekiso Seretlo, deputy chair of the subject group Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, the timing of the conference was no coincidence. “This was not just about honouring his academic contributions – we also wanted to celebrate his 80th birthday.”

Prof Moori came to South Africa in 1983 to help establish the maths department at the then University of Bophuthatswana. “After he retired from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, I spoke to Prof Dan Kgwadi (late vice-chancellor of the NWU) and asked him to bring Prof Moori back to Mahikeng. We held a celebration for his birthday in 2015, and now, even though he resides in England, we felt it was important to recognise his legacy again.”

The return to Mahikeng was deeply emotional for Prof Moori. “It is very important for me, especially as this conference is in Mahikeng. I was the first head of department. I built the maths department when late Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope was here. I produced a lot of students here – even the late vice-chancellor Prof Dan Kgwadi. It brings back a lot of good memories and I’m really proud that I contributed to algebra in South Africa.”

Now living in England with his family, Prof Moori’s influence continues to resonate in academic institutions. The conference served not only as a tribute to his mathematical legacy, but also as a celebration of a life dedicated to knowledge, mentorship and building academic excellence from the ground up.

Attendees of the Mathematics conference in honour of Prof Jamshid Moori.