“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu.

Community engagement is about people meeting people and sharing knowledge. It is done to touch lives, strengthen human connections, and remind us that learning has its deepest meaning when it serves others. Helping others is not just an act; it is a gift of compassion and a quiet way to leave the world better than we found it.

These words set the tone for the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Humanities community engagement showcase on 8 September at the D'vine venue on the Potchefstroom Campus. The event showcased the university’s community projects and reminded everyone that even small acts can spark powerful change.

Prof Dumi Moyo, executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities, welcomed everyone with powerful words. He reminded the audience that universities were once seen as “ivory towers,” cut off from real-world challenges. “That outdated concept is being dismantled, brick by brick, project by project, by every single one of you,” he said. “Today, we are not an ivory tower; we are a launchpad for change, a partner in progress, and a living laboratory for solutions.”

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, community engagement, postgraduate studies with the assigned function of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, gave the opening remarks. He said that community engagement activities are interwoven in the work of the NWU and that social upliftment is never optional. “It is good to see everyone here and the projects that will be highlighted,” he said.

The keynote presentation came from Prof Sarah Mosoetsa, CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council. “Community engagement is not a side hustle,” she said. “The name says it all: it is about engaging with the community.” She also spoke about the realities of community engagement. She said it is often underfunded, undervalued and misunderstood. She also said that community engagement is not an add-on but rather a defining part of higher education.

Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture and with the assigned function of the Mahikeng Campus, gave the closing remarks. She said the NWU is “one of the best-kept secrets” because it does not share its successes often enough. She explained that through community engagement, the university transfers skills and knowledge, promotes awareness, builds collaboration with stakeholders, and creates meaningful connections both inside and outside the university.

In her vote of thanks, Prof Herculene Kotzé, deputy dean for community engagement, business development and stakeholder relations in the Faculty of Humanities, thanked everyone for their contributions. She said that the large number of people in attendance was proof of the passion for community engagement across the university.

Faculties gave presentations that showcased their various community engagement activities.

The showcase ended with a visit to the NWU Botanical Gardens, where the different faculties set up stalls and exhibitions of the projects they are involved in.

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