An inaugural lecture is an once-in-a-lifetime experience for an academic, but at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences, five of these unique events have taken place in the space of just five months.

Between May and September 2017, five of the faculty’s professors stepped up to the podium, one by one, and delivered their inaugural lectures, marking one of the proudest, most memorable moments in their academic careers.

First up on 25 May was Prof Abel Pienaar from the campus in Mahikeng, whose guests of honour included Prof Eno Ebenso and Prof Helen Drummond. Abel’s lecture was titled, “Reinforcing indigenous communal healing as a sustainable health science and practice in South Africa”, to which the audience listened attentively and applauded enthusiastically.

Just over a month later, on 23 June, it was the turn of Prof Hanlie Moss, director of the research focus area for Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec) in Potchefstroom. Among her well-wishers were Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, deputy vice-chancellor for assignable functions and Potchefstroom campus operations, and Prof Awie Kotze, executive dean for Health Sciences. Hanlie’s lecture was titled, “Be active – B-healthy” – a suitably energetic topic for a researcher known for her passion for promoting physical activity in preventing lifestyle diseases.

There was a brief lull in the inaugural lecture excitement during the winter recess, but it came to life again on 4 August when Prof Johan du Plessis took his place at the lectern in Potchefstroom. Once again, Prof Awie Kotze was there to do the honours, along with Prof Frik van Niekerk, Johan’s lecture delved deep into the topic of "The skin in skin exposure”, one of his long-standing research interests.

Just three weeks later, on 1 September – the first official day of spring – Prof Daleen van der Merwe stepped up to the podium to deliver her lecture, “Consumer sciences in a health context: a shift in traditional thought”. Prof Awie Kotze was there again to show his support and do the welcoming, with Prof Robert Balfour, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, offering his congratulations.

The fifth and final inaugural lecture, for the time being, was on 15 September, when it was the turn of Prof Alida Herbst, director of the School of Psychosocial Behavioural Sciences. The title of her inaugural lecture was, “More than a story”, referring to the telling of stories about illness. There to join her in celebrating the occasion were Prof Grieta Hannekom, representing the executive dean, and Prof Frik van Niekerk.

Five such lectures in five short months shows the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in the Faculty of Health Sciences, whose professors clearly have their fingers on the pulse of the latest healthcare trends.

Prof Alida Herbst	Prof Abel Pienaar

Prof Daleen van der Merwe	Prof Johan du Plessis

Prof Hanlie Moss and Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg