Access to higher education can transform lives, but for many aspiring students, the only way to access tertiary education is with the support of donors and industry partners. These partners’ and benefactors’ continued investment in students, academic initiatives and community-focused programmes helps the North-West University (NWU) advance its strategic goals while creating meaningful impact beyond the campuses.

Senior leaders of the NWU expressed the university’s gratitude for this support during the annual Donors and Stakeholders Luncheon in Sandton on 22 October.
The event brought together members of Council, the Board of Donors, senior management, donors and representatives from industry and the public sector. 

The programme, led by Silvanus Welcome, director of Development and Fundraising, focused on the university’s strategic priorities, student success stories and opportunities for future partnerships.

Strengthening partnerships for a greater impact

Addressing guests, Clement Manoko, executive director for Corporate Relations, Marketing and Sport, emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing societal challenges and creating opportunities for young people through higher education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. 

He outlined several of the university’s key fundraising priorities, including the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine, the planned School of Mines and Mining Engineering, postgraduate bursaries, multilingual education projects, the university’s endowment fund and mathematics, science and accounting intervention programmes.

Other initiatives mentioned included the Meal-a-Day programme and the NWU AgriHub, which support student wellbeing and food security while also creating practical learning opportunities.

Every student represents a story of possibility

In her keynote address, Prof. Linda du Plessis, senior deputy vice-chancellor for Teaching and Learning, reflected on the human impact behind the university’s statistics on student enrolments and graduations.

“Every statistic represents an individual with aspirations and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to society,” she said.

To illustrate this, Prof. Linda shared the stories of four students whose journeys demonstrate the impact of an NWU education.

One of these students, Thando Masutu, a fourth-year law student, recognised a challenge in her community in KwaNdebele where local farmers had to travel elsewhere to process their maize. The associated transport costs placed additional pressure on families, while unemployment among young people remained a concern.

“Thando did not simply see a problem. She saw a possibility. Together with two friends, they saved money from their allowances so that after a few months she could buy her first maize-grinding machine,” Prof. Linda explained.

Thando later joined the NWU’s Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion programme, where she received practical support to develop her business idea. Today, the enterprise operates two maize-grinding machines and employs nine people.

“Her story expresses what we mean by student-centred education, growth and impact. A university education not only prepares someone to find a place in the economy. Thando is studying law, but she is also learning how knowledge can be combined to solve a real problem. That is the kind of graduate we want to develop at the NWU,” said Prof. Linda.
She further highlighted the value of graduate internship initiatives, including the university’s partnership with the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The programme recently celebrated the successful completion of its first cohort of 100 graduates, providing valuable workplace experience while contributing to municipal capacity across the province.

Student debt is a growing challenge

The luncheon also drew attention to the financial barriers many students continue to face.

Elmarie de Beer, chief financial officer, provided insight into the growing challenge of outstanding student debt and its impact on students and graduates. She noted that many continue to face financial obstacles despite completing their studies and stressed the importance of donor support in helping students register, graduate and access employment opportunities.

For Dr Anna Mokgokong, chancellor of the NWU, donor support plays a crucial role in helping students continue their studies with dignity and realise their aspirations.
“You invest in people while much of what they will contribute is still ahead of them,” she said.

She also encouraged industry partners to expand opportunities for students through internships, workplace exposure and mentorship programmes.

Concluding the programme, René Kenosi, chairperson of Council, thanked donors and stakeholders for their continued support and confidence in the university’s vision.
“Your support creates opportunities for students, advances research and contributes to the development of communities and the country as a whole. It makes a difference, and we look forward to continuing this important work together,” she concluded.